Long-haul flights: the ultimate survival guide

‘I can’t wait to sit on a plane for eleven hours!’ Said no one ever. Long-haul flights are, all in all, a bit of a nightmare. You’re trapped in a metal container, thousands of feet above ground level, sleep-deprived and bored out of your mind. There’s nothing great about that, right? Well, truth is that plane journeys are what you make of them. If you want to sit there doing nothing and feeling sorry for yourself, go ahead, but chances are that you won’t have a very good time. If, instead, you want to make the most of the situation, and (dare I say it?) even enjoy yourself, keep reading and discover my top twenty tips for long-haul flyers!

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Before your flight

If you want to have the best possible flight, there are a number of things you should be doing before you even get on board.

Think carefully about which airline you want to fly with

When I’m travelling from one country to another, the two things I usually look for are low prices and convenient flight times. However, I think that with long-haul journeys, it’s definitely worth taking into account which different airlines offer the particular route that you’re after. Some companies may be cheaper, but you’ll have to sacrifice a lot of things like free entertainment, hot meals, and adequate leg room. If you’re prepared to suffer for the sake of your bank balance, by all means go for it, but it’s always worth checking what sort of conditions you’re going to be in while onboard.

Sleep well

If you’re anything like me, you won’t be getting much shuteye when you’re on the plane, so be sure to sleep well on the nights leading up to your journey. Go to bed on the early side, and try not to let yourself sleep in too late. Alternatively, consider turning off all your alarms for a couple of days, and letting your internal body clock decide when it’s time to rise. This way, you’ll be really well-rested by the time your departure day rolls around.

Start adjusting to the new time zone

If you’re going on a long flight, chances are that you’ll have a pretty different time zone to adjust to once you’ve arrived at your destination. If you want to minimise the effects of jet lag, try – in the days leading up to your trip – to adjust your schedule accordingly, and begin living on LA time (or wherever it is that you happen to be headed). You don’t even have to change things up that much: even turning the lights out just an hour or two earlier each night will make a huge difference overall.

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Minimise your alcohol consumption

Going out and partying can be great fun, but if you’re jetting off somewhere the next day, it’s probably best to avoid doing this. If you end up with a hangover, you may not even make it to the airport, and if, by some miracle, you manage, you’ll have to deal with quite the headache during your flight. If there is some event going on that you absolutely cannot miss, consider going sober for the night: you’ll thank yourself the following morning!

Stock up on snacks

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that plane food is not the most appetising. If you’re a fussy eater – or even if you’d just prefer to organise your own meal schedule – be sure to stock up on lots of snacks before your flight. It’s best to do this once you’ve gone through security: not only will a lot of food items be discounted in the duty free section, but also you won’t have to worry about liquid restrictions.

Download films, books, and music

Most long-haul airlines have free entertainment systems onboard, but if you don’t want to be limited to their selection of films and music, be sure to download some of your own before take-off. Just make sure none of the movies feature plane crashes, or any other scenes that could unsettle you during your journey!

Charge your devices

If you’re planning to make use of laptops, phones, or other electronic devices while onboard, be sure to charge them all before your journey. Not sure your gadget is going to last the whole eleven (or however many) hours? Consider investing in a portable charger: it will be useful to have once you’ve landed as well!

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During your flight

Now that you’ve taken all the necessary precautions, it’s time to step onboard, and see this journey through! Below are all the things I’d recommend doing during your flight, to make it as enjoyable, comfortable, and quick as possible.

Wear comfortable clothing

If you want to be able to relax fully while you’re on the plane, it goes without saying that you should wear comfortable clothing. Ditch the tight tops and jeans, and instead pop on a stretchy T-shirt and a pair of jogging bottoms. Remember also that it can get pretty cold when you’re up in the air, so make sure to pack a jumper or two, just in case you start getting the shivers.

Keep yourself busy

They say that time flies when you’re having fun, so keep yourself entertained throughout the flight, and you’ll have landed before you know it! Take full advantage of onboard entertainment systems, and check out all the latest blockbusters. No films taking your fancy? Consider using this time to be productive and get a few jobs done. If you have work to do, make the most of the absence of WiFi (and, therefore, of distractions), and get writing! Alternatively, start making plans for when you land: read some guidebooks, draw up itineraries, or even start working out which outfits you want to wear each day.

I always find that when I have a lot to get done in a short space of time, I really have to work against the clock. Make a list of things you want to have accomplished by the time you’ve reached your destination, and I promise you that the hours will zoom by!

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Get up and walk around regularly

Sitting down for long periods of time can cause all sorts of problems – from joint stiffness to reduced blood circulation – so be sure to get up and walk around the cabin on a regular basis. Ideally, you should be doing this at least once an hour, but if you’re too lazy to move from your seat (or – like me during turbulence – too scared!), stretch your legs out into the aisle, at the very least. Just make sure you don’t get in anyone’s way while you’re doing this!

Wash your hands regularly

There’s no better place for illnesses to spread than inside an aeroplane. Not only are there hundreds of passengers per jet – some of whom will definitely be a bit under the weather – but also there are plenty of surfaces for germs to stick to, not to mention fresh air vents to blow them from one body to another. To minimise your risk of contracting any diseases, make sure to wash your hands well and often. You can even follow your bathroom visits with a walk around the cabin, and kill two birds in one stone!

Stay hydrated

It’s easy to forget to drink when you’re not using up a great deal of energy, but it’s so important to stay hydrated while you’re up in the air. Keep a big bottle of water with you, sip from it as much as possible, and ask the cabin crew for refills if ever you need them. In addition, be sure to gulp down any free beverages served to you during your flight.

Stay moisturised

Along with this, be sure to keep your skin moisturised. Plane journeys, with their lack of humidity, can lead to pretty horrendous break-outs, so apply creams to your face on a regular basis, and give it the dewy finish it deserves!

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Take breaks from looking at screens

I once spent an entire six-hour flight watching films. This was all very well while I was still on the plane, but goodness me was my headache afterwards horrendous! Even the most gripping movies have their less exciting parts, so be sure to pause from time to time during these, and give your eyes and brain a rest.

Sleep when the lights are out

If you’re one of those lucky souls who is able to sleep on planes, by all means do so, but try and time these naps so that they coincide with the periods during which the lights in the cabin are dimmed. A lot of airlines deliberately lower the brightness inside the plane when it’s nighttime at your destination, in order to help you alter your sleep schedule, so follow their instructions, and wave goodbye to jet lag!

Fill out any necessary forms

On some long-haul flights, you’ll be required to fill out various forms, which you’ll then have to present to the immigrations officers in your destination country. Be sure to do this as soon as you receive yours: there’s nothing more stressful than trying to get them done in the queue!

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After your flight

Congratulations: you’ve made it through your flight! All that’s left to do now is to beat the jet lag, following the four simple steps below. 

Don’t sleep until nighttime

When you’re finally back on land, you’ll probably want nothing more than to get to your hotel room, and go to bed. However, if it’s still only the middle of the day, this is really not a good idea. Try to resist the temptation to sleep – hard as this may be – and instead start adjusting your body clock to the new time zone.

Expose yourself to sunlight

One of the best ways to keep yourself awake is by exposing yourself to plenty of sunlight. Not only will the brightness hopefully encourage your eyes to stay open, but also it will sends signals to your brain to stay alert, and will help your body to recalibrate its sleep clock.

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Stay active

Along with this, be sure to keep yourself active. It’s best to take things relatively easy for the first few days of your trip – don’t organise any long expeditions really early on, unless you want to be worn out for the rest of the holiday! – but you should still leave the house as much as you can, and get in plenty of exercise.

Drink plenty of water

Drinking water is another great way to boost your energy levels, so be sure to carry a bottle around with you while you’re out and about, and take regular sips from it. Your body will function a lot better as a result, plus you may just be helping to flush away illnesses that have made their way into your system during the flight!

Safe travels!

So there we have it: my ultimate survival guide for long-haul flights! Have a fantastic trip if you are jetting off to faraway lands any time soon, and remember: no matter how bad the journey is, once you’ve reached your destination, the struggle will all have been worth it!

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