A long-haul flight doesn’t have to leave you wrecked. We’ve done enough of them to know that the difference between arriving frazzled and arriving ready to explore comes down to a few small choices, most of them made before you ever board. Here’s what actually works for us.
Sort the details before you fly
The comfortable flights start at booking. Choose your seat deliberately: extra legroom if you can stretch to it, a window if you want something to lean on and sleep, an aisle if you like getting up often. If you have a dietary need, request a special meal when you book, since most airlines offer vegetarian, gluten-free, and other options if you ask ahead.
Then pack your carry-on like the flight depends on it, because your comfort does. A good neck pillow, a layer you can add or shed, headphones, a refillable water bottle, any medication, and your documents all belong within reach, not in the overhead bin.
Stay comfortable and look after yourself
Dress in soft layers so you can adjust as the cabin temperature swings, and wear shoes you can slip off. Cabin air is dry, so drink water steadily and go easy on alcohol and coffee, both of which leave you more dehydrated than you’d think. Pack a few real snacks like fruit or nuts rather than relying on the trolley.
On any flight over a few hours, get up and move now and then. Sitting still for a long stretch raises the risk of deep vein thrombosis, and a walk to the back of the cabin plus the odd stretch keeps things moving. Compression socks are a genuinely good idea on longer routes.
Actually get some sleep
Block out the cabin with an eye mask and earplugs, and bring proper neck support. A good travel pillow is the single thing we’d never fly long-haul without, and there are a couple we rate in our Travel Store. If you use melatonin to reset your body clock, take it close to bedtime at your destination, and talk to your doctor before starting any new sleep aid, prescription ones included. For more on beating the time change, we get into it properly in our guide on getting over jet lag.
Rest and quiet, sorted
These are the four things from our Travel Store that earn their place in our carry-on on every long flight:
Pass the time, or get things done
In-flight entertainment fills a lot of hours, but bring your own headphones, since the free ones are usually uncomfortable and tinny. Noise-cancelling headphones are worth the money if you fly often. Load a tablet or e-reader with downloads before you leave so you’re not relying on the seat-back screen. If you’d rather work, a laptop with your documents ready offline, or a stack of podcasts and audiobooks, turns dead time into something useful.
Land well
The flight isn’t really over until you’ve recovered from it. Get onto the local schedule as fast as you can, chase daylight during the day, and keep drinking water once you’re on the ground. A quick freshen-up before landing, a change of shirt, teeth brushed, a splash of water, does more for how you feel than it has any right to.
Quick answers
What should I wear? Loose, breathable layers and shoes that slip on and off easily.
How do I sleep on a plane? Eye mask, earplugs, proper neck support, and get onto the destination’s schedule early. Ask your doctor before using any sleep aid.
What are the essentials to pack? Neck pillow, headphones, refillable water bottle, compression socks, snacks, medication, and something to keep you occupied.
How do I avoid stiffness on a 12-plus hour flight? Move every couple of hours, stretch in your seat, wear compression socks, and stay hydrated.
Get the small things right and even a long flight becomes just a part of the trip rather than an ordeal to survive. That’s always been our goal: step off the plane ready for the good part.
