10 Simple Ways to Make a Long-Haul Flight Much More Comfortable
4 min. readLong flights can be uncomfortable and exhausting - luckily, it’s easy to make them much better. Here are ten simple ways to make long flights more comfortable…and even enjoyable.
Are you soon jetting off to your next Euro trip? Or are you flying to Thailand for the solo adventure of your dreams? Whether you have a 5-hour or 15-hour flight ahead, long flights can be dull and exhausting, especially if you don’t enjoy flying.
Preparing ahead for a lengthy flight can completely transform your experience, from a restless and impatient entrapment to an enjoyable time that delivers you fresh at your destination, ready for whatever comes next.
This past year I’ve been hopping between Mexico and Spain quite a bit, collecting a few tips to make the 11-hour flights so much better. Here are my Top 10 Tips to make long flights much better.
10 Simple Ways to Make a Long-Haul Flight Much More Comfortable
01. Dress Comfy and Wear Layers
You know how back in the day, people would travel dressed to the nines? I kinda wish people would still travel like that. However, realistically, a power suit might not be the most comfortable thing to wear on a long flight.
And what you wear can make or break your flight experience. Trade your jeans (and bras) for soft fabrics and buttons or zippers, or elastic waistbands.
Luckily, nowadays, dressing comfy doesn’t necessarily mean dressing slouchy.
My go-to is a soft cotton black dress, along with a light jacket or sweater.
This is a similar black dress that’s cute and accessible.
02. Noise Cancelling Headphones/Earbuds
Are Your New Best Friend
That kid crying and screaming three aisles behind you? You won’t even notice. Noise-cancelling headphones are the best thing to ever happen to long flights. They allow you to immerse yourself in your own peaceful bubble no matter what, or who, is happening around you.
I won’t go into the headphone vs. earbud debate, so here are two great options for both…
Bose noise-cancelling headphones are among the best in the market. But if you don’t want to splurge, this JBL set won’t break the bank.
When it comes to earbuds, I’m not one to splurge much since they get easily lost. Opt for ones like these.
03. Don’t Forget to Fill Your Water Bottle
…once you’re past security or the course. Refill your water bottle, so you don’t have to ask for numerous tiny (single-use plastic) cups of water during your flight.
Don’t have a water bottle yet? This collapsible one is super travel-friendly.
04. Arrive Early
This applies for any flight, but especially for long flights, arriving early. Come to the airport with enough time for any possible inconvenience, so you don’t start your long journey in a rush and stressed out.
The last time I flew back to Spain, I left for the airport with plenty of time to spare and still barely made it because of traffic. Turns out Joe Biden was flying out of the Mexico City airport that very evening as well. You never know!
05. Bring (Healthy-ish) Snacks
On lengthy flights, there can be long hours between meals. I always bring a few extra healthy snacks just in case I get peckish. And since plane food isn’t always on the healthy side, I try to bring healthy-ish things to compensate and feel nourished and energized when I get to my destination.
06. Face Mist
This is something I always carry with me when traveling. After long hours of walking around and exploring, a simple spray of rose water will bring you back to life.
But especially on flights, they are the perfect way to freshen up a bit, mainly because flights are extremely dehydrating.
07. Inflatable Neck Pillow
Neck pillows are great. But lugging around a big pillow dangling from your backpack and touching surfaces all around the airport, no thank you. Enter inflatable pillows, the perfect solution for this conundrum.
Inflatable neck pillows will take up no space in your bag and allow you to sleep way more comfortably on your flights. I recommend getting one that’s high enough to support your neck, like this one.
However, my recent discovery this Twist Memory Foam neck pillow might make me re-think my travel pillow choices.
08. Beat Jet-Lag
When traveling overseas, jet lag is unavoidable, but it can be managed! Adjust your plane sleeping hours to your time of arrival. Make sure that if you’re landing in the afternoon or at night, you don’t sleep much on the plane. That way, you don’t land all revved up and can adjust to the local schedule quickly.
But if you’re arriving during the morning, get some sleep on the plane, so you have enough energy to last the whole day until night time. The Timeshifter app is a great tool to get ahead of jet-lag and get your circadian clocks right on schedule.
09. Load Up On Podcasts or Audiobooks
I’m a huge fan of podcasts. I’m always on the hunt for new interesting and mind-nourishing shows to listen to when walking around the city or running errands. Before flying, I make sure I have a good lineup of episodes to listen to. The same goes for audiobooks. I know there is nothing like a real book, but Audible is way more travel-friendly. And long flights are a great window of time to chill with a good book or podcast and soak up all the new ideas and stories.
These are a few of my favorite Podcasts lately…
✈ Travel Media Lab
✈ Style Your Mind
✈ Women Who Travel
✈ Her Life by DesignHave any Podcast recommendations for me? Send them my way!
10. Journal
…and talking about ideas, planes are always when I do my best thinking. There’s something about being miles up in the air, completely disconnected from the world, that just sends my mind reeling with inspiration. Take a moment to journal about your trip during your flight.
What are you most excited about your destination?
Or what was your favorite part of your adventure coming to an end?
Use some of your flight time to journal your heart out. You won’t regret it.
