Make long haul travel easy - Danis Travel Tips

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Make long haul travel easy!

Embarking on a long-haul journey can be a relaxing experience, offering you the chance to unwind with some movies, shows or a good book . Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, the prospect of exploring new destinations can be enticing. However, long-haul travel also presents its fair share of challenges, from jet lag, cramped seating and restless kids. The good news is that with careful planning you can turn your long-haul flight into a more comfortable and enjoyable experience. In this blog we’ll explore together some essential tips to help you navigate the ups and downs of long-haul travel with ease.

Plan Ahead:

Preparation is key when it comes to long-haul travel and I always make sure I have done my research and planned accordingly. I go through several step:-.

Start by looking at the plane’s seating layout and ask your self, Do you want a window seat? How many are in your party do you all want to sit on the same row or do you not mind splitting up?
Check your baggage allowance for both carry on and checked luggage, this can quite often be different to short haul and can vary by airline.
Have a look at how many meals and drinks are included. Do you need to take extra? ( I always go with yes ).
Check out this inflight entertainment options, is there enough for you or do you need to download you own shows / movies onto a portable device?
If travelling with kids remember to checkout my “Travelling with toddlers” blog I have lots of tips to help make it easier for you.
Lost Luggage – Get yourself some Trackers for your luggage that way if for any reason it does get lost you can locate it easily which will help the airline find it for you. We use Apple AirTags they connect straight to our Iphones.

Be organised:

Whether its having your carry on bag ready or thinking about what to wear, try not to leave things until the night before the flight. I like to have my carry on packed at least a few days before.

Packing efficiently can make a world of difference during long-haul flights, nobody wants to be be looking in the bottom of their bag for those Air pods or snacks.
Keep your snack in one handy place. I use these sectional containers to make a snack box for the flight which your kids will love. – LAifu 2Pcs Plastic container
During the flight I always find it beneficial to go for lightweight, comfy clothing that can if necessary be layered for warmth and comfort.
Don’t forget items like noise-cancelling headphones a good book, laptop or entertainment device, this will help keep you occupied during the long journey.
A good travel pillow is very useful if you are intending to get some sleep and this is my favourite one – Cozi Home Travel Pillow
Remember to pack any necessary medications and toiletries in your carry-on bag so you have easy access to them during the flight. If its prescription medication then remember to have it labelled.

Stay Hydrated:

Air travel can be dehydrating, especially during long flights, so it’s essential to stay hydrated throughout your journey.

Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your flight to combat the dry cabin air and minimize the effects of jet lag.
Avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption, as they can further dehydrate your body and disrupt your sleep patterns. I always take a bottle of water for each member of my family when we fly.
Don’t forget you can always ask the cabin crew for extra water anytime during the flight.
Most airports have water bottle refill stations so take your empty bottle through security and fill it up the other side. I use the Corkcicle Canteen and I love it.

Combat Jet Lag:

Jet lag can wreak havoc on your internal clock, leaving you feeling groggy and disoriented upon arrival at your destination. To minimize its effects try these simple yet affective tips.

Stay Hydrated – Drink plenty of water and limit you alcohol intake.
When you arrive at your destination try and get into your new routine as quickly as possible. Remember generally it harder to adjust when the time zone is ahead of yours rather than behind. One of our favourite destinations is Florida they are 5 hrs behind us, going there is never half as bad as the first few days getting home.
Upon arrival, try to stay awake until local bedtime to help reset your clock.
If you can try and take a couple of extra days leave when you get home to give your body time to readjust.

Move Around:

Sitting in a cramped airplane seat for an extended period can take a toll on your body, leading to stiffness, discomfort and in extreme cases, deep vein thrombosis. To counteract this I make sure I do the following:-

Make an effort to move around and stretch regularly during your flight. Take short walks up and down the aisle.
Do some simple stretches in your seat.
Consider doing some in-flight exercises to keep your blood flowing and prevent muscle aches. I have attached short video of some examples below.

Eat Well:

Airplane food often gets a bad rap, but it’s possible to maintain a healthy diet even during long-haul flights.

You could buy or pack nutritious snacks like nuts, fruit, salads and healthy wraps to eat throughout the journey.
When it comes to in-flight meals, opt for lighter options like salads and fruits, and avoid heavy, greasy foods that can leave you feeling sluggish.
If you have dietary restrictions or preferences, consider pre-ordering a special meal when booking your flight.
Consider taking a couple a sachets of your favourite sauce on board to add a little flavour to those meals, i find this essential when travelling with kids.
Some countries will not allow you to bring in certain foods so make sure you check the regulations for your destination.

Stay Entertained:

Long flights can be tedious, so it’s essential to have plenty of entertainment options to keep yourself occupied.

Load up your tablet or laptop with movies, TV shows, music, and games to enjoy during the flight.
Many airlines offer in-flight entertainment systems with a wide selection of movies and TV shows, so take advantage of these amenities to pass the time. Invest in a bluetooth headphone adapter so you can use your own wireless headphones, I use the Avantree Relay airplane adapter.
Alternatively, bring along a good book or download some podcasts to listen to while you relax in the air.
If you have any work to do then now is the time to do so it minimises the effect on your holiday.

Stay Connected:

Staying connected with loved ones and colleagues is easier than ever thanks to in-flight Wi-Fi and roaming services. Take advantage of these amenities to stay in touch with friends, family, and work contacts throughout your journey. Whether you’re sharing updates on social media, checking emails, or video chatting with loved ones, staying connected can help alleviate feelings of isolation and boredom during long flights.

Personally I like to use the time to switch off for a few hours and use the time to get my head in holiday mode.

Practice Self-Care:

Long-haul travel can be physically and mentally taxing, so it’s important to prioritize self-care during your journey.

Bring along travel-sized toiletries like moisturizer, lip balm, and hand sanitizer to freshen up throughout the flight.
Remember to move around and do some simple stretches in your seat during your flight. Take short walks up and down the aisle.
Don’t forget to pack a toothbrush and toothpaste to maintain oral hygiene during your journey.
Travel Toiletry set – women
Travel toiletry set – men

Travel Sickness:
Most airlines will have sick bags available normally in the seat back pockets, but don’t be afraid to ask if you need one. A great idea is to get some motion sickness bands to wear. They really do help these ones are great –

Long Haul Essential Items

There are several item that I would consider as essential to enhance comfort and convenience during long-haul trave and I will not let my family leave home without them:-

Travel Pillow/Blanket: Investing in a high-quality travel pillow and/or Blanket can significantly improve your comfort during long flights. I have listed below some that provide adequate neck and head support and are compact enough to fit in / on your carry-on bag:-

Eye Mask and Earplugs: Blocking out light and noise is essential for getting quality rest during long flights. A comfortable eye mask and a pair of earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones can help create a peaceful sleeping environment, even in a crowded airplane cabin.

Tablet / Console: Although the inflight entertainment on most airlines is pretty good now, I like to make sure I have my favourite movies / shows downloaded ready to go. For the Kids a handheld console with a few games will definitely keep them busy for a few hours.

Nintendo switch
Lenovo Tab M10
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids – this one is great for smaller kids, it comes with a worry free 2yr guarantee and a bumper case.

Portable Charger: Keeping your devices charged is crucial for staying entertained and connected during long flights. Invest in a quality portable charger or power bank to ensure your smartphone, tablet, or laptop stays powered up throughout your journey.

AperX 2 pack power bank

Bluetooth Headphone adapter: Although standard headphones are normally included on your flight, it can be a bit of a pain navigating around a wire for 7 hours or more. With a bluetooth adapter your can simply connect your own wireless headphones to the inflight entertainment.