Sleep, Walk, Plan: Staying Comfortable on Long Flights

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Materials Daily News

Intermediate

Exercise 1

Vocabulary

long-haul

Adjective

ˌlɔːŋ ˈhɔːl

involving transport over a long distance

I'm a bit nervous because this is my first long-haul flight.

aisle

Noun

aɪl

a passage between a row of seats, shelves, etc.

She made her way slowly down the aisle looking for an empty seat.

air miles

Noun

ˈer maɪlz

points earned by buying airline tickets and other products that can be used to pay for flights with a particular airline

John redeemed his air miles for a first-class upgrade on his flight to London.

carry-on

Noun

ˈkæri ɑːn

a bag or suitcase taken onto a plane by a passenger

The airline allows each passenger to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item.

fresh

Adjective

freʃ

full of energy

I woke up feeling very fresh after an hour-long nap.

jet lag

Noun

dʒɛt læg

tiredness felt by a person who has flown across different time zones

I had jet lag for about four days when I first arrived in Australia from Germany.

Exercise 2

Article

AI Generated Audio––:–– / ––:––

Sleep, Walk, Plan: Staying Comfortable on Long Flights

A long-haul flight is not something many of us look forward to, but here are a few ways to make the trip a little easier.

Choose the seat you want

Whether you prefer a window seat or one by the aisle, book early to make sure you can get your favorite seat.

You might also be able to use air miles to get a nicer seat with more space.

Think about what you wear

You'll want comfortable clothes that aren't too tight, and a warm top because you might feel cold. A pair of shoes that you can easily take off and put on would also be useful.

… and pack

That might include a sleeping mask, headphones, and a pillow to help with sleep. You may also want to keep a toothbrush in your carry-on and a few other things to keep you feeling fresh.

Move around

Your legs might start to hurt after sitting down for so long, so try taking short walks up and down the aisle. It may not be the most comfortable place to walk, but your legs will be happy!

Bring your own snacks

Don't eat too many big meals that might make it harder for you to go to sleep. Healthy snacks are a good choice and you won't have to rely on airline food.

It's also important to drink enough water, and try not to drink too much coffee, tea or alcohol that could keep you awake.

Sleep… if you can

Even a short sleep will help to pass time and keep you fresher before arrival.

You may also worry about jet lag but don't keep yourself awake before traveling — this could only make tiredness worse if you can't sleep on the plane.

Bring entertainment

Flying is a good time to watch TV shows, read a good book or get some work done. Just make sure you charge your phone and computer before you travel.

Exercise 3

Discussion

Which of the tips from the article do you find most useful?

Have you been on many long-haul flights? Which was the longest?

Do you have a preferred seat when you fly?

Have you ever used air miles to buy a plane ticket or a seat upgrade?

What items do you always make sure to pack in your carry-on?

Exercise 4

Further Discussion

How do you usually keep yourself entertained on flights?

Do you find it easy to sleep on planes? Do you know anyone who does?

Have you ever experienced jet lag? How do you usually deal with it?

Do you often talk to the people sitting next to you when you fly?

Have you had any unpleasant flying experiences?

Source

This lesson is based on an article by Henry Milward.