Long flights - how to best be comfortable?

I dress compfortably, yoga pants and a t shirt with a zip up sheatshirt. If I'm going someplace important directly from the airport, I take other clothes and change in the airport or just before landing. I buy a big container of water at the airport and I sip it the entire flight. I don't chug it, but sip so that the water stays in my system longer. And I get up about 1/2 way through to walk to the bathroom so that I can move my legs.

I second shevy. Comfortable pants and extra water. And I travel light. I used to bring so much stuff in my carry on, too much to ever use during a flight, and now I feel less stressed to just have one smallish bag that I also use as a purse. Then I check my larger bag and don't have to stress about overhead space. It's worth the baggage fee to me.

Fly first class.  

On a more serious note, I vote for a skirt or dress.  Very comfy and when you're using the facilites, it's much better to hike it up than let your pants hit the nasty floor.

About the only thing that makes a long flight bearable to me is to have a really great book to read.

1. Compression socks. I love them for long flights. My legs and feet feel awesome when we land. I wasn't sure but I am a total convert now.

2. I like an eye mask. Get one with molded cups. I am a very good plane sleeper, but an eye mask makes it easier to fall back asleep when you wake up. It sort of disorients you and makes you feel rested even if you don't have deep sleep.

3. I do well taking over the counter Unisom Tabs. Not sure 5 hours is long enough to justify taking one though.

4. Keep your own water bottle with you. Much better than waiting for them to come around or getting a little cup (that can spill).

5. For me, what to do with my arms is always a little uncomfortable. It is easier flying with someone you know because you can lean into each other, but I usually am flying alone. I have found I can wrap a pashmina sort of like a sling and it supports my arms and also gives me a very cozy/blanket feel. That helps me a lot when trying to relax.

6. Usually longer flights will have entertainment, and for me, it does help me fall asleep, so I bring my own headphones.

7. Again, not sure this will be an issue on a 5 hour flight, but air can be really drying on a plane. For me, on my first really long flight my nose got terribly dried out. Consider some NasoGel or saline spray to help keep your nose moist. The pain from a dry nose kept waking me up. Chapstick & hand cream is good too, but for me it was all about the nose.

8. Make your carry on that goes under your seat small enough that you can still get your feet under there and/or use it as a foot rest.

Travel light, wear loose comfortable clothing (I do this without having to be too casual) and bring a wrap in case you get cold.


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5 hours is not a long flight lol,! Buy a magazine at the airport , you'll be there before you know it!

Like others have said, I always wear comfortable clothes when I fly. Something that won't bunch up or bind, but is somewhat stretchy to sit in for long periods. I also wear comfortable shoes that are easy to slip on and off. My feel do swell a but when I fly, but it feels so good to be able to take off my shoes and really stretch my toes when I'm sitting down.

Because planes can be so dry, when I wore contacts, I never wore them when I flew. I'd always wear my glasses. (Also helps if you are going to try to sleep.)

Either buy a bottle of water in the airport or bring an empty reusable bottle that you can fill before you board or ask the flight attendants to fill for you (they usually will). Be sure not to seal it tightly when you take off, though, as it could kind of pop when you do open it (and not much is less comfortable on an airplane than sitting in wet clothes - just ask my mom ).

I'm usually good with just a book to keep me occupied, but if you have an iPad/laptop, consider putting some movies on it if you'd like. Or take advantage of in-flight entertainment. Some flights offer DirecTV, and when I travel with my daughter, I consider that money well spent.

If you carry anything onto the plane with you, try to put whatever is under the seat in front of you fit over to one side so you have room to stretch out your legs.

And - this is the most important thing, IMO - pack an extra bunch of patience. No doubt, you'll need it! LOL!

I had to laugh when I read your response because the least comfortable thing I could think of wearing on a flight is a dress. Then again, dresses in general are uncomfortable in my mind (pants are more comfortable and you never have to worry about flashing anyone), so I had to laugh at a thought process that was so incredibly opposite to my own experience!

Perhaps I misread the OP, but I though she meant she had two 5 hour flights each way. 

Like everyone else has said, dress comfortably in layers, drink plenty of water, bring a book.

My pants come down to my ankles, so scooching them down past my rear end drops them down at the very least an inch or two.  If I'm wearing something comfy like yoga pants, the cuffs definitely hit the floor.

Pay for economy comfort of whatever that section is that gives you more leg room. Wear comfy clothes and layers. Bring a blanket if you are going to sit by the window (I get so cold there...and prefer the aisle seat.) Depending on the time of day, I would get a beer or glass of wine when they start serving drinks on the plane. That and reading for a bit and I am ready to fall asleep. I like to pack light too, but always bring my Kindle, headphones, iPhone with music and maybe a rented movie and some trailmix or similar snack. After I pass through security I get a bottle of water and the latest People magazine.