The world of modern men.

Don’t you hate stuffed airplanes, no free space for your legs and delay’s when you’re off on a business trip or when you are going away for a holiday break? Flights especially long (international) flights can be a real pain in the ass. If you still want to enjoy your business trip follow the next list with tips and your flight experience will be much more enjoyable.

Drink a lot and stay hydrated.

If you don’t drink enough this might result in a having a terrible headache and this will really wreck your flight. Make sure to bring a bottle of water to drink throughout the flight. Do be aware of the airport security and buy it in the terminal past the airport security.

Make sure you’ll be entertained on board.

Most flights include movies so be sure to bring your earphones or buy one on board. There is a big chance that you’ve might have seen it so make sure you’re packed with other things to “play” with when your onboard. Some suggestions might be your Lap Top, iPod, Magazines, Books, DVD Player, travel games or a Newspaper.

Make sure you get the most comfortable chairs available.

Almost every major airline has a plane diagram available on their website where you can see in advance which are the more comfortable chairs onboard. If you know this in advance you can use this seat numbering in the (online) booking in your additional notes. If you are the first in requesting a seat with more space for your legs then you’ll receive the seat automatically. If you can’t find the plane diagram on the website be in front of the row when you are picking up your tickets (this is if you don’t have a digital ticket).

One other great but evil tip is this: I am a long guy, I’m 1.97 mtr. / 6.46 ft. and I use to travel a lot for work and pleasure. In Europe with the major airlines it is so that when you have length over 2 mtr / 6.56 ft. that you always get the best seats in airplanes. When I knew this I got myself a new passport for the costs of €45 / $66 and have in it mentioned that I’m 2.01 mtr. / 6.59 ft. Now I have premium and comfortable seats on all the flights that I’ll ever have for only $66. And btw, I also have much more “being long” discounts at amusements parks and other events/things like that. So if you are a little below 2 meters; be evil and get a new passport!!

Make sure you wear comfortable and breathable clothing and shoes.

It happened for me that I had a business appointment just after I would land with the plane and after having the appointment being on my way back again on the same day. If I had these days I would even wear comfortable jeans on the plane since I’m more comfortable in jeans than in a suit. I always change my clothes as soon as I arrive on the airport. Comfortable clothes are the key for a comfortable trip!

Bring Items to keep your long flight comfortable.

To be honest I mostly lake in bringing these items because I’m always in a hurry and forget these but some other thing that can be very handy to bring are Lip Balm, Kleenex, antibacterial wipes and If you plan to do any sleeping, an eye mask, earplugs, and neck pillow are essential. 

Do some exercises in your seat.

If you sit for four hours in the same seat in the same position you’ll need to have a crane to lift you out of your seat. There are some easy exercises for you to do on your flight to stay fit.

• Cross your legs. Rotate the dangling foot in as wide a circle as possible. Continue until tired.
• Arch your torso gently backward and forward like a cat.
• Flex your gluteus muscles and hold for as long as possible. Squeezing your rear like this may occasion strange glances, but these muscles are the biggest in the human body and need to be exercised, too.
• Place your hands on your armrests and raise your knees slowly (together is harder than one at a time) toward your chin. Lower them slowly. Repeat until tired.
• Plant your heels firmly and raise your toes as high as possible. Hold for five seconds, and relax. Repeat until tired.
• Squeeze a tennis ball, a racquetball or even a pair of socks with your hands until they're tired.
• Stretch your neck by keeping your chin close to your throat and tilting your head forward. Roll your head from one shoulder to the other, but avoid rotating it backward.
• Keep the balls of your feet planted and raise your legs using your calf muscles. If this is too easy, place your carry-on bag on your knees. Continue until tired.
• Flex your trapezius muscles by doing shoulder hunches. Lower your shoulders, and then raise them up toward your ears into a shrug. Hold for five seconds. Continue until tired.

I hope you’ll enjoy these tips and if you are a long men, don’t forget to get a new passport. Trust me on this, you’ll thank me later.