Tips for Long Haul Flights

Long haul flight tips to make your holiday hassle-free.

Do you dread long haul flights? However paradisiacal your destination, for many travellers long hours in an aluminium tube a mile above the Earth's surface can often seem like a perfect vision of hell. If you have anxiety about flying, take a look at our tips for nervous flyers and brush up on the facts of airplane turbulence before take-off. Fortunately there are plenty of ways you can make a long-haul flight survivable and even pleasant; here are our long haul flight tips for a smooth and enjoyable journey.

Tips for Long Haul Flights

When You Book a Long Haul Flight

Timing is key when it comes to flying long haul, so if possible book a flight at a time of day that suits your body clock. For most of us, that means getting a mid-morning flight that doesn't require checking in at the crack of dawn or (even worse) in the middle of the night. Only a lucky few sleep well on planes, so if you can avoid taking the red-eye and begin your journey relatively rested you'll have a much more enjoyable flight.

If you travel regularly and have racked up a useful number of air miles, now might be the time to cash some in for an upgrade - premium economy or business class seats provide extra comfort and can make all the difference on long flights. Not a frequent flyer? Think twice about booking onto a bargain airline - it might mean a significantly rougher ride. Look out instead for seasonal sales and online deals on premium airlines.

Many airlines will allow you to choose your seat when booking for an extra fee. This is worth considering on a long flight if it means you can sit in your preferred section, and is particularly helpful when travelling in a group. If you don't want to pay extra, be sure to make a note of when online check-in opens in your diary so you can hop onto the airline's website and choose the seats you want as soon as they become available. Think about where in the row you'd like to sit as well: window seats are fun on takeoff and landing, but on many long-haul flights there's not much to see between the two, so an aisle seat may be more comfortable - especially if you're tall.

If you're blessed with long legs - or just like to keep your kneecaps intact - check out this comprehensive guide to airline seat pitches (the space between rows of seating) to see how much room you'll have to stretch out in the air.

Very long-haul flights (to Australia or the Far East, for example) can be particularly taxing. Consider breaking up your travel with a stopover, or at least a few hours on the ground to rest, recuperate and stretch your legs. The world's best airports are blessed with plenty of services designed to revive weary travellers, from massage and spa facilities to gyms, swimming pools and indoor gardens. Spend some time in one of these airports and you'll feel much more human on your connecting flight!

Getting Ready for Your Long Haul Flight

Dress for flying success by wearing layers of light, loose-fitting clothing in breathable fabrics. Think cotton-rich t-shirts and jersey tops and avoid clingy, skin-tight or heavy clothing. Slipper socks and a cardigan or hoodie can be a good idea to keep you cosy on overnight flights, which can get a tad chilly. If your flight is taking you somewhere warm, peeling off a layer or two at the other end will keep you fresh as you arrive.

Pack a travel pillow to prevent head and neck strains when you nod off - check out this roundup of our favourite travel pillows.

Cabin air can be very drying so take a bottle of water (buy it flightside after security) and a good travel-sized moisturiser to keep you comfortable. Other good toiletries to consider for your hand luggage include mouthwash, wet wipes, a travel toothbrush and a facial spritzer up to 100ml in size.

If you're flying between mealtimes, pack a few light and non-messy snacks to tide you over and keep hunger pangs from ruining your afternoon. Rice cakes, travel sweets, dried fruit and cereal bars are all good options, as are mints or chewing gum to keep your mouth fresh. Don't forget to pack a small bag for your litter too!

If you need to take a daily medication, be sure to pack a dose in your hand luggage (in fact, all important medications are best taken on board rather than stowed in the hold in case your luggage decides not to join you at your destination). It can also be a good idea to pack a couple of painkillers in case an early start, stressful journey to the airport or cabin air leaves you with a headache.

To boost blood circulation and help combat "restless leg syndrome", slip a pair of compression socks into your hand luggage.

Pack your in-flight entertainment - books and magazines; puzzles and games (as good for grown-ups as they are for younger family members); or a well-charged tablet or smartphone should keep you occupied for hours. Pack your charging cables too - you should be able to use them at the airport, and on some flights USB charging is even available in-seat.

We've put together our favourite noise-cancelling travel headphones and in-flight accessories (such as ear plugs) that will help block out cabin noise, helping you to sleep better and relax more when you're awake. A comfy sleep mask completes your cabin-ready collection.

Read our tips for staying healthy while travelling for additional in-flight ideas.

At the Airport

If your flight leaves at an awkward time (or you're a bit anxious about the quality of the in-flight dining), arrive at the airport in time to eat a light meal. Avoid fatty foods and lots of stodge - opt for salads, grilled fish or pasta with veggies over steaks, fry-ups and fast food. If you're pushed for time, pick up a healthy wrap or salad to eat at the gate.

Once you get flight-side you can pick up a bottle of water for your flight and add any toiletries, travel pillows, flight socks or earplugs you may have forgotten to pack previously. Look out for useful freebies on your way through Duty Free - a good dollop of hydrating moisturiser from a quality brand should help your flight get off to a good start, and you may even be able to pick up a trial size tube to carry on board.

Got some time at the gate? Make the most of free WiFi to read up about your destination and check where the ATMs, taxi rank and local transit options are at your arrival airport. Save a picture of any important information like maps and timetables to your phone or tablet so you have it easily to hand at the other end of your journey.

On the Airplane

Stow your hand luggage in the overhead locker if at all possible - this will give you much more room to stretch out when in your seat. Keep objects in your seat pocket to a minimum for the same reason - your bottle of water, facial spritz and a magazine, tablet or e-reader should be all you need to keep to hand; the rest can go overhead.

Be sure to hydrate to keep discomfort from cabin air to a minimum. By all means get your flight off to a relaxing start with a glass of wine, but remember that alcohol, caffeine and sugary soft drinks are very dehydrating. Sipping water, juice or herbal teas throughout the flight will help you stay fresh; a spritz of water or a drop of moisturiser will help your face and hands stay comfortable too.

Make the most of downtime on your flight by catching up on the latest films and TV box sets - either on your own device, or on the in-flight entertainment system. Many long-haul flights also offer video games which can be a great way to while away the hours - just be respectful of other passengers, especially if two or more of you are playing together.

Keeping mobile will aid circulation and stop your buns from going numb after hours in a seat. Give your legs a shake by taking a stroll up and down from time to time (but not during trolley service or the post-lunch toilet rush, when the aisles will be in heavy use). Find a space between seating sections or in the galley for some quiet stretches; you don't need to do a full yoga routine - some simple extensions and rotations for legs, neck and shoulders will leave you feeling much fresher.

Flying somewhere picturesque? Make time to admire the view (from one of the exit doors if you're not seated next to a window of your own) and keep a camera handy to start your holiday album off if you're flying over unusual scenery such as mountains or attractive coastlines.

Rest up (and start to get yourself onto your destination time zone) by taking a nap between meal services. Overnight flights will dim the lights at a certain time to aid sleep, but it can be beneficial to get forty winks even when flying through the daytime. Pop your sleep mask on and your shoes off, and snuggle into a comfy travel pillow for the most restful in-flight nap experience.

Follow these tips and you'll find long-haul flights are more of a joyride than a trip to Hades. Share your own tips for making the most of a long flight below!

If you found this post on tips for long haul flights helpful, you may want to read more of our Before You Go articles. Also check out our travel blog for additional inspiration and travel tips to make your holidays hassle-free!

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Written by Lise Smith, a former contributor to Lonely Planet's India guidebook - she's seen her fair share of hotel rooms (both grotty and glamorous!). She learned to walk in a hotel corridor in Tunisia, and at the age of three had been on more aeroplanes than buses. Lise writes for a number of local news, technology and arts publications.