The natural hair movement has been around since the sixties, but in the last decade or more, a Black travel movement has also been birthed, and Black women are traveling!  As a flight attendant in the late eighties, I was forced to use chemicals to control my natural hair under the airline grooming standards.  It wasn’t until the nineties that a lawsuit affected my ability to wear my Black hair naturally.  So, I know the challenges of wearing conformist hairstyles, using chemicals, and wearing my hair naturally when traveling.  I firmly believe in natural styles for Black women, but traveling with natural hair can be challenging.  As a Black woman who has worn locs for over twenty years, I know this personally.  Still, there are plenty of options for Black women when traveling with their natural hair.  Here are some challenges and a few choices I consider the best hairstyles for black female travelers.

Ultimately, Black female travelers must choose a hairstyle that suits their personal style and comfort level.  To make caring for natural hair easier while traveling, the best hairstyles are those that consider low-maintenance natural styles that protect their hair and require minimal upkeep.  Its highly recommended to carry travel-sized versions of essential hair care products, such as shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in moisturizer.  A satin or silk pillowcase or hair bonnet will reduce friction and protect natural hair at night.  Don’t forget to schedule time for hair care, even when traveling, to maintain a healthy natural hair care routine.

This is not an exhaustive or extensive list of the best hairstyles for Black female travelers or all the challenges Black female travelers may face.  Check out other great travelers with natural hair like myself who can share even more ideas on natural hairstyles.  I hope this post has been helpful and you are even more encouraged to travel with your natural Black hair.

Where is my seat?

Generally, there is only one way to get on and off an airplane; the boarding door.  I have never seen airplane seat numbers that weren’t sequential, 1,2,3,4….etc.  In addition to paying attention to your boarding group number, remember your seat number.  Have your ticket out, so you know exactly where your seat is.  Almost always, the seat number is at eye level, either to the right or the left.  Every seat also has a letter, and the seat number and letters are also located on the armrest of every seat.  It should not take you any extended length of time to find your seat.  The faster you get seated, the more chances of an on-time departure and getting you to your destination as quickly as possible.

Which overhead bin should I use?

Overhead bin space is shared space.  The overhead bin space does not correspond to a seat number.  Put your belongings in an overhead bin that is convenient for you, and try not to take up the entire space for just your items.  Remember that the area is shared space, and another passenger often has to check their bags because you selfishly took up all the overhead bin space without regard for your fellow passengers.  Look ahead as you board, and if you see that the overhead bin space is full above where you estimate your seat to be, place your belongings in the first overhead bin you see that has space (in your cabin).  It’s always better to get to your luggage as you leave the plane if it’s ahead of you than to try to go against traffic to retrieve your carry-on luggage.

Bathrooms during boarding.

Generally, try to go to the bathroom in the airport rather than on the airplane.  Public restrooms will often be cleaner and more spacious than on the aircraft.  Going to the restroom during boarding is almost always inconvenient as you will push past people in the opposite direction.  In addition, the door to the aircraft can’t close until every passenger is seated, which will slow down the boarding process and may delay departure.  I have experienced having to return to the gate to remove a passenger because there were more passengers than seats.  This can happen if someone is in the bathroom and unaccounted for.  It’s also why some airlines do not allow the bathroom to be used during boarding.

Switching seats.

Seating is a commodity on most airplanes, and airlines sometimes charge different pricing for seat allocations. Most airlines will allow you to choose your seat when purchasing your ticket. If not assigned a seat when purchasing your ticket, a seat will be given at check-in.  Most of the time, the airlines will try to keep families and groups together, so it’s best to check in early to ensure your seating. Asking fellow passengers to switch seats is not often an issue, but it can annoy some people. Requesting that someone change a seat with you simply for your benefit is an inconvenience to that person, even if they may not verbalize that fact.  In addition, it can be annoying for other passengers and flight attendants simply waiting for you to settle down and be seated.

Knowing some basic travel information goes a long way to relieving stress from your travel experience.  I hope these ideas help.  Let me know in the comment section below.

Keep updated with the airline app or opt-in to text or email alerts.  Airlines are required to provide passengers with information about flight delays.  If you learn of a delay in your flight, try to arrange another flight with the airline as soon as possible.  You can be sure that other passengers will also be considering their flight options.  First, check to ensure no change fee is associated with your ticket.  If there is, the change fee may be waived depending on the reason for the flight delay.  You can ask the airline to transfer your ticket if there is a flight option with another airline.  There is no guarantee that they will transfer your ticket to another airline, but if you have the information available, the agent will appreciate you giving them the options.

Try to buy non-stop flights.  There is a difference between non-stop and direct flights.  Non-stop flights, as the name suggests, will not have stops, but direct flights may have stopovers.  Non-stop flights will also have less flight time; in case of a flight delay, you will merely have a later arrival.  Most importantly, you can’t miss a connection if you don’t have one, and non-stop flights can be priced as competitively as other flight options.  Additionally, flights with stops carry more opportunities for mechanical or other delays.  These flight delays may make you miss your connection or delay your travel overnight.  This can be extremely frustrating if you are traveling on the day of an event like a wedding or departing on a cruise.

Choose early morning flights.  Although often inconvenient, early morning flights are most often on time.  Airlines plan their schedules around the first flight in the morning, and a delay in the first flight will have ripple effects throughout the day.  Chances are that the plane will have been sitting overnight and be available for an on-time departure.  Additionally, early morning flights are less expensive than other times throughout the day.  Another great perk of an early morning flight is that the aircraft is often cleaner because it may have been serviced overnight rather than a quick clean between flights.

Have airline customer service numbers with you.  If there is a delay, passengers often rush to the airport service counters to make arrangements.  You can take the additional step of calling the airline.  You can usually get through to someone faster than waiting in line for two or three agents trying to handle hundreds of passengers.  Be prepared and have all your flight information handy such as record locators or ticket numbers, if you are traveling on different airlines.  Additionally, try customer service numbers in different countries.  Often airlines have offices worldwide, and if in a different location, the customer service agents may not be as swamped as local agents.

I hope you find these tips helpful and they make you a bit more prepared for your next delayed travel.

I have commuted from the US to Asia for over fifteen years, making several trips a year. Most of those trips were over 12 hours and were considered long-haul flights. Because I have flown these trips so many times, I know that long-haul flights do not have to be an unpleasant experience if you prepare in advance. There are many ways to make a long-haul flight a more pleasant experience. Here are a few tips.

Research the airlines. Often the flight prices are competitive, and only a few dollars will separate one airline from another. The service that the airlines provide will often be quite different. Food choices or the number of services offered by the airline will differ. Depending on the airline, services such as pillows, blankets, individual bottled water, face mask, snacks, and alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage choices differ. The aircraft type might be the same, but the airline may be configured differently. Some airlines prefer to prioritize the number of seats over the comfort of the seating. Other airlines will try to fit as many seats as possible and sell them cheaply, while others will have larger seats to sell at a higher price. As a result, your choice of airline can make a difference.

Choose your seats wisely. Traveling on a long-haul flight is often unavoidable, but hundreds of people do it daily. One way to make it more comfortable is the choice of seating. Some seats are better than others, and middle, last-row, or seats that don’t recline can make the trip a miserable experience. One way to check seats on flights is SeatGuru. Using this site, you can find out if the seats are close to the bathroom or the galleys. Seats on the first row of the airplane may have legroom but also are preferred by families, and you may be seated next to or close to small children. Seats near the galleys will have lots of traffic from flight crews and passengers stretching their legs during the flight.

Dress comfortably and in layers. Airplane temperature is centrally controlled, and people tolerate temperatures differently. There’s only so much you can do if you’re overheated, but having a sweatshirt or jacket can help if the plan turns chilly. Conversely, you can remove your sweater or jacket if it gets too warm. Tight clothing can be very uncomfortable in confined seating areas for long periods, but you do not have to wear pajamas to be comfortable. Comfortable leisurewear that is not too tight, compression socks, and slip-on shoes are great options. Try not to wear lots of jewelry or bulky accessories.

Prepare to pass the flight time with your entertainment. Airlines provide entertainment for long-haul flights, but there are times when the entertainment system is inoperable, or your seat system may not work. Do not rely on airline entertainment; have movies, shows, or books downloaded to your device, and make sure devices are fully charged. Prepare with noise-canceling headsets or earplugs to help with airplane noises and other noisy passengers. Other great accessories are eye masks or neck pillows. Sleep is a great way to pass the time, but if you need to take sleep aids, try natural ones like melatonin and those you are familiar with or have used before, so you know how your body will react.

Long-haul flights do not need to be a chore. Enjoy them on the way to your next travel adventure. Please let me know if these tips are helpful in the comment section below.