Taking a long-haul flight is not something everybody will encounter. When you do though, it’s something you need to prepare for- both your mind and your body. Preparing properly could make all the difference between the time passing in enjoyment or in loathing. We list our top tips for anybody taking their first long-haul flight or for frequent fliers.
Photo by: H.Peter/Adobe Stock
Before travelling
Check our 11 top things you should do before leaving for your holiday, including checking your passport, preparing medically and securing your home.
The three main things you need to consider before getting on your flight are food, comfort and entertainment. These are what will make the difference between you enjoying the flight and hating it.
Research
Before booking, research what the flight will involve.
Comparing the menus if you’re a fussy eater is vital and if you have any dietary requirements, check what the airline can offer you.
In-flight entertainment is also valuable information to know. Find out whether the plane will have overhead screens or seatback screens. Over time, seatback screens will make for easier viewing and you’ll have more control over what you watch.
Check sites like SeatGuru to find out the seating arrangement for the proposed flight. A 3-3 layout means everyone is competing against the crew for aisle space whereas a 3-5-3 gives a bit more flexibility.
Booking the flight
Be aware of any loyalty points or membership benefits you might have from previous flights and use these to upgrade or influence who you book with.
Book your tickets well in advance to get a better choice of seat. Also, if you can afford it, consider paying for an upgrade for more leg room and better food. Weigh the cost against the amenities of the flight. Although several hundred pounds can seem like a shock in one go, consider the cost per hour and whether the additional benefits are worth it. Paying more can mean you’ll have an overall better experience which can get your trip off on the right foot.
Consider splitting the flights to give you some time on solid ground if you don’t think you’ll be comfortable flying over 12 hours straight. Be warned though to check how much time you’ll have to make your connection bearing in mind the process of reclaiming your luggage and going through the whole procedure again.
Clothing for travel
Pick your travel clothes wisely as you will be in them a long time. Don’t wear anything that’s restrictive. You need to be able to sleep in what you wear. Consider also how easily you can slip your shoes off- you don’t want to be bending over uncomfortably in your seat wrestling with shoelaces.
Photo by: kasto/Adobe Stock
Your own entertainment
Take along your tablet but ensure before you leave the house that it’s fully charged and packed with content to keep you occupied. Put on a few movies that you’re really interested in seeing. Update your music and download some ebooks. Consider storing a variety of genres of each of these as you’ll never know what you’ll be in the mood for at the time.
Packing your carry on
Although it’s important to ensure you have everything you need, don’t make your carry-on too bulky. You’ll want this at your feet in front of you for easy access but if it’s too large, you’ll be short of leg room.
Pack a toothbrush, toothpaste, and facial wipes for a freshen up during the flight. It’s amazing how much of a difference it makes. You might also want to have a change of underwear easily accessible in your carry on so you can change on the flight.
During the flight
Stay hydrated
Drink plenty of water. Although you’ll have the option of alcohol, try to avoid it as it will dehydrate you. Coffee may also be counter-productive.
Keep comfortable
Take along earplugs, an eye mask, and travel pillow to help you sleep and stay comfortable. Flight socks will reduce the risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). You may also wish to consider noise-cancelling headphones.
Try and walk up and down the aisles every now and then to keep moving.
Get in the zone
Adjust your watch to your destination’s time zone when you get on the flight (unless you have a connection to make!). You’ll begin to sync before you even get there.
Photo by: Alexey Zarodov/Adobe Stock
Stay occupied
Use the time effectively and perhaps learn a few more necessary phrases or practise the language. You could even take out your guidebook and refresh yourself with where you’re going.
Heading on your long-haul flight
Hopefully our tips have given you a good idea of how to make your long-haul flight enjoyable. What other tips would you add to our list? Let us know in the comments below.
Written by Jessica Juby.
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