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24 Jan 2025

Your Job Calls for Frequent Business Travel? Here Is How to Stay Comfortable From Departure to Return

Your Job Calls for Frequent Business Travel? Here Is How to Stay Comfortable From Departure to Return

On the Subject of Long Flights

Does your job take you to faraway places? You’ll have to adapt to living the long flight life and do it quickly. Nothing makes a business trip a living hell than an uncomfortable flight.

Choose the right seat. Are you tall? Then the aisle seat is going to be your best friend. Are you really tall? Better invest in an exit row seat, which comes with more leg room. If you’ve never suffered for want of leg room, congratulations (I am jealous of you), and you can book a window seat to be able to sleep more comfortably. Whatever your situation, plan accordingly and pay the extra fee to book your desired seat. Comfort is worth the extra price. Or else you’ll get stuck in the dreaded middle aisle.

Don’t drink on long flights. You will regret it once you land and have to deal with a hangover and jet lag. In fact, you should be doing everything in your power to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, but also don’t forget about the electrolytes.

Comfort is paramount on long flights and your wardrobe should reflect this. Essentials to bring with you:

● Compression socks: Trust me when I say that they are game changers. Circulation when you sit for over 5 hours slows down, and compression socks compensate for the lack of mobility. Haven’t used compression socks before? Do a test run at home before you fly.

● Slippers. Expert long flyers swear by slippers. Even the most comfortable shoes can cut off circulation and become uncomfortable. A pair of soft, compact slippers will change the way you fly. But whatever you do, do not go around barefoot or in socks. Let’s have some self-respect.

● Earplugs / Noise cancelling headphones: For obvious reasons. There is always at least one baby per flight no matter where you might be flying to, so pack accordingly.

● A head strap that attaches to the headrest: Travel pillows are a scam. Short and simple. I have not had a good time reclining with a neck pillow and had quality sleep without my neck killing me. The head strap keeps your spine straight and you can lean forward rather than having to bend your head in awkward angles. It’s a great improvement.

On the Subject of Connecting Flights

The first rule when booking connecting flights is to give yourself enough time between flights, and I will tell you why. You never know if your first flight won’t get delayed, which gives you no time to make your connection. Or you might land on time, but your connecting flight is on an entirely different part of the airport, which takes a lot of time to reach. Heathrow and Frankfurt airports, I’m looking at you.

You also have to contend with luggage transportation. Your suitcase has to find its way to your connecting flight. A short time window between flights guarantees that your luggage won’t make it on board. Three hours between flights should be enough to offset any delays.

This brings me to connecting flights and check-in luggage. They’re not first friends. If you’re not a minimalist packer, or you have to stay for a prolonged period, you’ll likely haul a suitcase to be checked in. Flight delays and cancellations put you at risk of losing your luggage, which puts you in the awkward position of not having anything to wear once you arrive. It has happened to many and could easily happen to you.

If you’re not travelling with only a carry-on, then be sure to pack an extra pair of undergarments, socks, t-shirt and formal shirt in case the worst happens. Yes, you’ll have to wear your travel clothes, but at least you’ll be fresh enough and feel clean. There’s nothing worse than having to take a shower and then put on the same underclothes you’ve sweated in for hours, rushing to catch a flight. Or having to go out of your way to buy clothing essentials.

Pro Tip: You won’t have to concern yourself too much about luggage delays, if you book flights a day before the event. This gives you enough of a time buffer to receive any delayed luggage in the knick of time.

On the Subject of Accommodation

You have to learn how to book accommodation early on, or have someone else do it for you (we are more than capable of doing this for you). Strategic location makes or breaks a business trip. Nothing saps the life force out of you than staying in a cheap hotel far away from the venue, the airport and public transport. Yes, you save money on your stay, but lose when it comes to your comfort and the time it takes you to get to things. Ideally, you’d want to stay at the venue itself, but that might not always be possible given those rooms tend to cost the most.

Depending on where you’re travelling and what said city’s public transport service looks like, you have a few choices:

● Stay close to the airport: The advantages are immediate check-in, which is a godsend after a long, long flight, and you can get your luggage in record time, if it doesn’t make it on your flight when you arrive. You will have to plan for a commute to the venue (I really commend an airport hotel, if there’s either a bus or metro line that reaches the venue on a reliable schedule) or rent a car to get the job done.

● Stay close to the venue: The advantages are you can pop in and out of your hotel room when needed (especially useful if you have social functions that require a change of outfit) and you can take a little more time during the mornings to properly wake up.

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