In the fast-paced world of business, frequent long-haul flights are often a necessity for executives. To help you navigate these journeys successfully, we’ve gathered insights and tips from seasoned executives who are no strangers to extensive air travel. Here, we’ll share their strategies, top tips, and personal experiences to make your next long flight more manageable.
Kira Gurnee – Professional Voice Over Actress
Kira Gurnee is a professional Voice Over actress with over a decade of experience in the industry. She frequently travels between the US and New Zealand, enduring long flights that demand her to stay healthy and rested to maintain her vocal performance.
Kira’s survival tips for long-haul flights are based on her need to keep her voice in top condition. She recommends:
- Bringing plenty of bottled water for drinking and tooth brushing, as tap water on planes may not be safe.
- Carrying a full-size squishable pillow onboard for added comfort and the ability to store items inside the pillowcase.
- Using a carry-on bag as a footrest to elevate your legs if your seat doesn’t have a raised footrest. She also suggests wearing compression socks and doing foot exercises to prevent swelling.
Kira’s insights come from the perspective of a professional voice actress who relies on her voice for work. Staying hydrated and comfortable is key to her success on long-haul flights.
Thi Thumasathit – Gleen
Thi Thumasathit is the VP Marketing at Gleen, a generative AI-based platform for customer success. With a background in Silicon Valley and experience in start-ups, Thi has valuable insights into international travel.
Thi shares a unique strategy for minimizing jet lag:
- Determine your destination’s first regularly scheduled breakfast time.
- Work backwards 16 hours and start fasting (water, coffee, tea only) before your flight.
Thi’s unconventional approach to jet lag prevention is inspired by the Argonne Anti-Jet Lag Diet and has been effective in his extensive international travels.
Kyle Kroeger – ViaTravelers
Kyle Kroeger is the Founder & CEO of ViaTravelers, a platform providing extensive travel research and analysis with over 1 million monthly readers.
Kyle offers practical tips for staying comfortable and productive during long flights:
- Prioritize sleep with a comfortable travel pillow, eye mask, and noise-canceling headphones.
- Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol and caffeine.
- Move around regularly to prevent stiffness and soreness.
- Manage workload by focusing on essential tasks.
- Dress comfortably with loose, breathable clothing and slip-on shoes.
Kyle emphasizes the importance of balancing work and relaxation during long-haul flights to arrive at your destination refreshed and ready for business.
Parker Gilbert – Founder and CEO of Numeric.io
Parker Gilbert, Founder and CEO of Numeric.io, is a serial entrepreneur with a wealth of experience in founding startups. His business endeavors often require him to undertake long-haul flights, making him no stranger to the challenges of air travel.
Parker’s strategy for conquering long-haul flights involves a unique approach called “Time Block Travel.” He allocates specific time blocks for different activities like work, relaxation, and sleep, carefully syncing these activities with his destination’s time zone. This method helps mitigate the effects of jet lag and ensures a productive use of travel time.
To manage travel-related stress, Parker relies on a customized meditation routine tailored specifically for travel. In addition to standard recommendations like deep breathing and stretching, he suggests practicing gratitude meditation. These techniques help him stay centered and focused during long flights.
Samantha Odo – PreCondo
Samantha Odo is a seasoned real estate professional and currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at PreCondo, a platform simplifying the condo search and analysis process in Canada. Her extensive travel experience for work provides valuable insights.
- Invest in a practical travel bag with multiple compartments for organization.
- Plan travel during non-peak hours to avoid stress and ensure punctuality.
- Make use of travel time for productivity with a portable charger and laptop.
- Dress smartly and comfortably, bringing essential items like a neck pillow and noise-canceling headphones.
Samantha emphasizes the importance of staying organized and maximizing productivity during travel. Her tips reflect her extensive experience in the real estate industry.
These additional insights from seasoned travelers offer valuable strategies and tips to help you endure and thrive during long-haul flights. Incorporate these recommendations into your travel routine to make your journeys more efficient and enjoyable.
