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    Anne Marie
    Black women of every age and income bracket can and should consider solo traveling and living abroad either permanently or semi-permanently.

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12 Long Haul Flight Tips You Need

June 20, 2022

Here are 12 tips that will ensure your next Long Haul Flight is Comfortable.

1. Upgrade to economy premium for business class for extra room if the $$$ are available

Two ways to do this: 1) use points if you have an airline-sponsored credit card; and 2) use an airline-sponsored auction. If you’re flying internationally many non-US airlines will let you bid on business class seats. I recently upgraded to business class for $500 from Washington DC to Lisbon by responding to a bid solicitation from TAP Portugal.

2. Wear a Kn95 mask

Covid19 is still with us. I like this KN95 mask and always wear one in flight!  Bring a mask and avoid the germs!

3. Select a window seat

Select your seat ahead of the flight and always get a window seat so that you can lean on the window to go to sleep. Perfect if you also have the right neck pillow.

4. Recline your Seat! 

Reclining Your Seat makes your flight more comfortable. Ignore those who would tell you not to, and recline that seat you paid for and get your rest!

5. Bring a good neck pillow

For long haul travel flights I think these two pillows are the most comfortable plane for long flights: Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow & Neck Pillow or the trtl Pillow – Scientifically Proven Super Soft Neck Support Travel Pillow.  You need to sleep on a long flight and one of these pillows combined with an eye mask, high-quality ear plugs, and a window seat will ensure you get some rest!

6. Invest in a good pair of ear plugs and an Eye mask

Bring along some high-quality ear plugs and an eye mask.  I like to use High Fidelity Earplugs for Long Haul Travel. These are concert grade.  I also love the Bedtime Bliss Sleep Eye mask I never travel without either of these items.

7. Bring an extra pair of socks

Make your flight more comfortable by bringing an extra pair of comfy compression ankle socks. I like these ankle socks by CWVLC Unisex Cushioned Compression Athletic Ankle Socks Multipack for Long Haul Travel. I never walk barefoot on a plane but I will wear ankle socks and walk around. At the end of the flight, I take them off put them in a plastic bag, and wash them post-flight!  Compression clothing is important for ensuring good blood flow in your feet and legs to avoid blood clots. See #12

8. Invest in some good noise-canceling headphones

Pack some Noise Canceling Headphones. I love my Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, Noise-Cancelling,   I swear by them. Yes, they’re probably one of the most expensive but they are the best. An affordable alternative to the Bose headphones that I have owned and recommend are these 6S Wireless Bluetooth Headphones Over Ear, Hi-Fi Stereo Foldable Wireless Stereo Headsets. They are not comparable to Bose but they are decent and affordable.

9. Bring your own entertainment

  • download your favorite movies from HBO Max and Netflix to an iPad or iPhone so you have other options besides what the airplane offers
  • download your favorite podcast, mine is Ratchet & Respectable
  • download your favorite audiobook
  • download the latest subscriptions to your favorite magazine to your my iPad or iPhone

10. Drink a lot of water

Starting the day or so before and throughout your flight, drink extra water  Hydration is extremely important on long haul travel flights. Consider bringing a refillable bottle like the LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle with 2-Stage Integrated Filter Straw for Hiking, Backpacking, and Travel which you can fill with water after the security check and it will clip to your carryon! If you travel to places without easy to access clean drinking water. This bottle is a Godsend! Drinking a lot of water will also get you to the most important thing for you to do on a long-haul flight get up and move (see #10). Avoid excessive alcohol preflight and during the flight and drink water instead.

11. Move your body during the flight

Get up and move or walk every 2 to 3 hours. Walking ensures proper blood flow and can help you avoid blood clots. If you drink a lot of water it will activate your bladder and you’ll have to get up much more often. Consult your doctor for more information on avoiding pulmonary embolisms/blood clots after a long flight.

12. Purchase and Wear Compression garments

Blood clot risks on long flights are REAL. Invest in a good pair of compression leggings and wear them on your flight. I love these High Waisted Women’s Leggings Compression Pants, these High Waist Compression Shorts, and these High Waisted Compression Capri Leggings.  If you will fly for 8 hours or more, I recommend wearing compression garments plus exercising #10 and #12

For more tips about Solo Travel safety and security while traveling solo grab the BaldGirlWillTravel: A Guide to Travel Safety and Security for Solo Female Travelers its packed with tips and advice for maintaining your personal safety during solo travel.

Check out my YouTube video on this subject.

There you have it — My recommendations for making your long-haul flight more comfortable!

No matter where you plan to solo travel your travel should include a travel safety plan. Grab the BaldGirlWillTravel: A Guide to Travel Safety and Security for Solo Female Travelers and ensure you follow the safety tips to ensure a safe solo travel experience.

A great way to plan safe and fun travel excursions especially is through  Viator. Check them out for great deals on walking tours, tours of popular places and airport transfers.  As a woman traveling alone, I make a special point to plan my excursions in advance and I especially love Viator because I have the option of not paying in full until 48 hours before my tour date and I can get a refund until 24 hours before my tour!

How do I get the best prices on flights to all my adventures? I rely on Going (formerly Scotts Cheap Flights). I am always confident that the prices I find on Going are the lowest I will find anywhere.

Thank You For Reading!

Subscribe to this website and GET YOUR FREE DIGITAL TEAM CARRY-ON PACKING GUIDE FOR THE FLY 40+ WOMAN!

Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Join my Facebook Community for Fly40+ Black Women who Love to Solo Travel

Check out these solo travel blog posts:

3 WAYS TO BUILD A SOLO TRAVEL MINDSET

10 SOLO TRAVEL MISTAKES TO AVOID!

4 MORE OF MY FAVORITE SAFETY APPS & GADGETS FOR SOLO TRAVEL!

7 SAFETY TIPS FOR WOMEN OVER 40 TRAVELING SOLO

This post may contain affiliate links to things like tours, hotels, Amazon associates, and products. These help me earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.

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Blog Posts  / Solo Female Travel  / Solo Travel Tips

Anne Marie Archer
I am on a mission to make solo travel accessible and fun for everyone, especially Black Women over 40, and to dispel the myth that women over 50 can’t be fashionable, comfortable, and still travel #TeamCarryon.

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  • About Me

    Anne Marie

    Hi I'm Anne Marie. I Quit my high six-figure income job, jumped off the hamster wheel, exited the American Rat Race, packed up my house and moved to Mexico in May 2021. Now I am embracing my love of solo travel while working as an HR consultant and connecting Black Women Coaches to those who need them via The BlackWomen Coach™ Directory (www.blackwomencoach.com). I have traveled to over 40 countries and I want Black Women over 40 to embrace solo travel! Stop waiting for your girlfriends, husband, boyfriend to get on the road. Go see the world and live your best authentic unapologetic and free life right now.

    We each have this one precious life – you owe it to yourself to live your life to the fullest NOW!

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    The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical or legal advice. Readers should consult with a licensed professional to get advice for their individual situation. See the Disclaimer and Terms of Use for more information. Copyright BaldGirlWillTravel,LLC 2022. This website, Baldgirlwilltravel, LLC, And all trademarks and other intellectual property used herein are the property of MegEd Enterprises LLC.

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    Over 50 I Solo Travel for self care you should too! 30+🌍 & counting✈️

    baldgirlwilltravel
    Here is what 7 nights in Nairobi, Kenya cost me. Here is what 7 nights in Nairobi, Kenya cost me.

Please note that I didn’t fly round trip because Nairobi what is the second stop in a five weeklong trip on the continent of Africa. 

The biggest ticket item for me on this leg of my trip was my airfare. The flight from Senegal to Kenya routed me through Mali and Addis Ababa Ethiopia and took 12.5 hours. I made a choice to invest in business class for the longest part of the flight which was 10 hours. Flying  around Africa can get expensive especially if you’re going from east to west or west to south so keep that in mind when you’re planning. It’s best to stay in one region if you want to keep the cost down.

I used some of my Chase Sapphire points to offset the cost of seven nights at the 5 star Sarova Stanley Hotel. Well worth it!

And I ate a lot at the hotel and drank a lot at the bar so I did run up a bit of a tab for food in Kenya.👀😳🍷🍷

I did some a fun tours using Viator and it was super affordable. When I think of everything I did, I’m surprised to see that I only paid $95 for a tour that took me to the giraffe Center, the elephant sanctuary, and a bead factory. 

I thoroughly enjoyed myself in Nairobi, and I recommend it! Read my blog post at the link in bio to learn more about everything that I did in Nairobi!

#solotravel  #wheretostay #costbreakdown #melanin #blackwomentravel #travelgram #travel #travelblogger #blackandabroad #traveltips #kenya #nairobi #visitafrica #visitkenya
    In my YouTube live this week and my current blog p In my YouTube live this week and my current blog post I hope I laid a rest for all times my response to the question “is Mexico safe for solo travel?“ Considering that these inquiries primarily come from Americans, who live in arguably one of the most dangerous countries in the entire world, I find it ironic. But I have given a lengthy response In my last YouTube live and in my blog post. I’m sure someone will still come in my comments and either make a snarky remark or ask the question again🙄 Do I think Mexico does not require any safety precautions? Of course not. There’s nowhere in the world that’s completely safe. And Mexico has its problems as does almost every country in the world, but I find it eminently safe for Solo travel as long as you exercise common sense and basic situational awareness. I explain what I mean and the things that I specifically think are important for solo travel to Mexico in my blog post and on my YouTube chat. You can catch both at the link in bio, but the bottom line is Mexico is safe for tourist travel, including solo travel. unless you’re planning to hang out in a border town 👀👀 you should be perfectly fine. Always do your homework about your destination. If you have relationships with the locals, ask them as well and don’t come down here and just drop all your defenses. Exercise common sense and situational awareness and you will be OK. Happy traveling! #vivamexico #solotravel #safetravels #travel #travelsafe #melanin #blackgirlstraveltoo #travelover50 #seesomeworld
    Here is what six nights and seven days in Dakar Se Here is what six nights and seven days in Dakar Senegal cost me.

Please note that I didn’t fly round trip because Dakar I flew next to Nairobi, so those cost will be included in my breakdown of the cost for my stay in Nairobi Kenya. 

Overall, I think I did pretty well considering what 7-10 days  in Egypt and Ghana are going to cost me in an group trip later this year👀👀

I thoroughly enjoyed myself in Dakar, and I highly recommend it! #solotravel #dakar #senegal #wheretostay #costbreakdown #melanin #blackwomentravel #travelgram #travel #travelblogger #blackandabroad #traveltips
    Is Mexico safe? Is it safe for solo travel? This i Is Mexico safe? Is it safe for solo travel? This is a question that I get asked a lot. In light of the events a month ago, I will revisit my thoughts about solo travel and Safety in Mexico tonight on my weekly Thursday teatime on #YouTube. I’ll talk a bit about the places. I think are safe and ideal for solo travel and places I think you should avoid. You can subscribe to my channel at the link in bio and I’ll see you later at 6 PM CST and 8 PM EDT for a little chat  Grab your glass of wine and join me.  #mexico #solotravel #travel #safetravels #travelsafely #travelsafety
    Use every single minute of it! #LifeIsWorthLiving Use every single minute of it! #LifeIsWorthLiving #Live #solotravelislife #solotravel
    On this weeks Thursday teatime🫖 I will share my On this weeks Thursday teatime🫖 I will share my thoughts on whether I think Mexico is safe for solo travel. I will speak about this from my perspective as a 50+ woman who solo travels around Mexico. So if you’re planning a solo trip to Mexico, make sure you join this live.

Subscribe at the link in bio or here

And don’t forget to hit the notification bell🛎️ so you know every time a new video drops
#safety #mexico #travelsafety #travelsafe #solotravel
    SAVE AND SHARE Hey everyone! Are you planning on SAVE AND SHARE

Hey everyone! Are you planning on traveling with your iPhone soon? Here are my top 5 tips to keep it safe during your journey:

1.    Use a protective case and screen protector to prevent scratches and cracks.
2.    Set a passcode or use biometric authentication (like Touch ID or Face ID) to secure your device.
3.    Turn on Find My iPhone so you can locate your phone if it gets lost or stolen.
4.    Keep your phone close to you and never leave it unattended in public places.
5.    Avoid connecting to unsecured Wi-Fi networks, as they may put your personal information at risk.

Read my blog post at the link in bio for all 10 of my iPhone Solo Travel Safety Tips.

At this Thursdays TeaTime I am talking Safe Solo Travel in Mexico and sharing my thoughts on whether Mexico is safe for solo travel.

I spent 15+ years overseeing global security in the international development sector. The most important thing to remember when traveling alone, especially as a woman, is to practice situational awareness and common sense. If it feels wrong even for a minute don’t do it. 

I share solo travel safety and security advice based on my 15+ years of experience in the downloadable BaldGirlWillTravel: A Guide to Travel Safety and Security for Solo Female Travelers” 

Grab yours at the link in bio or here: https://baldgirlwilltravel.com/product/bald-girl-will-travel-a-guide-to-travel-safety-security-for-solo-female-travelers/

At $15 a download it’s a bargain and it will tell you what you need to know about traveling alone as a woman and doing it safely. It’s been recently updated. 

Don’t let Social media personalities scare you. You can be safe anywhere in the world. Stay Ready so You Don’t have to Get Ready!

Remember: 
Life is short. 
Book the trip.
You’re welcome

#iphonesafetytips #traveltips #protectyourphone #staysafewhiletraveling #travelsmart #applesecurity #phoneprotection #cybersecurity #safetravels #techtips #solotravel #solotravelsafety #travelsafe #travelsmart #safety #safetravel #traveltips #travelhacks #hotelsafety #airbnbsafety #tipandtricks
    I go live in 30 minutes 6 PM CST or 8 PM EDT to sp I go live in 30 minutes 6 PM CST or 8 PM EDT to spill Allll The Tea 🫖🫖🫖about my recent visit to Nairobi Kenya. Make sure you are subscribed to my #YouTube #channel and Hit your notification bell to know when we are going LIVE.

#nairobi
#kenya
#visitafrica
#visitkenya
#solotraveler
#baldgirlwilltravel
#blackwomentravel
#blackandabroad
#melaninonthemap
#melanatedwanderlust
#wetraveltoo
#travelnoire
    If you're looking for an unforgettable experience If you're looking for an unforgettable experience during your visit to Nairobi, Kenya, then you have to check out the Giraffe Center!

The Giraffe Center is a non-profit organization that aims to provide a home for the endangered Rothschild's giraffe. This center is located just 20 minutes away from Nairobi's city center, making it a must-visit spot for both locals and tourists.

One of the highlights of visiting the Giraffe Center is the opportunity to get up close and personal with these majestic creatures. You can feed them with specially prepared pellets from a raised platform and even get a giraffe kiss by placing a pellet in your mouth and letting the giraffe take it from you!

The Giraffe Center also provides education to visitors on the importance of conservation efforts and the work being done to protect the giraffe population in Kenya.

Overall, the Giraffe Center is an amazing destination that offers a unique experience with these beautiful animals while supporting conservation efforts. Make sure to add it to your bucket list and let us know in the comments if you've had the chance to visit! 

I will tell you all about my visit to the Giraffe Center at this Thursday’s Tea Time!

Also read my blog post about my visit to Nairobi Kenya at the link in bio.

Join me on my #youtube #channel each and every Thursdays at 6p Central, 7p EST or on the replay to discuss a Solo Travel topic. Grab your favorite beverage while I spill the tea about the good bad and ugly of traveling over 50 solo

Hit your notification bell to know when we are going LIVE. 

#giraffecenter #nairobi #kenya #conservation #wildlife #travel #bucketlist
#solotravel
#solotraveler
#baldgirlwilltravel
#blackwomentravel
#blackandabroad
#melaninonthemap
#melanatedwanderlust
#wetraveltoo
#travelnoire
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