Never Be Uncomfortable On A Flight Again With These Simple Game-changing Tips

Sitting slumped in a crudely designed, undersized seat is likely to cause backache in even the healthy-of-spine, never mind those with ongoing lumbar issues. Remember these tips next time you’re preparing for a long flight to make your journey a little more easeful.

Try posture training with an Upright GO

This award-winning wearable was created to give real-time feedback on your posture through vibrations. Use the adhesive strips provided to position the Upright GO between your shoulder blades, and get a gentle alert when you’re unconsciously slouching. Over time the muscles of your back strengthen and sitting in an upright position becomes second nature, so ideally you should start training with the gadget a couple of weeks prior to departure.

Don’t leave home without pillows

Airlines place a small pillow on your seat on most overnight or long haul flights. Use this one to compensate for the lack of built-in lumbar support and place it behind the lower curve of your spine. Then make sure you invest in a good memory foam neck pillow to hold your head in a comfortable position for the duration of your flight.

Pack a tennis ball and use it for targeted self-massage to ease muscular pain

Pack a tennis ball in your carry-on

The shape, size and density of a tennis ball make it the perfect inflight massaging tool. Place one between your back and the seat and carefully roll it over the muscles that support your spine. By methodically kneading knots as they develop you’ll feel a lot more comfortable as the journey progresses.

Remember to stretch

The design of a plane seat encourages a C-shaped spine and shoulders that round forward, curving the upper back. After a few hours this unnatural position is going to make you uncomfortable and antsy. Counteract it by sitting up tall in your seat and arching the spine. Draw your shoulder blades together and let the chest become broader as you take your arms behind your back and clasp opposite elbows. Spend a few breaths like this, then release your hands and take a gentle twist to the right and left to reset the spine, using the armrest for extra traction. Repeat this stretch every 30 minutes, or whenever things start to feel tight.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.