Q&A for How to Prepare for a Long Plane Ride

Hold your breath, close your mouth, and the air will come out through your nose; it will clear any "bubbles." Another thing you can do is try to do a very big yawn. Finally, ask the flight attendant for a plastic cup and some wet paper towels to put in the cup. Hold the openings against your ears and breathe normally.

Ask the person to please move the seat up. Be polite. If that doesn't work, the flight attendants could try to move you to a better place, or ask the person for you.

Yes, but make sure it's not too big.

Bring items that will distract you and make you calm, books, magazines, an iPad stocked with your favorite shows/movies. Maybe reread a favorite book for something that is familiar and doesn't require too much concentration. If you're really worried, speak to a doctor about getting a prescription for anti-anxiety medication - it works.

In most cases you can, but if they say no, you can just buy one once you are through security.

Remember, you can always by inexpensive electronics beforehand such as Nooks and Kindles, both costing only 100 or 200 dollars. There are also many other healthier things to occupy you, like magazines, puzzles, and also food.

Of course! Just don't bring too many of them or your bag might be too heavy to carry.

When the lights go out, stand up and do some stretches. When you come back form the bathroom, do not go immediately back to your seat; walk around, go back.

It is probably not a good idea, as safety officials may not know what it is and perceive it to be a threat.

Buy some motion sickness bands or just take some pills for air or motion sickness.

Pack some activities that you find interesting. You could find some movies or TV shows and download them beforehand, pack some books and if applicable, you can bring some work along to pass time productively.

Yes, but be careful and turn your phone on airplane mode to guarantee no calls come in when you put your SIM card back in.

That's a great idea, provided you have the attention span for watching several movies on a long plane ride; it is an excellent way of passing the time. They usually do not cut out parts of movies on planes, though they may censor or edit some adult material of certain movies if they do not conform to the airline or country's beliefs and values - e.g. on a flight to or from a religious country, nudity and profanity may be edited out or censored.

Get up and walk around a little, even if it's just to go to the bathroom. If it's a long flight, get up every hour or so. (Book an aisle seat if you can.)

Yes, as long as you put your cell phone on airplane mode.

The steps in the article should work just fine whatever your gender and age.

Brings some paper and play hangman, tic-tac-toe. Also, bring a pen and maybe some color pencils to color. Though, keep your bag really light for the flight.

Fly with Lufthansa, the main airline in Germany. And go to the international terminal at San Francisco international airport to catch the flight and read the boards for the exact boarding gate.