Long Flight Tips: 13 tips on how to survive a long haul flight

Long haul flights are rarely an enjoyable experience. As someone who has spent weeks of my life on planes, I’ve learned several tips and tricks to make flying long haul easier. I’ve compiled this list of my top long flight tips to help you survive your next long haul journey.

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Long Flight Tips

Next time you’re taking a long haul flight, be sure to try out these 13 tips to make your journey more enjoyable!

1. Dress comfortably

The easiest way you can make a long haul flight more enjoyable is to make sure you’re dressed comfortably. That means stretchy pants, oversized t-shirts, and baggy cardigans! Let’s be honest, no one looks their best after a long flight so there’s really no need to worry about our wardrobe when we start our journey!

When it comes to dressing for a flight, it’s is worthwhile layering up. Airplanes are usually stifling hot or the aircon is arctic, so being able to add or remove layers as needed will help you get more comfortable. Jumpers and cardigans can also double as an extra pillow…it’s win-win!

2. Stay hydrated

Airplanes are really humid environments, which can dehydrate you quickly, so it is important to keep hydrated on long flights. That means limiting the coffee and avoiding alcohol. Instead, make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the flight.

Staying hydrated throughout your flight will help you avoid feeling nauseous, headachey, tired and just a bit meh throughout your flight. By keeping revived and hydrated throughout the flight, you’re also more likely to get off the plane at the other end feeling less rubbish. It might not completely prevent jetlag but hey, every little helps!

3. Look after your skin

In a similar vein, the airplane humidity is going to play havoc with your skin. Drinking water will help with this, but you can come prepared with some extra weapons in your arsenal.

Coming prepared with a facial spray or moisturizer is a great way to revive your skin mid-flight. While some people are confident enough to wear a full facial mask during the journey, my preference is for a light creme moisturizer and some under-eye pads to refresh my skin on the go. Bonus tip, make sure you pack a lip balm to keep your lips hydrated too!

4. Catch some shut-eye

I know that sleeping on a flight is much easier said than done. However, having a snooze, even if it is only for an hour or so, is a great way to pass some time on the journey, as well as helping you arrive at your destination feeling refreshed.

I prefer not to use sleeping medication on a flight so I can remain alert should it be necessary. Instead, the trick is to have the right equipment such as noise-canceling earplugs and a good neck pillow. Getting as comfortable as possible is the key to being able to get some shut-eye during the flight.

5. Invest in a good eye mask

The best way to guarantee a snooze on your journey is to get a good eye mask. By blocking out the light and the surrounding environment, you’ll make it much easier for your body to relax and drift off.

My favorite is the Sleep Master Deluxe. It is fantastic as it completely blocks out the light, as well as blocking noise by covering your ears. The deluxe version also comes with noise reduction earplugs with a handy pocket built into the mask where you can store them.

6. Stretch Your Legs

Airplanes are always cramped so it’s a good idea to get up regularly and stretch your legs on a long flight. Sitting in the same position on long flights can cause health issues such as blood clots, so getting up for a walk is strongly encouraged.

Walking up and down the aisle periodically on your flight gets the blood pumping. It is also a good idea to walk around the airport as much as you can prior to your flight to stretch out and get the blood circulating in preparation for your flight.

7. Download your media

Most airlines, particularly on long haul flights, will have a reasonable selection of entertainment on offer. However, when you’re only a couple of hours into an 8-hour flight, feeling restless and none of the options appeal, it is handy to have an alternative.

Before a flight, I find it helpful to download a couple of music playlists covering a few genres. I’ll also download a film or two and/or a TV series to give me plenty of choices.

Top tip: always take your own headphones! Good quality headphones with some level of noise reduction or noise-canceling are going to be significantly better than the ones offered on a flight. It’s really worth investing in a good pair so you can get lost in your media during your flight.

8. Pack Reading Material

Like with your media, it is worth coming prepared with some reading material to help pass your flight. As a bookworm, I usually travel with one fiction and one non-fiction title so I have a choice depending on what I fancy.

If you’re not so interested in reading, one title or an ebook/audiobook on your phone is a lighter option to carry. Magazines are also great for flights and airports usually have a huge selection of titles to choose from.

9. Bring Snacks

From my experience, no one can survive a long flight without snacking! But we all know that airport prices are hugely inflated; even more so if you want to buy snacks mid-flight.

When it comes to packing snacks, it is worth being prepared and picking some things up from your local supermarket before your flight. This will save you money and give you a greater selection of options to enjoy.

10. Fight germs with anti-bacterial wipes

We all know that airplanes are a breeding ground for germs. And while there isn’t much we can do other than accept we’re going to get off the flight with a cold, there are a couple of things we can pack to try and minimize the risk.

Firstly, when you board the flight, wipe down the seat, seatbelt and table tray with an anti-bac wipe. Secondly, keep a hand sanitizer close by and use it regularly, especially when eating or touching your face.

11. Pack healthcare essentials

It’s always helpful to have a small selection of healthcare items on hand on a long flight. As previously mentioned, the humidity onboard can make you feel lethargic and cause headaches, so I like easy access to pain killers if needed.

Because of the humidity, I also like to travel with sinus medication since the sinuses can also get dry and sore just like your skin and lips. Other basic medical items such as tissues, antacids, antihistamines, and throat lozenges can also come in useful. It’s better to be prepared than ending up suffering from a headache for several hours trapped on your flight!

12. Pack a toothbrush

Brushing your teeth is a great way to freshen up after a long flight. Obviously, dental hygiene is really important and being on a long flight is no excuse to neglect it. Also, there is no worse feeling than getting off a flight, disheveled, with a fuzzy mouth and bad breath – eugh!

13. Don’t forget your chargers

Finally, absolutely don’t forget to pack your chargers in your carry on. There is nothing more heartbreaking than watching your phone battery die 2 hours into an 8-hour flight! Keep your chargers to hand to keep your devices topped up for you to enjoy on the journey, and to use when you arrive at your destination.

Long Flight Tips

So these are our top 13 long flight tips to try out on your next journey. Be sure to bookmark or pin this page so you can revisit these tips!

Do you have a long haul tip that we have missed? If you do, I’d love to hear about it! Let’s connect on Instagram and send me a DM with your number one long flight tip!

Until our next adventure,

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