I went on 22 flights in two months – here are my top tips to make flying economy much more comfortable
A FREQUENT flyer who notched up 22 flights in just two months has revealed her top tips to make flying economy more comfortable.
Shelly Horton, a lifestyle presenter and columnist for 9Honey in Australia, criss-crossed the country over eight weeks recently due to her busy schedule to attend charity events, conferences and even speaking in parliament.
Due to her first-hand experience, she’s listed her top ten tips and hacks to make flying less stressful and more comfy.
Embrace the carry-on life
Shelly reckons that having a carry-on “is your best ally” as it provides a lot more flexibility.
You can catch earlier flights and it speeds up your whole airport experience if you’re not laden down with luggage.
Seat selection is a ‘game-changer’
It’s best to fork out a few extra quid to ensure you can stretch your legs in the aisle or enjoy the view from the window.
Worst of all is having to endure the “dreaded” middle seat which you should avoid at all costs.
Shelly said: “Trust me; your sanity will thank you.”
Pack your own snacks
As someone who hates airplane food, Shelly prefers to take her own snacks on board.
She grabs things like pepperoni sticks, packets of nuts or crisps and sometimes a large packet of chocolate.
Shelly says these can be “lifesavers” during flights, especially if you don’t have a physical credit card to pay for any onboard purchases.
Along with plenty of snacks she also advises to “always, always” have a big bottle of water with you.
Frequent flyer points
If you’re on a business trip and someone else is paying the bill, Shelly advises to make sure those trips are clocking up on your frequent flyer account.
She says: “It’s like a little ‘thank you’ gift to yourself for all the hustle.”
Work hard, sleep later
Shelly thinks being on a flight is a great time to get some work done as it’s a “rare, uninterrupted stretch” which you won’t get on the ground.
She advises it’s best to save the sleep for when you’re in a proper bed rather than a cramped airplane seat.
Dress for comfort
When it comes to flying, comfort is key with Shelly saying trousers or long skirts are her “go-to”.
For her, they spare the “icky feeling” of skin against airplane seats.
Invest in the airport lounge
Shelly says she has a Virgin lounge membership as a work expense because she spends so many hours in airports.
She says they are a great place to get some work done and you can charge up your computer and phone.
With the inevitable delays, being in an airport lounge at least means she can work in comfort.
One downside though is the food, which she says is “dodgy and stodgy” and wants to see the return of the toasted sandwich maker in lounges.
Until that happens, though, she advises to perk up those pre-made sandwiches with a bit of salad.
And she thinks the coffee provided is always good.
Master your time zones
If a frequent traveller is always changing time zones, Shelly’s hack is to have both zones on your phone and computer, as it helps prevent those ‘what time is it actually?’ moments.
Make your hotel feel like home
If you do travel a lot, keeping a sense of normality with your busy schedule can help, even if it’s just a short walk around the block it can break up the monotony of travel.
Just popping out to a local convenience store can help.
Shelly also advises to keep away from the mini bar as you can buy the same thing much cheaper just around the corner.
The presenter also advises to try to turn your hotel room into a “mini oasis” and order up some extra pillows.
She also likes to connect her computer to the hotel TV as it’s like “bringing a piece of home with me” and she can catch up on all her favourite shows.
This is what you wanted
If you’re flying all over the place, things can be tough and exhausting but Shelly urges you to remind yourself that this is the dream – a “purple patch of hard work and success”.
Embrace it, even when you’re struggling.
Then once you’re home, take time to recharge and find your feet again and focus on “rejuvenating your health”.
Shelly advises to take a moment to “pat yourself on the back” and those busy times will help smooth out the lean times.
She says: “And if all else fails, remember there’s always a toasted sandwich waiting for you somewhere.”