11 Long Haul Flight Tips to Read Before You Head To the Airport

| Updated on March 27, 2024

Wait a minute, we still haven’t learned how to teleport yet?

Tips for Long Haul Flights

Unfortunately, not. We’re still restricted to traveling by plane when we want to travel the fastest over far distances or overseas. 

When you have a long flight in your future, you might feel excited, anxious, nervous, and possibly stressed. Going on a flight can be stressful, especially when you haven’t planned for it accordingly. Knowing some long haul flight tips can prepare you for your trip and ensure you enjoy the time you spend on the plane as much as possible.

Don’t continue to stress or worry about your long flight. In the guide below, you’ll find a list of the best travel tips for long haul flights. Keep scrolling to find out everything you need to know to make your flight more enjoyable!

1. Dress With Comfort in Mind

When you’re traveling on a plane for only a short amount of time, you can dress in normal attire. You might even dress in the outfit you want to wear once you arrive at your destination. When you’re traveling on a plane for a long period of time, however, this changes. 

Instead, you’ll want to dress in the most comfortable clothes you own. No one on the plane is concerned about what you look like or what you’re wearing. When you arrive at your destination, you can then change into your preferred outfit and freshen up. 

While on the plane, you want to be as comfortable as possible to promote sleep and keep a happy mind. Wear socks and layer up. If it’s cold on the plane, you’ll have all the layers you need to stay warm. If you get hot, then you can remove a layer and place it into your personal bag. 

2. Bring Your Sleeping Essentials  

Another great way to promote sleep while on the plane is to bring your own sleeping accessories. Remember, you’re going to be crammed in a small space with many other people. Just because you’re ready to sleep doesn’t mean anyone else on the plane is. 

Rather than allowing your flight neighbors to keep you up, you should bring a sleeping mask, a travel pillow, earplugs, and even a blanket! With all of these sleeping essentials, you’ll have no problem falling asleep next to your loud flight neighbor. 

The airport will also sell sleep aids to help you sleep if needed. Some passengers decide to have a few drinks at the airport to help them sleep. This could cause dehydration, however.

If you can find a sleepy-time herbal tea, then this might be a better option for you. 

3. Pack Your Own Snacks

The food at the airport can be expensive. You also don’t have as many options as you would when shopping at a grocery store. If you’re going to be on a plane for many hours, even if you plan on sleeping for the majority of the flight, you’re going to become hungry at some point.

Pack plenty of healthy snacks to help keep your body hydrated and feeling great. Some junk-food items are expected, but you need to have a lot of good stuff as well. Before boarding the plane, you can browse through the shops and pick up a few more food items if desired. 

Because you’re only allowed to bring small amounts of liquid with you, you’ll need to purchase your drinks at the airport before boarding the plane. 

4. Choose Your Meals Carefully

Speaking of eating, make sure to carefully choose the meals you’re going to eat before getting on the plane or while on the plane. You don’t want to eat a heavy meal before boarding, because your body will need time to digest it. Sitting in one position for an extended period of time can make it difficult for your body to digest your food. 

Instead, choose light and healthy meals. You can also pack several light and healthy snacks to eat while on the plane to prevent hunger. 

5. Don’t Forget the Entertainment

One important thing you don’t want to forget while traveling long distances is your entertainment. Bringing your own entertainment is essential. Why?

You might not be interested in what the airline has to offer. Rather than finding yourself in this position, make sure to bring plenty of things to keep yourself entertained. A portable DVD player is a great idea, and you can pack a few DVDs to switch out. 

You should also download music and bring your headphones with you. This is an important step to take if you don’t plan on purchasing wifi from the airline. Aside from all your electronics, you should also bring cards and other fun games you can hold in your hands. 

If flying with children, these types of games will help keep them entertained without worrying about them being in front of a screen for too long. 

6. Download White Noise 

While you’re downloading your music, make sure to download some white noise as well. If you fall asleep with the television on, or while listening to another type of white noise, then you’ll want to have something similar downloaded onto your phone to help you fall asleep and stay asleep. 

There are some apps you can download that play different white noise sounds. Just remember to bring your headphones with you so you can listen to it without disrupting anyone else on the plane. 

7. Consider Wearing Compression Socks

Because you’re going to be seated in the same position for a long amount of time, it’s important to bring a pair of compression socks with you. Compression socks will reduce your chances of blood clots and can help reduce swelling in your feet as well. 

Your compression socks will help keep your feet happy and will keep you comfortable. If you don’t have a pair of your own at home, then be sure to look around the airport. You might be able to find a pair there that you can snag. 

8. Request a Seat Upgrade

How are you flying during this long haul flight? If you’re flying coach, then you can consider asking the airline about upgrading your seat. Although flying first class might seem expensive, it might be cheaper than expected. 

Be sure to ask about the cost of upgrading your seat and then determine if making the switch is worth it. Ask how much more room you’ll have after upgrading. What are some other benefits of the upgraded seat? 

It might be worth spending the extra money. 

9. Take Your Work With You

Sleeping for the entire flight might not always be an option for you. While some can pass out and sleep for hours, others have a hard time sleeping while in the air. A good way to help make the time go by is to take your work with you. 

Long flights are a wonderful time to study, finish schoolwork, prepare work emails, and work on projects for your job. A benefit of doing this is that by the time you’re done working, you might even be ready to take that nap! 

10. Keep Your Personal Items Safe

Because you’re going to be on the plane for several hours, you must remember to keep your personal items safe. Unfortunately, everyone doesn’t have the same morals as you do. There will be some people who take advantage of those sleeping during the flight. 

To prevent your personal items from being tampered with or stolen, you should place your wallet and other valuables in a pouch that attaches to your waist and rests under your shirt. These are sold at airports because many people use these when traveling overseas. 

11. Maintain Your Health

One of the last things to consider before boarding the plane is your health. Remember, you’re going to be confined to a small space with many other passengers. Germs will surround you.

There’s no way around it. The best thing you can do is come prepared. Pack a few sanitizing wipes with you and wipe down your entire section before getting settled in your seat. 

You can also bring a small container of hand sanitizer with you. There are immune-boosting supplements you can take the morning of the flight as well. With all of these steps combined, you should be able to maintain your health without trouble. 

Remember to wash your hands before boarding and after getting off the plane as well. 

When Booking Your Flight, Remember These Long Haul Flight Tips

The next time you’re planning a flight, be sure to remember these long haul flight tips. Flying in general can be stressful at times. Flying far distances can make things even more difficult. 

To keep your body and mind healthy during your long trip, keep these top tips for long haul flights handy!

Interested in more how-to topics and a few other topics as well? Visit on a regular basis to find new posts.


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