Long-haul flight ritual

return flight - Changi airport - 25/12/2016

With the plane, we learned to move in straight lines - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Having a tendency to take too much stuff and to pack the last minute until 4am, I decided to create a pre-flight routine.

Once the decision to leave has been made, write these actions down on a planner.
I use G-Calendar rely on its notifications to remind me of my "to do's".

Before and during booking

• Check passport and any visa requirements
• Book flights (not forget to order vegan meals)
• Book accommodation (always specify a non-smoking room)
• Always buy travel insurance
• Book an airport taxi
• Make a list of things to see and do
• Write a travel plan
• Create/update a travel packing list
• Visit doctors (GP, dentist, ophtalmologist), get vaccinated and get prescription medicine if necessary
• Make arrangements for someone to take care of plants
• Make digital and physical copies of essential documents:  passport, etickets, accommodation, prescription, vaccination records, including e-visa and

2 weeks before (even earlier, the sooner the better)

• Leave a large hard suitcase open (bedroom or other room)

• First, lay out all the essential items that need packed and add products when I think of something I want/need
  

• Selecting the clothes to take and do laundry if needed, to have clean and fresh clothes

• Luggage tags

=> for the trip out put details of hotel or holiday accommodation on the tag

=> and replace with return contact: just a mobile phone number and an email address (for safety reasons, avoid writing home address on luggage tag)

• Make digital and physical copies of essential documents: passport, ID card, eticket, debit card, travel insurance plan details, COVID-19 travel documents and travel vaccinations

=> 1 copy in each bag (in plastic cut-flush files)
=> if traveling with someone, carry copies of each other's passports and other important documents
=> pack printed and electronic copies of everything booked on my itinerary

• Stop any deliveries

• Keep a list of things to buy before travelling or to bring along for holidays and write it down when an idea comes

A week before

• Start packing things at least a week in advance: to have enough time to shop for any necessities that may be missing, and pack without feeling rushed
• Water the plants
• Gradually, clean and organize house, at least vacuum and mop, clean bathroom and toilet
• Washing & ironing clothes as usual because when returning home, there will be a lot to wash
• Not forget to take something to snack on (between home and destination and even during the stay) + morning snack on departure, so shop accordingly
• Empty the refrigerator of perishable foods (fruits, vegetables, leftover meals...)
• Try to empty the large outdoor bins right in time to avoid overflow and congestion at coming home
• Check again travel documents for the trip
• Make homemade disinfectant spray

2 days before (otherwise the day before)

• Check the weather and change packing list accordingly
• Check out the large suitcase left opened in a room (gradually filled): evaluate each item's necessity and try to eliminate anything I can do without
• Above all, make sure don't pack anything just in case; try to remember the previous trip, there's always some clothes I never wear but take '"just in case"
• If not already done, iron my flight outfit (procrastination tendency)
• Charge kindle, smartphone and camera
• Change bed sheets (enough time to wash dirty sheets/pillows and dry them)
• Check in and select seats online (the aisle); check that the vegan meal requested is confirmed
• Water the plants
• Share itinerary, accommodation address, and contact info with family
  

A day before, with the travel checklist (adjusted according to destination)

• Check if flight is confirmed/delayed/cancelled
• Check if the seat is on the aisle and if the vegan meals are confirmed
• Start packing my handbag, the essentials, papers and documents like passport and etickets
• Pack cabin suitcase
• End with the large hard suitcase
• Unplug appliances if needed (hi-fi...)
• Empty every bins, coffee machine...
• Wash and put away dishes (not leaving dirty dishes)
• Prepare a snack for the next day and for the flight: homemade vegan sandwich + tartines, fruits easy to eat (banana, mangos, peeled and cut into rough dice...), dried fruits & nuts...
• Check if plant needs watering again

some of my essentials that I bring on every trip

At home before departure (before heading to the airport)

• Have a light snack, especially starchy foods
• Leave washing machine door open (as usual when not using it)
• Put away the dishes (like every morning)
• Empty kitchen bin if needed
• Ensure that taps are properly closed
• Give sinks, bathubs and toilet bowls a quick clean before leaving: pour a couple of tablespoons of baking soda into the drains and toilet bowls
  
• Check and turn lights off and unplug appliances if needed before leaving
• Lock doors and windows
• Do the rounds
• Follow the 3 hour airport rule: be at the airport at least 2 hours before a short-haul flight and 3 hours before a long-haul departure

Favourite long-haul flight outfits

Always the same travel clothes: khaki (long-haul flight) or beige (depending on destination or mood).

Place all shoes in shoe bags (or in biodegrable plastic bags).

• Baggy cargo, crafted in cotton gabardine, super soft (over time), loose, warm, and comfortable to wear, multi pockets (2 side pockets, back pockets and thigh pockets), very useful (to keep personal documents)
• White cotton camisole
• Blouse coordinated with the colour of the baggy cargo
• Blue green small check cotton scarf
• Minimalist everyday jewellery: an Agate oval ring, an Amazonite oval ring, a silver twisted bangle, and a coral colored ring (slightly heavier, only on vacation), keep them inside my handbag, only wearing them after passing the security control (to avoid wasting time or even lose them)
• Beige compression stockings + black cotton socks (in Winter); also to avoid walking barefoot through airport security
• Comfortable and lightweight slip on shoes easy to put on and take off, beige or black depending on the outfits

=> Important rule, when flying

• always wearing long pants when flying (and loose)
• always wear shoes and avoid flip flops and high heels for safety & hygiene reasons

=> These flight outfits are sufficient, never needed a cardigan, possibly, a scarf around the neck just in case

=>  New items added to my flight outfit

• during my last trip, on the return flight, the AC switch button was broken, and it was freezing cold; luckily, I had brought my super soft oversized velour hoodie (I'm a 34-36, I took size 46 😅, is one of my travel essentials now)

Luggage

Pack all valuables and essentials in cabin & hand luggage (medicine, camera...).

Weekend bag* as my handbag, shoulder and crossbody carrying with the adjustable shoulder strap (40 x 25 x 15 cm, black)

• airport liquid bag (favourite organic skin care products, difficult to find abroad or even do not exist outside Western countries)
• travel medicine bag (kyu kyu bukuro)
  
• beauty bag
• snack bag
• reusable foldable shopping bag 
  

Hard shell cabin suitcase* (55 x 40 x 20 cm, 1,7kg, 36L, metallic green) without exterior pockets (protection against theft and illicit items by strangers)

• makeup bag
• foldable backpack (10L or 14L) also used as handbag

=> Pack an empty bag or a foldable reusable shopping bags, just in case (if shopping, family meeting...)

Large suitcase*, durable and scratch-resistant (69 x 45 x 29cm 3,3kg, 68L, metallic green), zipperless hard shell with spinner wheels and TSA combination lock

• evening bag
• toiletry bag
• first-aid kit
• suitcase covers
• luggage tags (with only: name, phone number and e-mail)

=> to avoid wasting time or lose items at the security control, put little items (scarf, jacket, jewellery,  belts...) in the handbag/cabin suitcase

=> so at security check, just need put on the conveyor belt

• cabin suitcase
• handbag
• passport/boarding pass
• and if requested: shoes, kindle, camera, airport liquid bag
• ... nothing is lying around...

* a distinctive sign: red and purple ribbons on the handle

At the security control, just drop off

• Cabin suitcase
• Handbag
• Smartphone, kindle, camera
• Airport liquid bag
• Passport/boarding pass or directly to the agent
• And if requested shoes, that's why always wear socks or knee-highs
• (scarf, jewelry already stored in the handbag and fleece jacket in the cabin suitcase)

After passing the security control

• If no lounge, buy 1or 2 bottles of water and fill my reusable water bottle
• Wearing ring and twisted bangle
• If needed, buy currency
• In waiting area: snacking, sipping, listening to, meditating, reading, spending some time looking around to see what's going on while still being relaxed and staying attentive to announcements and updates regarding my flight

Before take-off

• Take out my organic biodegradable wipes
• Disinfect my space: AC switch button (never turn off**), arm rests, tray tables, remote control, touch screens, seat belts, chair, window blinds...
• Clean up hands
• Take out kindle, mp3 and wearing travel sickness bands

** even if we are sick or freezing; allowing air to flow can help prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses

return flight - to KL International Airport - 15/01/2016

After the take-off

On board with in-Flight Entertainment, create my own playlist to listen to during the flight: a good way to discover new artists like in 2017, 2018 and 2019 with Chris Stapleton, Dierks Bentley, Jack Johnson, Luke Combs, Scott McCreery, Tenille Townes, Zac Brown Band, which are now among my favourites.

Not really motivated but, I also try to watch at least one movie on the way there and back; for example, in 2016, I enjoyed watching Kung Fu Panda 3; don't remember the other years what I watched or not.

During the flight,

if needed or if motivated (and if I feel good and according to my mood), I take care of my skin...  I do the basic...

My in-flight skincare routine (natural, organic, eco-friendly, biodegradable, vegan and cruelty-free products)

• use makeup wipes* to clean my hands
• open tray table
• spread a tissue on the tray table
• take out the airport liquid bag + a small mirror and place skincare items on the tissue
• wipe my hands with an anti-bacterial and then a makeup wipe
• spray face mist, holding 9 secs
• apply moisturizer and sun cream (necessary on plane)

Food & drink**
When travelling, I allow myself to drink apple juice and coke
Just in case and as a vegan, I also bring my food and snacks

 

Sleeping

I can't sleep on flights but I try to relax as much as possible. I drown out the noise of passengers and listen to my favourite music or meditations in peace with an active noise cancelling earphones.
I doze fitfully and periodically spend some time looking at the on-screen movie.

* I never use make-up wipes at home, only when travelling, for convenience
** I only drink coke when I feel nauseous and only homemade apple juice

During the stopover

• Go to the toilet and wash hands (tap water on plane is really aggressive)
• Same skincare routine as above (if motivated)
• Buy a bottle of water if needed
• Really don't like shopping at airports, not at ease and fear of missing the plane

return flight - KL International Airport - 15/01/2016

Arrival at destination

Important rule

=> Never put luggage on the bed (hotel, home, anywhere)

=> Never put luggage on the floor, except à home; at hotel, there is luggage rack, table...

• Leave shoes near the door and/or under the luggage rack (hotel)
• Rush into the bathroom to wash hands before touching anything
• Open the large suitcase, take flip flops and disinfectant wipes

• Wear flip flops and start cleaning the luggage: handles, shoulder straps, zippers, surface on the outside, bottom, wheels, and wash hands
  

• Also disinfect hotel key cards or house keys, and wash hands
  

• If there is enough time and if I'm not too tired, do a quick cleaning: disinfect door handles, switches, sink/shower taps, AC switch button, TV remote control, kettle, bedside tables, bathroom counter, office, and wash your hands

• Cleanse and purify the air of the room with a homemade lavender pillow spray (rubbing alcohol + lavender essential oil)

• Set aside clothes to be washed
• At the hotel, hang up clothes already worn: coats, jackets, dresses, shirts, pants...
• Coming home routine: wash hands, drink, shower, apply moisturizer, get changed

Coming home

I love travelling but coming home is the best part!

1. Apply hand sanitizer before touching door handles
2. Leave shoes at the door and wear flip flops (or slippers in Winter)
3. Rush into the bathroom to wash hands before touching anything
4. Drink, shower, apply moisturizer (if I'm not too tired) and get changed
5. Clean the luggage: handles, shoulder straps, zippers, surface on the outside, bottom, wheels, and wash hands
6. Also disinfect house keys, hang them up and wash hands
7. Unpack fragile items (like fruits/vegetables)
8. If I'm not too tired, gradually (even several days): unpack luggage (in the living room near entrance hall), washing clothes, store luggage...
9. If needed, plug appliances in again
10. Try to settle into a new time zone as soon as possible
11. Check plants and water if needed
12. Take a break
13. If still not tired, do a quick cleaning, at least, vacuuming and mopping floors, before fatigue going deeper
14. Prepare a quick meal
15. Later, and in the following days, disinfect handbag (inside and out, handles, zippers...), its contents (smartphone, kindle, mp3, wallet, pouches...) and put in their designated spots
16. Disinfect shoes

return flight - dinner (starter) - 16/12/2017