A long flight can be a real test even for the most experienced travelers. Spending several hours to over a day in the air, such as during a transatlantic flight, can be not only tiring but also stressful for the body and overall well-being.
However, with proper preparation and knowing some life hacks, you can significantly ease this ordeal, making the flight not only comfortable but also beneficial for yourself. Here are 20 ways to survive a long flight and arrive at your destination feeling refreshed and full of energy. Whether you are planning your first long flight or are already an experienced traveler, these tips can be useful for anyone looking to make their journey as pleasant as possible.
Before the Flight
Choose a Comfortable Seat on the Plane
Choosing the right seat on the plane can significantly affect your comfort and well-being during a long flight.
- Window seats allow you to lean against the side during sleep and provide a wonderful view of the clouds and land, which can be relaxing and help pass the time.
- Aisle seats make it easier to access the restroom and allow you to stretch your legs without having to ask your neighbors to move.
- Seats with extra legroom (such as those by the emergency exits or at the front of the cabin) offer more space for your legs and personal space, especially important for tall people during long flights.
- Premium classes (business or first class) offer significantly more comfort: wide seats that recline fully, increased attention from flight attendants, and better meals and drinks. This option is suitable for those willing to invest in added comfort during a long flight.
Adjust Your Sleep Schedule
Adjusting your sleep schedule before and during a long flight can significantly improve your well-being and help you adapt to a new time zone upon arrival. Flights, especially those crossing multiple time zones, disrupt the natural rhythm of sleep and wakefulness, which can lead to jet lag.
- A few days before the trip, start gradually shifting your sleep time to match the destination’s time zone. If flying east, go to bed earlier; if flying west, go to bed later.
- If it’s time to sleep according to the destination’s time zone during the flight, try to sleep. Use comfortable neck pillows, sleep masks, and earplugs to create the most comfortable conditions for rest.
Wear Comfortable Clothes and Shoes
Wearing comfortable clothes and shoes is crucial for ensuring your comfort. Long hours spent sitting in a confined space can lead to swelling and fatigue.
- Prefer natural materials like cotton, linen, or bamboo, which help regulate body temperature, preventing overheating or excessive cooling.
- Wear loose clothing that doesn’t restrict movement or cause discomfort during sleep or rest.
- Dress in layers, as the cabin temperature can vary. For example, wear a T-shirt with a cardigan or sweater that can be easily removed if it gets warm.
- Feet can swell during the flight, so wear comfortable, non-restrictive shoes that are easy to remove and put on. Compression socks can improve blood circulation and help prevent swelling and deep vein thrombosis, especially on long flights.
- Avoid large earrings, tight necklaces, or bulky watches that can cause discomfort during sleep.
- Bring an extra set of clothes in case of spilled drinks or unexpected discomfort. This can also be useful if your luggage is delayed or lost.
Download Your Favorite Music, Movies, and Games
Downloading your favorite music, movies, and games to your mobile device or tablet before a long flight ensures you have entertainment throughout the journey.
- Although many airlines offer in-flight entertainment systems, the selection may be limited or not to your taste. By choosing what to watch or listen to, you can better plan your long flight, alternating between entertainment and periods of rest or sleep.
- Favorite activities not only help pass the time but can also significantly reduce the stress associated with flying. Engaging in familiar and enjoyable activities helps distract from anxiety or fatigue.
- Headphones can create a sense of personal space and comfort when sharing confined space with other passengers.
Adjust Your Diet
Adjusting your diet before and during a long flight can significantly improve your comfort and help you adapt to a new time zone.
- Drink plenty of water before, during, and after the flight, as the air in the plane is very dry. Dehydration can cause headaches, fatigue, and general malaise, exacerbating the discomfort of prolonged sitting. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, as they contribute to dehydration.
- Prefer light, fiber-rich food before and during the flight to avoid heaviness and digestive issues. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and light proteins (like chicken or fish) are excellent choices. Heavy, fatty, or overly spicy food can cause discomfort, bloating, and other digestive problems.
- Try to synchronize your meals with the destination’s time to gradually adapt your body to the new schedule, reducing the impact of jet lag.
- Bring healthy snacks like nuts, dried fruits, or bars to maintain energy levels without relying on in-flight meals, which may not be to your taste or the healthiest.
What to Take on a Long Flight
- Water: Essential for maintaining hydration in the dry cabin air.
- Moisturizer or face mask: Helps prevent skin dryness caused by low humidity.
- Lip balm: Protects lips from drying and cracking.
- Neck pillow: Provides neck support during sleep, helping avoid neck pain.
- Earplugs: Reduce engine noise and other passenger sounds, aiding sleep.
- Warm clothes: Necessary for comfort in the cool cabin air.
- Sleep mask: Helps create darkness, making it easier to fall asleep.
- Headphones and chargers: For listening to music or watching movies and keeping devices charged.
- Wet wipes: Refresh and maintain hand cleanliness without water access.
- Lozenges: Prevent ear discomfort during takeoff and landing.
- Moisturizing eye drops, nasal drops: Prevent dryness of mucous membranes in the eyes and nose.
- Medications: Necessary for people with chronic illnesses or in case of unforeseen situations during a long flight.
- Books: Provide an opportunity to distract and spend time usefully when electronic devices need to be turned off.
During the Flight
Take Care of Your Skin
In the dry cabin air, the skin quickly loses moisture, becoming dry and possibly peeling. Dry air can cause not only dehydration but also irritation, especially for those with sensitive skin. Moisturizing cream or masks help restore the skin’s water balance.
- It is advisable to remove makeup before the flight, as it can clog pores, increasing the risk of acne and irritation. Without makeup, the skin better absorbs moisturizers, which is especially important for maintaining its health and comfort in low humidity conditions.
Replace Contacts with Glasses
Cabin air can cause discomfort and increased dryness in the eyes of contact lens wearers. Wearing lenses for extended periods in dry conditions can lead to eye irritation. Glasses do not contact the eye surface, reducing the likelihood of irritation and additional dryness.
- It can be inconvenient and not always hygienic to remove or adjust contact lenses during the flight. Glasses can be easily removed and put on at any time without special care.
Drink More Water
Regular water intake during a long flight is crucial for maintaining hydration, as cabin air promotes faster fluid loss from the body. Adequate water consumption helps prevent dehydration and supports better blood circulation, reducing the risk of blood clots from prolonged sitting.
Avoid Alcohol and Coffee During the Flight
Caffeine has a diuretic effect, increasing dehydration, and can cause insomnia and anxiety, which is undesirable if you want to rest during a long flight. Alcohol, although it may seem relaxing, actually reduces sleep quality and also increases dehydration, worsening well-being and jet lag upon arrival.
Move Around
Maintaining activity and performing simple exercises or stretches during a long flight helps stimulate blood circulation and prevent potential health issues. Regular walks around the cabin, leg and arm stretches, and rotational foot movements reduce swelling and improve overall well-being. Movement also reduces discomfort from prolonged sitting and can promote better sleep.
Avoid Noise
Avoiding noise during a long flight helps reduce stress levels and improve sleep quality. Engine noise, passenger conversations, and other background sounds can interfere with relaxation and contribute to fatigue. Using earplugs or noise-canceling headphones creates a quieter atmosphere, making it easier to sleep and rest.
Watch Downloaded Movies or Series
Watching pre-downloaded movies and series can be an ideal way to relieve stress and pass the time during the flight. This allows you to control your entertainment, ensuring access to your favorite shows without relying on the in-flight entertainment system.
Read a Book
Books do not require electronics, making them perfect for times when devices need to be turned off, such as during takeoff and landing. Reading helps distract from the surroundings, immerse in another world, and reduce stress, promoting relaxation and improving mood.
Sleep
Sleep is when your body recovers, recharges energy, and reduces stress. Resting allows you to arrive at your destination less tired and more refreshed.
- Trying to sleep according to the destination’s time zone helps you better adapt to local time and reduce jet lag effects.
- To ensure better sleep during the flight, consider using a sleep mask to block out light, earplugs or noise-canceling headphones to reduce background noise, and a neck pillow for additional support.
After the Flight
Restore Hydration
During the flight, the body loses a lot of fluid due to the dry cabin air. Restoring hydration helps normalize metabolic processes, improve well-being, and speed up recovery from fatigue and dehydration.
Exercise
Physical exercise stimulates blood circulation, helps relieve tension and fatigue in muscles after prolonged sitting, and improves mood through endorphin release, aiding adaptation to the new time zone.
Take a Bath
A hot bath or shower not only relaxes muscles and relieves tension but also helps relax before sleep, improving its quality. The warmth also promotes quick recovery and eases discomfort, especially after a long flight.
Try Not to Sleep Until Sundown
Staying awake until the evening helps synchronize your internal clock with the local time, reducing jet lag symptoms. Staying awake until sunset promotes quicker adaptation to the new day and night rhythm, making you feel better in the following days.
Conclusion
Coping with the aftermath of such a journey can be managed by using some of the listed ways to survive your long flight. Remember the importance of hydration, choosing comfortable clothing, adjusting your sleep schedule, avoiding noise, keeping entertained, and staying physically active. These 20 ways to ease a long flight will not only make it more pleasant but also simplify adaptation to the new time zone, reduce jet lag effects, and improve your overall well-being during the journey.
