Travelling is amazing, essential even. But if you’re an Aussie there really ain’t a way to do it unless you get your bum on a Boeing, often for hours and hours at a time (hell, sometimes it can even take an entire day to get to your destination). Obvi you can’t make time go faster scientifically, but there are ways to make it less of a punish.
Below are some damn decent ways to chew up your time so that hopefully, you feel like it’s over before it even began.
INVEST IN AN UPGRADE
I’ve been on many economy flights in my time and I can safely say, with long limbs at least, that the things are uncomfortable. It makes the whole experience tedious and long-winded. If you upgrade to something more luxe the flight will just er, excuse the pun, fly on by. We know, they’re expensive but hey, you deserve it. Still not convinced? Try the honeymoon card. From what I’ve heard, it sometimes works.
COME PREPARED
If you’re on a long-haul flight they’ll almost always provide you with a pillow, blanket, eye mask, socks, headphones, a toothbrush and toothpaste. It’s worth finding out beforehand, though. You don’t want to be stuck without the essentials, however, the provided necessities aren’t always of the upmost quality. Like, dodgy airline toothbrushes? The bristles always end up falling off and getting stuck in between my teeth. It’s cooked.
You might also want to bring your own noise-cancelling headphones (you know, those big ass ones all the cool kids wear, from the likes of Beats By Dr Dre or Bose). Travel noise is a major contributor to stress so if you cut that out you’re laughing. Now, if we could just put that crying child on mute.
KEEP YO’SELF OCCUPIED
Many excuses for not reading is a) not having the time or b) it makes you sleepy. You’ve well and truly got the time to get your book tally up to scratch on flights. And if it makes you tired? Fantastic. Sleep the time away.
Books obviously aren’t for everyone. Most long-haul flights should have in-flight entertainment these days (and if they don’t then sorry, you’re the victim of a rort) that’s quite extensive. Try and take it easy on Netflix, Stan, Hulu etc in the weeks leading up to your flight and legitimately chew through the hours by watching back to back movies. Extra points if you chose longer ones like say, The Revenant. You’ll be laughing when you check the time afterward.
PLEASE BE (STRATEGICALLY) SEATED
Seat selection is paramount. Pay the extra dollars to choose your seat when booking the flight or get to your check in desk as early as flipping possible. The later you are, the more likely you are to end up with a dud seat. Depending on what kind of human you are, you’re either going to want the window seat for resting the head or the aisle seat for weeing and pooing without it being a drama.
If you’re deadset on the window seat option and it’s not available so you’ll be going for an aisle seat anyway, try and pick an aisle seat in the middle row. There are two exits to the aisle in this instance, meaning you can almost avoid people awkwardly climbing over the top of you at all costs.
CATCH SOME SHUT-EYE
This one’s pretty obvious, folks. Sleep the time away as much as you possibly can. Bring on a food coma if you have to. Good way to avoid the stranger next to you, no?
Adios.
*Panadol contains paracetamol. Use only as directed. For the temporary relief of pain and fever. Incorrect use could be harmful. Consult your healthcare professional if symptoms persist.
