I am fortunate to travel internationally on quite a regular basis and over the years and had these thoughts. They are for my own comfort but also ideals that I conform too making the journey as comfortable as possible for others.
I would love to hear your thoughts of how to make air travel as pleasant as possible in the comments below. Please feel free to post yours.
Be smart at security. You know that you will have to put your cell phone and laptop/tablet in a separate container so be ready to do so. Observe others ahead of you. Are they being asked to take off their shoes? Put your belt, coins, wallet into your cabin baggage before arriving at the screening station.
Seat selection. If travelling internationally in economy the best place to sit is in the middle section on the left hand side aisle as you walk through the plane. I suggest about 1/4 of the way up. This is for a number of reasons - you should get served your food and drink first, you are away from baby tables, you will exit the plane sooner which means getting ahead of the lines in immigration, you may get a seat free beside you as they are often 4 across, you will only be potentially disturbed by one person needing to exit for the toilet.
Buy noise cancelling headphones. They are brilliant and make travel so much more pleasurable.
Load up TV shows and films onto your iPad. Watch new releases first on the plane and then revert to your own schedule.
I like a drink so always order a G&T and a red wine on the first drink service. I then have another red with the meal. Make sure you drink plenty of water too.
Always be nice and friendly to the cabin crew. Help them when you can by being polite and passing things to them. It is just common decency.
Regular walks up the aisle to the back break up your journey and give you a chance to network.
Do not take your own food on board especially if it has a pungent smell.
Do not eat garlic the day before a flight. It is particularly selfish and inconsiderate to others.
Always sign up to the airlines rewards scheme. Those miles all add up.
.2 Don’t buy currency at the airport. The rates are appalling!