How to Survive Long Flights

The thought of traveling far away made me remember how I’ve survived long flights over the years. I have taken countless international or long-haul flights in the past 35 years. I’ve learned many tricks to help ease the burden of an exhausting long flight and survive long flights!

If you are a seasoned traveler, these tips may be obvious to you. If you are a beginner when it comes to long-distance travel, I hope my tips on the below topics provide some insight and help you survive your next long flight!

Flight Itinerary

The first and most important topic is the booking of your international or long domestic flight. If you don’t have a direct flight to your destination, you will want to consider a few points when booking your airline tickets.

The key tip is to have plenty of time between flights. Most international airports require you to pass through customs when transferring to a connecting flight. The lines for Customs can be very long. I can recall having to wait one hour to get through the line. If you can be one of the first persons off your plane, you may get lucky to be at the beginning of the line. On the other hand, if you need to use the toilet, it may be a good idea to go before getting in the long line.

Depending on the airport and which countries you are traveling between, you may be required to pick up your checked bags and then recheck them. I would advise you to book your flights so that you have at least 1 1/2 to 2 hours between the arrival time and the departure of your connecting flight.

No one needs the stress of rushing through the airport to make a tight connection. I would rather have extra time to sit around in an airport than to be pressured to make it to the gate before boarding is completed.

I try to book my initial flights in the first part of the day. I’ve found that the risk of delayed flights is higher in the afternoon or evening. This delay is often due to the late arrival of the plane from the previous destination.

I normally choose flights with the minimum of transfers. You may pay more for the overall flight, but I think it’s worth the cost to reduce the hassle of changing planes at several airports. The other advantage of fewer connections is the lower risk of your luggage not making it to your final destination.

Some of the sites I use for booking online tickets are Skyscanner and Google Flights.

Luggage

Are you wondering what type of luggage to bring on an international flight? Unless you are flying first or business class, you will certainly have a restriction for the number of bags and the weight. Depending on the airline, the weight limit for each bag is usually 23-25kg (50-55lb).

If your luggage exceeds the limit, the airline will either charge you extra money or force you to remove items from your suitcase to lower the weight. Opening your bags at the check-in counter can be quite embarrassing. For this reason, I always weigh my luggage at home before leaving. There are many luggage scales you can buy cheaply. Below is the kind of manual scale I use but you can also get digital luggage scales.

If you don’t have one of these luggage weighing devices, you can try to step onto a scale holding your luggage and then subtracting your own body weight. If you plan to buy articles or souvenirs to bring back from your trip, you should also plan for this extra weight and bring the luggage scale with you.

In addition to my checked bag, I always bring a backpack or carry-on luggage. Most airlines will let you bring a small suitcase onboard if it fits within their size requirements. I put in my carry-on bag my DSLR camera and anything I want to use on the plane (iPad, magazines, socks, etc.).

If I am traveling to a place with different weather (such as going to a tropical place during winter months), I will put in my carry-on bag an extra set of clothes to change into at the arrival airport. This tip has saved me from sweating profusely while waiting at the airport and getting the transportation to our hotel.

If you fly often, you are probably well aware of the requirements about your carry-on liquids. I always bring small bottles in a plastic zip bag when passing through security. I’m extra careful not to buy a bottle of water until after passing through the checkpoints.

Speaking of water, I always bring a bottle with me on the plane. The airline may provide water but it could take an hour or longer after take-off to get any refreshments. I try to stay hydrated while drinking water during the entire flight.

Seat Selection

Choosing the right seat on the plane is very important. Some people have a a preference for window or aisle, and no one likes the middle seat! I try to reserve my seats when I purchase the ticket. Some airlines don’t let you pick your seats until you do the online check-in 24 or 48 hours before the flight. In this case, I am always conscience of the timing to get the best seats before they get reserved.

I always try to get seats near the front of the plane. There are many benefits to this tip. Normally you get served food and beverages first. The plane is less noisy in the front. There is less plane movement from turbulence in the front. You don’t have people constantly passing by on their way to the toilets. You are the first group off the plane (unless the plane has a back door).

If you are traveling with your family and want to sit together, it is important to reserve the seats in advance. You may have to pay extra money for this, but it’s a must if you have small children. I don’t usually upgrade to the economy premium seats, but this is a good option if you want more space and comfort.

Just a word about upgrades… I’ve upgraded from economy to business class several times on long flights (9+ hours) and boy, was it nice! Of course, you will pay for that privilege but it’s a real treat if you can afford it. We usually do it at the last minute, when we check in at the airport or even when boarding the plane.

The price to upgrade at the last minute is often cheaper than buying your upgrade in advance. I always say that flying in business class is like starting the vacation early as you actually enjoy the ‘getting-there’ part.

The attention and service you get from first or business class flight attendants is amazing. On some airlines, they even address you by your name. What a way to feel special!

The other benefits of business class are the better quality food, spacious room and reclining seat for sleeping, and a nice bag with all the essentials such as eye mask, toothbrush, lotion, lip balm.

What to Wear

I am a fanatic about being ultra comfortable on long flights. I have my go-to clothing pieces that never fail me. I try to layer my clothes as well in case I get hot or cold on the plane. I may wear a tank top, short or long sleeved shirt on top of that, and a zip-up lightweight jacket.

I always try to wear colored or darker garments in case I spill some food or drink on them. I usually wear stretchy leggings or harem pants. They may be borderline pajama-looking but I don’t care – my comfort is more important than winning a best-dressed contest. As I am 5’3″ (163cm), I like to sit with my legs crossed under my hips (if space allows). Wearing very loose-fitting pants allows me to bend my legs in all sorts of positions to avoid cramping up.

When it comes to shoes, I wear the most comfortable ones I have for walking long distances through airports. No heels for this gal! I take off my shoes as soon as I get on the plane and put on an extra pair of thick socks to wear during the long flight.

My feet tend to swell terribly when flying more than 2 hours. I sometimes can’t even get my foot back in the shoe at the end of the flight! For this reason, I wear open-toed shoes or loose sandals that are easy to slip on and off. If I’m traveling during colder weather, I will sometimes wear socks with the toes cut off so that I can wear flip flops! Yes, it is very funny looking but it works for me!

Eye Mask

I have my own soft eye mask that I’ve used for many years. It’s much more comfortable than the ones that the airlines provide. I struggle to sleep on flights, but wearing an eye mask helps. Even when they turn off the lights on the plane, the mask helps to keep other lights out, especially the bright screens that your neighbors may be using.

Travel Neck Pillow

Do you use a travel pillow when flying? I have a soft inflatable pillow that I’ve used for many years. I like the fact that it’s small and foldable. I could never be that traveler who wears the bulky travel pillow around my neck while walking through the airport.

The small pillows they provide on the airplane are not adequate to support your neck during long flights. I use those pillows behind my lower back for extra support and to keep my back straighter.

You will see all sorts of travel pillows and neck braces available now. It’s worth experimenting to find the perfect one for you. And my opinion is that the more you pay, normally the better the quality.

Foot Hammock

Have you heard of a foot hammock? I discovered the concept of using a foot hammock a few years ago. I made my own from a spare make-up bag and a long strap. I have really appreciated using it on long flights.

You simply strap the device behind the pull-down tray and place your feet or legs in the hammock. I find it helps tremendously to elevate your feet during many hours of flying. Some airlines may not permit these gadgets due to potentially blocking the way of other passengers. I haven’t had any issue in using them. Below are a few examples you will find on Amazon.

Headphones / Earplugs

Another must-have on my list of surviving long flights is to use headphones or earplugs with your phone, tablets, or computer. It is a great way to escape the noise of the plane or people around you, especially that potential crying infant in the seat behind you. Whether you listen to music or movies, it will shut out the world and make the flying time go quicker.

Most airplanes allow you to connect to their entertainment system with your own earphones. If not, you will normally get a pair offered for free on longer flights.

Other Useful Tips?

In addition to all the above tips, my other advice on how to survive long flights would include:

• If the airline provides a smart phone application, you should download it so you can be sure to get notifications of any delays or gate changes
• Bring anti-gas pills if you tend to get bloated during flights (like me) – it’s no fun having tummy discomfort for many hours
• Don’t be afraid to ask the flight attendants for extra water or snacks – they are usually equipped and happy to provide this when asked
• Use lip balm frequently to prevent dry lips
• Buy a bottle of water before boarding to have available whenever you get thirsty
• If you wear contacts, be sure to carry eye drops to help with the dry air
• Bring your own toothbrush and toothpaste to freshen up before landing or just afterwards in the airport
• Use a facial mist spray during the flight to have that continuous fresh and hydrated feeling
• Apply hand lotion to your hands and neck to keep your skin moisturized
• Carry a small bag with all of your essentials you will need during the flight, ideally one that you can hook onto your lap tray for easy access

Do you have some special tips to share? I am always looking for better, easier ways to make traveling time more enjoyable. Drop a comment below to enlighten us all!

If you are looking for assistance to plan your next trip, I am here for YOU! I love to plan travel itineraries for myself and others. For more details on how I provide this service, please check out my Itinerary Planning page and drop me a quick email at jan@janadventures.com to get started!