Think overnight spa instead of red-eye stress – Airplane tip

by Gadling Staff on

Most people like to travel during the day, but I prefer to take the night flight and pamper myself. In my carry-on, I pack an eye mask, ear plugs, soothing music on my iPod, my fuzziest socks, and a journal.

As we start off, I order a glass of wine and write down my thoughts about the trip, and the top three things I have to do while I am there to feel like I experienced the place.

Then I sit back, listen to my music, wearing my eye mask and fuzzy socks. Before you know it, we have landed, and I am refreshed and ready to explore.

Drink lots of water! – Airplane tip

by Gadling Staff on

Most of us underestimate how much water we should consume on a daily basis, but we should not overlook it on the day of a flight!

Water works wonders when it comes to off-setting jet lag. It hydrates and promotes mental clarity. It also helps with fatigue, dizziness and lightheadedness, all common symptoms when we fly.

The best part is: water is free when you’re on board, and you can order as much as you need.

Pro tip: purchase a bottle after you’ve arrived at your gate, and you won’t have to ask for water on the flight.

How to really save money on airline tickets – Airplane tip

by Gadling Staff on

While some people espouse the virtues of “cheap tickets” service, I’ve found that those sites actually add quite a lot of taxes and fees on top of standard airline tickets. What they are useful for is finding out exactly what airlines are offering flights and when.

Look at the list of all flights going to the destination, and pick a time and airline company you want to go with. Then book tickets directly through the airline themselves.

Not only is it cheaper to book directly, but often, it can clue you into deals they may have going for booking in advance, or on a certain day.

Use airplane aromatherapy – Airplane tip

by Gadling Staff on

Obese fliers, crying babies and ever-shrinking legroom get lots of press, but the stinky guy is a frequent flier’s worst nightmare. While a good book and your favorite music can distract from the physical discomfort of flying, sitting next to or even near to something with very strong body odor can be downright nauseating.

Travel pros come prepared. I carry Origins Peace of Mind on planes and dab a bit under my nose to block unpleasant odors. Unlike dousing yourself in strong perfume, the scent won’t bother your neighbors. In a pinch, alternatives include Vapor-Rub, essential oils and pulse-point creams.

Use AirNinja to search low-cost international carriers – Airplanes tip

by Gadling Staff on

Looking for a cheap flight in a far-away place? Most low-cost carriers (like Southwest in the US) don’t list or sell their fares through aggregator websites (like Expedia and Travelocity) — you need to book directly with the airline.

To find out what low-cost carriers fly between any two given cities, check out AirNinja. They let you enter in your starting airport (and a destination, if desired), and show what low-cost airlines have departures from that airport and where they go, complete with links out to the airline’s own site for booking. And it’s free!