Tips on being comfortable in an airplane seat?

[BillGates]

50 bucks at the airport bar will go a long way.

2 beers isn't gonna cut it -- better budget $200.

 

[fire400]

Inception.

Don't forget your totum, or you may never be getting off your flight in the same world.

 

[lothar]

I've been on a single plane for as long as 25 hours (Atlanta -> Johannesburg, 4 hour delay before takeoff, and stop for fuel in Senegal without the ability to get off the plane, and while I'm in coach). The seats aren't that bad if you pick a good one.

I was just about to post the same thing. That website (and a few other websites like it) show which seats are good, marginal, or bad.

Then I do things like this:
1) I get window seat so that I have something to lean on. Leaning helps for comfort quite a lot. I don't care if I wake others or accidently elbow them in the face when I need to go to the bathroom. They should know better and get a window the next time.

2) If the window isn't available, then get the aisle. A good trick is that almost all isle armrests are movable (check for a hinge). There is a hidden secret button underneath the armrest (often in a hole on the bottom side of the armrest). Press the button, pull the armrest up about 30° to 60° and bingo, you can now sleep or rest leaning into the aisle against the armrest (a pillow or coat or blanket helps to distribute the weight).

3) Oscillate from one side of the plane to the other if you have multiple flight legs. That way, you get to lean on a different side with each flight leg.

4) Keep your seat back angled differently from those around you. It either puts you ahead of them for armrest control or it puts you behind them so you can lean on their seat side.

5) Select an undesirable row. You'll be far more likely to have an empty seat next to you.

6) Select the 2-seat section not the 3-seat section, if possible. Couples want to sit together and the 3-seat sections are more likely to be full. Plus, you are guaranteed not to get that horrible "middle" seat that has no window to lean on and no aisle for quick escape.

7) Take your shoes off.

What did you go there to do?

 

[ravana]

What did you go there to do?

Vuvzella concert I assume

 

[Vonkhan]

Yo dawg, invest in a Nintendo DS and pop a couple of pills so u can trip during your trip

 

[Rubycon]

N2O

Lots of it.

That is no laughing matter.

 

[dullard]

What did you go there to do?

I've been to South Africa three times so far. All work trips. I deliver, set up, and train people how how to use lab equipment.

Each time I've done a little sightseeing. For a cat person, it is really nice to have petted multiple lion cubs and an adult cheetah. I never saw a hippo before going to Africa. Swam near penguins (they weren't close enough to touch and supposedly bite). Ate fantastic food/wine. Etc.

 

[caddlad]

Prep H or Tucks.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Amputate extremities until you are no taller than 5 foot and <= 100 pounds.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

only if you're willing to take that epic responsibility

I'm all there. I'd be the first f-er out the door, and my carry-on bag will be a chute.

 

[velillen]

Going out drinking the night before usually does it for me. When coming back from work the last night is usually staying up all night for our 6am flight home. Going o crap still need to pack at 2 am gets things done fast Of course hop on the plane and im usually passed out before we leave the gate. Wake up usually at landing. Just drink plenty of water before falling asleep and i wake up (usually) with a small headache if any. Course thats only a 3 hour flight.

For flying to Japan, just get up and stretch out. I remember when i was younger (16) i went to germany and on the flight back home (munich to o'hara) for some reason i felt the need that i would just hold in and not go pee. 10 hours later when we landed lets just say first stop was the toilets and my o my did i feel better

 

[hiromizu]

Ambien and vodka. Never fails.

 

[KMFJD]

Do any of your friends have a shrink ray, like the one from Duke Nukem 3D?

That's definitely your best bet....

 

[Fingolfin269]

Aisle seat. Also, if seating is separated into 3 sections (side of plane | middle | side of plane) I prefer to take an aisle seat in the middle.

 

[Riceninja]

dont sit next to fat ppl

 

[moshquerade]

dont sit next to fat ppl

like there is a choice there?

 

[spacejamz]

join mile high club???

 

[DominionSeraph]

Southwest seats suit my backside better. The major carriers seem to all lack padding in the bottom cushion.

 

[Rubycon]

Don't fly, problem solved.

Of course the last time I was emphatic about this and discovered the alternative - helicopter!

I really felt like the salmon that flipped out of the frying pan and landed right into the fire! :'(

 

[mmntech]

Take a train. Seriously. The only real advantage to flying now is speed. Even that's debatable with all the farting around you have to do at the airport.

I road the train this past summer. Even in coach, there's tons of leg room. Every seat has a power socket, and they feed you. You still have to pay for it but he meal was more substantial than any plane I've been on.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Take a train. Seriously. The only real advantage to flying now is speed. Even that's debatable with all the farting around you have to do at the airport.

I road the train this past summer. Even in coach, there's tons of leg room. Every seat has a power socket, and they feed you. You still have to pay for it but he meal was more substantial than any plane I've been on.

In the US, trains suck. 24+ hours to get from Minneapolis to NYC. plane = 2.5 hours + 2 hours prior to flight getting through security.


Depart New York City at 3:45pm on train #49, the Lake Shore Limited, and arrive Chicago the next morning at 9:45am.
Depart Chicago at 2:15pm on train #7, the Empire Builder, and arrive Minneapolis at 10:31pm.

Screw that. The only place where taking trains is worthwhile, is across the pond.


meh, I am 6' 1" and have no problems on planes ... just walk around on longer flights .. 4+ hours. I like the window, so I can 'lean' a bit to the side.