Flying is a pain, we know that. Between elusive flight attendants[1] , long TSA lines
[2] and not-so-great airplane food[3] , the whole experience is a buzzkill compared to years ago[4] .


Never fear! We're here to help chill you out on your next flight. Here are some tried and true (and some proposed) ways to zen out on your next plane ride.


It's ok to be superstitious[5] ... but remember, they're just that: superstitions.

nervous person on a plane


Have a mini "tea meditation[6] "...

person drinking tea


...Or try a real meditation[7] .

meditate on planes


Repeat a mantra[8] .

keep calm and carry on


Do some yoga in the aisles[9] .

airplane yoga


Take a mental break and picture yourself at a spa[10] or just look out the window and the ground far below[11] .

views out an airplane


Make the airplane bathroom (or even your seat) a mini-spa to keep your skin hydrated and fresh[12] --and your mind calm.

makeup on a plane


Picture yourself at your destination.

person on a beach


Crack open (turn on?!) that book you've been meaning to read for ages. It'll take your mind off the crowded plane around you.

person reading on a plane


On your way back from vacation? Start planning the next one[13] .

happy people on a plane





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  • No. 1 Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, Little Rock, AR (LIT)


    <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-worst-airports-2013/9" title="America's Worst Airports" target="_hplink">See More of America's Worst Airports</a><br><br>
    Travelers of all stripes gripe about the Little Rock airport’s security lines, which have made local headlines for wait times that can stretch to an hour. It also scored poorly for check-in, delays, design, food, and shopping. In part, the results may simply reflect the fact that this is a small airport, with no airline clubs and barely a handful of stores and restaurants. It does deserve kudos for providing free Wi-Fi.
    <br><br><em>Photo: Jeff Greenberg / Alamy</em>




  • No. 2 LaGuardia Airport, New York City (LGA)


    <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-worst-airports-2013/9" title="America's Worst Airports" target="_hplink">See More of America's Worst Airports</a><br><br>
    What is there to love about LGA? Not much. It gets pitiable marks for the shopping and food options in its dilapidated halls. (This is an airport notorious for putting out buckets to catch the drips from its ceilings.) One of the smallest major airports, LaGuardia was not designed to accommodate a sprawling 21st-century security apparatus. And travelers have noticed: its check-in experience was voted worst among 67 domestic airports.
    <br><br><em>Photo: Courtesy of The Port Authority of NY & NJ</em>




  • No. 3 Billings Logan International Airport, MT (BIL)


    <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-worst-airports-2013/9" title="America's Worst Airports" target="_hplink">See More of America's Worst Airports</a><br><br>
    You’d think that Billings, a gateway to Yellowstone National Park, would have an unremarkable—or even charming—airport. Think again. Billings Logan seems to have rubbed fliers the wrong way. T+L readers disapproved of its design and felt it was plagued by flight delays. As for food and shopping, the sage advice is to eat lunch and get your Montana souvenir before you hit the airport.
    <br><br><em>Photo: Andre Jenny / Alamy</em>




  • No. 4 Newark Liberty Airport, NJ (EWR)


    <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-worst-airports-2013/9" title="America's Worst Airports" target="_hplink">See More of America's Worst Airports</a><br><br>
    Flight delays and lengthy lines at check-in are perennial gripes about Newark, as is the location. (Tip: taking NJ Transit to midtown Manhattan will save you money as well as time otherwise stuck in traffic.) The shopping and food options don’t come close to elevating Newark, nor does the outdated design.
    <br><br><em>Photo: Songquan Deng / Alamy</em>




  • No. 5 Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport, Birmingham, AL (BHM)


    <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-worst-airports-2013/9" title="America's Worst Airports" target="_hplink">See More of America's Worst Airports</a><br><br>
    A solidly poor performer in our reader survey, Birmingham–Shuttlesworth comes across as plagued by delays and check-in issues. Its location ranks a lowly 52 out of 67 airports. It’s a small airport, with just a few lackluster shops and places to grab a bite, so perhaps understandably doesn’t stand out in the food or shopping categories. While it may be unfair to compare it to its big-city brethren, many travelers seem to do just that. The construction of a modern terminal (already partially operational) may improve their impressions.
    <br><br><em>Photo: Craig Holmes/LOOP IMAGES/Loop Images/Corbis</em>




  • No. 6 John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York City (JFK)


    <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-worst-airports-2013/9" title="America's Worst Airports" target="_hplink">See More of America's Worst Airports</a><br><br>
    JFK rated a notable 23rd for its shopping possibilities, with a selection sure to please those with expensive and eclectic tastes (Bulgari, Coach, Harley-Davidson). Then it largely went downhill. Readers griped about systemic flight delays and glacial check-in lines. After all, JFK grapples with more international inbound visitors than any other U.S. airport. The recent opening of Delta’s Terminal 4 should improve the experience for some travelers (thanks to modern comforts like numerous electric outlets and a Shake Shack outpost).
    <br><br><em>Photo: Courtesy of The Port Authority of NY & NJ</em>




  • No. 7 Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)


    <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-worst-airports-2013/9" title="America's Worst Airports" target="_hplink">See More of America's Worst Airports</a><br><br>
    It’s rare to hear an encouraging word about LAX. So when readers declare that the airport’s shopping is respectable—giving it a ranking of 36 out of 67—that may be a backhanded compliment. Check-in, design, and location were all considered a drag. But things should look up for travelers at LAX with the expansion and renovation of Tom Bradley International Terminal. It reopened in September 2013 with massive LED multimedia screens and charging stations; many restaurants and shops are scheduled to roll out in the coming months.
    <br><br><em>Photo: 2007 Los Angeles World Airports</em>