How to Survive Long International Flights

I grew up as an Army brat, so flying internationally is something I've done since I was a kid. I had the worst motion sickness and I used to puke on planes, at arrivals gates, on my parents - you name it, anything was fair game. My travel could only go up from there!

Despite this bad beginning, I kind of like long plane rides. I am always on the go, so when I am forced to sit still for 8, 10, 20 hours it almost feels like an indulgence. Plus, you're served food and drinks constantly, you're hopefully sitting next to someone you love (or at least like), there's good movies on the longer flights. I don't know, it could certainly be worse.

So whether you love or hate them, here are my tips for making the flight as enjoyable as possible.

1. Order a special meal ahead of time if you have diet restrictions (or just feel like it). If your flight includes meal service, you can either order a special meal online or over the phone. The bonus to this is you will be served first since the special meals come out before regular cabin service.

2. If you're traveling with someone else, book a window and aisle seat - leaving the middle empty. Economy plus and seats near the front of the plane usually get taken up first, so choosing seats nearer to the back will also make it more likely that someone won't choose the seat in between you. I also periodically check the seat assignment map to see if anyone chose the middle seat, and if so, move to another window/aisle pair. This has worked about 50% of the time for us, and the times it hasn't we just trade one of our seats.

3. Be super clean. I feel like I shouldn't even have to say this but let's just get this out in the open. Take a shower and brush your teeth right before you leave for the airport. Pack a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant and some cleansing wipes. When you go to the bathroom on the plane, brush your teeth, wash your face and your hands. So fresh and so clean clean.

4. Bring your own headphones. Unless you're in first class, the ones the airline gives you will be trash.

5. Bring an extra pair of comfy socks. My feet blow up like Kim Kardashian's during pregnancy on longer flights, and I can literally feel them swelling and straining the elasticity of my socks. I know I can help this by: not drinking caffeine, reducing salt intake, moving my ankles around and taking short walks periodically, but where's the fun in that?! Instead, I take off my shoes/socks and usually wear a pair of fuzzy socks I got for Christmas. Luxuryyyyyy.

6. Bring something to make you happy.  This can be anything - an expensive chocolate bar that you wouldn't ordinarily buy, a brand new book you've been dying to read or for me, it's both of those, plus a large scarf that I've spritzed ahead of time with a light, fresh perfume. I like this one. Especially if you're a nervous flyer, having something to anchor you to home might help reduce anxiety.

7. Sleep. I know not everyone can do this, but if you can - sleep! If you have a sleeping pill that works for you, take it. The flight and time change will throw your sleep off anyway, so better to bank some now while you can't do anything else.

8. Pack an extra shirt in your backpack/personal item. This depends a little on the length of your trip, but especially for a longer flight, it will feel good when you land to be able to quickly put on a clean shirt. I always stick something loose and comfortable in my backpack so I can do a quick change in the bathroom after we land.

9. Most of all, enjoy the flight because it's (hopefully) taking you somewhere amazing!