Everything You Need to Know to Survive a Long-Haul Flight

Whether you have to fly home because of COVID-19 or you’re about to embark on your next international flight, long-haul flights don’t have to be torture. Use these tips and tricks as a survival guide to survive your next long-haul flight. 

Most of us love to travel, but few of us actually enjoy the transport aspect of travel. Flying is no exception. If you want to get anywhere exciting, you will most likely have to endure a long-haul flight. While sitting on a plane for 9+ hours doesn’t sound like fun, it doesn’t have to be torture either.

Before traveling internationally full time, I had never been on a flight longer than 8 hours. So when I embarked on my first 12 hour flight, and later on my first 35 hour one (layovers included in this time) I had no idea what I was in for.

After taking well over 60 flights in the last two years, there are a few tips and tricks I’ve picked up to make long-haul flights, or flying in general, bearable. Here are my top 20 tips: 

1. Pre-select Your Meal

This is VITAL if you have any food restrictions whatsoever. Especially when traveling internationally, you cannot assume that airlines will provide a suitable option or not run out of the veggie one before they get to you. 

You also unfortunately can’t assume you’re going to be well fed, especially when flying the more budget airlines. 

I know that most of us don’t like paying for anything extra on top of our already costly airplane ticket, but purchasing your meal beforehand is can be essential. Many standard airlines let you select your special meal for free, and the others let you purchase one or add one if they don’t offer one. 

Check your reservation online or call the airline if you can’t figure out what they offer or how to do this. Keep in mind that most airlines do not let you add a meal last minute, so you’ll need to plan ahead and do this before the 24 hour mark. Nothing is more miserable than being stuck on a plane for 13 hours with nothing but a fruit cup to eat. 

2. Stock up on Snacks

Going along with the above, you should always bring snacks. Just go the extra mile and make sure your bases and your needs are covered. You won’t be thrown if the meal isn’t great or if you get hungry in between meals.

Most long haul flights serve a meal within the first two hours, and then again right before landing. It doesn’t matter if your flight is at 2 pm or 11 pm, they’ll still usually structure the meal service like this. If eating dinner right before you’re trying to sleep isn’t how you roll, you’ll want those snacks for when you wake up. 

3. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Flying is SUPER dehydrating, and you need to take care to drink plenty of water before, during, and after your flight. Don’t just enjoy the free coffee, tea and alcohol- prioritize your water that much more. 

This will help your skin, help prevent your legs or feet from swelling, allow you to survive a restless flight, as well as lower your chances of getting sick after.

Airlines can be super annoying about how much water they provide and when. I always purchase the biggest bottle I can find after security and bring it on the flight with me. 

4. Sleep Assistance is Crucial 

Sleeping sitting up on a plane sucks. Unless you’re splurging on business or first class, you’re not going to have much room and it’s not going to be a comfortable sleep.

People will be loud or your seat-mate may have their light on the whole time next to you. If you’re sitting in the aisle, you will have to get up every time someone needs to use the bathroom.

All these interruptions make sleeping feel impossible to some, especially if you have anxiety or trouble sleeping in general. So, come prepared. I cannot stress the importance of a sleep aid during a long-haul flight.

I personally just use Melatonin, but some people rely on Xanax while others rely on alcohol (though that disrupts my sleep even more). Whatever you need, and whatever helps, bring it. You will regret it if you have no sleep assistance. 

5. Alcohol: Indulge With Caution

Drinking on a long-haul flight definitely has its pros and cons. Whether you want to indulge is up to how alcohol reacts with you. If drinking a few glasses of wine makes you sleep like a baby, go for it. If it makes you more lively though and antsy, think twice. You’re stuck on a plane with nothing to do- don’t make it harder for yourself.

Personally, when I drink, I’ll fall asleep quickly but wake up less than an hour later, completely unable to get back to sleep. I’ve also woken up feeling pretty shit or hungover after drinking on a flight.

Alcohol is incredibly dehydrating, so you may want to skip it and opt for some herbal tea and melatonin to relax instead. Don’t get me wrong, I love the free booze, but make an informed choice. To each their own. 

6. Buy That Lounge Pass 

This is crucial if you have a long layover. If your travel is spanning a day +, you definitely want to make those layovers as comfortable as humanly possible. This is where the lounge comes in.

I had never lived that lounge life until I traveled for a year with a group of people who had wonderful travel credit cards that included lounge access. Let me tell you: this is a game changer for long-haul travel. 

Unlike the crowded, uncomfortable and germ infested airport, the lounge is an oasis away from everything. Some offer massage chairs, showers, and even areas to sleep. Most offer very comfortable seating options, a buffet of some sort and usually free alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

If you don’t have a credit card that includes lounge access, check your airlines lounge option. You can usually see this online and pre-purchase. You should definitely check the options available at the airport first, however.

You can use lounge buddy to research what lounges are available and where in any airport globally, as well as if you can buy a pass to access and how much it is. Then you can decide on whatever option is best for you. 

7. Frequent Travelers: Research Your Perks

If you have a travel credit card, you may have free lounge access (Chase Sapphire, I’m looking at you). Understand the perks of all your credit cards to make your travel days and your points really count. 

If you frequently travel with a specific airline or a specific route, you should absolutely join their mileage program and track your miles. You may even want to get their Credit Card if it’s worth it.

If you’re traveling all the time, you might as well get some perks and money back from it. A little research goes a long way to set you up for success, and it can make your actual travel experience better. 

8. Pack a Change of Clothes 

This is so important for red eye flights especially. If you’re traveling through time, and spanning two different days, you want to feel fresh and clean. You should always pack a change of underwear, and a sleep outfit.

I usually board the plane in my lounge wear but pack a fresh outfit for the next day with clean socks and underwear. When I wake up, I change and it makes me instantly feel better and more rested. Not to mention, if loved ones are picking me up at the airport, I want to look and feel presentable. 

9. Don’t Forget Carry-On Toiletries

It took me about three red-eye flights before I realized that I was doing this all wrong. Don’t automatically put your toiletries in your checked bag. Instead, bring appropriate sized ones in your carry on.

The absolute essentials to stay fresh on a long-haul flight are: deodorant, tooth brush and tooth paste, face wipes and a little bit of moisturizer. I use that for my face and my hands.

I also usually pack a face mask to help my skin as much as possible. Yes, I’m that girl sitting on the plane with a face mask. Laugh all you want, but my skin is clear and moisturized when I land now, instead of flaking, with a zit starting to surface. 

10. Prepare Your Entertainment

While most planes these days have TV’s and tons of movies and music choices, you can’t necessarily rely on this. I have boarded a few budget flights this year where I was shocked and dismayed to realize that they had no in-flight entertainment or only a few movies available for an exorbitant fee. I’ve also been on too many to count that don’t offer head sets, so always bring your head phones. 

You can usually view what your in-flight entertainment options are on your long-haul flight, online, but just in case, come prepared. Pre-download your pod casts, your book on tape and bring your charger so your phone and lap top can survive the duration of your flight. Bring a book, and download movies on your lap top as well. The options for entertainment are limitless these days, and you’ll want a variety to get you through that flight. 

11. Invest in Your Comfort

This is the holy trinity for a comfortable long-haul flight: You need a travel neck pillow, an eye mask, and head-phones. Preferably noise cancelling. I found a great travel neck pillow on amazon, that folds up super small and light weight. 

If you want to attempt a full nights sleep, these three things will give you your best chance. 

12. Rest Up Before and After

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but flying hungover or sleep deprived is no way to go. You need a good night’s sleep before your flight. You also need to make sure that you land with enough time to give yourself a day and night to recover post flight.

You shouldn’t be booking a flight where you arrive at midnight and have to be at work at 8 am the next day, or where you immediately need to do a thousand things. Plan accordingly to allow for rest pre and post flight so you don’t get sick and worn out. 

13. Work Out Before Your Flight

Unless my flight departs at six am, I am finding a way to squeeze in a workout pre flight. This is so essential for me so I can sit 10+ hours on a plane, without ending up in pain.

I also try to make the most of my airport time, taking laps around the airport on layovers and beforehand. Plus, you’ll sleep better and be less restless if you got some physical activity in before your flight. 

14. Schedule Some Post Flight Pampering

It’s always surprising how sore your body feels after a long-haul flight. Not to mention, you may have dry skin, swollen feet, or fatigue after your flight.

To combat all of this, I try to squeeze in some pampering when I land in the form of a massage or a sauna and steam room. Do a little research and find a convenient and good quality spa near your accommodation so you can easily recharge after landing. Your body will really thank you. 

15. Your Carry-On Is Everything

Long travel days can mean planes, trains and automobiles, not to mention walking a lot. Your carry on, or whatever luggage you’re going to be carrying, is essential to make or break this experience.

Save your back, and always travel with a backpack, instead of a shoulder bag or purse, for your personal item. Invest in a rolling carry on as well. These things are everything, as they require minimal effort to lug around and completely take the pressure off your back, shoulders and neck. You’re already hurting yourself by sitting so much and in such tight quarters; don’t add extra strain. 

16. Select Your Seat Strategically 

This is an add on that is worth the extra few dollars. You should always, always, select your seat on a long-haul flight. Remember- you’re stuck on this seat for almost a day, and if you want to survive, be strategic.

I love aisle seats, but after my first red eye in one, and having my seat mates wake me up 4 times throughout the night to use the bathroom, I realized this is awful for a red eye flight. I always choose a window seat now, if I can. 

If you’re on a bigger plane with three different sections in a row, and you’re traveling with someone, I always choose the aisle seat of the middle row so I can come and go as I please, without necessarily being disturbed by my seat mate. Since the person next to me is my friend, we can be more mindful and on the same page when they have to get up to pee than when it’s a complete stranger. 

I always like to sit a few rows off from the bathroom. If you sit too close, you’ll constantly have foot traffic and people accidentally poking you as they stand in line for the bathroom. It’s super disruptive. 

17. Don’t Get Sick 

Airplanes are basically a contained space of germs and no fresh air, while airports aren’t much better. Not to mention, putting yourself through the stress of flying means your chances of getting sick are very high. No one wants this. So take care of yourself.

Follow the steps above and also, stock up on your vitamins and airborne. I use some vitamin C. I try to eat healthy before my flight, and definitely during. Besides, if you’re flying to a fun destination and not home, you cannot afford to lose vacation days by getting sick. Whatever you can do to stay healthy, do it. 

18. Layer Up

Airplanes are cold, and airports can be very hot. You may be leaving a cold place and landing in a hot one. Your temperatures are basically guaranteed to vary drastically in a 24 hour period, so dress for this.

Always layer up, so you can get colder or warmer as needed, and with minimal effort. Plus, the more layers I wear, the lighter my suitcase is. 

19. Always Keep the Air On 

Another reason you need to layer up is because you always want the air on over your seat while flying. This is your best bet at relatively fresh air, and warding off germs.

Having the air on helps protect you, but it also dries out your skin and will make the plane ride chilly. So plan accordingly. 

20. Do Your Research

Last but not least, make sure you know what’s happening on your travel day. Your layovers should be long enough. You should have a big enough buffer that you won’t miss a connection if your flight is delayed. Know your airlines policy if you miss your flight. If you have a long connection, you should know if your bags are going straight through or if you have to pick them up at the carousel and re- check.

Understand how big the airport is that you have a layover in. Understand the transport options at the layover you’re landing in so you don’t have a nightmare of a time trying to get to your accommodation.

Know the meal schedule of your flight, know your in-flight entertainment, know your lounge options and your meal options. Make sure you know exactly how long your flights are with the time changes. If you want to survive your long-haul flight, you need to be prepared.

A little preparation can make or break your travel experience. You don’t want to have questions when you land after flying so many hours and you’re exhausted. You certainly don’t want to have any avoidable travel nightmares either. Do what you can to ensure this doesn’t happen.

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