Survival guide for long flights and preparing with aluminum luggage

If you’re taking a long flight, it generally means that you’re going to an exciting, often international, destination. That excitement can help with tension and boredom on the flight somewhat but planning ahead can help even more with surviving long flights. And for your comfort, you’ll want to pack in a dependable suitcase, such as aluminum luggage.

Pause for a moment and think about what you enjoy doing on a flight or possible things you can do. We have some ideas to get you started and will also offer pointers on preparation tips.

Stay hydrated, but not too hydrated

The air on planes is fairly dry and in the hubbub of getting ready for your trip, it’s easy to forget to drink an adequate amount of water. Your goal when traveling should be to drink enough water to stay feeling your best without overhydrating and having to use the airplane bathroom repeatedly.

To avoid spending your travel budget on water in the airport, bring a reusable bottle with you that’s empty. Once you get through security, fill it at a water fountain or via tap water at one of the food vendors.

When you aren’t hydrated well, you’ll suffer from being more tired than normal and that added exhaustion can put a damper on your trip. Plus, if you have plans for once you land, you will want to have plenty of energy to enjoy your stay.

Pack smart in your aluminum carryon luggage

If you're choosing to use carryon luggage instead of checked luggage, you should pack strategically. Ideally, you'll pack all the items you plan to use throughout the flight in your personal item. However, sometimes, there just isn't enough space to do that.

So when you need to use your carryon luggage as overflow from your personal item, place items on top or in outer pockets that you might want during the flight. An easy way to do this is to pack all essentials first, such as clothes, toiletries and charging chords. Then pack those items you might need during your flight and they should be easily accessible if you need them.

Remember, you can’t access your carryon luggage during takeoff or descent, so you won’t be able to use those items during that time. Keep yourself entertained via your personal item’s contents.

To make for stress-free travel, choose aluminum luggage. This type of luggage is sturdy, yet light to carry easing tension while you rush through the airport.

Wear comfortable clothes

If you're going to be sitting on a plane for several hours, you want to be comfortable. Try to wear soft clothes that you know feel good for extended periods of sitting like you'll experience on your flight.

Also, consider wearing short sleeves and packing a jacket or sweatshirt in your carryon luggage in case you get cold. That way you won’t be sweating away in heavy clothes that you can’t take off during the flight. Airplanes have varying temperatures so it’s best to prepare for anything so you ensure you enjoy the experience.

Additionally, as you think about your footwear, you should consider wearing slip-on shoes for ease of going through security. To be polite, it’s best to not take your shoes off during a flight so make sure your slip-on shoes are comfortable for long-term wear. There is often a great deal of walking involved in air travel between concourses and navigating large international airports.

Freshen up when you arrive

Flying overnight or just for an extended time can take a toll on how fresh you feel. When you arrive at your destination, take a few minutes to freshen up so that you enjoy every moment of your vacation.

When you pack your toiletries, you’ll already need to have them in a Ziplock bag for going through security. Just pull that bag out when you arrive at your destination. Put on fresh deodorant, wash your face and brush your teeth. It will only take a few minutes but it should help you feel revived and fresh so you’re ready to go for your travels.

You might also consider changing your outfit. If you chose to wear comfortable clothes for the flight, you can put on something more along the lines of what you normally wear when you’re out and about to feel like your normal self.

Get some rest

Long flights generally mean using some of your normal sleeping time flying instead. So when you replace overnight sleep with travel, you’ll want to plan ahead for how to sleep on the plane. Consider getting some of these items to make your sleep on a plane more comfortable.

• Eye mask: block out lights on the plane and distractions so you can get quality rest.
• Earplugs/music from headphones: tune out all the noise around you with a pair of earplugs or headphones with your favorite tunes.
• Melatonin supplement (ask a doctor first): if you’re approved for taking a melatonin supplement, that’s a natural way of helping your body shift into sleep mode. Melatonin is a natural substance your body generates to help you rest, but be sure to ask a doctor before taking the supplement to ensure it’s safe for you.
• Neck pillow: support your neck during your airplane rest with a neck pillow. That way, you don’t arrive at your destination with severe pain that puts a damper on your trip.

Bring healthy snacks

Healthy snacks can give you quality energy throughout your travels. Make sure you’re ready for your journey with an assortment of healthy snack options. While the airline might offer snacks, they won’t be enough to supplement a meal so instead bring your own from home.

This way, you can reliably know that you’ll have the nutrition you need to feel your best and have a great trip. Plus, if you don’t eat them during the flight, you can always enjoy them while you’re out and about sightseeing later on.

Prepare by downloading videos

If you subscribe to a streaming service, you can download a few episodes of your favorite show or a couple of movies to keep yourself entertained. You’ll need to make sure that you have space on your phone or tablet for multiple downloads but this is a nice added benefit of your streaming service.

Make sure to take a look at how long your flight is before downloading. And don’t forget that you’ll have a return flight you’ll need entertainment for as well.

One of the best ways to have a relaxing and enjoyable trip, no matter how long the flight, is by having reliable and quality luggage that’s simple to pack and easy to carry. At LEVEL8, you’ll find many options to meet your travel needs from carry on and checked luggage to laptop backpacks that protect your electronics. Allow our bags to be your best travel companion.

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