Q&A for How to Be Comfortable on a Long Airplane Trip

Some carry-on essentials are chapstick, hand lotion, earplugs or noise-canelling headphones, earphones for the onboard entertainment, a phone charger, hand wipes, pain medicine, a neck pillow, and a universal adapter.

Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do to get away from food smells on a plane. If you can't stomach the airline food, consider bringing your own meal on the flight. Rubbing a bit of a mentholated lotion under your nose (such as VapoRub) may also help drown out offensive smells. Drink plenty of water and keep some saltine crackers or ginger candies on hand to help settle your stomach.

That depends a lot on your individual needs. Aisle seats are roomier, while window seats offer a wall to lean up against so you can sleep more comfortably. If you need extra legroom, look for a bulkhead seat or a spot in the emergency exit row. Avoid seats close to the restrooms, since these areas get a lot of foot traffic and may expose you to unpleasant odors.

Work with your flight crew to find a seat that is comfortable for you. An aisle seat or a seat behind a bulkhead may be your best bet. The double seats on the window side of the plane tend to be roomier than the triple seats in the middle of the plane, so see if you can snag one of those. You can also lift the armrests to give yourself extra room, if that's okay with the passenger(s) next to you. If you find the seat belts to be too constricting, consider purchasing a seat belt extender and bringing it on the flight.

Bring a travel pillow, blanket, and eye-mask to help you stay comfortable. If you can, get a seat next to a window where you can lean up against the wall. If noise bothers you, take earplugs or use noise-cancelling headphones so you can listen to some relaxing music. You might also try taking a gentle sleep aid, such as melatonin.

Bring earplugs or noise-canceling earphones to block the noise. Wear an eye-mask so you do not see the people passing you. Do your best to keep your aisle-side leg and arm in your own space and out of the aisle. You will probably have trouble getting completely comfortable, but it is possible to get some sleep in an aisle seat.

Just about anything really: MP3's, mobile phones, tablets, eReaders, laptops, etc. As long as you turn the item off when asked to, and as long as you can fit it inside your carry on bag, you should be fine.

If that happens, then try doing some mouth exercises, such as opening and closing your mouth, yawning and forming O shapes. You can try a chewing movement too. Or, try chewing gum or sucking boiled sweets. Eucalyptus oil patches breathed in through the nose can sometimes help clear both the nose and ears.

Do what you can to shift around. Occasionally get up and take a walk, holding onto chair backs carefully as you go in case of turbulence. Move around in your seat and try some leg exercises to stretch your muscles from the back down. Position a soft pillow or rolled-up jacket to stay comfortable on. Do exercises both before and after getting on and off the airplane too.

You can certainly bring wipes; hand sanitizers and toothpaste can be brought on board but will have to be in a smaller size.

Read, play games, listen to music, or play with your electronic devices until you get tired. Then, take a nap. If all else fails, there's almost always an in-flight movie.

Try to have a window seat as it is easier to rest your head to the side if you fall asleep. Don't get a seat towards the back because that is usually where the flight attendants are preparing meals or snacks, so if you're trying to sleep, it may disturb you.

Many airlines provide eye masks to help darken your environment. If this doesn't help, you always in-flight entertainment, reading, or if you have a window seat, the night view. Keep in mind that if you are going overseas and you don't sleep well you may have jet lag longer after you arrive.

Just gaze out of the window. Also, most airlines have in-flight entertainment, and they aren't that bad. Try some, and before you know it, you reach your destination.

Just accept it. Everyone is allowed to be comfortable and enjoy themselves. However, if this is ongoing, irritating, or disrupting, you can always politely ask the person to be a little quieter. If the person refuses, you could always ask an air hostess to help you. Chances are, if your neighbor is disruptive to you, he is also being disruptive to others as well.

Baby strollers and wheelchairs are allowed on planes. You have to leave them at the front of the plane when boarding, usually. Bicycles are allowed but they would have to be checked.

If the person refuses to stop disturbing others, get a flight attendant to help you. Most chances are, you will be moved to a better seat, if there is room. But no, it's not a reason to be bumped to business, unless the behavior has been so egregious as to warrant you been some distance from the disturbing person. After all, you mentioned "people", so do all of you get to go up to business class?

Small duffel bags can be carry-ons, but make sure the dimensions fall within the the baggage rules of the airline you are flying. Different airlines may have different standards and restrictions regarding luggage. Contact your airline company to know their length, width, and height limits for carry-ons.

Find something to do with your hands, like cross stitch, to satisfy your need for movement. You can also sit back, put an eye mask on and listen to music or order something to eat or drink.

It depends on which airline and how long the flight is. During short flights, they usually serve something like juice, pretzels, cookies, etc. If you are flying international, a full meal is usually included as part of your ticket price. Some airlines charge a fee for certain foods and drinks, so check the airlines website for specifics.

The key is to stay distracted as well as have all the things you'd need if you did throw up. Download some movies or games on your phone, iPad, laptop, etc., and bring some barf bags, sanitary wipes, and medication like Dramamine and Pepto-Bismol. Make sure you have plenty to do that won't make you nauseous to distract yourself, and you're good to go!

There are many airlines, and each one has its own policy. Check with your airline company for more information.

There aren't any rules about how many times you can use the bathroom .

Yes, you can bring toys onto the plane as long as they don't break any TSA rules.

Download a movie, game, or TV show to your tablet so that you don't need Wi-Fi. If this isn't an option for you, consider bringing a book, a journal for creative writing, or a coloring book to pass the time. If all else fails, stare out the window, eat snacks, or listen to some good music!

The first step is to keep yourself distracted with books, movies, etc. so your mind won't wander to anything that will cause a panic attack. Although traveling in an airplane can be intimidating, remember that it's the safest way to travel, your pilots are highly trained, and there are plenty of checklists and thorough reviews of the plane prior to the flight. If you do start to feel panicked, try to calm yourself by listening to some quiet music, doing some deep breathing exercises, or taking a nap.

Remember that others are allowed to adjust their seats as well, including the passengers who are seated in front of you! Try leaning your seat back as well to give yourself some more space.

No. It is good to be cautious but airplanes rarely crash or have emergencies. If they do, airlines normally provide life vests, oxygen masks, and lots of emergency escape routes. Pay attention during the safety brief at the start of the flight to ensure you know exactly what to do.

Yes, you can.

Try to distract yourself and remember it will probably be fine.