The Ultimate Guide to Surviving a Long-Haul Flight
- Into the Wild
- Feb 22, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 15, 2021
Your bags are packed, reservations are confirmed, and you're ready for your next adventure. The only thing between you and discovering what the world has to offer is the dreaded long-haul flight.
Insert the ultimate guide to surviving a long-haul flight. The tips below are designed to help you get through it comfortably and maybe even enjoy the experience.
Dress Comfortably
You are going to be on the flight for a long time so wear comfortable clothes. Loose fitting or tights are always good choices. I recommend layers so you can add or remove clothing as you feel fit.
Book a Red-Eye Flight
Most of the flights I choose are red eye because they allow your body clock to adjust even if you don’t end up actually sleeping. The airline will keep the same time as the city you left from so if it’s 10pm local time, they will dim the cabin lights so passengers can sleep. If you do manage to get an hour or two of sleep then bonus because you will adjust to the time difference quicker.
Sleep or Meditate
If you are someone who doesn’t sleep well on flights then you’re not alone. Pop in some headphones, listen to some calming music and meditate… You might just find that you catch a few hours of shut eye. And if you don’t? You will still feel refreshed because you let your mind get some rest.
Stay Hydrated
Plane food and alcohol dehydrate you and when you’re on your way to an epic destination it hard to not want to celebrate. Staying hydrated is so important during a flight and you’ll feel better when you get off the plane.
Staying hydrated will help you fight fatigue, giving you energy for when you land at your destination.
Bring a Travel Pillow, Ear Plugs & Eye Mask
Have trouble sleeping on planes? Me too… But it’s important to set the mood and rest; even if you don’t actually sleep. A travel pillow so you can get cozy, ear plugs to block out any cabin noise and an eye mask to block out the light. All three combined and you might find yourself dozing before you know it.
Bring Your Own Headphones
Always bring your own headphones so you can watch a movie or listen to music. It give you something to do to pass the time. An added bonus is it allows you to drown out any noise in the cabin.
Don’t Forget To Freshen Up
Always bring a toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash or wipes, moisturizer, deodorant and a change of undies (trust me). Even a little mascara or pressed powder/ concealer can go a long way to making you feel and look refreshed when you disembark. Take a quick trip to the washroom before landing to freshen up so you’re ready to rock when you land.
Choose Your Seats Carefully
If you are not flying business, choose your seats using the online reservation system prior to arriving at the airport. Pick them as early as possible so you can choose the seat you would like. Pay attention to recline, leg room etc. Most airlines will point out which seats have limited recline or extra leg room. Check with your airline to see if there are extra charges for seat selection.
Tip: Look for exit rows when choosing your seats. There is extra room in these rows to allow passengers to exit the plane in the case of an emergency. Keep in mind that these are premium seats and may be a little more pricey than regular seats.
Bring Your Own Food/ Snack If Possible
Airline food is loaded with sodium which will only render you dehydrated. Also, nobody wants to spend the entire flight sick…
When possible, bring your own food/snacks. This way you can bring something light that is easy to digest. I recommend bringing homemade trail mix to snack on during the flight.
If you are planning to eat the airline food, check to see if you can make a meal selection ahead of time and definitely bring some pepto tabs.
Tip: Don’t bring anything with a strong smell, you will quickly make some enemies. Airports have lots of selection for food that travels well like sandwiches.
Keep Moving
Get up and walk around. Siting for long periods can cause your ankles/ legs to swell, blood clots etc. It’s important to get up periodically to get your blood flowing again.
And Finally…
Make sure you have all your travel documents, passport, hotel reservations and any directions to help you when you land. I recommend researching which train/ bus you need to take to get to your hotel or AirBNB rental. That way there is no panic when you get into he airport.
Bring a pen to fill out any customs forms. The flight attendants will usually hand you the forms you need before landing so have those all filled out ahead of time so you can fly through customs.
And don’t forget to enjoy your flight. Long haul flights are not something to dread, they usually mean you are on your way to an epic destination and experiences.
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