7 Revolutionary Ways to Make the Best of a Long Haul Flight

7 Revolutionary Ways to Make the Best of a Long-Haul Flight that Will Change Your Life

Getting stuck on a long haul flight can be a pain, but they’re necessary to cross long distances. But with these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to enjoy those long flights a little more.

Entertain yourself

You’ll want a little something to keep yourself occupied on any flight, and that goes double for long-haul flights.

Make sure all of your electronic devices are fully charged. Sometimes planes have USB ports by the seats, but others don’t. Also bring a portable charger in case you use your phone more than you planned to. (Very likely on a long-haul flight!)

Speaking of electronic devices, download movies, music, and podcasts onto your devices so you don’t get tempted to pay for expensive and slow in-flight wi-fi. The Netflix app (at least on ios) allows you to download movies and TV shows to your phone.

Make sure you also bring things like books, notebooks, and adult coloring books to switch things up a bit. Not only will this conserve your phone battery, but it’s better not to stare at a screen for too many hours in a row.

Dress Comfortably

You’re going to sit upright for a long time–you’re already going to be uncomfortable, so you shouldn’t make it worse by wearing the wrong clothes.

This is especially relevant if you want any chance of sleeping on the flight. Skinny jeans that dig into your waist after awhile or a blazer that’s tight around the shoulders will make it even harder to catch a few z’s 40,000 feet in the air.

Also, dress in layers. Airplanes are usually cold, and you don’t want to be a human icicle for 8+ hours. However, occasionally a plane won’t be so cold, and you’ll want to shed a layer or two.

Actually, just be comfortable in general

Bring anything you’ll need to be comfortable. Grab a blanket, travel pillow, and eye mask in case you want to sleep. Even if the airline offers these, bringing your own gives you control over the quality.

It’s a good idea to bring along any tools that help you relax. Some people need toys for stimming, and others need medication to help with things like nausea and anxiety.

One of the most popular ways to stave off in-flight discomfort is a pack of chewing gum to help your ears pop and adjust to the changes in air pressure.

Whatever will keep you happy and comfortable on an airplane, bring it. You don’t want to be miserable on a long-haul flight.

Pack snacks

Most airlines typically have some sort of snack or meal item for long-haul flights, either complimentary or available for purchase.

If you have to buy food, it’s probably overpriced. Either way, you have no way of knowing what quantity and quality will be provided. It’s always better to stay on the safe side and pack snacks for a worst-case scenario.

This tip is especially important if you have any allergies or dietary preferences. Even if the airline offers an accommodating option, they might forget to stock it or mess it up in some way.

I explain why snacks are extra important when you fly on a budget airline in this article.

Drink water and take your vitamins before you fly

Did you know that flying makes you dehydrated? And did you know that by the time you feel the effects of dehydration, you’ve already needed more water for a few hours?

The best way to stay hydrated and comfortable during your trip is to drink lots of water the day of and the day before your flight, then replenish regularly during the flight. A couple of sodas on the plane will NOT be enough to stave off jetlag and discomfort.

Flying is also a good way to get sick. This is both because of the many germs in airports and airplanes as well as because your body can react negatively to rapid changes in climate and environment.

To keep from getting sick and miserable on your trip, take your vitamins diligently leading up to your flight. Especially vitamin C!

Pick your seat ahead of time

Almost everyone can agree that the worst place to sit on an airplane is in a middle seat sandwiched between two strangers who may or may not wear enough deodorant.

The best thing you can do on a flight to make sure you get a good seat is to select it ahead of time. Many airlines offer this for free, but the prime real estate fills up fast, so plan ahead.

Being closer to the front of the plane means you’ll get off faster once you land, while staying away from any toilets will do your nose a huge favor. The emergency exit row has more legroom, but you’ll have a big responsibility in the unlikely even of a crash.

Think about the different things that will make a flight more enjoyable when you book. I once spent a nine-hour flight next to the toilets, and I still bitterly regret it.

Personally, my favorite seat is a window seat toward the front of the plane. I like to have the wall to lean against if I’m trying to sleep, and no one climbs over me to use the toilet.

Of course, the flip side of this is that you will have to climb over other people. Some people like to choose aisle seats for this reason, especially if they anticipate getting up a lot. Which leads me to the final tip…

Get up and move around

Stiff hips, a kink in your neck, a sore butt: These are the inescapable discomforts of travel.

If you’re on a long-haul flight, getting up and moving around occasionally can be super helpful. It can be annoying to navigate the aisles of an aircraft, but even just walking to the bathroom and back can loosen up your joints a bit.

This is something small that will help you be a little bit less uncomfortable both on the flight and after you land. Sometimes that makes all the difference in the first day of your trip.

Long-haul flights can be rough. Luckily, there are ways to make them more enjoyable. These tips should make your life a little easier.

Which of these have you tried? Which works the best? Let me know in the comments!