A long flight in a coach seat is one of the little annoyances frequent air travelers tend to dread. Even if you're a road warrior travelling first-class you'll be able to relate here. Most frequent flyers started out in coach; the smart ones learned to work the up-grade system. If you haven't reached that level yet, here are a few tips to try to make coach flying more comfortable on those long flights.

• Place a pillow between your lower back (just below your ribs) and the seat. This will really help to ease back soreness that will likely occur in the 2nd or 3rd hour of flight.
• Pack your own neck pillow, or scrunch an airline pillow to support your neck.
• Stretch your limbs often. Place your hands on the armrests and slowly twist your torso to loosen your upper body. Raise your legs off the floor to help regain circulation.
• When the seatbelt light permits, stretch your legs by walking down the aisle of the aircraft.
• Limber up swollen feet by slowly turning your feet at the ankle in circular patterns. Should help maintain good blood flow. Flexing and extending your feet from the ankle can help as well.
• Use moisturizer on your hands and face. Use heavy/lasting creams or petroleum jelly since the air inflight is very dry and thin lotions will wear off quickly.
• Keep the air vent above you open. When practical, dampen a facecloth, place it over your face, and aim the air vent at the cloth. This will help with dryness.
• Bring lots of chewing gum for the changes in air pressure. Ears may pop during the flight, not just during take-offs and landings.
• Wear loose-fitting, slip on shoes. Your feet swell. If you take shoes off during the flight it will be painful to put them back on.
• Wear loose-fitting comfortable clothing.
• Drink as many non-alcoholic beverages as possible. Bring an extra bottle of water and drink it.
• When traveling with a broken limb, or toe, make sure that you have adequate pain medication. The compression inflight can be very painful to a broken bone.
• If you are worried about blood clots in your legs (deep vein thrombosis) take a couple of aspirin before flying. It will help to thin your blood.
• Don't keep your hair in a ponytail, or use hair clips on the back of your head. They will dig into your head after a few hours on the rigid head rests.

Or, just stay home in the recliner like I do.