Antisocial Tourist

There’s no point in sugarcoating it — long flights are brutal, especially if you’re sitting in economy. They’re exhausting, uncomfortable, and stressful. A legit nightmare. And if you’re searching for tips on how to survive a long flight or what to do on a long flight, we assume you’re about to experience the nightmare firsthand.

The truth is, there is no magic answer that will make your flight perfect. It all comes down to being prepared, both mentally and logistically. You can prepare mentally by accepting that the situation is going to be uncomfortable and long, and you can prepare logistically by making arrangements and gathering resources to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible during your journey.

We fly several long-haul flights a year and we’ve tackled the world’s longest flight from JFK to Singapore, so we’ve had plenty of practice putting the tips in this guide to use. And while we can’t promise you the perfect flight, we can promise you your flight will be a lot more bearable if you follow our survival tips.

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How to Survive a Long Flight: 10 Tips That Are Actually Worth Reading

Master the art of long-haul travel with these practical tips that we’ve personally put to the test:

1. Set Your Watch to Your Destination’s Time Zone

Long flights and jet lag go hand in hand. Jet lag occurs when your body’s internal clock is out of sync with the time zone it’s entering, leading to fatigue, insomnia, and discomfort. Fortunately, there’s a simple way to get ahead of this: adjust your watch early.

We always set our smart watches to our destination’s time zone around 3 days before a long flight. This helps us mentally prepare for a big time change days in advance. The psychological adjustment will have you thinking in terms of the local time at your destination without even trying. Your brain will then instinctively try to adapt your sleep patterns and activities accordingly.

This hack has been a game-changer for us. Even though we don’t adjust our sleep schedule or daily routine before a trip, the mind is so powerful that mental awareness alone helps us acclimate before stepping on the flight. It’s simple but highly effective.

2. Give Yourself Extra Leg Room (even for free)

Paying for a seat with extra legroom is a no-brainer for us. It’s completely worth it on any flight over 8 hours, and if you can afford it, you shouldn’t think twice about upgrading. Seat upgrade options are available on all international flights, ranging from comfort plus and premium economy to business and first class.

No matter the seat, if it’s anything other than standard economy, it will have a little extra legroom. But for those flying on a tight budget, there is a way to get some extra legroom for free too: aim for a seat in the first row of your cabin, often referred to as the bulkhead seat.

On long-haul flights, aircrafts are segmented into various sections, and selecting the bulkhead seat in any section guarantees no passenger seat in front of you, often placing you directly in front of a wall. This setup not only provides a notable increase in leg space compared to other rows but it also eliminates the possibility of having another passenger recline into your space.

You could also consider sitting in an exit row for additional legroom. While this choice comes with the responsibility of assisting in the unlikely event of an emergency, it’s an excellent way to enjoy more space without the extra cost.

3. Elevate And Move Your Feet

Remaining seated for prolonged periods during flights can significantly impede circulation, especially in the legs and feet. This can lead to swelling, blood clots, and discomfort. Standing up and moving around is the best way to prevent these issues.

Standing during a flight can be difficult though, especially if you’re cramped in economy. If you’re unable to move around often, try to elevate your feet instead. This practice helps enhance circulation and prevent blood from pooling in your legs. Elevating your feet is nearly impossible if you don’t have some extra leg room though, so it’s very important to choose your seat wisely!

There are a few ways to elevate your feet, but using your carry-on luggage as a makeshift footrest is one of the easiest strategies. After reaching cruising altitude, you can get your bag down from the overhead bin and position it in front of you. This is easiest to do if you’re seated in the bulkhead.

Other ways to elevate your feet include propping them up using the in-flight blanket or pillow or using a portable travel footrest that can be hung from the tray table in front of you. Some aircraft come with footrests built into the seat, too.

4. Don’t Skip the Compression Socks

Wearing compression socks on a long flight has a ton of benefits and should not be overlooked by anyone, regardless of age. Compression socks help minimize foot and leg swelling, which is a common issue on long flights.

The compression from the tight socks prevents fluids from accumulating in the legs. They also prevent leg pain and fatigue because they provide support for the muscles and veins during the flight. Most importantly, they help reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a condition where blood clots form in deep veins (especially in the legs).

Compression socks are simply the best way to promote better blood flow during a long flight. Just be sure to also elevate your feet when possible and stand up and move around often.

5. Fast and Hydrate

A few years ago a friend told us to try fasting before a flight to avoid jet lag. He told us to skip all the meals offered on the plane, and then have a big filling meal when we arrived at our destination. We decided to take a chance and give it a try, and the results were incredible. Fasting is now a regular part of our flight routine.

The idea behind fasting is to reset your body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm, which not only responds to light but also to eating patterns. By fasting, you’re essentially ‘telling’ your body to pause and await the next cue for resetting its clock – in this case, the next mealtime in your destination’s time zone.

Here’s how it works: Avoid eating 12-16 hours before breakfast time at your destination. This period of fasting helps prepare your body to quickly adapt to the new time zone. Once you break your fast with a meal, your internal clock will start adjusting to the local time.

This method can significantly reduce the severity of jet lag symptoms, but as with any dietary change, consider your health and consult with a healthcare provider if necessary. Fasting might not be suitable for everyone, particularly those with specific health conditions or dietary needs.

6. Wash Your Face

Cleansing your face or removing makeup during a long-haul flight is so important. The airplane’s cabin air is notoriously dry and can dehydrate your skin, leading to discomfort and a tired appearance. Makeup can exacerbate this effect by clogging pores and trapping dirt and oil.

By removing makeup and cleansing your face, you’re not only allowing your skin to breathe but also helping it retain its moisture balance. This will also diminish the likelihood of acne breakouts and skin irritations.

A freshly cleansed face is also better equipped to absorb moisturizers, however, the high altitudes and low air pressure during a flight can alter the chemical composition of some creams and serums. Instead, opt for a hydrating mist during the flight, then resume with your regular moisturizers when you arrive at your destination.

7. Change Your Clothes

Feeling clean and refreshed can be challenging after wearing the same outfit for eight hours or more during a flight. Changing into something comfortable after takeoff is a great way to make a long flight more enjoyable. Choose layers that are soft and breathable.

Beyond the physical benefits, changing clothes after takeoff also serves a psychological purpose. It marks a tangible transition from the pre-flight rush to a more relaxed state of mind. This ritual of transformation can help shift your mindset into a more prepared mental state for the long flight ahead.

Of course, you could also just show up for the flight in your comfiest outfit and bring a change of clothes for when you arrive at your destination. But if you’re going for ultimate comfort, like pajamas, it’s best to just change on the plane. Airports are public spaces and a certain level of decorum is expected.

8. Bring Multiple Forms of Entertainment

Relying on a single form of entertainment for hours on end can lead to boredom and restlessness. Different activities stimulate different parts of the brain. For instance, reading a book engages the imagination and concentration, while watching a movie or listening to a podcast can relax the mind and provide a passive form of engagement. Alternating between activities keeps the brain active and engaged, reducing feelings of monotony.

Your mood is also likely to change during a long flight. You might start the flight feeling energetic and eager to dive into a complex novel but need something less demanding as fatigue sets in. Be sure to bring a mix of downloaded movies, TV series, books, audiobooks, podcasts, music, magazines, and games.

Engaging in various activities can alter your perception of time, making the flight seem shorter, too. This phenomenon is related to how our brains perceive time when engaged in different tasks. Changing activities can create different mental “chapters,” making time feel like it went by faster than if you just did one thing over and over.

💣_{Antisocial Tourist Tip — Pick a movie, series, or book that you’re really excited about and save it for the flight. This will give you something to look forward to!}

9. Make a Schedule

It may sound silly, but creating a schedule for a long flight can enhance your travel experience. It will help you manage your time more effectively and create a balance between rest, entertainment, and movement, which is key to arriving at your destination feeling refreshed. Dedicating specific times for meals, reading, watching movies, or engaging in other forms of entertainment will help break the flight up into more manageable portions.

Make a list of things to do during your fight, broken down by the hour. For example, if you have a 15-hour flight, make a list of the numbers 1 through 15 and assign something to each hour. Add in a variety of activities, and mix it up as much as you can. Add in movies, TV shows, reading, podcasts, writing, crocheting, coloring, whatever you’re into!

If you’re flying overnight and arriving at your destination in the morning, try to fill as many hours as possible with sleep. And if you’re not the type to be able to sleep on a plane, that’s okay. The sooner you accept that you can’t sleep, the sooner you can overcome it mentally.

Spending the whole flight annoyed that you can’t drift off to sleep is the wrong approach. Instead, enjoy your time, fill it with your favorite entertainment, and trust that your body will adjust and recover quickly once you arrive (and it will if you follow all of these tips!). After one good night of sleep, you’ll be as good as new.

10. Fix Your Mindset

You may have noticed a recurring theme in these tips, which focuses on mental preparation. Having the right mindset on a long flight can make all the difference. Approaching the journey with a positive and prepared outlook helps manage expectations and reduce stress.

It’s important to embrace the journey and try not to focus on the discomforts or duration. Try to view the journey as an opportunity rather than a nightmare. If you’re committed to taking the flight, then it is what it is, right? There’s no avoiding it. So it’s best to simply make the most of it.

Maintain a positive attitude, stay proactive about your comfort, and take advantage of the downtime. Having the right mindset is the best tip we have on how to survive a long flight. A positive approach can change everything.

Bonus Tip: No Jet Lag Chewables

No Jet Lag is the name of a homeopathic chewable tablet that is specifically formulated to alleviate jet lag symptoms. These tablets are made by Miers Labs in New Zealand and contain five natural ingredients: ipecac, wild chamomile, clubmoss, leopard’s bane, and daisy.

We tried No Jet Lag on a whim a few years ago and couldn’t believe it actually worked. We were so impressed that we now take them on every trip overseas. We don’t necessarily feel any different when we take them, but we certainly don’t feel fatigued. Now we always arrive at our destination feeling alert and focused.

Thank you for reading our post! We hope it helps you plan the perfect trip! Check out our other guides here and follow us on Instagram (@AntisocialTourist) or on Facebook to see our latest adventures!