Airplane Gratification: The secrets to first time flying.

Congratulations, you’ve booked your first flight. And if you’re like most people, exploring something new like the cabin of an airplane—can be daunting.

Traveling in a plane for the first time, you’re stuck with different people who also boarded, from local flights to international ones.

A first time flyer might not know exactly what the whole experience entails, here are some points to consider to help you savor your trip.

1. Bring a book.

It is recommended to bring your favourite book or magazine with you, incase the plane doesn’t have a movie screen.

Side note: Take something like an iPad along, if you’d like, to play games and maybe watch a movie or two if your flight doesn’t have a movie screen. It’s a great way to pass the time!

Pro tip: Your airplane may have music available to listen to, if so this is also a good way to relax and fall asleep.

Plug your earphones/ headset in and settle down comfortably, just make sure what you’re listening to has an appropriate volume.

2. Dealing with jet lags.

If this isn’t a local flight, chances are you’ll get jet lagged (exhaustion due to different time zones) so getting some rest is good idea to minimize your chances of getting jet lags.
Sleeping is also another great way to pass the time(why not right?….unless you’d just rather pull an allnighter).

Side note: Its advisable try to get at least a little workout before leaving for the airport. That can boost your endorphins (making you less grumpy), boosts your immune system (reducing your chance of getting sick) and also makes it easier for you to fall asleep once onboard.

Keep in mind that your ears will pop/ring because of the changing elevation and pressure.

Taking gum or something to chew on during take-off and landing to combat this. The flight attendants will go through all of the precautions you must take.

Bring a mouthwash for when you wake up and would like to clear any unpleasant taste/scent in your mouth.

Pro tip: Bring your most comfortable pillow, It’s always comforting to cuddle up with something that smells of home.

For red-eye trips (overnight),you usually get a pillow but they might not the most comfortable.

If you know you’re one to get motion sick, taking an airsickness bag is a good idea.

Take some gum to chew on the trip. It will help you feel less stressed.

3. Be mindful of electronics.

Some electronics can interfere with the plane’s navigation systems through electromagnetic interference, or electromagnetic radiation.

Airlines have different rules about electronics, but it’s best to just stay safe and switch your device to airplane mode or turn off your devices when instructed to do so.

Side note: If your phone does not have an airplane mode option, you can turn it off instead.

Pro tip: If you need a charge, there’s usually a USB port on the back of TVs. Check if you can find an accessible TV and plug your phone into the USB port at the back of it.

If possible, it’s better to travel in the morning. As the earth heats throughout the day, the hot air rises, causing storms and winds (yikes).

While storms can happen at any time, they are more likely to happen in the afternoon. So you’ll reduce your chances of getting a bumpy flight if you fly early, Turbulence is felt most in the back of the plane, and least over the wings.

If you don’t mind turbulence, then sit up front, The air is fresher and cooler up front and warmer towards the back.

Its advisable to stick to water on the plane.

Alcohol dehydrates you and makes it harder to get REM sleep, so while it might calm the nerves short term, it’s going to make you that much more exhausted and groggy when you arrive.

Skipping soda before the flight is also good idea, if you have a soda at the airport, you might later experience gastric distress — the air can expand in your intestines, causing gas.

This can happen if you have it on the plane too, if the pilots need to change altitude.

Side note: You’re more likely to get sick from what you touch than from just breathing the same air as someone who’s sick.

If you’ve got space in your luggge, pack disinfectant wipes and wipe down both the tray table and the armrest before touching them.

Besides the fact that they you give less drink, airplane ice cubes usually come from the water tank, which is often not clean and might be the thing that makes you sick.

Chances are they probably been used and probably hasn’t been washed.

When you’re cold, just put on a sweater — the air blows germs away and also keeps your skin from getting too dry.

When feeling cold, either shell out for your own blanket or just wear warm clothes.

• Although rare, Clear Air Turbulence (CAT) can happen at any time, is usually undetectable by radar and can be very serious. For safety purposes, it is advised to have your seatbelt on at all times.