Flying Rituals and Travel Superstitions

As someone who travels quite frequently, there are certain things that I do each and every time I head out on a trip. For example, I always pack my Mer-Sea & Co. Travel Wrap, I make sure that I get an aisle seat on the left side of the plane, and I always sit at least 10 rows back from the front of the plane. The wrap is multi-purpose; I use it for a pillow or to keep myself warm on chilly flights and then can throw it on and wear it once I arrive at my destination. I prefer an aisle seat so I don’t have to disturb other passengers if I need to get up. I really don’t remember why I choose to sit on the left side of the plane but now have to follow this unwritten rule I placed on myself in order to keep any travel anxiety at bay. So, I wondered if I was the only one that had flying rituals and travel superstitions and decided to ask my friends and fellow travelers. Here’s what they had to say:

Flying Rituals and Travel Superstitions
Jodi from Family Travel Magazine – “I always fly with peppermint Altoids and usually wear the same outfit to fly to my destination.“

Ashley from Ashley & Company – “I bring wipes to wipe down seat, tray table. I always buy water at the airport, I have snacks, and I always sit window no further back than the wings.“

Keryn from Walking On Travels – “I text my husband that I love him every single time we take off. No matter what I want that to always be the last thing he and the kids hear from me.“

Fadra from All Things Fadra (and fellow She’s On The Go partner) –  “I have to touch the outside of the plane when I’m boarding!”

** Side note: I do this too and it was surprisingly one of the most common rituals. Who knew?

Britni from Play Party Plan – “I always check seats again the day before (and often again at the airport) and choose a left window seat in a totally empty row (if available) and often end up with an empty middle seat that way. And I get out all the things I think I would need when I sit down so I have to get into my bags the least amount possible.” 

Andrea from Just Is A Four Letter Word – “I try to sit over the wing because I feel safest there. I also always pray, text hubs and if it’s really bumpy, visualize the plane being held in a giant hand like a child playing with a toy going up and down, up and down.“

Tamara from We 3 Travel – “My husband’s family (and now ours) always steps onto the airplane first with their right foot and says Dayenu, which basically means “it would be enough” in Hebrew. In other words, just get me there safe and it will be enough. My husband has had it drilled into him enough that he always reminds my daughter and I “right foot Dayenu” when we are getting on the plane.”

Clarissa from Clarissa Explains It All (and She’s On The Go contributor) – “I always fly with a blanket scarf. It keeps me warm and it keeps bad smells away if I pull it over my nose“

Kirsten from Kids Are A Trip – “I leave my children personalized notes every time before I fly. I wear the same necklace and earrings (flying birds), not exactly sure why. And I pray.”

Linda from Unboxed Mom – “I tap the outside of the plane as I’m boarding. I also try never to sit in a window seat if it’s 3 in a row. I feel locked in. Picture Bridesmaids scene of the paranoid girl sitting next to Kristin Wiig“

Kelly from The Centsible Life – “I have to get to the airport two hours in advance. The times I haven’t have been disasters.”

Martha from Quirky Globetrotter –  “I always try to sit in an even row. I also have a blanket scarf I bring with me on every vacation, regardless of the climate.” 

As you can see, there are lots of different things people do at the start of their travel experiences that give them a sense of comfort and safety. Do you have any flying rituals or travel superstitions? Please let us know in the comments.