How To Survive, And Actually Enjoy, A Long Haul Flight

If you look at my (very extensive) list of places to visit, you’ll see that pretty much no continent, area, or archipelago is out of the question. The danger with this – well besides money, time off work, and logistics – is that it’s either a lot of short flights with connections or massive, long-haul flights.

Look, I like a flight as much as the next person. I don’t have any phobias of flying or turbulence, and, you know, I actually quite enjoy the journey, but long-haul flights are a different beast entirely. I’ve flown from the UK to the USA and Canada quite a bit so I thought this had been conquered, but journeying from the UK to New Zealand and also having lengthy layovers on the way back from Sri Lanka proved that you cannot be too prepared. So, even if you’re a pro at flying short and medium-haul, I can assure you, you’re going to have to step up your game when you’re jetting off around the world.

So, without further ado, let’s get into how to survive, and actually enjoy, a long haul flight.

Before You Go

Chances are if you’re heading out on a long haul trip, you’re going to be out there for a while. That means a pretty hefty backpack or suitcase that’s going in the hold. So, when choosing your carry-on item, make sure you can carry both at the same time. Having a giant roller suitcase with a little baby carry-on suitcase is a nightmare to control when you’re trying to navigate check-in queues or when you’re trying to find the bus to your hostel or hotel at the other end.

Two backpacks aren’t quite as bad – I’ve done this before – but be aware you’re going to have to do the big backpack on your back and the little one on the front so you’re not going to be able to sit down very easily…and you might look a little bit nuts…

The best combo I’ve found is a large backpack and a small handbag or crossover bag. Something I can sling over the top of my backpack straps, and get into easily, but isn’t too bulky.

So, in your carry-on, I have some essentials that I have to hand at all times:

Easy access to your passport and boarding pass

No one likes the person at the front of the queue scrabbling around the bottom of their bag. Either have a clear section for it, or keep it to hand in your jacket pocket. Giant bags mean that they get lost, and too small bags means you have to fold everything up and the barcode doesn’t scan – neither are great.

Hand sanitiser, face wipes, and your standard toothbrush and toothpaste

Even pre-pandemic, these are essential. Yes, most long-haul flights will give you a little pack with toothpaste and eye masks in, but to be honest, they’re not great. I’ve definitely accidentally snapped one or two of those free toothbrushes. And, there’s nothing worse than stepping off the flight in a new place and feeling like an unwashed gremlin.

The good news is that pretty much all sanitisers and toothpaste are under the 100ml threshold for carry-ons, so just pop them in a clear bag for security and you’re ready to roll!

Water bottle

Flights are very dehydrating and it can be difficult to find water fountains in airports, so bring an empty water bottle and fill it up once you’re through security and you’re set.

It also means that you don’t have to keep annoying the cabin crew with those tiny bottles of water and instead can just ask to fill yours up. No one likes the person who pings for help every two minutes…

A cardigan or big scarf

Regardless of where you’re heading, if you’re up in the air for hours on end it can get chilly and those free blankets don’t always do the trick. I’m not a fan of carrying bulky travel pillows or blowing them up once you’re onboard. Instead, use something you’re going to wear anyway that you can double up as a pillow if you need.

Headphones

Airplane headphones suck. This is pretty much a universally acknowledged fact. Long haul means lots of time for movies or music, you don’t want poor-quality rattling or to be able to hear the baby 5 rows back. Bring your own.

Separate to this, always carry a spare pair of underwear or two and some deodorant. I learned the hard way when my bag went missing and the first thing I had to do when I landed was find a store for underwear – not how you want to spend your holiday…

When You’re Onboard

I know it’s tempting, and I almost never take this advice and regret it a few hours later, but stay away from the free booze. Like I said, flights are dehydrating which means you’re going to get drunk a lot quicker, you’re going to get thirsty and your throat is going to get dry. Take it from me, you don’t want to spend the start of your holiday with a plane alcohol-induced cough, especially if you’re in a hostel dorm – I was not popular…

Another thing to consider is to keep moving. I don’t mean doing a full downward facing dog in the aisle, but wiggling toes, stretching your arms, doing some butt squeezes – there’s tons of stuff you can do in a small space to keep the blood flowing, and it’ll make you feel much less groggy when you land.

My best onboard tip is always to change your clock to your final destination and try and sleep according to that. It doesn’t matter if you have a change in another time zone in between, stick with the final destination’s zone. It can feel forced at first but just lean into the nap lifestyle so that you don’t end up wasting time feeling jetlagged at your destination.

When You Land

Once you’re off the plane, go to the bathrooms and clean yourself up, brush your teeth – generally make yourself feel like a functioning human. You’re going to wanna refill that water bottle to rehydrate and chances are you legs are going to feel weird for a hot second.

If it’s daytime when you land, once you get to your hostel or hotel, dump your stuff and take yourself on an orientation walk. It’ll shake off the flight cobwebs, allow you to immerse yourself in your surroundings, and get you excited about finally arriving at your destination.

Long-haul flights can be tricky, but they’re a necessary part of seeing some of our favourite places. So, if you follow my advice, once you get to where you’re going, you’re more likely to feel fresh, excited, and ready to dive straight into your adventures – no groggy jetlagged vibes here!