If you’ve ever sat through a 10+ hour flight, you must know how exhausting it can be. From cramped seats and dry air to Jet lag, Long-haul travel tests your patience and comfort levels.
But here’s a secret: a few travel hacks for long flights can completely change your travel experience and make your travel more adventurous and less exhausting. In this guide, we’ve mentioned the proven best flying hacks to keep you comfortable, relaxed, and ready to explore.
Best Travel hacks for long flights
Pre-Flight Hacks: Key to a stress-free journey
If you plan to have a comfortable long flight, preparing only for the flight is not enough. You need to start planning and implementing it before your flight actually takes off.
Book your seat well in advance
Once you have made up your mind to travel, book your flight first. Booking a flight in advance increases the chance of getting cheaper tickets. It also enables you to choose the seat of your liking. And finding a comfortable, desired seat is a game-changer for travel stress. If you are someone who loves to sleep on flights, go for the Window seat, and if you need quick and easy access to the Lavatory, opt for an Aisle seat. Use apps like SeatGuru to get the blueprint of the seating arrangement inside the flight and select wisely.
Quick Tip: Even if you have paid for a seat, make sure to check in exactly 24 hours before your departure. This is when airlines often release desirable seats, such as exit rows or bulkhead seats, that were previously blocked. This gives you another opportunity to upgrade your comfort at no extra cost.
Best travel accessories for long flights
When it comes to packing, organisation is everything. And the biggest dilemma is deciding what to pack for a long flight. Here’s a list of travel essentials that should be present in your carry-on.
- Travel pillow
- Blanket
- Power bank and charging cables
- Toiletries – Moisturiser, wipes, basic skincare
- Snack and water bottle
Quick tip: Use packing cubes or pouches fr easy accessibility at the time of need.
Download your entertainment before
Slow or costly in-flight Wi-Fi can be troublesome. So, it is best to download movies, podcasts, audiobooks, and playlists in advance.
Dress comfortably
Wear your most comfortable and breathable clothes. Avoid wearing tight clothes, as they may cause comfort issues mid-flight. It is advisable to wear compression socks to enhance blood circulation and avoid leg swelling and blood clots during the flight.
In-flight flying hacks
Stay Hydrated
Cabin air can cause dehydration. So to stay hydrated, follow these tips:
- Drink plenty of water
- Carry electrolytes
- Avoid coffee or alcohol in large quantities, as caffeine present in these drinks causes dehydration.
Snack Smart
Most Airlines provide snacks and food on a long flight, but it may not be sufficient for you. So, the best practice is to carry your own snacks that you can munch on when hunger strikes. Do not carry much of oily snacks; instead, opt for healthy snacks like nuts, protein bars, or fruits.
Move around often
Long sitting hours in the compact cabin with a small leg area can cause leg swelling or stiffness. To avoid this,
- Do small in-seat stretches every few hours – ankle rolls, shoulder shrugs, and arm stretches.
- Walking around the aisle helps in improving blood circulation.
Create your own sleep zone
Wondering how to sleep on a plane? Worry no more! Create your own sleeping bubble by following these tips:
Travel Pillow
- Travel pillow supports your neck and keeps your head in an upright position, which is crucial as standard seats are not comfortable for sleeping.
- It helps in maintaining proper spine alignment while seated.
- Choose a travel pillow with memory foam or an inflatable pillow for maximum comfort.
Eye mask and Earplugs
The atmosphere inside planes is not suitable for peaceful sleep. So, it is better to be prepared with all the essentials to get proper rest.
- Carry an eyemask to block the lights.
- Carry good noise-cancellation earphones to reduce engine noise, chatter, and crying babies.
Blanket or Shawl
Even in short flights, the flight temperature can fluctuate drastically. To avoid this, carry a lightweight, warm blanket to give you a feeling of safety and make you feel warm.
An extra pair of clothing in carry-ons
Keep an extra pair of clothing handy, in case of any emergency, like a water or food spill, spoils the clothes you are wearing.
Avoid heavy meals or caffeine before sleeping
- What you eat and drink before sleeping can affect your sleep cycle.
- Heavy meals before sleeping can cause bloating, indigestion, or discomfort.
- Caffeine and Energy drinks can stimulate the nervous system and reduce sleep quality.
By combining these four items with mindful eating habits, you can create a personal “sleep bubble” that shields you from noise, light, and discomfort, allowing you to rest effectively even in cramped airplane seats.
Maintain Freshness mid-flight
- Feeling fresh boosts your confidence.
- Carry mini travel skincare essentials to keep your skin hydrated.
- A quick bathroom and water splash can do wonders for you while mid-air.
You can also explore sustainable packing choices to reduce your travel footprint.
Tech tips for long flights
- Keep devices on airplane mode to save battery.
- Use offline travel apps like Google Maps and e-readers
- Carry a portable charger under 100 Wh
- Consider an e-SIM for smooth post-flight connectivity.
Why are long flights tiring?
Whether it is a 5-hour-long domestic flight or a 14-hour-long international flight, spending hours in cramped seat space can lead to:
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Dry skin and Dehydration
- Fatigue and low energy
- Jet lag
- Boredom and restlessness
It may feel too much, but with the right preparation and flying hacks, you can easily overcome all these challenges and have a safe, peaceful, and less exhausting flight experience.
Bonus Travel Tips for long flights
- Seat Adjustment: Recline slightly to reduce back pain. Avoid abrupt movements to respect neighbors.
- Timing Meals: Eat light before sleeping and heavier meals earlier in the flight.
- Stretching Tools: A Travel yoga strap or small resistance bands can help with mobility.
- Entertainment Rotation: Switch between reading, movies, and journaling to prevent boredom
Flying hacks to avoid jet lag
Long-haul flights, crossing multiple zones, can lead to extreme jet lag. To avoid such a situation, follow these quick tips:
- Begin shifting your sleep schedule a few days before you set out on your journey.
- If flying east, try to go to bed earlier; if flying west, stay up later.
- Use apps like Timeshifter for personalized jet lag reduction strategies.
Conclusion
Long flights don’t have to be uncomfortable. By planning, packing the right essentials, staying hydrated, moving often, maintaining sleep and hygiene, and following these travel hacks for long flights, you can arrive at your destination refreshed and energized.
Don’t forget, the journey is just as much a part of the adventure — so let’s make it as comfortable and enjoyable as we can! Embrace every moment and turn travel time into a delightful experience with these quick travel hacks for long flights!
If you’re seeking inspiration to share your journey, check out our guide on writing great travel captions for Instagram.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make a long flight comfortable?
Stay hydrated, calm, and use comfort aids like a neck pillow to have a comfortable long flight experience.
What to pack for a long flight?
Pack all the necessary travel accessories for long flights, including a Neck pillow, a comfy blanket, a Power bank, Snacks, a refillable water bottle, a pair of clothes for emergency purposes, some skincare, and all the necessary medicines.
How to sleep on a plane?
To avoid sleeping issues during the flight, create your peaceful sleep chamber with your pillow, blanket, and noise-cancellation earbuds, and have a peaceful sleep.
How can I prevent jet lag?
To prevent jet lag, adjust your sleeping schedule a week before flying, stay hydrated, and align your meals with local time.
