The prospect of spending more than 14 hours trapped in a metal tube up in the air may seem pretty daunting, especially if you travel in economy class. Although it’s almost impossible to enjoy such flight, you can do a number of things that will help you survive it. To make your flight, at least, a bit pleasant, plan ahead and pack essential things. The following tips by CheapFirstClass.com will guide you in the right direction.

1. Prepare snacks.

You don’t want to starve on a plane, do you? Although you can buy something to eat during a flight, those meals and snacks are usually overcharged and you’ll have to wait before they are served. That’s why pack your healthy snack on the ground. Take the snacks rich in protein (almonds, yogurt, peanut butter and crackers) – you will feel full longer.

2. Eat like a bird.

The digestion process slows down when you are in the air at a high altitude. It doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t eat at all; the point is to eat without filling yourself up. Consider eating before your flight and then having some snacks on a plane if the flight isn’t too long.

3. Drink enough water.

Prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of water. Although it may mean that you’ll have to use an on-plane bathroom more often, staying hydrated is essential for your health to avoid fatigue and minimize jet lag.

4. Avoid coffee and alcohol.

Caffeine and alcohol are dehydrating, so it’s advisable to avoid their consumption. Drink green and herbal teas and plain water instead.

5. Prepare your entertainment.

You’ll want to beguile your long hours of flight with some entertainment. Make sure your laptop or tablet is full of movies and TV shows, your smartphone is full of games and music, and that you’ve taken your favorite paperback with you. If you like to write, make sure you packed a pen and a notebook into your carry-on bag.

6. Charge your devices.

Since most airlines don’t have in-seat power outlets in economy class, you should power up your devices at home. If you are not sure that it will be enough, bring extra batteries.

7. Bring earphones.

You’ll need some headphones or ear plugs to be able to listen to music or watch a film on your device. Apart from it, noise canceling headphones will protect your ears from the engine roar as well as from other noises in a cabin.

8. Wear comfortable clothes.

Once you board, it’s time to change your clothes. A good option for men can make jeans and a T-shirt while women can put on leggings and a sweater. Make sure your clothing is loose-fitting so that you feel as comfortable as possible. Don’t forget about your footwear: take off your shoes and wear nice socks or get the shoes which are one size bigger (your feet are going to swell during a long-haul flight).

9. Dress in layers.

The temperature in a cabin will fluctuate during the whole flight from hot to freezing so you need to be prepared for any changes. For this, wear layers. Make sure you have a T-shirt, a pullover over it, and a hoodie over them. When it gets hotter in a cabin, just take off your hoodie (make a pillow out of it) to adjust to the temperature swing. When you feel you are freezing, put on your overclothes or even ask a flight attendant for a plaid.

10. Get some sleep.

Getting some sleep during a long-haul flight is essential if you want to arrive more or less fresh. Since it might be pretty difficult for some passengers to fall asleep on a plane, there some ways that can help you nap. Drinking some alcohol is a bad idea because it hampers your deep sleep. Try chamomile tea instead. To get your body into a sleeping mood, wear an eye mask. Also, make sure you sit comfortably in your chair: put a pillow for a lower back support and a neck pillow to relax your neck muscles.

11. Pack the essentials.

There are some items that should be at hand on your long-haul trip. Among them are lip balm and moisturizing hand cream. Due to low humidity in a cabin, your skin, especially lips, will dry out so these items are necessary. Also, make sure there are necessary toiletries, medicine, and cosmetics in your bag.

12. Do some exercises.

Sitting for several hours in a row will make you tired and stiff. To keep your muscles in tone, practice some in-seat exercises every hour. Lift your feet a bit and make the circling moves, point your toes up and down, and roll your shoulders forwards and backwards. Also, stretch your legs by taking a walk through the aisle.