Here are the 15 best tips for surviving long flights and arriving with your sanity intact!
Written by a traveler, for a traveler!
I’ve spent years flying…first as a passenger on major airlines, then as a pilot and at times navigator in a four-seater Cessna, then as a flight medic on a helicopter.
I love flying.
There’s truly nothing like it.
But squished up in a cramped, uncomfortable seat next to other people equally squished for hours on end in the back of a Boeing 737 is not flying.
It’s torture.
To me, a flight on an airliner longer than 2 hours is just a painful exercise in mental toughness.
One that requires a grin and bear it mentality that, to be honest, sometimes nearly escapes me.
Especially since I am a card-carrying, text -don’t call me- introvert.
In fact, being near people, especially strangers for any length of time, leaves me feeling drained with absolutely no energy. And that’s what makes flying commercial my least favorite way to travel.
However, I DO love, love, LOVE to travel!
So, if I can’t road trip it to my destination, (and let’s face it…that Trans-Pacific roadway from California to Hawaii is just not happening in the foreseeable future), I try and find ways to make these long flights more bearable.
Since I don’t fly first class, and I refuse to pay extra for upgraded seats that only give you a few more inches, I’m not going to suggest you should. These tips have nothing to do with where you’re sitting so they’re applicable for everyone, regardless of your travel budget.
Some of these suggestions you may have heard of and some you may have tried or even routinely do yourself.
But maybe, just maybe, you’ll find an idea that’s new and it’ll help make your next looonnngggg flight just a little easier to bear.
RELATED: 10 Ways To Make Your Travel Budget Go Further
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Bring Snacks
There’s nothing worse than being stuck in economy seats and getting a teeny tiny package of peanuts. Or worse, nothing at all. So, bring snacks. You’ll be glad you did. Try treating yourself with your favorite snack, or something you only save for special occasions. I say flying for hours on end counts as a special occasion! (Word of warning though…do not -I repeat do not! bring that personal pizza you grabbed on the way to your gate on board with you. Six hours is a long time to be glared at by those hungry AND squished around you!)
Fill a Reusable Water Bottle
I bring as large a water bottle as I can fit in the sleeve of my carry-on like this HydroFlask. As soon as I pass security I fill it at one of those oh so handy water bottle filling fountains. I even bring along a small bottle of water flavor with me (as long as it’s less than 3oz it flies!) so I can enjoy pineapple mango flavored water during the flight. Beats one of those tiny plastic cups I’m constantly trying not to spill!
Use Over-the-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones
These are hands down my #1 “don’t leave home without” item! I went years with earbuds that would make my ears ache after an hour and would fall out just as I would start to doze off. For Christmas a couple of years ago I treated myself to the Bose Quiet Comfort 35II headphones and talk about a game-changer! My ears no longer ache, and I can tune out all the other sounds around me with the push of a button. Or, I can set the noise-cancelling at half-way and be able to hear the flight attendant taking my drink order. I love putting on some quiet, soothing music and off to never-never-land I go. I find that these headphones cut down on that exhausted feeling you get after hours of listening to the engines hum. Seriously, ain’t nobody got time for that!
Wear A Sleeping Mask
Red-eye flights are my preference if I have to do the trans-continental thing. And while most people have their overhead lights off for these flights, there’s always the one that’s on…and they’re usually sitting next to me. A sleep mask helps keep me relaxed and asleep (well, as asleep as I can be surrounded by a couple hundred other people). They work well for day flights as well. If you’re in a pinch though and don’t have one…sunglasses work well too. Here are my current favorite polarized Maui Jims.
Bring A Blanket & Pillow
Next on my list of 15 best tips for surviving long flights is to bring a travel pillow AND blanket. There’s nothing better than having a soft travel blanket to keep you warm on those cold flights. And there’s nothing worse than realizing you left home without it. Same with a pillow (my favorite is the My Pillow Roll & GoAnywhere). There are tons of options out there from inflatable pillows to squishy bean-filled ones that wrap around your neck. There are also thin fleece blankets that store well in their own stuff sac or you can bring a warm-cashmere wrap to keep yourself warm AND stylish.
If you want to travel light, bring an extra sweatshirt and a pillowcase. Wear one sweatshirt and stuff the other inside the pillowcase as your pillow. When you land, tie the extra sweatshirt around your waist and stuff the empty pillowcase in your bag. Easy! Whatever your preference, just make sure you have both because who wants to spend hours chilled to the bone or arrive with a sore neck? (You know those airline giveaways just don’t cut it.)
Wear Compression Socks
I’ve decided I must be getting older because compression socks are the bomb! (Older means smarter, right?) Compression socks are great for helping keep the blood from pooling in your feet and legs, lending to that tired, achy feeling (not to mention swollen feet). Wear them on board, or change once you get to your seat and get settled. Trust me, after hours of sitting, your lower extremities will thank you.
Take Melatonin -Not Benadryl!
I know many people rely on Benadryl to help them fall asleep but as an experienced paramedic, let me tell you, Benadryl is one of the worst things you can take on a flight to help you sleep.
Here’s why.
Benadryl contains an antihistamine – diphenhydramine. It works by inhibiting the histamine receptors in your body and essentially dries up secretions -watery eyes, runny nose and the like. And one of the side-effects is drowsiness -which is why people tend to take it as a sleep-aid. But in drying up the secretions, it also dries up everything else. It causes dry-eyes, dry-mouth and dry-throat in an environment that soaks up all the moisture in your skin anyway from the recycling dry air. You just end up dehydrating yourself even further. Dehydration can cause increased heart rate, increased breathing, dizziness, headaches, and more. But I won’t bore you with any more medical stuff. Suffice it to say Benadryl can dry you out and make you feel like a shriveled-up prune… if you need a sleep aid, opt for melatonin instead.
Bring Reading Material
Having a book, a magazine, crossword puzzles, Sudoku, or even a journal to write in can help pass the time. If you have room, by all means bring a book with you, but if you’re limited on space, a kindle or the kindle app on your phone is a great option. I find that time passes quickly when I can get lost in a book and pretend that I’m not at 35,000 feet with two-hundred of my newest besties.
Download Movies or TV Shows or Podcasts
If reading isn’t your thing (and thanks to my brother I realize you weirdos are out there), download a movie or two to your phone or laptop. Or download an entire season of your favorite TV show and binge-watch the hours away. Listening to several episodes of your favorite podcasts on your noise-cancelling headphones is a sure-fire way of making the flight go by faster too. Just don’t burn the popcorn.
Bring a Flight Survival Kit with You
Another of my 15 best tips for surviving long flights is a flight survival kit. I have a small bag I bring with me on long flights and keep it tucked in my backpack at my feet – where I keep all my in-flight necessities. In this bag I keep things like gum, eye drops, lip balm, moisturizer, face and hand wipes and the like. I also tuck in a sample size container of concealer and mascara and do a little touch up before landing. It’s a great way to feel refreshed and trick your mind into “waking up” with an abbreviated morning routine after that red-eye flight. (For my free Flight Survival Kit packing list, click on the link at the end of this article.)
Wear Comfy Clothes
Omg this can almost make or break a long flight. If you’re sitting for hours in clothes that over time start to bite into your skin…there’s no way you’re going to be comfortable. I stopped traveling in jeans when I discovered comfortable, soft leggings and stretchy, moisture-wicking, antimicrobial prAna hiking pants. If I’m hanging out with just the fam, I’ll opt for the leggings. If I have plans as soon as I arrive at my destination and don’t have time to change, I’ll wear my prAna pants. A moisture-wicking, soft t-shirt with a soft wrap or sweatshirt and I’m comfortable no matter how long the flight may be.
Acclimate Your Body to the Time Zone of Your Destination to Reduce Jet Lag
My first trans-Atlantic flight (way back when), happened when I was in college. I still remember reading this tip in Frommer’s Travel Guide. It suggested that once you get on the plane, immediately set your watch to the current time of your destination and begin tailoring your actions to that time.
For example, if it’s 10pm at your destination, try falling asleep as soon as you can -even though it may only be 4pm. This way when you arrive, you’ve tricked your mind into integrating seamlessly into the current time. Try to not sleep again until evening. This helps tremendously in helping to curb jet lag. Well, during that first flight to Europe, I did as suggested and it worked! I arrived ready to hit the ground running. The only problem was, I was the only one! The rest of my group was jet lagged for days and only wanted to sleep.
RELATED: Top 10 Tips For Traveling Abroad
Limit Your Alcohol Intake
Many people suggest that you shouldn’t drink alcohol at all while on a flight because it’s a diuretic and causes dehydration -among other things. I say have that one glass of wine or rum & coke if it helps you to relax. Just don’t overdo it.
Bring Travel Chargers
Seeing that low-battery signal on your phone, your laptop, kindle, Bluetooth headphones, etc. can be gut-wrenching. It seems like everything nowadays has a battery that is constantly needing a recharge. Don’t be caught with dead devices, leaving you frustrated and bored only halfway through your flight. Bring along a travel charger or two. I have one I use specifically for my phone and a second, more powerful one that recharges my laptop. They’ve been worth their weight in gold. Also be sure to bring more than one charging cord…if yours are anything like mine, they stop working at the most inconvenient times.
Get Up & Move Around
And the final suggestion on my list of 15 best tips for surviving long flights is to move around to get the blood flowing. It’s not natural (or even good for your health) to sit for long hours at a time. Take a walk up and down the aisle, or go to the restroom. Even if you don’t need to use the restroom, it’s a good excuse to get up and walk. I go just to splash water on my face, wash my hands, and take a minute or two to enjoy not being squished up against another person for a few minutes. Can we say personal space? (I told you I’m an introvert!)
Hopefully on your next looonnngggg flight, you try implementing some of these suggestions and see if they help make the flight a little more bearable. You may have to grin and bear it, but that doesn’t mean you can’t help yourself enjoy it a bit more.
With these 15 best tips for surviving long flights you’ll be good to go! Don’t let long flights prevent you from trying new things and visiting new places. Get out and embrace your inner dragonfly!
Want to know what I keep in my Travel Survival Kit? **Click here for the FREE DOWNLOADABLE LIST**
Do you have a tip I didn’t mention here? I’d love to hear it! Leave me a comment below…
