Let’s face it, long haul flights are probably the worst part about traveling. Thankfully, there are so many ways to make your flight more enjoyable. Here are my tips that have been a game changer for me and my husband when traveling.
Pick your seat carefully
Picking the best seat for you is so important. I prefer the window, my husband prefers the aisle, and neither of us want to share the row with a stranger for 8+ hours.
Before I pick a flight, I look at the layout of the plane and available seats. I will completely switch to a different flight or even airline if the seats we prefer are not available.
Once I’ve narrowed down my options, I then go to SeatGuru, find my flight and check if there are any notes about the seats I am about to select.
The website is free to access and color codes seats in green, yellow, and red and includes feedback from previous passengers about the seat. For example, if a seat has extra legroom, no window in that row, or seat doesn’t recline.
I cannot stress enough how important your seat selection is, so choose carefully!
Plan your entertainment in advance
While the plane may have headrest TV’s and movies available, I always make sure I have my phone ready to go with all the music, movies, and tv shows I want to watch.
If you have a Netflix or Hulu account, many of their tv shows or movies are now available to download and watch offline. Take advantage of this!
I usually find a show I enjoy a week or so before my trip and download the entire season before my flight. This guarantees I have something I actually want to watch and will help pass the time.
Same goes for music, make sure you download your favorite tunes and you’ve got something to listen to on the flight (instead of your neighbor snoring)!
I also download 1 or 2 relaxing sleep music tracks (and set them on repeat) in case I decide to play them to help me sleep.
Travel accessories
Neck pillows, eye mask, ear plugs, noise canceling headphones are all worth investing in before a long-haul flight.
You will definitely want to sleep at some point during the flight and whether the cabin lights are on or the baby in the row behind you is crying, all of these items will help!
Comfy clothes
Another essential on travel days is comfortable clothes. I try to wear clothes that are comfortable but also look good.
My go-to flight clothes are typically joggers, shirt, sneakers, and a light sweater. I usually pick a light sweater that you have to pull over your head so I can use it as blanket on the flight.
And last….Stay hydrated!
Staying hydrated before, during, and after a flight is so important. Not only have I noticed how it significantly helped me fight off jet lag, but it also helps tremendously with my skin. My face and lips can get so dried out after a long-haul flight. Yes, you’ll have to get up a few more times to go to the bathroom during the flight but it’s completely worth the added benefits!
If you prefer, instead of purchasing expensive water at the airport, you can also use a refillable water bottle as most modern airports have water stations.
*Disclosure: I only recommend products or services I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links. If you use these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.