16 Essential Long-Haul Flight Tips for a Smoother Journey

Travelista Editor Jessica Ruth Gibson shares her tried-and-tested long haul flight tips to keep you feeling comfortable and content on your next long haul flight. 

Nothing excites me more than travelling to exotic and far flung destinations, so I’ve been trying to perfect my ‘long-haul’ flight strategy for quite some time. After a few flights from hell, plenty of rookie errors and thousands of air miles, I like to think I’ve pretty much got it down. Long-haul flights can be a challenging experience, especially if you’re traveling across multiple time zones or sitting in a cramped seat for hours on end. But with a little preparation, a few tricks and the right mindset, you can make your trip much more comfortable. 

As I prepare for my next long haul fight out to Thailand, I thought I would share all my long-haul flight tips for a comfortable journey. These tips have been written in mind for adults travelling without kids. We will work on our long haul family flight tips next.

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16 Essential Long-Haul Flight Tips for a Smoother Journey 

Here are 17 essential tips to help you survive and even enjoy your next long-haul flight.

1. Choose Your Seat Wisely

Choosing the right seat can make a huge difference in your comfort during a long flight. If you’re someone who values extra legroom, consider selecting an aisle or exit-row seat. If you want to sleep, a window seat might be better, as you can lean against the wall. Some airlines even allow you to choose your seat when booking, so take the time to look at the seat map and choose a spot that fits your needs.

It’s also worth avoiding seats near the toilets as the aisle can become crowded with people queueing. Also be mindful of where the baby bassinets are situated (usually in the mid sections near the toilets). 

2. The Back of the Aircraft is Best for Bagging Empty Rows 

If you’re travelling in economy and want to give yourself the best possible chance of bagging an empty row of three seats (the holy grail that allows you to actually like down and have a sleep) the best place to book your seats is right at the back. Once the cabin doors close and all passengers are on board, you also have the option to relocate to an empty row. Keep an eye on what is around you. 

3. Dress Comfortably

On a long flight, comfort should be your priority. Wear loose, breathable clothing and avoid tight shoes that can restrict blood flow. Layer up so you can easily adjust to the cabin temperature, which can vary during the flight. And don’t forget to bring socks or slippers if you prefer to take your shoes off while you’re sitting. I always bring a change of clothes and underwear to put on at the end of the flight, so I can leave feeling clean and a little more refreshed. It’s also helpful in case something is spilled and you have nothing to change into. 

4. Stay Hydrated

Airplane cabins are notoriously dry, which can lead to dehydration. Bring an empty water bottle through security and fill it up once you’re past the checkpoint. Try to drink water regularly, avoiding too much caffeine or alcohol, as they can dehydrate you further. Hydration helps with everything from preventing dry skin to reducing jet lag.

5. Bring Healthy Snacks

Long-haul flights often provide meals, but they may not always be to your taste or at convenient times. Bringing your own snacks can help keep your energy levels up and avoid the hangry feeling. Choose healthy, non-perishable snacks like nuts, dried fruit, granola bars, or crackers. These will be easy to store and keep you satisfied throughout the flight.

6. Pack a Neck Pillow and Blanket

Sleeping on a plane can be challenging, especially with limited space. A neck pillow can help support your head and neck, while a lightweight blanket or large scarf can make a world of difference in keeping you warm. Many airlines offer blankets and pillows, but they’re not always the most comfortable, so bringing your own is a smart choice.

7. Bring Entertainment

Long flights can get tedious, so make sure to bring plenty of entertainment. Load up your tablet or e-reader with books, movies, and games to pass the time. Many flights also offer in-flight entertainment, but it’s always a good idea to have backup options in case the system fails or the selection is limited.

8. Move Around and Stretch

Sitting for hours can cause stiffness, cramps, and even deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Make a point to get up and move around every couple of hours. Walk down the aisles, do some gentle stretches, or perform seated exercises like ankle rolls and leg lifts. This will help improve circulation and prevent discomfort.

9. Adjust to the New Time Zone Early

To reduce jet lag, try to adjust to your destination’s time zone before you even board the plane. If possible, start shifting your sleep schedule a few days before your flight by going to bed and waking up an hour earlier or later, depending on the time difference. There are lots of great apps to help you adjust your body clock gradually to your new time zone. During the flight, set your watch to the destination’s time zone and try to sleep or stay awake according to that schedule.

As an example, on my next flight from London to Guatemala, I will try to sleep towards the second half of my first flight to Houston but then stay awake for the rest of the journey so I am tired out when I arrive in Guatemala. Otherwise I’ll be setting myself up for a very sleepless night.

10. Practice Good Hygiene

Long flights can leave you feeling grimy, so it’s important to pack a small hygiene kit. Bring facial wipes, hand sanitiser, and a toothbrush or mouthwash to freshen up during the flight. Many passengers swear by a quick facial wash and moisturising lotion to fight the effects of dry cabin air. Also, don’t forget to wash your hands frequently to avoid germs.

11. Remove Makeup and Bring Skincare 

Plane air conditioning can wreak havoc on your skin so the best thing to travel make-up free or to remove it whilst on the plane. With a fresh, bare face, you can continue to apply moisturisers and serums throughout the flight to keep your skin and lips hydrated. Along with drinking plenty of water, you’ll step off the plane feeling fresh and ready to roll. 

12. Take Contact Lenses Out

If you’re a contact lens wearer, be sure to pack your glasses in your hand luggage for when you board the plane. You could opt to wear glasses for the entirety of your travel day, or simply switch from lenses to glasses on the flight. The cabin pressure will dry your eyes and make wearing contact lenses feel uncomfortable a few hours into the flight. If you suffer with dry eyes in general, it’s a good idea to pack some eye drops too. 

13. Master the Art of Killing Time

It sounds silly, but I try to line up as many different ‘activities’ as possible to kill time during my flight. I’ll always try to write a blog post when I fly as it’s the best place to work with no digital distractions. I will always watch a few films, listen to music and of course have a snooze. I also like to browse the entertainment guide and note down all the films I want to watch, that’s an activity in itself! I would never eat a meal whilst watching a film, as this is overlapping 2 activities. Instead, I would pause the film and eat the meal as slow as I could to drag out the activity. Get the gist?

14. Bag Yourself some Extra Pillows and Blankets 

You’re going to call this seat home for the next 10 hours or so, so you may as well get comfortable. Show your stealth and keep an eye out for extra blankets and pillows going spare on empty seats around you. This can really make a huge difference to the comfort of your flight. Even if your flight is full and you’re feeling chilly, you can always ask the cabin crew if they have any spares. Don’t be afraid to be ask.

15. Relax and Take Care of Your Mental Health

Long-haul flights can be mentally exhausting, especially if you’re nervous about flying or feel stressed about the journey. Practice deep breathing or meditation to calm your nerves. Bring noise-canceling headphones or earplugs to block out unwanted noise, and try listening to calming music or a podcast to help you relax.

16. Essential Items to Pack for a Long-Haul Flight

• Eye Mask – To help you sleep in daylight or when cabin lights are switched on
• Moisturiser and Lip Balm – Don’t let the harsh air conditioning dry your skin out
• Face wipes – remove make up as soon as you get on the plane
• Toothbrush and toothpaste – Because oral hygiene is a must. Also brushing your teeth before you sleep will psychologically help you wind down for the ‘bed time’ part of your flight.
• Ear plugs – To drown out the phantom snorer / noisy babies 
• A cosy jumper – Cabin temperatures are always cool at altitude, and there’s nothing worse than being chilly for a whole flight. Bring plenty of extra layers to make sure you stay cosy
• Socks – helps to reduce foot swelling and of course keeps your tootsies warm
• A big bottle of water –Drink the whole bottle then ask the stewards to fill it up – because those tiny plastic cups of water aren’t enough to keep anyone hydrated
• A notepad and pen – Plane journeys are a great time to reflect. Use pen and paper to play games, write a business plan, sketch your dream man, get your life in order
• Your digital devices – Bring your iPads and laptops fully charged if you plan on working or having some bursts of productivity whilst flying. 
• A power bank. – Charge up all your devices without any stress 

Did you know if your aircraft is overbooked, you experience major delays, cancellations or are refused boarding, you have a right to compensation. All flights departing within the European Union territory are covered by this legislation. If any of this applies to your next flight, be sure to claim eu 216 compensation.

What do you think of these long-haul flight tips? Feel free to add more in the community comment box below. 

Read: 9 Flight Travel Tips for Wellbeing.