Long-Haul Flights

Long-haul flights can be tough on the body and mind. Hours of sitting, dry cabin air, and constant cabin pressure changes leave you feeling stiff, dehydrated, and drained, while crossing time zones throws your sleep off balance. By the time you land, the journey itself can feel just as demanding as the destination is exciting.

Here are my top tips when travelling on long-haul flights to help you feel more refreshed before, during and after your jour journey.

One thing I’ve learned over time is that breaking a long haul journey up with an overnight hotel stay can make a huge difference.

 Staying at an airport hotel the night before departure takes away the stress of early starts, long drives, or rushing to make check-in. You can arrive rested, have breakfast nearby, and start the journey feeling calmer. 

Airports can be a little stressful at times. Before you head there, have your travel documents and boarding passes downloaded on to your phone (and printed in case there’s no WIFI access at the airport), pack your small toiletries into the airport security friendly clear bag, books or magazines in your cabin hold bag, neck pillow, travel meds you may need for your flight, noise cancellation headphones, light snacks, a cardigan/jumper if it gets cold on the flight and ensure all devices are fully charged (as security may ask you to turn on your devices to be checked).

Also ensure your luggage and toiletries are the correct size and weight, so there are no extra baggage fees to pay if they are overweight. 

If you have a device, download all your movies and music you may like to keep you entertained on the flight. (Remember on the flight to change your phone settings to flight mode on your device!) 

Being prepared makes things so less stressful. 

Have your travel documents and passport ready for check in desk. 

I book little extras at the airport to help me before the journey. For example, I buy fast track to go through security, so I’m not waiting too long in queues, and I book an airport lounge, so I’m not in the hustle and bustle of the airport for too long. There, it is a lot quieter, you can relax, eat and drink until you’re ready to board. 

When it’s a long haul flight, hubby and I try to upgrade from Economy to either premium or business. That way there’s more room to move around, more baggage allowance and some of the airport and flight perks are all included in the price!

Keep hydrated - long haul flights associate with tiredness, dry mouth and eyes, and sometime headaches. These are signs of dehydration as cabins are kept to a low humidity. 

Keep legs moving and do little exercises whilst seated. Move around in the cabin when you can and try not to cross your legs for long periods of time.

Keep your skin also hydrated by using skin products. 

Watch inflight entertainment or switch to your own  your devices.

Set your watch to the destination time, so you’re mentally prepared for the time zone, then…

Take a nap, it does shorten the journey and you feel more refreshed when you arrive at your destination.