A travel expert has shared five hacks for flying in comfort – including one very controversial tip.
Frequent flyer Nicole Lazo regularly shares travel tips on Instagram, from converting currencies to choosing the best neck pillow.
The 37-year-old often flies with her husband Oscar and their 15-year-old son Lucca.
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“I don’t think of myself as a travel influencer as much as someone who knows a lot about travelling because I do it so much”, Nicole, who lives in Sacramento in California, US, told What’s The Jam.
“The type of travel I do is mid-luxury travel with my family so it’s pretty attainable for most travellers.
“My travel hack videos solve a problem or common issue while flying.
“I also love showing how you can use regular things like blankets or hats to make your flight and travel experience better.
“Items that have a dual purpose are great because you only want to pack the bare minimum and not over pack.”
“I’ve been to 36 countries and they are all so different and have very different things to offer.”
Nicole, who teaches Art History and Humanities at a local college, posted one clip of her using her baseball cap as a makeshift phone holder.
She said: “This video shows a super simple way to use a baseball hat to hold your phone so you can watch movies on the plane hands free.
“You can hook the back of the hat into the tray clasp and put your phone inside the hat so you don’t have to hold it yourself.
“Not all phones have a case with a stand and not all planes have a phone holder to prop up your phone so this is a great option.”
In another video, Nicole – who has been posting travel content on Instagram and YouTube for three years – shared five tips for sleeping well on a plane.
Nicole said: “Sleeping on a long flight can help make or break the first few days of your trip, so if you are flying more than seven hours or are on a red-eye, you should do everything you can to sleep well before you land.
“Number one is a travel pillow. I’ve tried tons of pillows and have come to like the one that straps to the head cushion of your seat and holds your head up with the eye mask.
“My husband still likes the old school u-shaped pillow, it’s definitely a personal preference thing.
“Second is an eye mask. The overhead lights get turned on and off all the time throughout the flight so having an eye mask is the only way to avoid being disturbed by the lights.
“Number three is ear plugs. Sound is another thing that bothers me while I sleep. Some people talk super loud or children are heard screaming so anything to muffle or cancel the noise helps you rest.
“Number four is a travel blanket. It’s crazy how fast a plane can turn into an ice box, leaving you shivering the whole time.
“I know some airlines give you a blanket, but they aren’t usually that warm so I always bring my own.
“I like the one from Rumpl. It fits into a small bag and has a clasp so I can hang it onto my backpack if I need more room.
“For number five, I like to use natural sleep aids. The ones I use are made of natural ingredients to help you sleep.”
Nicole also posted a video of her using her phone charger as a stand for watching films.
She said: “I use this a lot while travelling. My portable charger has a stand on it so I can prop my phone up to watch TV on the plane or train.
“It’s one of those dual purpose items that I love. It’s something small I can just throw in my purse and have on me the whole trip.”
Nicole also posted a useful tip for watching films through your own earphones rather than those supplied by the airline.
She said: “This travel accessory allows you to use your personal earphones to watch the plane’s movies through Bluetooth.
“Airline headphones are usually made of hard plastic and hurt your ears after a while.
“This adapter connects the audio to your personal earphones, which are probably more comfortable and have better sound quality.
“You can also connect two earphones so you can watch the movie with your travel buddy.”
In another clip, Nicole shared tips on what she likes to wear on long-haul flights.
Nicole said: “I wear comfy joggers, a thin tank top, and zip-up jacket with zip-up pockets.
“I zip up my phone or other valuables in my pocket if I can’t put them away in my luggage or want to keep something with me instead of the seat pocket.
“This gives me a peace of mind that I won’t lose anything.
“I like to wear thin layers so I can cool down easily if the plane gets too hot or if I land in a place with hot weather.
“Being comfortable on the plane is super important and allows me to sleep easier because everything is light and stretchy like pyjamas.”
She added: “This outfit can also be used on my trip if I need an active wear outfit one day.”
Nicole sparked outrage after posting a clip of her fashioning a hammock for her feet as another travel hack.
Some online users called the makeshift foot sling a “disturbance to others”, “not nice” and “an inconsiderate act”.
One local slammed: “You can break the table with your weight.”
Nicole said: “I used an airline blanket and tied it in a knot to hang from the clasp of the tray table.
“When the tray table is shut, you can hang your feet in the blanket which is much more comfortable on long flights.
“I was able to sleep much more comfortably with my feet elevated.
“I know a lot of people commented on the video about disturbing the person in the seat in front, but it truly doesn’t move their seat around.
“I asked the passenger in front of me after a 10-hour flight to Europe and they said they had no idea.”
Nicole also shared information about her favourite holiday hotspots.
The travel expert said: “Italy is my favourite country, I keep going back there because of its history and beauty.
“I just got back from Sardinia and it was amazing to see its stunning beaches and islands.
“Peru is definitely a stand out place because of their ancient cities, culture, and delicious food.
“Tanzania was one of my favourite trips.
“We visited the tropical island of Zanzibar and did a safari in the Serengeti.
“I also like cultural experiences like visiting onsens in Japan and getting to know locals while getting scuba certified in Thailand.”
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