Postcard Getaway

Master the art of Endurance and Stay Comfortable During Marathon Travel Days and Long Flights

Written by Kaelie Piscitello

In keeping with the traditions of the Lunar New Year, I went home to see my family for a few weeks this January. Unfortunately, that meant enduring two whopping 24-hour travel days only two weeks apart. If you think this journey sounds miserable, then you are correct.

I have now made the trip between Asia and the East Coast of the United States three times, so I have developed a rhythm for attacking my sit in the air for so long. Here are some tips for enduring a long marathon travel day without losing your mind.

Plan Ahead and Beat the Jetlag.

I always plan when I sleep around the time zone I’m changing to. For example, when I go to the UK, I know the flight will go through the night and land early the following morning. So, I try to tire myself before the flight and drink a glass of red wine because I know it makes me sleepy. Then, I sleep through most of the six hour flight.

When I travel to or from Taiwan, I pull an all-nighter the night before to sleep for a few hours during my first flight. Then, I attempted to stay up through the rest of my trip so I can fall asleep when I arrive in the evening.

Help yourself and try to get into the right time zone ASAP. If you arrive during the day, go out and do stuff—eat a meal, have a drink. If you arrive in the evening, do your best to sleep through the night. You’ll thank yourself for your second day when you want to get out and do stuff.

Bring an Empty Water Bottle

While the plane staff might offer food and beverages at the beginning and end of your flight, you can quickly get parched halfway through.

Of course, you can’t bring water through security, but you may bring your empty water bottle! Filling up your reusable bottle at a water bubbler will save you the money and trouble of buying a plastic bottle at the airport. It’s also more friendly to the environment!

There is No Shame in Walking Around the Plane.

When I can choose my seat for a long-haul flight, I choose aisle seats so I can get up and stretch my legs as much as I want. If I can’t, I double check at the gate to see if there are any more aisle seats available.

When I go to the bathroom, I’ll do stretches, such as side bends and standing on one leg, holding my ankle to increase mobility throughout the flight and make my muscles feel better when I land. I will also stand for 15-20 minutes next to my seat to give my legs a break from feeling cramped on the side of my seat.

Nobody else seems to do this when I’m on the plane, and I often get strange looks from my peers. However, I don’t care, and I do not know how people sit cramped in their seats like that the whole time. You should always take breaks for your legs.

Sleep or Do Not Sleep with Your TV

If I want to sleep during a flight, then I watch a boring movie or TV show I’ve seen a million times. Planes often have old shows like Friends or The Office that I can easily tune out to and fall asleep.

If I want to stay awake, I’ll watch something more upbeat with a plot unknown to me. Action movies, horrors, and thrillers always keep me awake, especially with loud noises accompanying them. Consider watching those if you need to stay awake.

Walk Around the Airport

You’ll have your whole flight to sit, so instead of sitting at your gate, stand. Yes, people might think you’re stressed about boarding the plane because people who like to line up way ahead of time do this, but it’ll make you more prepared to sit for the next few hours.

Be Polite to Everyone

Everyone on your flight has the same long haul you do. Cutting people or taking up too much space when you have someone next to you can damper other people’s moods and influence the feeling of your entire trip.

Act with care and mindfulness regarding the space you take up. I hate nothing more than being sat next to someone who man-spreads and falls asleep on me. I know you need to feel comfortable, but have some consideration and respect for the people around you. They also deserve some comfort.

Utilize your Layovers to the Fullest.

Again, walk around and stretch. Eat an authentic meal. Refill your water bottle. Make it count. Charge your phone and other devices if you have time. While most planes have charging ports nowadays, they do not always work.

I always like to bring a USB cord because they can help if I run into a place with an international charging port or just places for USB cords. I recommend this if you have a newer iPhone because they no longer come with USBs.

If you have a long layover (5-6+ hours), consider eating at a restaurant outside of the airport or exploring the city you stop in. I wouldn’t do it for too short of a layover because you have to go through security again, but it can be a great way to kill time if you get stuck somewhere for a while.

Watch Movies or TV Shows in Your Destination

I love watching movies set in my destination because it makes me even more excited for my trip. I watched Crazy Rich Asians on my way to Japan, and while I knew I would not go to Singapore, it excited me to visit the continent of Asia in general. I also watched Pride and Prejudice the first time I visited the United Kingdom.

Reconsider the Emergency Exit Seat.

Some people like to sit near the emergency exit, especially if they’re in economy because they get a bit more legroom. However, I try to avoid it because I can’t prop my feet on anything, and I hurt my back if I leave my legs straight in front of me without support for too long.

Furthermore, many planes do not have TVs for seats at the front of a section. This leaves you without an activity option for a long time, and you probably paid extra for it.

Again, I love an aisle seat because it gives me the best of both worlds. Once the food service ends, I can stretch my legs out and get up and down as much as I want without bothering the people around me.