The truth about traveling is that it can be uncomfortable.
Even if you really love to do it, certain things can make it a stressful and burdensome experience.
Flying on a plane can really test your nerves if you don’t book the right seats or prepare yourself for the flight, especially if what is ahead of you is a long one. It can be even worse if the check-in process is tedious, especially if you are changing flights.
So what can you do to make sure that your flight is comfortable? And, furthermore, how much will it cost you?
Here are a couple of ways that you can fly comfortably without actually breaking the bank.
1. Do some research first.
You may wonder – how do I make sure that I’ve booked a flight with the most comfortable seats that I can pay for?
The seat that you got seems pretty random before you actually board the plane, and you may think that there’s no way to know ahead how they will physically affect your traveling experience. Then, you sit down and find out that there’s barely enough room for a child to sit in a comfortable position, let alone a grown man.
Well, there is a way that you can do some research before experiencing such a situation.
There are websites such as SeatMaestro and SeatGuru that enable you to read reviews before booking a flight.
By using them, you can learn all you need about the windows, recline, and room for your legs. Of course, they can’t tell you who you will sit next to, so you’ll have to deal with that.
2. Bargain for the good seats.
When it comes to getting good seats, there is also the situation when the seats in the business class don’t get filled. This is where you can discreetly bargain to get them, so that your flight is certainly comfortable.
Even if you already have a boarding pass, go ahead and try the kiosk.
If they offer to sell you better seats for a price that you can’t afford, try the gate agent next.
There’s a chance that they’ll be willing to negotiate the price, but if you still aren’t satisfied, don’t set for it.
Finally, when the departure time is near, the agent may desperately try to fill those seats, so this is your chance to attempt to get them at a good price.
3. Avoiding turbulence.
Turbulence on the plane tends to be a nuisance, especially to people who aren’t too comfortable with flying.
If you want to make sure that you experience the least of it as possible, you should know that the center of the plane is the most stable place to be. So if you want to make sure that there’s as little movement as can be, this is where you want to book a seat.
4. Pack some snacks for the flight.
The little peanut and pretzel packs that they tend to serve on flights aren’t exactly fulfilling. Furthermore, they tend to cost more than they are worth.
So if you want to make sure that you don’t spend a lot of money on food, but also that you get to eat enough during the flight, you should pack your own healthy snacks, or even a whole meal, before you get on the plane. This will help you make sure that you reach the place you’re traveling to with a full stomach and without any over-spending.
5. Choose the right means of transportation to the airport.
Relying on a bus or a train to get you to the airport may end up getting you late, and forcing you to deal with all the troubles that that brings.
A great method to save time prior to the flight is to book airport parking near airport. This way you can be sure that you won’t be late for the check-in, and have to pay additional baggage check fee just because you didn’t arrive on time, or even worse, be late for the flight and have to buy a new ticket.
6. Make your seat as comfortable as you can.
It’s a fact that, even with the best seats that you get, there’s still a chance that your lumbar area will suffer after a long flight. In order to make the best out of your seats, you should improvise some lumbar support by placing a balled up shirt or pillow between the seat and your lower back.
This is a great solution for making your seat as comfortable as you can, so that you don’t leave the plane feeling like you’ve put a large strain on your spine.
Your flight doesn’t have to be an uncomfortable nuisance. Make use of these tips in order to get the best out of your experience on the plane, without paying too much money to do so. Comfort doesn’t have to come at a high price, if you’re smart.
About The Author
This is a guest post by Leila Dorari, a business consultant from Sydney.
