Surviving air layovers….

Layovers, many times using the term interchangeably with stopovers, have been a way of traveling for many of us, in particular when traveling on a budget. Traveling with multi stops is a must when traveling on a budget, it is way more tiring getting off and connecting on a different plane thus the discounted rates. Traveling direct flights are more expensive so you can get a deal when buying an air ticket if you are ready to survive the layover. Air layover is basically a connection between flights in a

I have taken long-haul flights since I can remember and economy class has been the core of my travel. No matter how experienced you are in traveling far and/or traveling on low budgets, it is never an easy task. Living in Argentina when young, and traveling from like the Pope once call it once “the end of the world,” implied that no location was close enough. Just an expensive non-stop flight to Miami implied 8 plus hours of flight time and 8 hour fly time which is the minimum world fly time I have considering my travel locations.

EARLY ARRIVAL

Arriving in the middle of the night, and having to wait to connect to another flight, is always challenging. Most times you are able to book a hotel, a sleeping booth, or a pod. Not all airports offer this type of comfort, and you will definitely need to catch up on sleep, and might not be able to afford the lux of a roof over your head.

I went ahead and found a decent bench making sure there were fellow travelers around me. I locked all my bags, yes ALL OF THEM, and put some inside my jacket and I went ahead and slept until the time to check into my next flight. I always bring my special travel throw-on blanket/cardigan (see my coming up travel store in 2023) to wrap around me and or to cushion a hard bench! I also take a pillow that I always inflate to some level to “cushion” a body part that might be ailing from a hard surface, an eye mask to protect my eyes from the strong lights and from seeing anyone I do not wish to see, and an extra padlock with a cable. All of these items are my very basic essentials.

HEADSCARF

I lived in Bedouin territory and I became a fan of the “shemagh.” The shemagh is a traditional male Bedouin headscarf. You don’t have to have a shemagh but you can use any headscarf or big scarf you have to help with your travels.

A headscarf has been seen on a couple of flights. It is this scarf that you wrap your head with tying a knot. The purpose is to block only a bit of sound, to keep your ears warm, and to feel like a relaxing cocoon. I have tried this covering a bit of my face. I give it a thumbs up!

TRAVEL PILLOW

There are so so many neck pillows….it is really neck pillowrama! and I’ve tried them all

1. Inflatable neck pillow
2. Foam particle neck pillow (chunks of foam inside)
3. memory foam neck pillow (a one chunk block heavy)
4. self-inflatable neck pillow (i just purchased it in Doha)
5. Tempur down neck pillow
6. etc etc

I enjoy my self-inflatable (just gotta use the pump) neck pillow from Switzerland. This pillow is truly quite heavy for a traveler, nonetheless, it has been my choice together with the traditional “inflate yourself” neck pillow as in the picture above. A lighter more breathable light fabric on the pump pillow would be best..when they decide to come up with that

A DRINK ONBOARD

Advice is always to keep alcohol intake to a minimum while flying due to major dehydration. Nonetheless, you might be the type that needs a drink to fall asleep. Sometimes the need to sleep is exacerbated after flying for so long that your body does not recognize any longer time and space, for the lack of a better word. This would “provide the chance” to try a new drink on board. This is what I had on my last flight in India

TRY A NEW DRINK AT THE AIRPORT

Hydration is key! how healthy tea with lemon is! Trying something new at the airport is always fun! it always helps you to kill time and to keep hydrating yourself….unless you do hard liquor which will completely “bake” your hydration.

CONNECT WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

What better way to kill time other than talking to family or a friend? the connection will mostly become “intimate” at least in my case where I look like hell when I travel. You might want to groom a bit before connecting so that they see you are okay and there are no worries on the other side of the planet

TREAT YOURSELF TO A LOUNGE

If you are the lucky one who has a pass to an airport lounge, you know the benefits of comfortable travel. If you don’t, but you would like to have a taste of comfort with great bathrooms, non-stop service, free wifi, and great food among other perks you can purchase a day pass. ADVICE: Make sure you research the availability of the lounge you will use, and find out if you are not going to be at peak times where there is no room for you to rest! I paid a lot for a lounge on one of my trips to Doha, Qatar and I was vivid!! too expensive of a day pass for no room and or comfort so badly needed!