Small flights can be quite exciting, but honestly, there’s something gruelling about long hauls. Sure, the thought of jetting off to a distant land is exciting, but the reality of sitting through hours on end in a confined space can wear even the most seasoned traveller down. Thankfully, travel experts have shared their secrets for making those endless hours bearable, ensuring you arrive at your destination feeling fresh and ready to explore–let’s take a look!
Choose Your Seat Wisely
Even the most prepared traveller would have a terrible time on a long-haul flight if they were allocated an uncomfortable seat. Therefore, even if you would typically choose “random allocation”, this might be the time to pay through the nose for a specific seat. A window seat might offer the best views and a headrest for napping, but an aisle seat gives easy access to the loo and extra leg-stretching opportunities. Either way, choose wisely because you could be sitting there for 12 or even 24 hours!
Layer Up for Temperature Changes
Anyone who has flown before knows that aeroplane cabins are notorious for fluctuating between warm and chilly. This is why dressing in layers is smart, perhaps wearing a light jumper over a T-shirt, allowing you to adapt easily. Maybe you should bring a scarf or a shawl, too, giving yourself further versatility. These things can even double up as a blanket or a makeshift pillow, so don’t overlook them.
Hydration Is Key
Cabin air is notoriously dry, so without hydrating yourself, you’ll be left parched and uncomfortable. Thankfully, this problem can be solved easily by bringing a refillable water bottle and asking flight attendants for a top-up whenever needed. Furthermore, no matter how tempting it may be, you should probably avoid caffeine and alcohol, as they can dehydrate you further.
Plan Your Entertainment
Back in the old days, long-haul flights were horrendously boring, and all you’d have to entertain yourself would be a good book or two. These days, though, hours on a plane are much more tolerable as long as you get prepared. Download your favourite films, TV shows, music, podcasts, or books onto your devices before boarding, and you’ll have plenty to keep you entertained. You definitely shouldn’t rely on the in-flight entertainment, as it may not have what you fancy or could malfunction altogether.
Invest in Quality Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Noise-cancelling headphones can be some of the wisest purchases you could possibly make for a long-haul flight. Aeroplane engines and chatty passengers can be exhausting over time, especially if you’re lacking sleep. However, noise-cancelling headphones help block out unwanted sounds, creating a cocoon of calm around you. They’re also invaluable for improving the audio quality of whatever you’re listening to, especially if it’s a crucial episode of your favourite series.
Stretch and Move Around
It’s never healthy to sit in the same spot for hours on end, especially on a long-haul flight, which will leave your muscles feeling tight and increase the risk of circulation problems. So, take a walk up and down the aisle every now and then, or do some simple stretches in your seat. Flexing your ankles, rolling your shoulders, and stretching your arms can all help you feel a lot more at ease.
Bring Your Own Snacks
We can all agree that airline food can be hit-or-miss, and it’s usually the latter. Not only is the quality usually pretty low, but the timing of meal services doesn’t always match up with when you’re hungry. This is only going to make you feel “hangry”, so pack healthy, satisfying snacks like nuts, dried fruit, or sandwiches. As long as you have a stash of your favourites, you’ll be able to ensure that you’re never too reliant on what’s served mid-flight.
Create a Personal Comfort Kit
Long flights are so much more bearable when you’ve got a few creature comforts. For example, you could pack a small bag with an eye mask, earplugs, moisturiser, lip balm, and a travel pillow, along with anything else that helps you to relax. Ultimately, having these essentials on hand can make even economy seats feel a little more luxurious.
Prioritise Sleep
If you’re heading on a long-haul flight, this probably means that you’ll be adjusting to a new timezone, so make sure you get some strategic shut-eye to help you adjust. Don’t forget to bring a neck pillow and a sleep mask to block out light, and avoid screens for an hour before trying to sleep. The end goal here is to either land at your location ready for bed or ready to explore, so consider the implications of the time zone differences very carefully.
Download an Offline Playlist
Wi-Fi isn’t always guaranteed or reliable at 35,000 feet–in fact, even these days, it’s a rarity. Therefore, make sure that you prepare an offline playlist of calming music or ambient sounds to help you relax. Familiar tunes can also serve as a comforting distraction from turbulence or discomfort, so choose wisely.
Adjust Your Watch to Your Destination
Here’s a useful long-haul travel hack: switch your watch or phone to your destination’s time zone to help you mentally prepare for your arrival. Believe it or not, this small psychological adjustment can make it easier to fall in line with local schedules once you land, along with helping you to plan your on-board sleeping routine and reducing jet lag.
Wear Comfortable Clothing
If you have ever worn tight or restrictive clothing on a long-haul flight, you’ll know it’s a pretty unbearable experience. Instead, opt for soft, breathable fabrics like cotton or stretchy leggings and maybe even some slip-on shoes. You can always add more layers if you get cold, but if your bottom later is tight and restrictive, discomfort is inevitable.
Keep Your Skin Fresh
Due to the way it dehydrates our bodies, the dry cabin air of an aeroplane can leave our skin feeling tight and dull. To combat this, pack a travel-sized moisturiser and spritz to keep your face hydrated. A quick skincare routine during the flight can be a surprisingly refreshing way to pass the time, and it almost makes you feel like you’re on a first-class flight!
Use a Neck Pillow Strategically
Travel pillows aren’t just for your neck; some can double as lumbar support, helping maintain better posture during the flight. Experiment with positioning it in various ways to find the most comfortable setup for your body, and you definitely won’t regret bringing it.
Plan When to Eat
Just as with your sleep schedule, try to time your meals according to your destination’s mealtimes to help your body adapt more quickly. If the flight meals don’t align with these times, consider skipping them and bringing something from home instead; that way, you can start fitting your mealtimes into your new schedule before you even land.
Keep Your Electronics Charged
There’s no worse feeling than your phone or tablet dying midway through a film, so remember to bring a portable power bank. You’ll want to maximise this battery capacity, so make sure that all of your devices are fully charged before boarding, too. Also, check that your cables are easily accessible so that you’re not rummaging through bags mid-flight.
Familiarise Yourself With Breathing Exercises
Sadly, some people feel restless or even anxious during a flight, and if that sounds like you, try to prepare yourself with some breathing exercises. Maybe you’re scared of take-offs and landings, or perhaps flying in general just gives you bad vibes. Either way, deep, mindful breathing can help calm your nerves and relax your body.
Make Use of the Amenities
Sure, they can be gruelling, but one of the benefits of long-haul flights is that the airline often provides additional amenities to keep passengers comfortable, so don’t forget to use them! Take advantage of any extras provided by your airline, such as blankets, pillows, or eye masks; even if they aren’t premium quality, they can still provide additional comfort.
Keep Your Passport and Essentials Handy
Our final tip for surviving long-haul flights is to keep your passport and other essentials handy because the last thing you’ll want is to stressfully be rummaging through overhead compartments for important items. Store your passport, tickets, devices, and any medication in a small bag that you can easily access under your seat. We’d recommend keeping the rest in the overhead lockers because that way, your belongings will feel organised and minimalistic.
