Travel
For the Comfiest, Coziest Plane Rides, Pack These 3 Things
Plus, a handful of travel-friendly meals for easy eating.
I’m no fan of flying. Yes, it gets you from Point A to Point B faster than anything else, but it comes with the hassle of security checks, carry-ons, overpriced food courts, priority seating, shared armrests, crying babies, stomach-flipping turbulence... (I could go on.) Before any flight, I’m taking deep breaths, loading up podcasts, stress-eating snacks, and obsessively checking to make sure the gate hasn’t changed. In short, I’m a wreck.
So when I saw Food52 Director of Social Media Kaitlin Bray post that she cracked the code to flying comfortably, I had to know more. Here’s what she had to say:
Dress efficiency and comfortably.
To get through security quickly and painlessly, I never wear laces. In the summer, that means Birkenstocks, in the winter, Chelsea boots I can slide on and off. But this year I’ve also started packing comfy socks no matter the temperature. Yes, that means ‘stocks in socks. Not only do they keep my feet warm in-flight, but they also make me feel a little more hygienic since I like to sit with my feet folded under me. My favorites are from Darn Tuff Socks.
As for clothing, I wear something that’s both relaxed and appropriate for public (no PJs)—think oversized sweaters and stretchy jeans. I used to wear high-waisted pants on flights, but never again.
Invest in a neck pillow.
In the past six months I’ve had to fly a bunch of red eyes between New York and Los Angeles. Neck pillows aren’t perfect, but they’re better than nothing. Also, mine allows me to be a little more flexible with where I sit. Normally I like the window seat, but with a neck pillow, I can do the aisle, too. To make sure I don’t forget to pack mine, I attach it to my bag the night before my flight.
Go ahead and pack a meal.
Snacks are great, but on long flights I make sure to pack a heartier bite. My favorite is a grain salad since it holds up well and won’t create a mess or smell. The key for bringing something substantial is to pack your food in a container you don’t mind losing, then picking up utensils, salt, and pepper at the airport food court. That way you can throw everything away at once, if necessary.
What are your best travel tips? Share 'em in the comments below!
Written by: Katie Macdonald
Popular on Food52
18 Comments
I also like bringing slip on shoes and separate socks for the plane and only wear them in my little unit so I don’t feel like I’m bringing filth from the washroom.
I also bring hydrating masks and do my skin care routine like I would at home.
Lastly I bring sanitizing wipes to wipe down the screen, little table and hand rests.
Sleeping mask for red eyes.
I also always wear a big oversized cardigan or scarf that can double as a blanket, sometimes the plane can be chilly.
And unisom! For overnight flights or those crazy long ones to asia i want to arrive rested, not restless after watching too many movies
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