Sunday, October 28, 2012

Bruce McCaffrey: Surviving long-distance flights

Bruce McCaffrey: Long distance travel
Bruce McCaffrey Image credit: travellingloves.com

The strain that comes with long-haul flights is something that Bruce McCaffrey and other airline executives are very familiar with. That is why major airlines these days are making sure that passengers enjoy transatlantic journeys by providing them with good entertainment options, varied snack choices, overflowing beverages, and soft pillows and warm blankets. However, no matter how comfy the airplane ambience is, there will always come a point in the 18-hour non-stop flight from Newark, New Jersey, to Singapore when air travel becomes unbearable. Below are some tips to help passengers survive long-distance flights.

Carrying layers
Onboard temperature can vary, thus, bringing a sweater or a coat will be useful when the mercury drops to an almost unforgiving level. In addition, seasoned travelers like Bruce McCaffrey note that large sweaters and coats can function as blankets and pillows.

Bruce McCaffrey: Comfort during flight
Bruce McCaffrey Image credit: thesummerlad.com

Wearing appropriate shoes
Feet tend to swell at high elevation, making shoes uncomfortable to wear. There are several ways to relieve the pressure:

• Wearing relaxed-fit or slip-on shoes
• Hydrating before and during flight
• Walking down the aisle
• Avoiding crossing legs

Seasoned travelers advise against removing shoes while walking down the aisle or when going to the lavatory. This exposes the feet to bacteria not only from the floor but also from fellow travelers.

Getting some z’s
Passengers who are on a plane for over 10 hours and hopping time zones are advised to schedule six to eight hours of rest that align with their destination’s nighttime. Sleeping will make the flight seem shorter and will keep the body in sync with the destination’s time zone.

The aviation industry
Bruce McCaffrey Image credit: watblog.com

For more airline travel tips from Bruce McCaffrey, follow this Twitter account.