Be Comfortable on a Long Plane Ride As a Teenager

Some people hate flying, especially on long rides. If you are a teen and traveling across the country, or even the world, it's always a good idea to get comfy.

Steps

  1. Pack Light. You don't want to be stuck carrying around 50 lbs. of luggage especially if you are flying alone. An old trick to pack light is just plan to do laundry when you get there. If you can not stand laundry, then plan to wear a shirt two or three times, if it isn't dirty.
  2. Dress Comfortably for a Flight. Stick to sweats and a T-shirt. This will make you very very comfortable. Also, wear tennis shoes, never heels. From walking around the airport, your feet will get sore. If you have glasses, wear them, but you can always bring contacts when you get to your destination. This can save you from dry eyes, and you can sleep in comfort.
  3. Bring cash. About $50 in cash for use on the plane and in the airport is appropriate. In the airport, you can buy snacks to take on the plane, and you can buy a large water bottle. Don't buy soda, because that can get you all jittery. If you want carbonated drinks, buy ginger ale instead. When you are at the airport, or buy one from the dollar store, get a bag of lollipops. Dumdums are good because they are small and don't have much sugar.. If you don't like lollipops, then bring some M&Ms or skittles. Sucking on sweets can reduce stress a little.

  4. Bring "freshen up" items in your carry-on. Bring Kleenex, extra hair ties, a brush, a toothbrush and toothpaste, eye drops, face wash, Wet-Ones, deodorant, band-aids, and headache capsules.
  5. Take your own blanket and pillow. Even though most airlines provide them, "washing" them isn't on their high priority list.
  6. If you have one, bring a laptop. You can play games, watch movies, play music, do some homework, and whatever you want. Some airlines, if your flight is over the time requirement, offers internet access. If you don't have a laptop, bring an iPod or mp3 player, (iPods are better because you can play movies on them) and a DS or a Game Boy.
  7. Whether it is for school or not, bring a good book. If you are going for Christmas or another school holiday, bring all your homework so you can get it done before your vacation starts. Bring mechanical pencils, regular pencils break and they are a pain to sharpen. Doing homework can also be a great waste of time, and when you're done, a lot of people like to go to sleep after that.
  8. Get a good seat. You don't want to be stuck in the middle of a row, not being able to do anything. My advice, take a row that is least filled, if possible. Get an aisle seat, if you want leg room, or a window seat, if you want to sleep. When you are seated, and don't like your seat, look for an empty row. Then, when the cabin door closes, go for that empty row you've been spotting.
  9. Every hour, get up and go to the bathroom. It's best if you go early instead of waiting until the last minute, and have to wait in line. After that, walk to the front of the cabin and then walk back to your seat. This will get your blood flowing.
  10. If possible, ride with a friend or someone that can keep you company. If you find someone that looks like your age, and they have no one sitting by them, ask them if you can sit down beside them and then introduce yourself. You may find yourself a new best friend.
  11. Take advantage of on board technology and benefits. Some flights have a video screen that you can use to watch movies, t.v. shows, and play video games. Some airlines also let you request certain items like extra food, blankets, seats, and cards.
  12. Chew Gum. Sometimes on a plane your ears can pop and it can get annoying. Chewing gum helps out. Doing this also freshens your breath.

Tips

  • If you don't like airplane food, bring your own lunch box with things you got from the airport. Maybe a sandwich that could be kept in a backpack.
  • Bring your own headphones. The ones that they provide you are poor in quality.
  • Set your watch to your destinations time zone. Then, sleep when it is time to sleep, and be awake when it is time to be awake. This will help you get used to the time change. Don't look at your watch often, as this could seem like it is taking longer to get there.
  • Window seats may be nice, but aisle seats give you room to stretch out your legs in the aisle as long as no one is walking around. Many airlines let you choose where your seat is, so take advantage of this option.
  • In your backpack, bring fuzzy socks. Don't wear them right when you get to the airport or this could make your feet feel weird.
  • Buy a neck pillow specially designed for airplanes. They sell these in most airports and their not too expensive. They make ones that you blow up like a balloon, which makes them easy to carry. These pillows are curved and specially designed to support your neck when you can't lean against the window or someone's shoulder.
  • Bring your own blanket and pillow.
  • Bring along a journal. Call it a travel journal and write things that were important, most memorable, most funny, etc. from your trip. You also can put pictures once you're able to print them from your destination!
  • If you are afraid to fly, or this is your first time flying, tell your doctor. He/she can give you tips and/or medicine to calm your nerves.
  • Start a conversation with the people next to you.
  • Always bring your phone. If you don't have one, you can go to your local drugstore and get a Tracfone or pay as you go phone, for about 20 dollars.
  • Wear slip on shoes so they're easy to take off going through the metal detector.
  • Bring along a book or game like sudoku or word search.

Warnings

  • If you are a heavy sleeper, don't take sleeping pills. Those will knock you out. If there was some sort of emergency, you will need to be waken easily.
  • Always turn off your phone or electronics, and listen to the flight attendant when he/she is talking to you, and be friendly.

Things You'll Need

  • Headphones/Earphones
  • Chewing gum
  • Blanket
  • Pillow/Neck pillow
  • Cell-phone
  • Cash
  • Comfy clothes
  • Laptop,3ds .etc

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