Tips To Survive A Long Haul Flight

Quick answer: To survive a long haul flight, pick the right seat, eat light and drink wisely, stay hydrated, block out noise with music, keep your gadgets charged, dress in comfortable layers, stretch regularly and pack a moisturiser. With a little planning, even a very long flight can be surprisingly comfortable.

Being penned inside a metal tube for long hours can take a toll on even the most frequent fliers. Travellers often worry about surviving a long haul flight, but I believe it can be made a really comfortable one. Here are my tips to survive a long haul flight.

Tips to Survive a Long Haul Flight

1. Choose Your Seat

Let’s face it, not everyone gets the best seat, but you can be among the handful of people who do.

A window seat gives you a solid wall to rest your head against, and passing beverage carts won’t disturb your sleep. Seats above the wings are a good idea too, as these rows usually feel less turbulence because they are closer to the aircraft’s centre of gravity.

Avoid bulkhead seats (the seats in the front row of a cabin). They do have extra legroom, like exit rows, but they are fitted with bassinets for infants, and you won’t want your sleep interrupted by a crying child.

Tip: Ask your travel agent or the airline booking agent to add a comment to your booking requesting your preferred seat. Also consider checking in online hours before your flight to save time at the airport; you then only need to use the Fast Bag Drop counter to check your bags.

2. Eat Healthily

Avoid starchy foods like the butter roll and desserts, which raise your blood sugar and give you a boost of energy just when you should be sleeping. Also skip creamy, heavy food that can bloat your stomach and cause discomfort.

Stick to protein-rich foods and easy-to-digest vegetables. Consider carrying snacks like almonds, peanut butter and crackers, or protein bars; it’s better to snack more often than to have a heavy meal that leaves you uncomfortable.

Tip: Request a special meal when booking your ticket if you want to be served first.

3. Drink Wisely

Although alcohol is a depressant, it can act as a stimulant for a few hours after you drink it, which means it might actually keep you awake. If you easily fall asleep after a glass of wine, then a glass or two with your meal is fine.

Beer can make you gassy, and more alcohol or caffeine means more trips to the toilet.

Tip: Tomato juice tastes better in the air than on the ground.

4. Stay Hydrated

Air travel can be extremely dehydrating because the cabin air is dry and re-circulated. Drink plenty of water throughout the flight, and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to ask the flight attendant for some.

Keep a bottle of water with you so you can sip whenever needed. Since most airport security won’t let you carry a full bottle through, take an empty bottle through screening and fill it at a drinking fountain. Cost = $0.

Tip: Ask the cabin crew for a decaffeinated green tea; some travellers find it helps them cope with jet lag.

5. Download a Soft Music App

Your sleep can easily be interrupted by a screaming baby or loud passengers, and earplugs won’t always do the trick. I have often seen people rely on sleep aids like melatonin or Ambien for uninterrupted sleep. I don’t recommend it, since you need to be fully alert in case of an emergency.

Instead, pop on noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds and play music or sounds that drown out the noise and help you drift off.

Sleep Stream 2 is a great sleep-inducing app that offers specially designed binaural beats that can be integrated into the sound experience.

Tip: Wake up about 45 minutes before landing. You’ll have enough time to use the restroom and gather your things. Ask the attendant for a cup of coffee so you walk off the plane fully awake.

6. Charge Up and Back Up

Bring your gadgets fully charged. If you are flying on a low-cost airline, there may be no in-flight entertainment, so keep your devices in your hand luggage to use whenever you want. A power pack will keep them going throughout the flight.

Tip: Most airlines with in-flight entertainment have a USB port next to the seat-back screen or in the armrest. If you need a power socket, look for one under your seat.

7. Dress for Comfort

Wear loose, comfortable clothing in layers, like a T-shirt with a sweater or sweatshirt over it, as the cabin temperature can change during the flight. Avoid tight clothes that will only make you more uncomfortable.

Bring a pair of socks to keep your feet warm and cosy, and make sure they are loose enough that you don’t end up with elastic marks on your legs.

Tip: Pack a spare set of clothes in your carry-on bag so you can change in the aircraft lavatory before landing.

8. Stay Buckled Up

If you plan to sleep, make sure your fastened seat belt is visible over your clothing or blanket. That way, the flight attendants won’t need to wake you when the seat belt sign comes on.

Tip: Carry a scarf that can double as a blanket in case your airline doesn’t offer blankets on board.

9. Stretch Yourself

No one wants to arrive with creaky bones, cramped muscles and knots in their neck and back. Sitting still for long periods also carries a risk of deep vein thrombosis, when blood clots form in the leg.

Tip: While the seat belt sign is off, take a walk to the back of the aircraft and have a glass of water in the galley.

10. Carry a Moisturiser

The dry, enclosed cabin environment can leave your skin feeling sensitive, tired and dull. Pack a cream or moisturiser in your hand luggage.

Tip: Carry some mints or a mouth freshening spray to avoid bad breath.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best seat on a long haul flight?

A window seat above the wings is a good choice: you can rest your head, you won’t be disturbed by carts, and these rows usually feel less turbulence. Avoid bulkhead seats with bassinets if you want to sleep.

What should I eat on a long haul flight?

Stick to protein-rich foods and easy-to-digest vegetables, avoid starchy or heavy meals, and snack on things like almonds or protein bars.

How can I sleep better on a long haul flight?

Use noise-cancelling headphones with soothing music, dress in loose layers, and keep your seat belt visible so the crew won’t wake you.

Conclusion

A little preparation goes a long way. Choose your seat wisely, eat and drink sensibly, stay hydrated, keep moving and pack the right essentials, and these tips to survive a long haul flight will help you arrive feeling fresh.

Do you have any tips to survive a long haul flight? Let us know in the comment section below.