If you’re an avid traveler or you’re interested in traveling, chances are you’ll eventually have to survive a long flight. Now, there’s no standard international definition of what a long flight actually is. It differs by region, country, and airline. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) categorizes flights into the following categories:
Short-Haul: Less than 3 hours
Medium-Haul: Between 3-6 hours
Long-Haul: Between 6-16 hours
Ultra-Long-Haul: More than 16 hours
More often than not, most folks will take short and medium-haul flights depending on where you’re situated in the world. Some of us may take long-haul flights, maybe a few times a year. The ultra-long-haul flights are rarer, and most of us may only take these flights once a year or once every few years.
I just did my first nonstop ultra-long-haul flight last year when I flew from New York to Auckland (it took about 17 hours from departure to arrival). According to Wikipedia, this route is the seventh longest passenger flight when ranked by great-circle distance (the distance between two points on a sphere, i.e., the Earth). This route is currently serviced by Air New Zealand and Qantas. The longest route on this list is Newark or New York to Singapore, which has a scheduled length of approximately 18 hours and 50 minutes.
While these tips are helpful for any flight, no matter the length, I’m going to focus on long-haul and ultra-long-haul flights (6 or more hours) for the purpose of this post. Let’s dive in: here are my top tips on how to survive a long flight.
Bring Snacks
As a vegan, this one is a no-brainer. I’ve had screw-ups with meal requests (thanks, United) and with most of the available snacks not vegan-friendly, I make sure to pack snacks I actually like and can eat so I don’t go 15 hours without eating. Flight crews are usually sympathetic but I share my predicament and they’ll kindly bring me fruit and other vegan-friendly snacks but packing your own saves the hassle. Plus, you’ll likely get hungry in between meal service or you might sleep through one of them and be hungry when you wake up. If I have an evening flight, I’ll grab a veggie sandwich from a local deli or Wawa to have for dinner. For a working list of my favorite vegan-friendly travel snacks, check out this blog post.
Wear Comfortable Clothes
You do not want to be stuck on a 15-hour flight in tight jeans. Wear comfortable clothes, whatever that may be for you. I like loose-fitting cotton pants, oversized cardigans or sweatshirts, and shoes that I can slip on and off as needed. I’d also recommend compression socks so your feet don’t swell. I usually avoid jeans and anything that requires belts. I’m also not a fan of skirts or dresses unless it’s a short-haul flight because I can’t spread my legs but everyone has their own preferences. So wear comfortable clothes!
Pack a Small Toiletry Kit
The TSA permits a clear, quart-sized bag of “liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes” that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or fewer per item. Anything larger would have to go into checked baggage. If you’re buying travel-specific products, they’ll already fall under this limit. So, for long-haul flights, I like to pack a mini kit with a toothbrush, toothpaste, face cleanser, contact case and solution, moisturizer, body lotion, and anything else I might need for the duration of the flight. I hate the way I feel when I wake up after sleeping on a flight, so I’m able to refresh myself after. Plus, going through my nightly routine before also helps me sleep quicker and better.
Wear Glasses Over Contacts
If you wear contacts like me, they’ll dry out very easily on flights. I like to bring my contact case filled with a solution in my personal item so I can take out my contacts and use glasses instead for the duration of the flight so they’re easier on my eyes. Additionally, if you’re trying to sleep, your contacts will definitely dry out and you’ll irritate your eyes (or open them to infection) if you leave them in.
Make Sure Your Devices Are Charged
We’re simple creatures; we need to be entertained. There are some people who can watch the flight map for the duration of their flights but I am not one of them. I plan ahead and make a note of what in-flight movies I want to watch. I’ll download TV shows that I’m in the middle of watching (I watched One Piece on my final leg from Los Angeles to Newark in November). I’ll read an ebook or play Sudoku and listen to music. You should have some idea of how to pass the time, whether it’s sleeping for the entire flight or catching up on every Oscar-nominated movie available. Even if your plane has power outlets, don’t rely on them as they may not work. Make sure your devices are charged.
Bring Things To Do (That Aren’t Your Phone)
Along with the tip just above this one, bring things to do that aren’t on your phone (avoid the screen time). The blue light will hurt your eyes. Bring a book, crossword puzzles, crochet, etc. I like bringing a paperback novel with me and a notebook in case I want to journal or work on a draft of one of my current writing projects.
Sleep
My favorite thing to do on long-haul flights is sleep! It’s an easy way to kill the time if you can fall asleep. I used to have an impossible time falling asleep on planes but I haven’t had any trouble on my last two long-haul flights. I can usually sleep for five or six hours at a time (if I get comfortable enough), and I’ll use an eye mask and headphones to listen to music so I don’t get disturbed. Plus, you’ll be well-rested (or more rested) once you land. Need tips? Check out this post.
Stretch/Walk
To avoid muscle cramping, swelling, or any other sort of pain, you should get up from your seat every few hours to walk around and stretch your legs. This is partially why I prefer an aisle seat (also so that I can use the bathroom whenever I want without disturbing anyone). You can walk to the back to ask the flight crew for snacks, use the bathroom, bother your friends or family or whomever you’re traveling with, or just walk around to see what’s going on. Definitely don’t do this whenever there’s any kind of meal, snack, or beverage service, as you’ll annoy and impede the flight crew, but other times are fine.
Upgrade Your Seats
I put this one for (almost) last because it’s not always possible, feasible, or affordable but if you’re able to, upgrading your seats to give yourself more legroom, better service, and additional amenities can be beneficial (especially if you’re older, tall, or your health isn’t impeccable). If you’re flying business or first class, depending on what aircraft you’re flying on, you’ll get a bed to stretch out on in addition to a toiletry kit, pajamas, etc.
STAY HYDRATED
I cannot stress this one enough. You need to stay hydrated as much as you can (and avoid caffeine and alcohol). Airplane cabins have incredibly low humidity levels and the air is dry. You need to ensure you’re drinking enough water as possible even if it means you’re running more often to the bathroom. Dehydration will also contribute to jet lag so drink water and stay hydrated.
What other tips do you have for surviving long flights? Let me know down below!
Surviving a long flight while menstruating? I’ve got a post just for you.
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