Four Ways to Make Your Next Flight More Enjoyable

There are two kinds of people in this world: Those who sit in the window seat on any flight, nose pressed against the glass, looking in awe at the dollhouse world down below. They come prepared for the experience, with a neck pillow, plenty of reading material, and entertainment to pass the time. They don’t complain when the plane is late to take off, because that just affords them more time to enjoy the process. Then, there are the rest of us, who simply see the art of flying as a means to an end, or a way to get from Point A to Point B. We don’t love sitting in such close proximity to others, tire of our electronics quickly, and spend the next few hours squirming in our seats until we hear that the plane is finally descending.

Regardless of which category you fit into, there are simple ways to make your next flight more enjoyable. If you’re already wary of the experience, will these tips totally transform your perspective? Maybe not, but they will help you make the most of your time in the friendly skies.

1. Ask politely if you want a seat change.

Maybe you booked your flight at the last minute. Or, maybe you failed to use a travel agent to help plan your trip and you ended up with a seat selection that’s less than desirable. In some situations, especially on a flight that’s booked to capacity, you might have to grin and bear it. Yet, there are times when, if you ask politely and respectfully, you may be able to make the switch.

Keep in mind that a bad seat connection isn’t just uncomfortable. If you’re in the very back of the plane and have 15 minutes to deboard and catch a connecting flight, it could also mean missing that critical touchpoint, which could totally derail your travel plans. To this end, try to ask to be moved before you board the plane, either at check-in or at the gate. It’s possible your airline is holding some seats until just before takeoff, and you could snag one if the timing is right. Want to up your chance of getting your way? Check in as early as possible. Some airlines even allow you to do so up to 24 hours prior!

2. Swing for Upgraded Economy.

You don’t have to book a first class flight to enjoy a few perks. Often, it’s worth the extra expense to notch up your flight status from economy to upgraded economy. The difference is in the details, in this case. You’ll usually enjoy more legroom, seats that recline further back and other amenities depending on your specific airline carrier. Your upgrade perks are also dependent on the type of plane you’re traveling on and which features it can allow.

If you’re traveling on a longer, international flight, your aircraft may even have a separate section for upgraded economy flyers. Take the time to research your options before you go and consider the difference it would make in your overall journey. If you’re only catching a one-hour flight to a destination a few states away, it might not be worth it to shell out the extra bucks. On the other hand, if you’re flying overseas and plan to be on the plane for five hours or more, it usually is.

3. Download your data early.

Nothing helps pass the time on a flight like settling in with a warm blanket and a great movie. Yet, if you plan to stream that movie over WiFi, you’ll be out of luck once the plane takes off. The same applies if you plan to listen to music over a radio streaming service, play games, or get some work done for the office. To boost your productivity or give yourself something to watch or listen to during the flight, be sure to download all of your data before takeoff, so you can access it once you’re in the air.

You might think you can wait until you get to the airport to take care of the download, but WiFi connections can be spotty in those locations, and it can be hard to find a charging point if your smart device needs a boost. To that end, go ahead and download everything you need the night before you head out. That way, it will literally be at your fingertips when you need it. While you’re at it, bring along a pair of noise-cancelling headphones to drown out any background clamour like that baby crying a few rows back or that chatty neighbor who won’t stop talking your ear off. If you bring along your tech-savvy, Bluetooth-enabled ones like the ones reviewed over at headphonesaddict, be sure to turn the devices onto airplane mode and keep them tucked away during takeoff and landing.

4. Bring along your comfort essentials.

From a neck pillow and blanket to a face cream and comfy socks, you know the essentials that you need to get comfortable and stay that way. Don’t neglect to bring alone these favorites on your next flight. You might feel a little silly setting up camp in your seat, but when you wake up from your nap refreshed, with no neck pain, and ready to go, while the person in the seat next to you is contorted into an uncomfortable position and barely able to grab any shut-eye, you’ll be glad you brought that gear along.

If you have a flight scheduled soon, enjoy! Flying doesn’t have to be a miserable experience that we simply endure to get to our destination. If you follow these tips above, you can make the most of any journey across the sky.