T Minus...

3 days to go (well 3 1/2 since it is just after noon today) before I take off on a trip of epic proportions.  We are talking 11 flights of various lengths - shortest of just over an hour and longest at just over 16 hours.  All this will be accomplished in 15 days.  Yep, that is almost 1flight per day people.

So in honor of my upcoming flying bonanza, I thought I would share with you some of my tricks to staying sane on flights short and long:

1. Upgrade on those long flights if you can manage it.  seriously people when you are on a flight that is over 8 hours and cramped in a small seat that does not really recline with other people sandwiched in all around you...that is miserable.  So upgrade.  It is worth the expense if you are paying out of pocket.
2. In order to upgrade, try to do all your flying with one airline or it's travel partners.  Gaining status with an airline makes upgrading easier and at certain levels of status, you will receive free upgrades.  Do it people. 
3. Noise Canceling.  cannot say enough about noise canceling headsets on long haul flights.  If you have not upgraded where the airline provides them for you, bring your own.  Don't have any?  Invest people.  There are multiple different companies at all price points. Just make sure they are comfortable for long wearing (I can't do in the in-ear ones for longer than an hour but some people can.)  Oh, and always pack spare batteries.  Voice of Experience speaking right there.
4. It is Cold. Or Hot.  Layer it up people.  You hear this so often but it is essential to being comfortable on a flight.  For example, on my flight to Dubai, I was sitting next to the big exit door and even though I had on socks, my feet froze on the first flight - even with a blanket.  I was so uncomfortable on that flight and kicking myself for not bringing my 2nd set of socks like normal.  You cannot control the temperature on the plane (other than that annoying little wind machine they call a vent) so control as much as possible your temperature with layers.
5. Travel Pillows are your friend.  On most long haul international trips, you are "given" a blanket and pillow.  That pillow is excellent for lumbar support and not much else.  To make sure you do not wake up (should you, unlike me, be able to sleep on a plane) with the worlds worst neck pain, bring a travel pillow.  I use mine for arm rest padding when I am not trying to fruitlessly sleep.
6. Entertainment.  Y'all if you are relying on the airline to provide your entertainment, be prepared to be bored to tears.  Even when I fly in business, I always come prepared with books loaded on my iPad, things to work or read on my laptop, etc.  Nothing like having the in-fight entertainment work for everyone else but you for 14 hours straight.
7. And finally, pack a snack.  On most long haul international trips you will be fed multiple times but have you seen that stuff?  I typically will only eat the tray set up in coach - the salad, roll, and maybe dessert on an off day.  Otherwise it is snack food central.  For domestic longer trips, no food for you so pack something to tide you over.

These are my main hints and most you have probably heard over and over.  I also pack in my carry-on for long (think 10 hours or longer) international flights a set of lounging PJs to change into - keeps me super comfortable and my clothes from looking like they have been balled up in my hamper before getting off the plane.

I also have a club membership to my carrier of choice.  I showed a fellow traveler the wonderful benefits to using their really nice showers during layovers recently coming back from Seoul.  People, after a 13 hour flight and during a 4 hour layover, there is nothing like being able to take a shower and get back to feeling human again before another 3 hour flight.  Nothing.

Great.  NOW I all I can think of is what am I going to pack for the 15 or so days I am traveling.  I have a sneaking suspicion that laundry is what's for dinner tonight.

Happy flying Y'all!

Shelley