Advice for first flight

mushtafa

mushtafa

mushtafa

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West Sussex, UK
At the ripe age of 39, it's time for my first holiday and first flight!
The first flight is 10 hours, and really don't know what to expect. My main concern is the boredom and my body seizing up!

What tips can anyone give?
I'm going to do some research into noise cancelling headphones, neck pillow to sleep, and change of clothes in my carry-on so I can shower between connecting flights (will have 4 hours to kill).

Can a laptop be taken and used comfortably? Or should I buy a tablet? Is the onboard entertainment usually OK?

I'm probably just massively over-thinking it, but want to make it a good experience.
 
Stay well hydrated because the air con dries the air in the cabin, walk up and down the aisle regularly and stay stood up for five mins doing slow stretches/standing squats to keep the blood flowing.
 
If your flight/airline advertises in-flight entertainment like films, thej you're unlikely to need a tablet ot laptop. Otherwise download stuff to watch on your device.

Take chewing gum. It can help with blocked ears or nausea.
 
Depends on the airline, but the inflight is typically sufficient and has reasonably up to date content - worth bringing your own headphones though and a Bluetooth adapter if you want to use noise cancelling. Would definitely get noise cancelling headphones.

Relatively cramped in economy so a tablet over a laptop unless the laptop is small. Main benefit for entertainment is the screen is better and you can bring your own content.

Take some water and snacks with you.
 
mushtafa said:
Can a laptop be taken and used comfortably? Or should I buy a tablet? Is the onboard entertainment usually OK?
Click to expand...

What airline are you flying and where are you going?

Onboard entertainment is good if you like films.

Noise cancelling headphones are a good idea in case you get noisy passengers. Maybe think about some audiobooks or good podcasts?
 
I take a tablet and also use my phone, a laptop is just too big for me for comfortable use. Noise cancelling headphones a must. I generally load up my devices with Youtube videos, Netflix/Prime content, podcasts and Spotify playlists.

Have a good flight!
 
I've flown UK - Australia so many times. As others have said inflight entertainment depends on the carrier but with the big ones is usually excellent with some very recent films although they tend to be edited a bit for violence and the like, especially on the Arab carriers. Loads of TV shows too and they have live news and sport these days. I watched the Olympic road cycling on a flight in August gone. I always take an ipad and watch downloaded shows on Netflix anyway. An iPad pro running Netflix in flight mode lasts 15 hours at least. Bose noise cancelling headphones last even longer. NC phones are a must imo.
Neck pillows are trash. This year I saw adverts for a brand called flyhugs on instagram, its like a neck brace sort of thing. Got one on ebay from china at a quarter of the cost of the insta ad. Really, really good. I slept for 8 hours in economy from here to Dubai.

4 hour layover really isn't very long though. Time you get off the plane, if you are going through one of the big international hubs like Dubai then you might be in a different terminal so need a bus or a train to get there, then through security again, poke around in duty free then find your gate you wont be waiting long for boarding. Doubt you'll be able to get a shower either unless you have lounge access / business.
 
Long haul flights are fairly routine affairs.

- Noise Cancelling Headphones are a god send - get some!
- If it's a day flight, choose an aisle seat - much easier to get up and down as you please. Saves needing to climb over other people too.
- As others have said, stay well hydrated.
- In-flight entertainment is fairly good on most airlines.
- Doubt you'll be able to get a shower during a layover without lounge access.
- Take a toothbrush/toothpaste/small face wash so you can freshen up when you like.
 
+1 for chewing gum or polos or something, helps your ears equalise pressure. Yawning or just swallowing also works.

Make sure you have any hand luggage liquids packed separately in a little plastic bag that you can take out at security (or leave in depending on the airport).

Get to the airport nice and early to avoid stress if there are any unexpected delays. Also remember that the flight time is the time the plane is due to actually take off. You will need to be at the gate at least half an hour before that time, so make sure you keep checking the departure boards / airline app so you know where you're headed. Depending on the airport some gates can be quite a long walk from the main shopping area.

If it's a small laptop then should be no problem bringing and using it, but a 15.6" or larger might be a bit cumbersome imo.
 
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People have covered all the essentials, but I have to ask - how come you've never travelled on a plane before? I find it wild that someone at 39 hasn't. No judgement at all, just curiosity. :)
 
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