At the Counter

Ask at the counter when you check in what seats on the plane are available and how full the flight is.  People travelling alone are sometimes seated wherever there is a “gap seat.”  This can often result in having to sit in the infant’s section or near the bathrooms.  To avoid this, ask for a seat in the middle of the plane or in an emergency row, as infants are usually put in the front where there is no seat in front and extra leg room for the mom. If the flight isn’t full, you can also ask to be seated in an empty row.  It is surprising how often this is feasible.

Break it Up

Long International flights are tedious and painful.  Make a schedule with yourself about when to get up and move around.  If you stick to it, it gives you something to look forward to and helps you count down the time until landing, “only 2 more bathroom breaks until landing…”

Staying Comfortable

There is nothing worse on a long flight than being cramped in economy class when the person in front of you reclines his or her seat back as far as it will go.  Reclining a little is always ok, everyone does it.  But on these long flights, people’s desire to sleep sometimes causes them to forget their manners.  It’s OK to say something to this person.  They are invading your space and causing you discomfort, and always be polite and ask nicely for them to lift their seat up a bit.  Most people are considerate enough to do this.

Entertainment

Most people bring a book on long flights, or watch the on demand entertainment, but after a while these things can become tedious as well.  Try delaying reading or watching movies as long as possible to save them for when the flight is at its worst.  Be social!  In the beginning of the flight, talk to the people around you.  Some might not be keen, but you’d be surprised how many people love meeting others, especially from other countries.  Use the time to make a new friend before slinking off into the solitary activities you brought with.