How to survive a 24-hour Plane Flight

Dear family member, bestie, fellow classmate, neighbour, teacher, random stranger who has come across this page by accident after surfing om the internet for five hours,

Welcome to my blog! Welcome to Sex and the Sydney! My blog as a Dutch exchange student in Australia!

Today’s post is a guide on how to survive a 24 hours plane flight.

When I told people I was going on exchange to Australia, their first reaction was, “AWESOME!” Their second reaction was, “Well Frederique, the plane flight is pretty exhausting you know”. I completely agreed with their first reaction and I completely ignored their second one since I love airplane flights. The main character of my favourite book once said, “Everyone is always busy and the world never stops except for when you’re on an airplane, then there is nothing you can do to influence a situation, it’s like the pause button of your life.” And I really agreed with that because whatever disaster is happening right underneath you, you won’t notice since you are watching the newest episode of your series. However, don’t get me wrong you definitely need some preparation before you hop on an airplane for such a long period of time! As I can call myself a professional after surviving 24 hours on a plane, I will give you some useful tips! So sit back, relax and prepare yourself for your upcoming flight:

1. Bring your parents to the airport and let them treat you as if you’re Beyoncé
Our parents couldn’t stop taking pictures of us at Schiphol. I think some people at the airport might have thought, “Who are these girls? Famous singers? Famous actresses?” No folks, just two 16-year-olds going to Australia! It really cheers you up though. Not the picture part hahaha, but the parent part. Them being so excited for you makes you happy too. It relaxes you and makes you think, “I got this, 24 hours in a plane, pfff who can't handle that?”

2. Make sure that you are under 18 years old or that you break your leg before you leave
This is my tip number two because if one of the cases stated above applies to you, you get guidance which basically means someone makes it legal for you to jump the queue by following them around and letting them carry your passport. It is like going to Disneyland with someone in a wheelchair; people will be irritated by you and even mumble some mean words but you couldn't care less since you feel like you’re the shit.

3. Get yourself a travel buddy
I had the luck to travel with one of my besties Phoebe which was super fun as well as chill. Neither of us suffers from ADHD so we were fine with watching movies, sharing snacks and talking for a bit every now and then. I couldn’t ask for a sweeter friend than Phoebe! You’re the best!

4. EAT the airplane food
I know, I know... A lot of people have told you how disgusting the airplane food is but let me tell you a secret.. It’s not THAT bad. I am not going to make you believe that I would eat this at home because that would be offensive towards my mom (who is verrryy good at cooking, love you mom) but it is, well how should I put this into words.. eatable (Hopefully this is a word in the English language). You should eat the airplane food for the following reason; it gives you an energy boost!  I am not going to make this post a superficial one, I haven’t felt well all the time on the plane. Especially our second flight from Dubai to Australia was pretty exhausting. However, when you eat your airplane chicken you go from energy level “I cannot possibly keep my eyes open anymore” to “let’s brainstorm about topics for my blog”.

5. Download a lot of movies
Believe me, you have never really experienced an intense movie marathon until you go on a 24 hour plane flight. You can basically watch anything you want and there is still time left. On your own television screen you can also watch movies. My favourites on the plane were “Tag”, “Ocean’s 8”, “Westwood” and “En Liberté”.

6. Try to sleep as much as you can
Sleeping is basically time travelling and time travelling means you will be closer to your final destination once you wake up. I always find it really difficult to sleep on an airplane since I never get into a comfortable position. I have found two solutions for this problem: The first one is to travel first class. Holy lord, these people travelling first class basically have a comfortable bed for themselves. They’re the real winners in life if you ask me. The second (way less expensive solution) is to buy a “nekkussen”. Phoebe and I both bought one at the airport and they made our journey way more comfortable.

7. Choose a chill travel outfit
The airplane is not a fashion show and therefore you don’t have to dress up, but you can make sure that while you are comfortable you still look cute. For example, I chose for my matching sweater and sweatpants from Zoe Karssen. A suit that truly feels like heaven but still manages to make me look kinda cute since as I have said, the sweater and pants are matching. Spice your look up with a necklace and earrings and by that you won’t look like a piece of shit who didn’t want to put in the effort at all, but more like a girl who is ready for her big travel day.

8. Create a bomb playlist
Listening to songs that make you super happy can mentally help you to get through the flight. It is long. It can get pretty shitty. For example, when you are given the window seat and you have to pee really badly but you don’t want to wake up your neighbour passengers in the middle of the night (Yes, the struggle was real). In cases like this one, music can really help you. Actually, music will always help you to get through anything! :-)

9. Walk that walk baby!
For your blood circulation it is quite important to walk in the plane on your flight every now and then. While you walk you can look around to see what the other passengers look like and imagine from which country they are and why they are going to Australia (I am probably the only one who does this hahaha). If you have the space, then also try to do some stretches!

10. Look out of the window and try to enjoy every minute of your flight
You have to go on your plane with a positive mindset, thinking it will be another special experience in your life that you will not redo very quickly. Try to enjoy the nature and the sunset through the airplane window. Before you know it, you will land back on the ground again (both figuratively and litterally) and then life will go so fast again (which is also fantastic!) So while you're on the plane, try to enjoy your peaceful bubble.

I hope these tips were in some way useful to you! I will post another blog soon, but for now I am headed to the beach and I am going to enjoy my time in Sydney to the fullest! Speak to you soon!

With love,
Frederique