Most flights come with temperature extremes.
Videos by TravelAwaits
During boarding, air vents provide minimal relief. The engine hasn’t been turned on yet, which powers the cooling system. Some airplanes might turn on ground power during summer to offer more relief, but that’s also not a guarantee, meaning airflow is stuffy as passengers take their seats.
However, once the engine turns on and the flight reaches cruising altitude, temperatures drop quickly. And for long-haul flights, those temperatures might stay low for hours on end. Even passengers who run hot might find themselves reaching for their complimentary blanket.
What happens if the blanket isn’t enough—and you also don’t have your standard supply of fuzzy socks or your sweater? This is often an issue when I travel to warm-weather destinations that don’t even require a jacket, and I don’t feel like lugging one along with me just for the flight.
Here’s how to stay warm on flights when your options for layering are limited.
5 tips on how to stay warm on flights when you don’t have your usual equipment
Tip #1: Focus on your extremities
When you feel a chill coming on, first focus on warming up your hands, feet, and head. While the feet are often the focus for long-haul flight comfort, don’t forget about your head. Just like you need to keep your head out of the sun on extremely hot days, you should use a hood, hat, or blanket to wrap your head and neck when the cabin gets cold.
If you have any extra layers available, they should be wrapped around your hands, feet, or head/neck. But this isn’t the only way to keep your extremities warm—we’ll get to more tips below.
Tip #2: Request an extra blanket early on
Let’s say you step onto the plane with only the clothes on your back, which might be a light sweater or a long-sleeved shirt. On most long-haul flights, you’ll find a blanket and pillow package in your seat. That’s usually enough to keep you warm if you have added layers in your cabin bag.
If not, ask for an extra blanket as early as possible. Flight attendants have additional supplies, but they’re limited. You don’t want to ask too late. The same for masks. I’ve found that masks help keep me warmer on flights because the cabin air tends to be dry and cold enough to bother my nose and sinuses.
So, don’t be afraid to ask for a blanket and a mask if you find the cabin temperature is plummeting quickly. You want first dibs.
Tip #3: Ask the flight attendant for hot water—for a bottle, if you have it
Let’s say you nab an extra blanket and a mask from the flight attendant, but you’re still feeling uncomfortably cold—what now? I’ve seen flight attendants use water bottles filled with hot water as mini-heaters on flights, which you can also request.
You need an empty plastic water bottle and something to wrap it with so you don’t burn yourself, as the flight attendant will fill the bottle with hot water used for tea and coffee. That should keep you insulated for a while and let you warm up your extremities.
Just a note: Flight attendants aren’t obligated to do this, and there might be valid reasons why they decline. If supplies are low or limited, they might fill your bottle halfway. You can also request that they fill an airplane cup with hot water, which you can pour into your bottle yourself (carefully) or use to warm your hands—that way, they aren’t wasting supplies on a personal-use bottle.
Tip #4: Move around periodically
You should be getting up to move around the cabin on long-haul flights regardless of the cabin temperature. However, don’t underestimate what a quick walk around the cabin can do to keep you warm. It’ll get your circulation moving, warming you up and helping combat potential issues like DVT.
Tip #5: Use your over-ear headphones
If you travel with over-ear headphones, you can use them like techy earmuffs. No, they aren’t as warm as actual earmuffs, and they’ll start to bother your ears if you wear them for hours on end. However, I always use my over-ear headphones on flights because they offer better noise cancellation and also help to keep my ears a little warmer. If you’re shivering in your chair, it will make a small difference.