Good things to bring along on a flight

[defiantforce]

G'day all

I thought I would share my experience (and some other people) on items that one should bring on a flight to reduce the stress of flying (in any class):

1. Noise cancellation Earphone or headphone: I personally prefer earphone over headphone because it is easy to carry (compact), good passive noise isolation, and comfortable to wear while trying to sleep and generally cheaper than headphone. I personally own a Denon AH-NC-600 and had Phillips & Sony NC earphone before. They are all very good.
2. Something to read; magazines, books and comic books.
3. Neck/head rest & Eye mask: for a good night sleep, if there is such thing on a flight.
4. iPad/iPhone/tablet PC or portable media player: My personally experience that if you are a freq flyer invest into one of the above. I think iPad is wonderful (I don’t own one, but we borrow one from a friend to test on a short-haul flight). It works wonder as we loaded the movie/tv series/music we wanted on the iPad and watch them on the flight. Also it is less stressful when the screen is movable so you can adjust where you want the screen and not worrying about people reclining into your face. You can also play games (monopoly on tablet PC is good for couples). You can even load books into them.
5. Travel in pairs: Having your other half next to you can reduce the boringness of the flight, increase personal space (raising the arm rest in-between) and someone to talk to as well. However, if he/she starts nagging, you can also put on the NC earphone mention above^^
6. Last but not least, a relax mind and body: I found that going to the gym/swim before a flight helps with coping with flight stress. If not a good night sleep the night before will assist somewhat too. The most important thing is to have relax, easy-going mindset before the flight and during the flight.

Well that’s my 5c worth of experiences
Anyone get others that want to add, please post down below!

Cheers
Big kev

 

[Maca44]

I believe there was a similar thread about this topic, but I am unable to find it. There was a big list of personal items that pax took on board; laptops, NC earphones, books etc.

 

[totalk]

Terrific tips that you came up with. Very practical and realistic. Thanks.

Cheers

 

[rtyuiop]

It might seem silly, but bring an easily accessible pen (no, in a bag in an overhead doesn't count) on international flights, people!

I can also confirm an ipad is just about the best thing ever for killing time on flights or in hotels with random and bad TV channels.

Danny

 

[Philosiphier]

Hmmm.. I am curious - can one HIRE an iPad from anywhere? It would be great if that were possible...

 

[BVT]

Being relaxed and packing a positive attitude is very important. Bubbles in the QP or champagne
in the Flounge can go a long way to achieve this!*

Delays are inevitable, you cannot influence the outcome. Once you realise that and accept it, you have reached travelers nirvana!

+1 to the pen

++1 to the iPad. It is an indispensable traveling item, even short domestic hops. Loaded with favorite movies, tv shows and music.

*not medical advice!

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Something different...

A deck of cards.

Like my Amex, I never leave home without it.

Just about my useful travel item...not just for the flight but for the whole trip. Is not reliant on power, batteries or reception either.

Most of my leisure travel is as a family. Legion is the number of times it gets dragged out whenever there is some form of delay or wait...

Can entertain for minutes , or for hours.

 

[Philosiphier]

Just for my two cents worth - I absolutely cannot leave home to go on a flight (a long-ish one) without baby wipes... they are soooooo refreshing to use just to give your hands and face a wipe and cool down. And, also a small spritzer bottle of water is cool and refreshing, without having to use that urky water in the plane bathrooms (granted, I have never tried business or first class bathrooms - they may be a lot better than cattle class!) :mrgreen:

Zoe.

 

[wingspan]

I always bring my phone, with the time pre-adjusted (often days in advance) to my destination time zone. I never feel jetlagged, even slightly. (But I should add that I don't just adjust my phone, but my entire lifestyle to the new time zone, and that's probably more the reason for no jetlag.)

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

We both got Kindles for Xmas - and they were great on our 4 week trip ! So I will always be taking mine on every plane trip.

Other things I never have out of my handbag are a pen, lipstick, hand wipes and tissues.

 

[ps107]

A light, long-sleeved, stretchy jersey for flights where the cabin temperature is set to 'fridge'. Less kerfuffle than a blanket.

 

[TonyHancock]

IPad, IPod Classic, Noise Canceling Headphones, Magazine, pen, and MacBook Air 11".....and definitely not MrsH on long haul.

 

[BVT]

A light, long-sleeved, stretchy jersey for flights where the cabin temperature is set to 'fridge'. Less kerfuffle than a blanket.

+ 1, although if lucky enough to be at the "pointy end", a t shirt to wear under the pj top. Daytime flight always carry a pullover.

 

[medhead]

And, also a small spritzer bottle of water is cool and refreshing, without having to use that urky water in the plane bathrooms (granted, I have never tried business or first class bathrooms - they may be a lot better than cattle class!) :mrgreen:

Zoe.

Do you mean this for long haul international flights? And you don't mean water from the taps physically in the toilet, surely? It's just that I usually prefer to get water from the water fountain that is outside the toilet.

 

[Julesmac]

Being relaxed and packing a positive attitude is very important. Bubbles in the QP or champagne
in the Flounge can go a long way to achieve this!*

Delays are inevitable, you cannot influence the outcome. Once you realise that and accept it, you have reached travelers nirvana!

+1 to the pen

++1 to the iPad. It is an indispensable traveling item, even short domestic hops. Loaded with favorite movies, tv shows and music.

*not medical advice!

I just LOVE my Kindle. Mr Julesmac hogs the iPad allegedly bought for me.:evil: However that makes my life easier as he can read The Age, watch the football etc. So I've got my books which keeps me happy.

 

[k_sheep]

Lip balm! And eye drops. And moisturiser. Anything to combat the dry air.

 

[Pvcmenace]

Hmmm.. I am curious - can one HIRE an iPad from anywhere? It would be great if that were possible...

You can always buy a factory refurbished ipad off the Apple website as it comes with a full 12 month warranty and is the same if not cheaper than a second hand one off ebay, they have brand new battery and case, even have refurbished cases

I did this and it's paid for itself already.

 

[browski]

FWIW.......
Painkillers (the serious kind), sleeping tablets, Imodium
Compression socks, deluxe eye mask, sweater.
Shure in-ear noise cancellation buds, LapTop (old school), universal power plug adapter.
Pen! .........and a packet of twisties (guilty pleasure)

 

[k_sheep]

...and a packet of twisties (guilty pleasure)

Ah yes I forgot this. Every time I travel I end up with a toblerone. I don't even LIKE toblerones! Why do I keep buying them!? I guess it's just one of those "travel habits".