16 ways to guarantee the best and most comfortable flight of your life

Sadly, we can’t all be lucky enough to get upgraded to first class, however many times we say we’re flying off on ‘honeymoon’.
Most of us spend our time in the skies in cramped economy class, counting down the minutes until we can escape the recycled air of the cabin and hit the beach.

But there are ways to have a relaxing, enjoyable flight – without splashing out on the extra legroom.

1. Put on comfy clothes

This isn’t the heyday of air travel, so no-one expects you to descend the steps to the runway perfectly coiffed with red lippy and heels. Instead, put on your comfiest joggers, loosely lace up your trainers and get cosy.

2. Minimise hand luggage

Avoid the mad scramble for overhead locker space and instead take a squashy holdall you can easy slide under the seat in front, ideally without compromising your legroom.

3. Pick a decent seat

It’s worth spending a little extra on selecting your own seat. Pick the exit row if you want extra legroom, choose a window seat on overnight flights so there’s somewhere to rest your head, and for short-haul, pick an aisle seat so you can escape the plane quickly. Also, avoid sitting near the engine and wings if you want a quiet, less turbulent journey.

4. Remember hand sanitiser

Just think how many people have sat in your seat previously… use hand sanitiser gel and wipes to clean down your tray table and arm rests and eradicate germs.

5. Pack boiled sweets or chewing gum

The ear popping experience of taking off and landing is unpleasant, so make sure you have a stash of boiled sweets to suck on, or gum to chew, and relieve the pressure build-up.

6. Move around

Sitting still for too long is bad for you wherever you are, and on a flight – particularly long-haul – remaining motionless can be uncomfortable at best and deadly at worst: it’s a major cause of deep vein thrombosis. Stretch in your seat, jiggle your feet and ankles and walk up and down the aisle – just keep moving.

7. Bring your own headphones

Preferably ones that block out noise and make your neighbour fully aware of the fact that you will be listening to music and watching a film during the flight, and not spending the entire time chatting to them.

8. Drink lots of water

The recycled air and air conditioning on flights can make you feel very dried out, so drink lots of water, apply eye drops and moisturise to combat the effects.

9. Don’t forget ear plugs and an eye mask

If you are keen to nap during your flight, ear plugs and eye masks are essential.

10. Wear compression socks

Fairly comfy and nice and warm compression socks are also advisable if you are at risk of developing deep vein thrombosis.

11. Avoid too much alcohol

A glass of wine might calm your nerves, put you in the holiday mood or help send you off to sleep, but if you spend a long-haul flight getting jolly, you’ll regret it on arrival, when you’ll feel groggy and very dehydrated…

12. Pack a pillow

Avoid falling asleep on your neighbour’s shoulder by bringing your own pillow and neck support.

13. Bring your own blanket

Thin and scratchy complementary in-flight blankets are rarely great. Pack your own for a more restful nap.

14. Brush your teeth

Flying can leave your mouth dry and with a bad taste, but if you’ve got your toothbrush to hand, you can freshen up before meeting your loved ones at the gate.

15. Check before reclining

Don’t annoy the person behind you by reclining without checking first, unless you want them kicking you in the back for the rest of the flight…

16. Don’t clock watch

Between time differences and flight delays, clock watching will just make you feel despondent. Instead, enjoy your time in the sky watching films, reading and napping. After all, it’s not often you get a solid block of time where you can avoid contact with the outside world and just focus on yourself.

How do you make sure you have a good flight? Tell us in the Comments section below.