Top Tips for Surviving A Long-Haul Flight

Whether you’re jetting off on an 8-hour flight to New York or a 20+ hour trip to Australia, long-haul flights can be troublesome. That is if you fail to properly plan your journey. In fact, these long flights can be made much more comfortable with a little preparation. In this article, we explore some top tips to transform your long-haul flight into an enjoyable experience.

Prepare yourself for the change in time zone

When traveling on a long-haul flight, you will likely cross numerous time zones, which is what causes jet lag. To prevent getting the ‘travel flu’ upon your arrival, aim to adapt to the local time as soon as you set foot off the plane.

If your flight is expected to land in the morning, sleep as much as you can so you’re energized and ready for the day ahead. Alternatively, if you are set to land in the evening, stay awake for as long as possible. Doing so ensures you get a good night’s sleep once you’re settled in your accommodation and feel fresh in the morning.

Know how you’re getting home

The flight home is always a tough one. Having to return home to work after such a wonderful trip is something we like to push to the back of our minds; however, it’s vital you have a plan in place to return home once you land.

Depending on your preference, you may decide to get public transport, book a taxi, or leave your car at the airport. For the latter, make sure to drop your vehicle somewhere secure. If you’re flying from London, for example, you may wish to utilise the park and ride service at Gatwick Airport.

Stay well hydrated

Aircraft cabins dehydrate us more than we realize, therefore it’s important to stay well-hydrated during your flight. Drink water in small quantities often and avoid drinking too much alcohol, coffee, or tea.

Drinking water is also beneficial for preventing deep-vein thrombosis on flights, which is a higher risk due to sitting still in a confined space for prolonged periods. In addition to staying hydrated, try to walk around the cabin or stretch where possible.

You may find your skin becoming dry too during your flight, which is why it’s recommended you take along a small bottle of moisturizer and some lip balm.

Provide enough entertainment for the flight

Don’t rely on the in-flight entertainment system to keep you occupied for the whole duration of the flight. Even if they work properly, you may find your favorite shows and movies aren’t available. Instead, bring along a phone or tablet pre-loaded with plenty of stuff to watch or listen to.

And don’t forget a charger. The last thing you want is for your trusty device to run out of charge an hour into your flight. It’s not just technology that can provide entertainment though; how about reading a book or magazine? You could even chat to others on the plane – so long as they’re happy to do so.