Planning to fly during the holidays? You could make your trip a lot better with these tips and bits of advice from flight attendants and pilots.
Colds, Congestion and Medications In Flight
If you have a cold and a cough and if skipping the trip is not at all possible, don't forget to take your medicine or use earplugs in flight. Flying when you have a congestion is going to be painful and could permanently damage your eardrums, according to Typhanie King, a flight attendant, via Huffington Post.
If you have an unexpected ailment during your trip, planes have the usual stock of basic medicines for minor health issues, according to News Corp Australia. The cabin crew is also trained to provide first aid and medical assistance, should you need it.
Traveling With Kids, Babies on Board
Traveling with young kids doubles the inconvenience, but you can ask flight attendants for some help. "Watching babies was one of my favorite things to do in-flight," said flight attendant Beth Blair, according to News Corp Australia. "For safety reasons, most airlines ask flight attendants to sit in the aisle passenger seat so they're not standing and holding a baby."
For other passengers who might not like it when there's a screaming baby on board, King suggests being more considerate. "I promise you that most times is not the mother's fault that the baby is losing its mind. Adults are the ones who can decide to board the restricted areas of an airplane. But babies, who are used to being free, sometimes just can't take it," she told Huffington Post. If you're bothered by this, you can poliltely ask to change seats away from the baby.
What You Can Ask From Flight Attendants, Pilots
For a more comfortable trip, you could also ask for extra nuts, sodas, snacks, or sanitizers and wipes, which the flight attendants always have on stock. You can also request that the pilot adjust the temperature inside the plane if it's too cold. Additionally, you can request for a tour of the cockpit to meet the pilot. "Pilots love to get visitors, especially wide-eyed children. It makes their day to have the chance to show off their 'office,'" Blair told News Corp Australia.
Battling Insomnia After Long Flights
There's a reason why airlines give away nuts during trips - it's supposed to help battle insomnia for long fights. Helen McNamara of British Airways recommends eating Brazil nuts and washing them down with milk to induce sleep if you're suffering from jet lag, according to Daily Mail. "If you start feeling hungry during the night, you'll never get back to sleep." Brazil nuts contain selenium and potassium that works best with milk, said a 2014 study, according to Natural Society.
Make use of an eye mask when you want to get a good sleep during the flight. In fact, this is an essential. The eye mask helps the body wind down and give in to sleep. "If you're really tired, set an alarm for a 40-minute nap and make sure you get up after this time. This is enough to keep me going until night-time, wherever I am," shared flight attendant Britney Wilson, according to Daily Mail.
