This article was inspired by a four hour tarmac, or grounding, at Logan airport while waiting to depart for Amsterdam.
Allow me to begin by setting the scene. It’s 7:17pm in Boston, Massachusetts, in snowy wintry conditions. The plane should have left two minutes ago, but we’re still boarding because it’s being catered. It’s 7:47—we’re still sitting on the plane; hey, at least we’re on the plane, right? Well, now it’s 9:00, and they are finally telling us that we are waiting for the cargo to be loaded but that this is taking forever because it is so icy. Okay, so it’s 10:00pm, and we’ve been de-iced, but now we’re being taxied back to the gate to check a load? Right, so if we had left at 7:15, would we be turning in the air at this point to go check a load? Okay, okay, 11:00pm, we’re ready to go again, it’s okay, though, because it stopped snowing, so we won’t have to de-ice again, but wait, we can’t go, because a passenger is sick and needs to be deplaned.
People, please fly healthy.
The key point to remember is to eat well before your flight and to stay hydrated. Make sure to drink water, before, during, and after your flight. Commercial flights have low humidity, even lower than the Sahara desert. Avoid alcohol the day before you fly. Eating will keep your energy up, your blood sugar normal, and you’ll be able to fall asleep faster. Also, if food is offered on the plane, you may not like it, recognize it, or you may find out that you cannot stomach it. Bring munchies!
Remember to pack vital medications. Also, wear comfortable clothing and shoes and bring as little carry-on baggage as possible. Planes’ temperatures can vary widely so dress in layers, I know I found myself frequently putting on or taking off my sweatshirt. In your carry-on, you should pack for a situation where you’re left without your baggage for a night.
To be really safe, wipe down your armrests with antibacterial wipes, and wash your hands. Don’t sit next to someone who is sick, and make sure to plan for some rest time after your flight.
Good luck!
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nice tips before boarding 🙂
There is a lot of things you need to be aware of when flying, especially on 20+ hour flights. Bringing snacks is a great tip, airplane food can be very unappealing sometimes.