Cheap travel options, including cheap airplane tickets, discount hotel rooms and cheap vacation packages often motivate people to take long trips. Long flights can be frustrating experiences without the proper preparation.
The following are steps that Independent Traveler recommends people take before reserving their next long international flight:
Do not select your flight based on only price considerations. Sometimes a more expensive, yet still competitive priced fare, on a comfortable plane that comes with a top notch entertainment system and good food may be a better deal than a hellish flight on a cramped plane showing old movies on overhead screens.
If you are going to be flying a total (outbound and returning) of 30 hours and it costs $150 to get on a better flight, paying $5 more per hour for a better seat, with superior food, more desirable movies and better service is a good value for many a traveler.
Try to avoid disruptive connections where you have to clear customs, pick up luggage, transfer to a different terminal, recheck bags and clear security again. Beware of short connection times that may be legal but tough to make. A website called Hipmunk offers an Agony Index which rates flights by considering price, duration, and number of connections.
Do whatever possible to snag an upgrade. You should look into upgrades before, during, and after you reserve your tickets.
Consider selecting an airline whose frequent flier program you belong to or at least one that is in the same alliance as an airline that you are a member of.
Select your travel clothes wisely:
1. You want clothes that are easy to sleep in.
2. Footwear that can be comfortably slipped off and back on again.
3. Pick comfortable shoes since you will be walking around on the plane.
4. You will need to be able to stretch and want to choose clothes that move easily with you.
If you are counting on your tablet to keep you entertained over two long flights you need new, fresh, very interesting things on that tablet. You should load at least a couple of very compelling movies as well as a few digital books of different genres so that if you get bored you can shift to another book.
Long international flights should be prepped for as if they are holidays. Your time traveling will be time away from phones, email, errands, etc. Prepare to enjoy a full day off, by wearing favorite clothes, bringing fascinating books and movies, planning on napping, and enjoying good snacks.
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