8 Things Frequent Flyers Do Differently To Survive Long-Haul Flights

Long-haul flying can be taxing at the best of times. Prolonged exposure to reduced air pressure and low humidity in cabins, as well as lengthy periods of immobility and sleep disruption, all take their toll on the body. Even if one factor can be prevented by flying on a premium fare, chances are the effects of another will catch up to passengers. But there are things travelers can do to mitigate the impacts of spending so long in such conditions. A long-haul flight does not have to be completely unbearable, of course. Preparation ahead of time is key. Here, we highlight some of the tricks frequent flyers use to survive long-haul flights. They Choose Their Seat Early For the best chance of space to sleep or access to room to move around. Credit: British Airways Although it may sound obvious, getting a seat reservation in sooner rather than later ensures a desired spot and, most importantly, reduces the chance of being stuck in a dreaded middle seat. The majority of airlines let their passengers pick a specific seat or seats well before their flight departs. The caveat is, doing so may come at an additional cost. Airlines on the whole have increasingly taken to charging passengers extra for seat selection as a means to generate additional revenue. The alternative in many cases is to wait until check-in opens, the timing of which can depend on fare class and type, and be assigned a seat by the airline or choose from what is left at no additional cost. Bear in mind, policies vary carrier to carrier, so it is always worth checking how the specific airline treats booking and seat selection ahead of time. That said, generally speaking, travelers get the option of either saving money and losing out on being able to pick their own spot onboard, or forking out a bit extra for the choice. On long-haul flights, the question to ask is how important sitting in the right area is. If possible in the cabin attached to a fare, sitting forward of the engines can mean a quieter journey, for instance. Similarly, being next to a window allows that bit of extra space, while direct aisle access means the choice of standing up and moving about the cabin if and when one pleases. They Keep A Small Kit At Their Seat Easy access to essentials can be a game-changer mid-flight. Credit: British Airways Once onboard, having easy access to anything that may be needed during the flight is vital. An easy way to ensure this is by separating such essentials into a smaller bag or kit that can be removed from carry-on luggage and kept handy at the seat. That, in turn, means the carry-on can remain in overhead storage and free up legroom. As to what to pack in this kit, everyone will have their preferences. Generally speaking, though, device chargers, an eye mask, and toiletries all come in useful. Tod Covich, travel director at tour company Trafalgar, also previously flagged the likes of a reusable water bottle, lip balm, toothbrush, snacks, and compression socks as among his own essentials. Long-haul flight essentials, from Trafalgar’s Tod Covich: Travel pillow Eye mask Earplugs / noise-canceling headphones Reusable water bottle Healthy snacks Skincare / lip balm Toothbrush and toothpaste Portable charger* and charging cable Book Layered clothing Compression socks *Some airlines restrict the use of portable chargers onboard Any means of staying and feeling cleansed during long-haul journeys can go a long way to adding to one's sense of wellbeing. Bringing snacks, too, means some choice over when to eat rather than meal times being fully determined by the airline. They Bring Noise-Canceling Headphones Constant exposure to background noise is known to drain energy. Credit: British Airways Although somewhat encompassed within the kit of essentials to keep handy on a flight, noise-canceling headphones deserve their own honorable mention. Constant background noise is proven to drain energy and contribute to fatigue during long-haul journeys, so any means of drowning it out is worth considering. Where airlines offer in-flight entertainment, complimentary headphones are usually included. Anyone who has traveled long-haul will tell you that the quality of these can leave much to be desired. Although some airlines may surprise in this sense, the risk is arguably not one worth taking. For reference, Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, and All Nippon Airways (ANA) are among a score of carriers that do in fact supply noise-canceling headphones. This tends to be the case for premium passengers, though, meaning the chances of being offered the technology in economy are incredibly low, regardless of carrier. They Download Their Own Entertainment No harm in backup options to in-flight entertainment. Credit: Qantas Headphones and inflight entertainment go hand in hand. There is no point in trying to watch a movie or listen to music if a headset does nothing to drown out the noise of a plane’s engines or enclosed cabin environment, of course. Alternatively, having a suitable means to hear the likes of movies or music is pointless if the entertainment itself is not suited to your tastes. The solution: Bring backup entertainment. Anything from a book to songs, movies, or a series downloaded on a personal device can stave off boredom once and for all. Boredom itself is part and parcel of flying long-haul, particularly among younger travelers. According to 2017 research undertaken on behalf of Emirates, under-12s took just 49 minutes and 47 seconds to show signs of boredom on flights. In other words, parents could expect to hear “are we nearly there yet” incredibly early into an hours-long journey. Adults could not be blamed for admitting they had had similar thoughts too. All of that goes to say, everyone has a pastime, and when better to get into it? They Switch To Destination Time Switching earlier means less shock upon arrival. Preparing in advance does not solely relate to a flight alone; it also relates to the destination. By definition, long-haul routes extend across multiple time zones, so chances are the body will be out of sync upon arrival in a new part of the world. One way to mitigate that is by adjusting your own body clock to fit the time at the destination before arriving there. Doing so can be as simple as adjusting a watch upon boarding the aircraft. It can also involve adapting well before the flight even takes off. That could mean syncing meal times, caffeine intake, and sleep to fit the destination’s time at the departure airport or beforehand, and then staying in that rhythm through the duration of the flight. Upon arrival, exposure to daylight or making the most of the night to sleep can then help the body adapt and stave off jet lag. They Hydrate And Go Easy On Alcohol Dehydration is a common problem on long-haul flights. Aircraft cabins can be drier than deserts, particularly aboard traditional designs built from metals like aluminum where corrosion has to be avoided. Those onboard can easily become dehydrated as a result, leading to dried-out nasal passages and cracked skin, for instance. Quite simply, the primary way to battle dehydration is to drink lots of water. Recommendations for staying properly hydrated on long-haul flights call for 6.8 to 8.5 ounces (200 to 250 ml) of water per hour. In order to keep skin moisture levels up, the likes of sprayable hydrating mists and petroleum-based lip balms can also help to soothe dryness. But it is not just drinking water and tending to skin that can help. Going easy on alcohol consumption is another clear way of staving off dehydration and fatigue during long journeys. Not only does alcohol contribute to dehydration, but it can also impact sleep quality. In other words, alcohol can add a touch of luxury to a flight, but the trade-off is a more restless experience and possibly even worse jet lag upon arrival. They Dress For Comfort Dressing not to impress, but for comfort is simple but effective. Credit: Emirates Another simple yet effective way to survive a long-haul flight is to dress comfortably. Once upon a time, when flying was a novelty few could afford, aircraft cabins were a scene of glamour where men sported suits and ties, and women wore dresses. Luckily, those days are long since over, and no one is expecting anyone to dress to impress. That goes to say, wearing clothes that are comfortable and will remain that way for the duration of a day spent traveling is vital. A flight alone may span six hours, but transfers and waiting could mean the time from door to door is double that, of course. Much of that will be spent sitting down too, so wearing jeans that dig in at the waist is never going to be pleasant. Similarly, keeping several layers at hand is important. Plane cabins can be cold, an issue that is only worsened as core body temperature drops prior to and during sleep. Always think: It is better to be too warm and able to remove a layer than be too cold without anything else to put on. They Prepare Their Body Beforehand Exercise and rest in advance are far more effective than depriving the body of sleep. Credit: Qantas Ultimately, for the majority of travelers, preparing for a long-haul flight is about getting mentally and physically ready to spend hours on end in a seated position. Such inactivity can lead to swelling of the feet, slowed kidney function, and a general sense of fatigue, among other things. Mitigating those effects is easy, though, and takes being as mobile as possible to keep blood flowing as normal. That includes before the flight, where something as simple as a walk around the terminal coupled with some stretches can help with relaxation and prevent tension once seated onboard, according to Qantas-cited physiotherapist Emma Readman-Thorley. Add in a good night's rest prior, and the chance of being floored by a long-haul trip is only going to be reduced. During the flight, in Readman-Thorley’s words, “move your limbs for about three to four minutes every hour and regularly travel about the cabin to help make your journey – and your post-flight wellbeing – more pleasant”.