HOW TO FLY WELL
“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.”
I was counting it up recently, and realized that I flew around 44 times last year. That’s not including layovers. Most of it was not work-related either – I just like to travel a lot. I get that itch to see something or someone, and if it’s affordable, then I go. And it’s been like that since 2015 when I was working in Las Vegas, but was dating someone long-distance.
The thing is, I enjoy going to the airport. Ever since getting my TSA Global Entry, most security TSA lines are easy, and I like the sights and sounds of the airport. Portland’s International Airport is my favorite airport in the world because it has efficient lines, friendly agents, and great food in the concourses. After flying as much as I have in the past, it practically feels like my second home.
Of course over time, I’ve had flight delays and enough mishaps that I’ve become very good at making sure I can travel well. I didn’t realize that this was unusual until I was traveling with a friend for work, and she kept commenting on how “prepared I was.” Before I fly anywhere – whether it’s a 6 hour flight to Hawaii or a 2 hour flight to Vegas – I always have a few things ready.
Tips for Flying
Download movies from Netflix or Amazon prime to watch on the plane. Both streaming services have the option to do so and it’s free! Yes I know most planes have some type of movie service, but some of them you have to pay for (I’m talking to you, dumb Hawaiian Airlines). If I have my own downloaded movies, then I’m not dependent on the airline providing the service. I’ve been on flights where the wifi isn’t working for some reason, and all those people who were counting on watching TV now have to just sit for 6 hours from Portland to New York.
It’s still a good idea to have each airline’s movie watching app downloaded on your iPad or iPhone beforehand. American, Alaska, and United all use an app called GoGo Entertainment. Hawaiian Airlines uses Hawaiian Entertainment App. Southwest Airlines uses their own Southwest App. Delta Airlines uses Delta Studio.
2. Write: I bring my iPad which has a keyboard attached to it, and I do a lot of my blog writing on airlines. There is something about airplanes that get my creative juices flowing, so I usually try to spend the first 1/2 hour of my flight writing.
This is the type of iPad and keyboard that I have which is small, light-weight and easy to use both for watching movies and writing.
3. Read: I download a book to read. Yes I know, I already downloaded the whole first season of Riverdale on my iPad so why do I need a book? Maybe it’s just me, but if I’m on a longer flight, I get bored doing the same thing. So I like to have options. You can download books to read for free from your local Library using an app called Overdrive.
4. Color. Sometimes, for very long flights, I bring a coloring book. To cut down on weight, I have one multi-colored pen that I use to color (you can get one here at Amazon: link ) Again, I tend to get bored easily. I can’t watch 6 hours of TV at home, even given the choice, so why would I be able to do it on a plane?
Coloring is soothing to me and it gives me something different to do on long flights.
5. Sleep?: I don’t typically sleep well on planes, but on longer flights, I might be able to sleep for an hour. So I bring the right gear to help.
I use this awesome neck pillow called the Trtle. It’s light-weight, packs easily and is very comfortable to use.
I bring a little blanket. I just took one of those free blankets they give you on long flights and I washed it and bring it on every flight. It’s light weight and packs easily.
Other things I always bring on planes:
Essential oils. The one I like to use for airplanes is called Serenity. I put it on before I get on the plane though. (In case people are sensitive to smells.)
Can purchase this by clicking on the link
Headphones. I have my ear-pods that I use as headphones – but honestly, after one really noisy flight to Hawaii – I think I’m ready to spring for noise-cancelling ones. If anyone has any suggestions for ones they really like, I’d love to hear about it.
Trying out some new Bose noise-cancelling headphones
Eye Mask. On long flights, I bring my eye mask as well. (The Tempurpedic one I was talking about in the How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep post: link). It blocks the light and still creates enough room for my eyes to flutter as I drift off to REM sleep (hopefully).
I’ve said it before, but these Tempurpedic eye masks are the best!
A water bottle. I always bring an empty water bottle and fill it up right before I get on a plane. Being at high altitude is really dehydrating and drinking those 4 oz glasses of Diet Coke the flight attendants hand you is not enough.
A snack. Usually I just bring one protein bar. I’m not opposed to buying snacks on planes – they can be delicious – but if you’re on an airline that doesn’t serve snacks and you’re starving, it can feel torturous.
My favorite brand of protein bar: The Perfect Bar
A phone/iPad charger. Most airplanes have plug-ins for you to charge your devices, and that’s especially nice on long flights.
It might sound like I bring a lot of gear, but I really don’t. I have one tote bag that I use to bring everything, and I only use it for travel, so I keep my normal travel essentials in there all the time so I don’t have to pack things every time. It fits nicely on my carry-on bag too, so I don’t have to lug it around on my shoulder.
That’s how I have a good flight. It takes maybe 3 extra minutes before I leave for the airport to download some shows and pick a book from the library, but it’s been well-worth it on the flights that get delayed or cancelled.