8 hours in a cramped airline cabin may sound like your scariest nightmare, but with a little planning and a few basic comforts, long-haul traveling can be a pleasure. Read our ten long-flight useful tips to arrive rested, calm, and ready to begin your vacation when you land.
1. Wear Comfortable Clothing
This should go without saying — just a picture of an outfit you’ll enjoy wearing after ten hours of flying. Consider that sitting stationary while being hammered by a strong aircon machine can get cold, so layering up is the best way to regulate your body when flying. Save your jewelry for the holidays and pack it in the luggage — it’ll merely set off the security alarms at the airports. Closed-toed shoes are preferable to flip flops in an emergency and avoid wearing footwear that is excessively tight because your feet swell at high elevations.
2. Book Yourself a Good Seat
Exit rows are better if you want extra legroom. Keep clear from the front of the plane if you wish to avoid wailing youngsters, as this is often where special provisions for newborns on international flights can be found. If you want to roam around the aircraft (or have easy access to the restroom), choose an aisle seat. Some airlines may require you to wait till one or two days before departure, but the best advice is to come online as soon as verification begins and carefully select the precise seat you need.
3. Make sure you’re able to sleep
Because you’ll be on the aircraft for the better part of a day or evening, having a few long-haul trip basics is a good idea. To avoid neck aches when sleeping, start with a light blanket and invest in a nice travel pillow. Forget about the other 349 travelers, who are all wearing a decent sleep mask and earbuds. Lastly, bring some basic amenities with you, such as a brush and mouthwash that will fit in your carry-on bag, and you’ll feel a little fresher when you arrive.
4. Place your safety harness over your blankets and fasten it
Make sure your secured seat belt is noticeable if you plan to rest at all during your journey. The seat belt light may turn on if there is disruption, and airline staff may come around the cabin to make sure everyone is fastened up. They’ll wake you up to see if you’re buckled underneath your blankets where they can’t see you.
5. Bring your own snacks
On a long-haul journey, you’ll be served, but it may not be when or what you think – time zones typically mean you’ll be served breakfast at supper time and noodles or curries first thing in the ‘morning.’ Keep a few slow-energy foods like granola bars, nuts, or dried fruit in your carry-on bag to stave off food cravings while you prepare for the food cart to arrive.
6. Relax!
What better time to forget about your worries by doing nothing than on a flight? There is no cell phone reception, a team is waiting to attend to your every demand, and someone else is driving… Use the opportunity to finish that book you’ve been meaning to read, watch a couple of rom-coms, or go through the handbook to get enthusiastic about your trip. Consider those eight/ten/twelve hours as peak time, and your long-haul flight will become a good rather than a negative experience.