Undoubtedly, one of the best things is traveling to a special or interesting place. Flying and exploring new places will provide you with new experiences, memories, and a break from your routine. Planning is essential in this context, especially if you plan to travel to distant places requiring long trips.
Likewise, the Machu Travel Peru team is confident that the flight is a unique experience and the first step toward your dream trip. However, long hours of air travel are sometimes necessary to reach remote destinations. Therefore, this is precisely why we want to present some suggestions even for than 15-hour journey.
Discover the best recommendations for a prolonged trip
- Arrive early for your flight
- Comfort tips
- Bring backup entertainment
- Adjust your sleep schedule
- Frequently Asked Questions
Arrive early for your flight
No matter if it’s a long or short flight, travelers should always arrive early. This will also help you get off to a good start, precisely because it will allow you to avoid setbacks or complications. In particular, the worst is starting a long trip is coming sweaty, exhausted, panicking, or even missing a flight. Therefore, plan to arrive with enough time to get through security and the right boarding.
Comfort tips
Another good option is to make a checklist of things you’ll need for your flight. You should complete this at least 24 hours ahead to ensure you prepare everything. Many airlines already offer some of these items, but they’ll upgrade your long-awaited flight. Below, we present some of the best tips to guarantee your comfort and enjoyment.
Bring your pillow
A travel pillow is essential for long trips requiring many hours. You can find this important item at almost every airport; however, it’s best to purchase one in advance. One of the best combinations for this personal item is an eye mask, the perfect companion for sleeping on the plane. However, we suggest paying attention to your airline’s restrictions to avoid inconveniences.
Dress comfortably
Wearing loose, comfortable, layered clothing is one of the best choices to stay relaxed during these hours. A cardigan or zip-up sweatshirt is an excellent option to avoid those cold spells, or to easily remove them when it’s hot. Likewise, clothing with some stretch, such as activewear, will help greatly. In addition, we suggest packing a change in your carry-on luggage to avoid landing with these clothes.
Stay hydrated
Typically, when people have long flights, they tend to become dehydrated, even more so than on land. We suggest bringing a reusable water bottle, which will be helpful both for your flight and your experience. We also recommend being especially careful when choosing your beverages, as some can be detrimental to your flight. Alcoholic drinks can be counterproductive because they can disrupt your sleep pattern and dehydrate you.
Choose your seat carefully
The seat selection you make can significantly impact your comfort level throughout the hours. We recommend thinking twice if you’re undecided or already have a favorite seat when flying. Each seat has some pros and cons to weigh before making that long-awaited purchase.
Window seats are the most popular because they allow for landscape views. However, aisle seats can make it easier to use the bathroom and converse with the flight attendants. A special recommendation is seats near the emergency exits, which offer more leg room. Considering these points, you can make a decision based on your needs and preferences.
Bring backup entertainment
Although sleeping during a flight can be an option, on long flights, it can be difficult to do so for the entire trip. To achieve this, one of the best things to do is to have entertainment options—the more the better. Whether you prefer digital or analog options, there’s a wide variety to help you get through this tedious moment. Therefore, below we present some of the most popular options.
Listen to a podcast
Take advantage of the time you will have on the plane and learn more about the country you are visiting. To illustrate, when planning to do tourism in Peru, podcasts are a great alternative to avoid screens. You can find one to fit your interests and keep you entertained while gazing at the clouds outside your window. We recommend bringing noise-cancelling headphones to enjoy it fully.
Electronic devices
Some airlines have their flight entertainment systems; however, passengers can also use other options during the mid-flight. Laptops, tablets, or cell phones are multipurpose options that alleviate the stress of long plane trips. You can have a great time watching movies, playing a video game, or reading an e-book. We recommend charging your devices properly and bringing an external battery to ensure they last.
Learn the local language
If you were planning a trip to Peru, this is the opportunity to learn a few phrases before you land. You are likely to get more out of your journey if you connect with the locals in their language. Some useful apps will take you through the basics in a fun and interactive way. You might engage in a language duel with the person next to you and determine who achieves the most impressive accent.
Adjust your sleep schedule
A few days before your flight, you should adjust your sleep patterns according to your destination. This is primarily to avoid jet lag and fully enjoy your vacation. Being well-rested the day before daytime flights is best; while for evening flights, it is better to arrive feeling tired. Therefore, be sure to first assess the time difference between your country and your destination country.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I prepare my body for a long flight?
In addition to some of the tips we presented above, the main one is to walk, stretch, and do small exercises before the flight. A viable option is yoga because it relieves stress and tension in muscles.
What is the 3 1 1 rule for international flights?
This rule covers how to transport liquids in carry-on bags in the U.S. You can carry 100 milliliters (3.4 ounces) per item. All articles must be in a quart-sized bag and are valid for one person only. Therefore, you can only carry a limited number of items containing liquids.
How to avoid blood clots on long flights?
On a long-haul flight, problems related to blood clots are common. To address this, it’s best to move around every two hours and do light exercise. You may also consider taking anticoagulants, but only under medical supervision.
When is the best time to eat if I have a flight?
For long-haul travelers, this is likely a concern, especially since they’ll be spending many hours on the plane. Even though meal schedules are rigid because of the time zone shift, travelers should eat what suits them. Therefore, if the passenger feels exhausted, it’s better to sleep than to eat dinner in the early morning.
“A FLIGHT CAN BE A CHANNEL TO REACH EVEN THE MOST REMOTE PLACE”
Whether you’re traveling in economy or business class, we recommend taking all the aforementioned tips into account. Don’t overlook the opportunity to prepare yourself or visit a duty-free store at the airport. The Machu Travel Peru team hopes the suggestions above have been helpful. Remember that this is just a brief overview; for more information, don’t hesitate to contact our advisors.
Peru has so much to offer, it can be hard to know where to start. With many years of experience in the tourism sector, Machu Travel Peru is happy to help with anything regarding your trip to Machu Picchu and any tours around it. Make your Machu Picchu experience an unforgettable one! Contact Us today to plan your dream adventure!
