June 1, 2020
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with travel dates on or after
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after
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Perth to London. Dubai to Auckland. New York to Singapore. These are some of the longest commercial flights in the world, each requiring more than 17 hours in the air.1
For most of us, it’s hard to get through a flight that’s even half that length. What can you do to make long-haul flights feel shorter, aside from taking a sleeping aid and conking out? Here’s some of our best advice.
There’s just no way to get comfy when your face is pressed up against a grimy plane window. Must-haves for a long-haul flight include:
Your carry-on is your long-haul flight survival kit, so think hard about how to maximize the space you have. Pack everything you need for health, safety, comfort and entertainment, including:
Use SeatGuru to see which seats on your particular plane offer the most and least legroom. In general, window seats are recommended for super-long flights (unless you’re someone who needs frequent bathroom breaks). Some traveling couples claim the aisle and window seats, hoping no one will take the one in the middle, but this tactic sometimes backfires.3
If you have the cash for a first-class suite on Singapore Airlines, which comes with a reclining chair, desk, 32” TV and separate bed, you don’t need to be reading this article at all. But for the rest of us, it makes sense to consider a modest seat upgrade if you’re on a long flight. You may be able to use your miles to do so.
Is premium economy worth it for a long flight? The answer depends on which airline you fly. Emirates has won travelers’ praise by offering 8 inches of recline and a wider seat cushion, plus handy armrest tables.4 On JetBlue’s service from New York and Boston to Europe, the Even More Space upgrade gives you up to 7 inches of extra legroom (plus early boarding).
When you’re staring at a really long flight, the idea of wearing fleecy pajama pants and flip-flops becomes seductive. But there’s a line between being comfortable and treating the plane like your living room, and classy passengers don’t cross it. (Other things you should never, ever do on an airplane: go barefoot, trim your nails or trash your seat.) Opt for clothes that feel good but also look good, such as flowing pants, a jersey dress, or a breathable button-down. If you must take off your shoes, slip on some fresh socks.
Imagine getting to the airport before your long-haul flight and finding out your departure will be delayed six hours. Or getting off the plane in Sydney and discovering your luggage went to Cincinnati. Travel insurance can make a bad situation better with trip delay benefits, baggage benefits and more. Get a quote for your next trip.
If someone is kicking your seat, talking incessantly, or—horror!—resting their bare foot on your armrest, you need to speak up. There’s no need to return the rudeness; a calm, straightforward approach usually works. And if it doesn’t, it’s time to call a flight attendant.
(On that note: Don’t be the annoying passenger, either! Be considerate of others’ personal space. Don’t get in the way of the flight attendants as they work. Be kind to parents with kids, nervous flyers, and anyone having a hard time.)
Read more: Travel Etiquette Face-Off: Managing Obnoxious Seatmates
The toughest part about a long flight isn’t the physical discomfort, but the mental restlessness: obsessing about how much time has elapsed, and how many more hours there are to go. Wondering how to pass the time on a long flight? One way is to divide your time into tasks, treats and entertainment. For example:
Setting a timer can help break up that 10-hour flight into manageable increments. The key is varying the type of activity, so you’re not staring at a screen the whole time.
We’ve all heard it said a hundred times, but one of the best tips for long flights is to get some exercise. It’s not just older travelers who are at risk for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, both serious conditions that occurs when blood clots form in a vein.5 The problem is, exercising on a plane can be awkward. You don’t want to obstruct the flight attendants by pacing back and forth. Opting for full-on jumping jacks or aisle yoga is guaranteed to irritate everyone around you. Qantas suggests a few easy but effective in-flight exercises, like ankle circles and shoulder rolls.
Yes, you deserve some chocolate to sweeten the experience of an ultra-long flight. But if you eat candy the whole time, you’ll end up with a fuzzy tongue and skyrocketing blood sugar—not the serene experience we’re aiming for here. Instead, pack nutritionally valuable foods that balance protein and carbs, won’t go bad, and can be eaten slowly. Think almonds, dried fruit, carrots and cucumbers, dry cereal, cheese and crackers.
It’s hard to say no to an in-flight drink, especially if it’s free and you still have 11 hours left in the flight. But alcohol will dehydrate you, interfere with your sleep, slow your recovery from jet lag, and just leave you feeling blah. Save the celebratory cocktail for when you land.
You can do better than the tiny cups of water doled out on planes. Bring your own water bottle and fill it in the airport before you board. The Kitchn’s Faith Durand has a spectacular idea: in-flight ginger tea. It’s simple to make: “fill a travel mug with fresh ginger slices, lemon wedges, and a fat glop of honey. Then, on the plane, you ask a nice attendant to fill the mug with hot water and let it steep until spicy and strong.”
Now that you have a plan—and some hot tea—your next flight should feel just a little shorter. The last thing you need to save your sanity on long flights? Travel insurance. Look for a plan with trip delay benefits, missed connection benefits, baggage loss/theft and delay benefits, and other coverage that can help make even the longest trip more bearable.
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Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please see your plan for full details. Benefits/Coverage may vary by state, and sublimits may apply.
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