How to survive a long-haul flight
How to survive a long-haul flight
By: Amy Rambo
You’ve decided to finally take that trip to Sydney. You have everything booked, and all your activities planned. Now all that’s standing in your way are the fifteen+ hours you’ll have to spend in the airplane getting there. Side note—you might be reading this thinking, “Forget 15+ hours, any flight over 45 minutes is long to me.” I get it. Airplanes can be cramped and overcrowded. Plus, flying anxiety is real. For many people, the less time spent up in the air these days, the better. However, given the right destination, the experiences you’ll have once you land can make every minute in flight worth it—like sailing around Sydney Harbor. Or experiencing the Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan. Or sand surfing in Namibia. Or hiking Machu Picchu in Peru. You get the picture. Reasons abound for going, no matter how annoying the actual process of getting there can be. So, here are three tips for when you find yourself boarding that extra-long flight because the time spent once you arrive will be worth it in the end.
Tip one: SEAT SELECTION
Let’s be honest, first, business, and economy-plus seats are just more comfortable. While you might sit on the fence about adding into the overall price of a trip a higher airline class, there are times when it is simply worth it. As hour ten on a fifteen-hour flight rolls around, you’ll want any and every bit of extra space you can get, especially if that includes the option to lie flat. Airlines know that these premium tickets offer desperately needed extras and many of them deliver the goods. Singapore airlines, Emirates, and Delta to name a few pull out all the stops with comfortable seating that transitions and offers a number of amenities like comfy pjs and fancy face lotions.
However, there are other times when a seat in economy is what works best. For these trips, seat selection is still extremely important. Knowing whether you’re an aisle or window person can make or break your sanity mid-way through a flight. I’m strictly an aisle-seat person. I inevitably want to get up and walk around about every two hours during a long-haul flight. And I abhor being that person who frequently interrupts those sitting next to her, especially if they’re sleeping. I also hate being tied to the movement patterns of my seat mate. So, I’ve made my peace with the aisle. Having the freedom to access the bathroom or to stand and stretch regularly is one way I survive long hours in economy.
No matter if you are a window or aisle sitter, visiting sites like seatguru.com to find out where certain seats fall within the plane can help situate you away from bathrooms or scrunched rows. If you love the window seat for the view as much as the space to lean your head, then it’s important to know whether or not you’ll be looking down over one of the engines or have a clear view of the changes in terrain.
Tip two: IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT GET YOU BY
Number one on my list of “don’t leave home without” for a long-haul flight are noise-cancelling headphones. I prefer the over-the-ear versions, and some come with so much padding around the ears that leaning on them when sleeping isn’t all bad. Some airlines in premium seat classes provide headphones, but check closely before you board as to whether or not they are noise-canceling. It helps so much to flip the switch to activate that noise-canceling tech and extra-muffle the constant droning of the airplane’s engines.
Sleeping pills. If taken responsibly, medication to help you sleep on a plane is a game changer. Consult your physician before taking any such medications, but nothing makes a long flight feel short like sleeping through it.
Tip three: HYDRATE CONSTANTLY
Drink water generously. Take an empty water bottle through security then fill that sucker up once you’re in the terminal. I’m sure we’ve all thought a good deal about the air quality within an airplane, and I’ll leave any discussion on germs for another time, but one thing you’ve noticed for sure is that airplane air is D-R-Y. Spending hours and hours in that dry air, can leave your face, throat, nose, and eyes needing some TLC. While your self-care regimen might include post-flight face masks or lotions, the best thing you can do is drink water while on the plane. Most airlines do an okay job providing you with bottles and frequent refills, but taking the time to bring along your own large bottle or forking over the money to buy one in the terminal before takeoff is a solid investment toward arriving at your destination refreshed and ready to go.
If you would like to implement any of our tips by taking a long-haul flight to one of your dream destinations—may we suggest Australia, Japan, Namibia, or Peru—please contact any of the travel advisors at Blue Pineapple Travel and we’d be happy to help you get there.
