How I Survived 24 Hours of Flying
15 things that helped me beat international travel
If you were to tell me five years ago that I’d be flying from airport to airport for 24 hours, to speak in front of a room of people, and then flying back for another 24 hours (with delays), I would have thought you were describing my absolute personalized hell.
When I landed the gig for React Native EU in Poland, I was excited, but an anxiety began to bubble the day the flights were booked. It was one of those things that made me feel sick every time I thought about the conference. This was strange, because I was excited at first, and I knew my anxiety wasn’t the presentation portion. You see, three years of Toastmasters practice has conditioned me to take on the old speaking fear. This was the travel. The damned flights scared me.
I’m 5'11'’ (180cm) and well over 230lbs (105kg), so sitting in a plane for anything longer than three hours starts to get intolerable. I know I’m a big baby, because what’s not to like about recycled air, sweaty stranger armrest fights, and the bathroom turbulence challenge™?
Here are 15 tips for how I slew the beast.
Before your flight
Lots of our stamina gets destroyed before we even board the plane. TSA which stands for “Take Shit Away”, is ready to make your socks dirty in whatever cancer-causing machines they can find. If we are lucky enough to get through in a reasonable amount of time, we find ourselves waiting in a DMV-like room for our flights as we muse over overpriced storefronts.
Minimize your pain to conserve willpower.
✅ Get TSA PreCheck (or Global Entry) for US Citizens
Are you based in the USA? I don’t want to say too much and end up on some list, so I’ll keep it simple. No matter your ethical, political, or fiscal viewpoint on paying a fee to skip security, you should do it. TSA PreCheck means that you can leave your shoes on, skip the line, and sometimes even leave your laptop in the bag. You even get to skip the “see me naked” X-ray machine, and go through a simple metal detector. Having a no-hassle TSA check-in keeps you fresh and ready for the flight ahead.
TSA PreCheck is around $85 for 5 years, but if you’re leaving the country, spring for the $100 per 5 years to get Global Entry, which includes TSA PreCheck. Global Entry has the bonus of allowing you an exclusive line for check-in when you return to the U.S.
Global Entry seems silly because most passport check-ins are pretty efficient, but it just takes one time to make it all worth it. In returning to the US on this past trip, many transcontinental flights were delayed and therefore hundreds of people were clogging the Atlanta airport. As with most congestion issues, it was getting worse by the second. Fortunately, I found myself zooming through U.S. Passport control with my Global Entry and avoided the dreaded rescheduled flights or delay limbo that would have resulted.
Caveat: TSA PreCheck and Global Entry only work in the US
✅ Dress for Success
Say bye-bye to fashion. You’re going to look stupid… just accept it now.
Do not wear a belt. Not only do you have to take it off in security, but you also don’t want the strict buckle feeling during the long flight. Light jogging pants are the way to go. Jogging pants stretch, breathe, and protect you during the flight, without any difficulty.
Jackets aren’t always your friend. Planes go through extreme hot and cold depending on the location, sun, and airplane. Even if you’re traveling to a place that is cold, try to wear something dynamic and straightforward.
Lots of shoes (especially formal ones) have metal in them. Don’t undo your TSA PreCheck benefit with some shoes that set off the metal detector. Wear tennis shoes or slip-ons for the flight as those are comfortable and surely do not have metal.
Take everything out of your pockets and put it in your bag, NOT one of those little dog-food bowls. This is easier, secure, and honestly more sanitary.
In short, plan like you’re going to a formal slumber party with an erratic thermostat; which sounds pretty close to the truth.
✅ Consider a Skyclub
Everyone knows you have to arrive two hours early for your flight, and three hours early for international flights. With a quick fly-by TSA, that means more time sitting and waiting.
A Sky Club gives you a lounge with premium Wifi, chargers, cushions, drinks, lattes, snacks and a clean bathroom. I enjoyed the Delta Sky Club while waiting for my trip. As a solo traveler, it’s one of the few places you can leave your stuff and not come back to a bomb squad.
It’s not for everyone, but if you’re going to travel a lot, you can purchase a year of access. Alternatively, if you’re going to be waiting for a while on a single flight, you can buy one-time access at many clubs.
✅ Anti-Nausea Medicine
Have you ever gotten car-sick? It’s easy to fix being car-sick, you just stop looking down and gaze out the window to the horizon, roll the window down and relax. Maybe you even tell the driver to chill.
You can’t do any of that in an airplane, AND they don’t carry medicine on the planes for troubled passengers. They just hand you more vomit bags 🤢. Take a 24-hour, non-drowsy, anti-nausea pill like Dramamine before you board the plane. As a bonus, these over-the-counter pills have a calming effect which will help you feel more relaxed, even if your flight ends up being completely smooth.
✅ Seat Upgrades
Most times it seems like a terrible idea to pay $90 for an extra couple inches for your knees, and I’d agree if we were talking about anything other than the flying cylinder of madness. Consider an upgrade for the longest leg of your flight (pun intended), especially if you plan on opening a laptop.
As you can see, there’s zero laptop room for base economy-class seating.
That little bit of wiggle room can mean the world when you’re trying to work, move your legs, or sleep. I paid to upgrade my over-nine-hour flight on the way back as a treat to myself.
Other upgrades, like choosing your seat, cost less if you want the same class. Just make sure you get an aisle or a window if you’re traveling alone. Sitting in the middle of two strangers won’t be a happy place.
✅ Take a Stand
You might be relaxed and ready for the long haul, but I recommend you take to your feet for at least thirty minutes before you board. Forcing yourself to stand means that when you finally get in your flight seat, you will be happy. Starting a trip in the right mindset is paramount for your comfort.
During your Flight
Have you ever watched one of those movies where they put people into a sleep capsule and transport them through outer-space for hundreds of years? That’s how I made it 24 hours. You just need to build your own sleep capsule to break from the world around you.
✅ A Dynamic Neck pillow
Didn’t I say you’d look stupid? Get yourself a neck pillow. DO NOT use a regular neck pillow. You need a quality neck pillow for the long haul. Most neck pillows help, few of them will have as many tricks as the BCOZZY neck pillow.
You can fold this pillow several different ways. I used this to support my chin, AND to sleep against the side of the plane. That little pillow did it all, and it felt great. Don’t skimp on your pillow.
✅ Seat Cushion
Whatever cushion the airplane seats once had, is gone. Destroyed by the barrage of butts that sat before you. That’s why it’s B.Y.O.S.C. or bring your seat cushion, for any long flight. You’re laughing now, but the soreness is not something you can take sitting down. I picked up a nice memory foam cushion at Costco for around $30. I also enjoyed the envy in everyone’s eyes as I laid out that beauty on my seat.
✅ Bose Quiet Comfort 35 Headphones
Here, I’m specific on some pretty expensive headphones, and I’m not even a fan of Bose sound quality!
These are the best headphones for flying. There are plenty of reasons why:
- Passive noise canceling — Just wearing them blocks out a lot more than conventional headphones or earplugs.
- Active noise canceling — One of the best on the market, they effectively kill the engine noise and turn it into a soft hum.
- Comfort — You can wear these the entire flight, and your ears might sweat lightly, but they won’t hurt.
- Travel-Friendly — These squeeze down into a clean and ingenuous case that fits in your carry on bag.
- Bluetooth — You can listen to your phone, your iPad, your computer or anything you’d like while not worrying about pulling or plugging.
- Optional Audio Jack — Does your plane have an audio jack? Well, these can optionally plug in… Hell, the case comes with airplane audio adapters.
- Battery Life — If you’re on a plane for a long time, you can’t have that noise canceling die. These didn’t even get below 50% battery life in 24 hours of travel.
- Remote Control — You can keep your phone in your pocket, or your iPad in your carry on. Just press play and pause on your headset to jump in and out of your surrounding environment when needed.
The only con is the price. But after trying many cheaper versions, I knew I couldn’t risk my sanity by going with those poor brands. These headphones are too good to pass. Their quality is in the craftsmanship and ease of use.
✅ Two Snacks
Overdoing snacks can be easy. Don’t worry too much about your in-flight food choices from home. Food quantity isn’t going to be a big issue, because your metabolism will be low. Just bring something sweet, and something salty. Quick access to a simple candy or salty snack goes a long way.
✅ iPad / Tablet
If you have an iPad or tablet, this is its time to shine. You shouldn’t kill your phone battery on the flight, but you can drain an iPad battery all you want!
Your iPad/Tablet connects wirelessly to your Bluetooth headphones, and now you’re ready to be entertained! I highly recommend you pre-load your tablet with the following:
- New Games — There are a lot of engrossing games you can load on your device that should be 100% new! That way you can have that “get into it” vibe where you play a game for hours. Be sure to test the game with no internet first, just to make sure it can handle being disconnected. I recommend the Rick and Morty Pocket game, and Pixel Dungeon. Just $10 of purchased games ahead of time can result in hours of enjoyment.
- Movies / Shows— Most movie apps like iTunes, Amazon Video, Google Play , and even Netflix allow you to download the content onto your device. A long flight might be the perfect time to pick up watching that TV series everyone is always talking about.
- Audio Books — If you’re a member of Audible.com you can download books and enjoy your flight by being engrossed in a story. This also remarkably helps you fall asleep.
- E-Books — You can fit thousands of e-books on your device. If you get the right one, you’ll be enthralled throughout your trip. Be careful not to read during take-off or turbulence. It’s best not to tempt the fate of the vomit gods.
- Podcasts — Much like audio books, but made by ordinary people about things you’re interested in. Be sure to load up on a few different types. Podcasts can be a great way to explore while you’re trapped.
- Travel Documents — It’s not such a bad idea to have your travel itinerary backed up on your device. This helps you reassure yourself of your schedule as events get closer to fruition. An organized passenger, is a relaxed passenger.
✅ Anti-Nausea Medicine — Back Again?
I know I already mentioned anti-nausea medicine, but I had suggested the non-drowsy formula for before you boarded the plane. You need your faculties while navigating an airport directory and boarding your flight, but if you’re in-flight and doing little else, I recommend the regular formula. That little bit of drowsy helps you time-travel via daze.
✅ Booze, not Bubbles
Most people order soft-drinks/pop/soda while in flight. The pressurization of the cabin can make people pretty uncomfortable. Depending on many factors this might not be the case, but why play with fire on that long flight? Try Vitamin-C rich orange juice instead. Getting a nice orange juice with every pass of the beverage cart will keep you hydrated and healthy in that dry, recycled air.
If your immune system is in top shape, and you’re fighting to keep your sanity, don’t forget alcohol is an option. A single glass of wine isn’t classy on a flight, but it can be a life saver. As alcohol works as a depressant, it can “take the edge off” in some cases. Just keep in mind that anti-nausea medicines often compound the effects of alcohol, so you’ll have to be responsible that you don’t put yourself into a small coma.
✅ Have a prep pack
Ear swabs, ibuprofen, mouth wash, wipes, lotion, contacts and any other please-help-me-now materials should be in a small container in your carry-on. I prefer this one, which is perfect for the plane bathroom and when you are at your destination. Good hygiene on a flight helps you feel refreshed and gives you a reason to stand up and move around.
✅ Nothing in excess
Variety is the spice of life, and though you might feel you need to sleep, drink, or finish another chapter, you’re probably better off trying something new at each opportunity. Gorging yourself on any one thing is going to make you a sad panda 🐼. Switching often flexes your options and enriches entertainment. Even if the activity you’re doing is working, you can get a lot more distance out of it by taking a small break and building up the anticipation for the next episode, chapter, or game level. Remember it’s a marathon, not a race.
Moderation goes both ways, don’t force anything, especially sleep. Sleep is the sneaky one you will try to force. One thing people try too hard to do, is to avoid jet lag by forcing their sleep patterns on the plane. If humans were robots, this would work, but it’s easier said than done. I suggest you don’t force yourself to sleep at a specific time, because the flight cabin will be like any other location with active and inactive moments. Don’t go against the grain and suffer. You’re better off by planning an extra day to simply recover at your destination. Always plan a plan a day to sync back with the world, because Jet Lag is no joke.
Suspended animation flying (aka the comfort cave) is an art. Just like art, what I’ve suggested in this blog might speak directly to your soul, or it could be useless trash hanging on the wall of one of those hellish airports.
Regardless the purpose of it, all is for you, and so I hope you found its contents helpful. If at any time you use the tricks mentioned or figure out new ones, please share them with me in the comments.
Best wishes and safe travels!
BONUS TIPS: If you’re an introvert, avoid conversation with the people next to you. That’s a bell you can’t unring.
Blog Credits:
- Header graphic by Steven Thompson
- Jet lag gif by rooster_86
- Blog article by Gant Laborde.
🎉 About Gant
View technical tweets and puns with @GantLaborde on Twitter, or follow him on Medium and GitHub. You can see where he’s speaking next on http://GantLaborde.com/
Gant Laborde is Chief Technology Strategist at Infinite Red, published author, adjunct professor, worldwide public speaker, and mad-scientist in training. Read the writings of Gant and his coworkers in our Red Shift publication or invite him to speak at your next conference.
