If you are a Baby Boomer and you have already admitted to yourself that you probably need to learn how to be comfortable flying then this article is for you. I have been a pilot for many years and over the past decade I have seen lots of my friends become pilots and all of them have one thing in common; they say that it was not easy being a young pilot. It is very hard to be a new pilot especially when you are used to the equipment and the procedures and the safety rules. You tend to forget about your comfortability if you spend so much time focusing on the technicalities of flight.
Here is a quick exercise that you can do to get comfortable flying alone: Sit in a chair and make sure that there is nothing around you that can trip you. On average, Millennials rated their level of comfort on the scale at a 7 out of ten. 55% of Millennials said they could not be comfortable flying alone at least 3-4 hours (fallen asleep). This means you will be flying alone for at least two hours before you decide you are comfortable enough to try it out. That should give you enough time to get used to the idea without having to deal with any unforeseen issues. Also, if you have never flown alone then this will give you the chance to get to know how the cabin works, to get the feel of it and make some small adjustments here and there until you feel 100% comfortable.
Here are some tips on how you can be more comfortable while flying. First, if you can, try to find a seat that gives you adequate space to move around and recline comfortably. The most expensive seats are not necessarily the most comfortable. There are business class seats that can make you fall asleep, but there are also economy seats that will give you enough room for you to recline and sleep soundly.
If you’re willing to compromise and take a seat in coach, you might also consider taking a seat in the part of the plane that is not in use. This is especially helpful for long haul flights. For example, if you fly from London to Hong Kong then you would want to take a seat in the business or first class section because you would be able to lay back and relax while the rest of the passengers sit up. Most airlines operate flights over Europe, so you would be able to get away flying during the night and enjoy a long haul journey. However, it would be a great idea to check whether this would be possible for your flight and book a flight that takes off and lands somewhere else in the night.
You can also make flying economy more comfortable by asking flight attendants to bring food and drinks to your seating area. Asking the flight attendants to put hot drinks and cold beverages in a travel cup or cooler can ensure that you remain comfortable all the way through the flight. It can also help in breaking the ice between you and the flight attendants, so they will be easier to deal with. However, don’t forget to keep refilling your own cup and drink.
You can also opt to keep your seat and legs in order by opting for a seat that reclines. These seats are designed to offer passengers a greater degree of comfort especially during long flights. Most airlines offer reclining seats on their aircraft. Even if you do not have seats like these at your destination, you can find one that will make you feel more comfortable.
Infographic Created By Alpine Limousine, New York City’s Most Trusted Airport Limousine Service