iStockphoto / Fabian Gysel
Jet lag is straight up the worst. We tend to think of jet lag as something that really only affects us when we’re flying overseas but I’ll tell you that I recently experienced worse jet lag on an early morning flight from Florida to Las Vegas than I did on a flight last month from Miami to Barcelona.
There are so many factors to consider when traveling if you’re looking for the optimal experience. Everything from the beverage you’re drinking, snacks you’re eating, sleep patterns, supplements, and what you watch, read, or listen to.
Twitter user @KhanStopMe is a regular international traveler and he recently created a Twitter Moments thread that succinctly breaks down all of the *most important* factors to consider when traveling on a long flight. If you’ve got any trips coming up, be sure to bookmark this:
I fly a lot. A thread of what I learned:
• Never check bags. Pack for max 10 days & do laundry.
• Jetlag hits you on the second night. Use melatonin.
• When you get off the plane, speed walk to passport control. You save a minute of queuing for every person you pass.
— taha (@KhanStopMe) February 20, 2019
Checking bags can be fine if you’re going on a really long trip but if you can get away with stuffing everything into your carry-on and personal item then you 100% should. There is NOTHING worse than being stuck somewhere unfamiliar and all of your luggage is lost.
• Cabin pressure & lack of movement is bad for blood circulation. Regular stretches & movement prevents aching.
• Cabin air is dry. Moisturise skin & lips often.
• Watching films dries your eyes quickly, you’ll feel rough afterwards. Podcasts, music & audiobooks are better.
— taha (@KhanStopMe) February 20, 2019
If you can survive 6-10 hours of just audiobooks and naps, more power to you. I have to watch TV or movies. I load up on lip balm though.
• Ask for upgrades at the gate everytime. Sometimes they’re really cheap.
• Noise cancelling headphones are essential.
• Neck pillows aren’t worth the hassle. Eye masks are worth it.
• Always have a powerbank. Don’t count on inflight power or entertainment.
— taha (@KhanStopMe) February 20, 2019
I *always* forget to ask for upgrades. Mostly because I’m cheap when it comes to flying. For some reason, I always expect that the person at the counter will ask me if I want one and they never do. But this is a great tip. That difference of $50-$150 for 12 hours of pure luxury versus stuck in a sardine can will make or break your trip. The noise-canceling headphones tip should be the #1 tip on every travel hacks list on the planet at this point.
• Snacks. M&Ms or Skittles are good.
• Orange Juice is magic. It makes you feel alive again. Bring your own, theirs is sugar water.
• Bring anti-bacterial wipes for the table.
• During school term time, arriving 1.5 hrs before an international flight is fine. Trust me.
— taha (@KhanStopMe) February 20, 2019
Wipes for the table at your seat is a very good tip. Those things are beyond disgusting. Just think about how many gross things you’ve seen happen on a plane before. Bringing your own orange juice? That sounds like overkill.
• Passports are pocket sized. Keep it on you from start to finish.
• Always take off belt, shoes & jackets at security, even if they don’t ask, it saves you any trouble.
• All electronics should be in your backpack. Repacking your suitcase after an inspection is a nightmare.
— taha (@KhanStopMe) February 20, 2019
Get a jacket with a zipper pocket somewhere and keep your passport in that zipped-up pocket the entire time you travel. Keep it in one place and you’ll never worry about where it is at the last minute. Also, toss a pen in your backpack so you can fill out necessary forms before you get to customs and immigration.
• Have good bags. I use an Away Suitcase & a Peak Design Backpack.
• Always have a shortcut set up to alert someone if there is any trouble upon landing. This is especially important for non-white people.
• Being patient, smiley & friendly go a long way.
What are your tips?
— taha (@KhanStopMe) February 20, 2019
I had a duffel bag blow out on me in the Miami airport two summers ago and I cannot even begin to tell you how fucking annoying that was. Buy good bags, bags that will last. If your bag is falling apart, get a new one. You’ll never regret this.
Some other Twitter users chimed in with tips of their own:
Always keep a pen in your carryon so you can fill out the landing card early and not have the whole plane pass you in line while you frantically fill it out.
— Evan Edinger (@EvanEdinger) February 20, 2019
https://twitter.com/casualgamer2141/status/1098242993314656257
https://twitter.com/imkhall/status/1098243174936522753
I’m not sure that bringing your own oatmeal on a flight is normal, to be honest.
I fly a lot and I always bring my own packets of instant oatmeal and teabags. Just ask for hot water.
— Shea (@AnatomyofaTall) February 20, 2019
Use the bathroom on the plane right when you board. It's as clean as it will ever be, and there's no line.
— Peter Micek (@lawyerpants) February 20, 2019
https://twitter.com/PlanBeaaa/status/1098257513970061315
I guess I’d add that you should make sure to load up on Netflix and Amazon Prime downloads before you get on a plane. Always make sure you have some sort of Mophie external battery to juice up your gadgets if the battery runs low. Be sure to bring the chord that connects your wireless headphones to a plug-in because I always forget that one. And try not to load up on coffee, you’ll be dehydrated by the end of the flight for sure.