With friends and family all over the world, I always have reasons to travel by air. But honestly, I’m not the biggest fan. It’s stressful, crowded and tiring. However, if you have to fly, there are ways to make your trip smoother.

My cousin is a pilot for a major airline and his girlfriend is cabin crew (go figure). So I asked them for tips that’ll help you arrive more relaxed and refreshed. Here’s what they said:

Before Departure: Pack lightly and avoid checking a bag if possible. On average, this could save you 45 mins and obviously eliminates the risk of losing your much needed bathing suit for that beach holiday. Use a clear washbag. It’s easy for security to see your liquids so you can avoid having your bag searched and you don’t have to waste plastic Ziploc bags.

On Board: For long-haul trips, change into a comfy outfit in the air. Just before landing change back into your regular clothes (no need to run around the airport in your sweats). You might also want to take your shoes off because your feet swell during flights. Taking them off will improve your blood circulation and comfort. A sleeping mask and ear plugs are key if you want to get some shut eye during your flight. But it’s good to be active too. Try these on-board exercises from Ace Fitness.

Always have an extra bottle of water–the air in the cabin is extremely dry so it’s very important to stay hydrated. If you can, avoid on board meals as they’re often filled with sodium which will only make you more dehydrated.

On Arrival: Prearrange or pre-plan your transportation from the airport. The worst thing is arriving and not knowing what to do after a ten hour flight. Above all else, keep positive, keep active (mind and body) and keep hydrated!