For any serious traveller, long-haul flights are a necessary evil. Being prepared for the flight can play a part in whether the first day of your holiday presents itself as a mixture of jetlag haze, stiff and sore muscles, or just plain exhaustion associated with lack of sleep. These are some tips to surviving or hopefully enjoying nearly an entire day in the air:

Comfortable Clothes

Wearing several layers are ideal to adjust your temperature as you fly. Wear comfortable clothes The temperature on a plane is rarely comfortable for everyone. You might be freezing, while the person a few rows away finds it too warm. You just never know so it’s best to be prepared. Wear comfortable clothes on a long flight and pack some layers so that you can adjust as the temperature changes on the plane. Pack some cozy socks, too, but don’t go into the bathroom in just your sock feet – put your shoes on!In case of emergencies, closed toed shoes are better than flip flops and make sure you don’t wear any footwear that’s too snug, as your feet do swell at high altitudes. Of course, if you’re saving space in your luggage by wearing your biggest, clunkiest boots, you can always take them off and put on a pair of cosy slipper socks instead.

Reserve a good seat

One of the most essential long haul flight tips is to think ahead and pre-book a good seat:

  • If you want more leg room, opt for exit rows
  • If you want to avoid crying children, stay away from the front of the plane as this is often where you’ll find special provision for babies on international flights
  • If you plan to sleep for most of the flight, the best seat is usually next to a window so you have something to lean against and you don’t have to worry about your neighbours waking you so they can use the loo.
  • If you like to move about the plane or stretch your legs (or have quick access to the loos) make sure you book an aisle seat.

You might have to wait until one or two days before departure with some airlines, but the best advice is to get online as soon as check-in opens to handpick the exact seat you want. I am so particular about the seat choice that I usually pay for prefered seating.

Fully Charge All Devices

Make sure you have all your chargers and cables with you in order to keep all your gadgets powered up. Alternatively, bring extra batteries or a power bank in case your plane doesn’t have USB or electrical outlets.

Load up your devices with games, movies, television shows, music, books and the airline’s app just in case that’s how they stream their entertainment. If you are ‘old school’ pack some magazines, newspapers and books to pass the time.

Pack a pillow & Eye mask

Eye masks help you create an almost ideal sleeping environment by blocking out all the light and movement around you.

Sleeping pills

The key to surviving a long flight is being able to get some shut-eye. If you need a little help, sleeping pills could be the solution, but test the dosage and remember they don’t play nicely with the drinks cart. My boyfriend found this out on a recent 16-hour return flight when he washed down his sleeping pills with a couple of G&T’s and decided that the ‘real understanding’ America lady sitting next to him had a comfortable shoulder to rest his head on.

Headphones or earplugs

Bringing earplugs is self-explanatory and is essential for a good night’s sleep. If you forget them chances are the flight attendant will have an extra pair. If there’s a screaming baby near you or people speaking loudly, earplugs aren’t necessarily going to do the trick. In that case, pop on your noise-cancellation headphones or earbuds.

Pack wet-wipes

We all know that planes are dirty and germy so minimize your risk of picking up and spreading germs by using anti-bacterial wipes to wipe down your armrests, seat belt, seat back tray, etc. A somewhat sanitized area should help you relax and rest a little bit easier, especially on a long flight.

Bring Snacks/water
Stay hydrated on a long flight, you want to be able to eat and drink according to your own schedule, not the flight crew so packs some snacks and bring water (purchased or filled-up in the terminal after you’ve gone through security.) At some major airports, the taxi time can be up to an hour and once you are in the air, it’s usually 40 minutes before the crew brings out the food and drinks.

Keep the blood flowing by walking around

Pressurized cabins spell less oxygen for passengers and, over periods of time, symptoms due to lower blood oxygen levels that include fatigue, headaches, swollen limbs, and dehydration. The best solution? Stretch. Walk up and down the aisle to boost blood flow and practice some non-intrusive exercises in your seat, like rolling your shoulders and rotating your ankles.