Relaxed on vacation
Take a long-haul flight worry-free
Long-haul flights don’t always have to be torture – with the right preparation, you can enjoy them in a relaxed manner.
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Long-haul flights are often associated with stress and hectic pace. With these tips, you can still arrive relaxed at your destination.
The summer holidays have already begun in some areas and accordingly more and more people are bustling about at German airports. While some fly to Spain or Greece in the classic way, others are drawn even further afield. Thailand, South Africa and the USA are popular travel destinations for Germans. However, the flight routes are anything but pleasant for many. Long-haul flights can have a negative effect on the body as well as on the psyche – the preparation is also a lot for many associated with stress. With these tips, you can still arrive at your destination carefree and enjoy your holiday without worries.
Prepare and sort documents
Some non-EU countries require special documents or certificates for entry, for example German citizens. Access to the USA, for example, is only granted if a valid ESTA document is available. This corresponds to an electronic travel authorization and replaces the visa for short stays in the United States of America. However, countries such as South Korea, New Zealand and Canada now also require an electronic entry permit.
In addition, it is sometimes important to be able to provide additional information such as the hotel or Airbnb address, the booking details for the return flight or insurance and health documents in writing. It is therefore worth printing out all the important documents before departure and keeping them in a folder in your hand luggage.
Use online check-in
Many airlines enable online check-in 72 hours before departure. It is advisable to use this function, especially in high season – for example the summer holidays. This is how you stay relaxed when there are meter-long queues at the check-in counters at the airport.
Properly label and secure luggage
Long flights are often interrupted with a stopover. There, both the passengers and the luggage change planes. Every now and then mistakes happen and the luggage does not arrive at the destination. It is therefore advisable to provide the suitcase with a hangtag or some other type of labeling. Home address, name and mobile phone number should be provided so that the airline can contact the owner.
In addition, more and more travelers rely on suitcase locks. This is to guarantee that no one who comes into contact with the baggage can access its contents without authorization.
Comfort is the be-all and end-all
Hours-long flights can become uncomfortable – especially if you’re sitting in economy class. A comfortable outfit – including comfortable shoes – should therefore be the first choice. We recommend lounge or sportswear without zippers, buttons or body-hugging cuts. So feel free to swap tight jeans for loose jogging pants – high heels and boots should be replaced with casual sneakers. First and foremost, you should make sure that you can move freely in your clothes. If that is possible, then the look is also suitable for the plane.
Avoid dehydration
The dry air in the airplane cabin can dehydrate the body, so it is important to drink enough water. Caffeinated or alcoholic beverages should be avoided as they also dehydrate the body. Tip: Filled water bottles do not get through the security check. However, you can take an empty bottle with you and then fill it up at the drinking water points at the gate. These most airports offer such drinking water points nowadays.
Relieve your body with stretching exercises
If you are not sitting in business or first class, you have to reckon with little legroom and limited comfort. During flights lasting hours, you will eventually feel this disadvantage in your body. The joints stiffen, there is pain in the limbs or in the neck and hip area. So when the seat belt signs are off, it’s a good idea to get up and stretch every once in a while. This promotes blood circulation and muscle tension may be spared. You can also do small exercises for your legs while sitting – this reduces the risk of a blood clot.
Combat boredom
A long-haul flight is not only exhausting for the body, but also for the soul. The airlines’ in-flight programs provide entertainment, but sometimes the selection just doesn’t appeal to you. That’s why you should take precautions and pack your favorite book, load new music onto your cell phone and maybe even take games with you that you can play with your travel companion. The rule here is: Better to take a little too much with you instead of getting bored later on the plane.