Are we there yet? How to survive long haul flights.

There are many ways to get to a destination: Cars, buses, trains, and planes. However, planes are the best option depending on the location. Often these locations are far away and require a flight. A short-haul flight is one of up to 3 hours in duration. Medium-haul flights take 3-6 hours. A long-haul flight runs for 6-12 hours, and an ultra-long-haul flight is in the air for over 12 hours. Imagine being in the air for 6+ hours; now imagine having to sit for 15. Exhausting. But long-haul flights are not horrible; they are just dull. Hopefully, the tips below alleviate some of the stress behind sitting on a plane for long periods of town.

How to survive these flights:

1- Wear comfortable clothes.

If you wear jeans on the plane, you need to be monitored. Who can imagine a plane for 8 hours in uncomfortable clothes? Horrible. The key to comfort is proper non-restrictive clothing. Also, your feet will swell at high altitudes, so please wear comfortable shoes, or you will feel the ramifications later; compression socks work. Planes are chilly, so pack a sweatshirt, hoodie, or blanket.

2- Pick your seat.

I do not pay for my seats, and I don't care where I sit as long as I sit. But for those who are particular about where they sit or are tall and need extra legroom, buying a seat in advance is vital. You get to pick your preferred location. However, If you don't want to pay for a seat, make sure to check-in for your flight as early as possible.

• Look up the seat map for my flight on seatguru.com before selecting a seat. SeatGuru will point out bad seats - IE- seats with less legroom, close to the bathroom, etc.

• More leg room = opt for exit rows.

• avoid crying children= stay away from the front of the plane

• If you like to move about the plane = make sure you get an aisle seat. Do not be that person with a weak bladder who has to pee every 3 hours on a 15-hour flight.

The key to a long flight is comfortability, and if you are uncomfortable, you will be miserable.

3- Take your snacks.

You will get food on a long-haul flight, but you may still be hungry. Think of it as a road trip in a plane. You wouldn't ride from NY to Ohio without snacks. Apply the same logic to long-haul flights. We know the airport is expensive, so hit 7/11 or a convenience store if you want snacks.

4- Charge your electronics.

Some airlines may have wifi, but most long-haul flights will have in-cabin entertainment. Don't be caught without a battery.

5- Move around the plane.

Stretching and moving your legs every hour will alleviate the swelling.

6- Hydrate.

The plane is dry; drink water. You will have cotton mouth and be thirsty. I love a margarita just as much as the next person but remember that alcohol hydrates nothing. Drinking in the air has double the intoxicating effect, so drink alcohol sparingly on a plane. Dehydration also applies to the skin, so moisturize.

7- REST ON THE PLANE.

I am not sure how people have difficulty sleeping on flights, but those who do things like earplugs or some good noise-canceling headphones will be great. An eye mask and a next travel pillow are also great to help unwind. If you use sleep aids, bring them, my rule of thumb is to try to sleep for the destination you are going to. If you know you will arrive in the morning, try to sleep the duration of the flight so that when you touch down, you can check into your housing and hit the ground running.

8- Pack a pen.

You have to fill out customs forms at immigration, and to avoid having to talk to unnecessary strangers, travel with a pen of your own. It also helps you get ahead at customs. Because no one else will have a pen, they will not have their forms completed, and the immigration line will move a little faster.

My rule of thumb is- Relax. Being relaxed is the key to making sure any plane ride is comfortable.