How to Survive Long Haul Flights (Expert Flight Tips and Essentials)

Long Haul Flight Tips and Tricks from a Frequent Flyer. Long international flight coming up? Don't worry!

In this video, I cover tested and approved long flight tips, and my top recommended long haul flight essentials to bring with you.

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⏰ Timecodes ⏰
0:00 How to Survive Long Haul Flights Intro
0:38 What to Wear on A Long Haul Flight
1:31 Example Long Haul Flight Outfit
2:19 Long Haul Flight Compression Socks
2:36 Best Bags for Long Haul Flights
3:30 Long Haul Flight Essentials
4:40 How to Stay Hydrated on a Long Flight
5:41 Can You Bring Snacks on a Plane
5:58 Long Haul Flight Entertainment
6:37 Do International Flights Have Power Outlets
6:58 Long Haul Flight Circulation Tips
7:34 Best Place to Sit on a Plane
8:35 Airplane Seat Hack
9:14 SeatGuru
9:30 Fly Business Class Cheap
10:19 Best Travel Credit Card
10:35 How to Sleep on a Long Flight
10:49 Travel Eye Mask
11:05 Noise Cancelling Headphones for Travel
11:31 Travel Pillow Review
11:58 How to Beat Jet Lag

[bernedoodleatlas]

I always set my watch to the current time of my destination and "try" to sleep/be awake as if I'm already there. I find the timezone change is alot easier to deal with everytime I've done this.

[abigailgerlach]

I don't mind long distance flights. I usually plan the following: have something to read, have something to do with my hands, have a snack, have a bottle of flavored water, and have something that keeps me warm.

[katherinepatton]

Definitely take entertainment! I was assigned a seat on a full plane to Europe that had no light or electronics (no movies, etc) - nothing, nada. It was a very long flight, just listening to podcasts. When I got home a bought a Kindle, which I love. Battery lasts a very, very long time in airplane mode. No blue light like your phone has (that can disturb sleep). You can have lots of books (you can even borrow from your local library). I also find an iPad is great if you have room to carry it. Load it with movies & shows you download before you go.

[Veterans_for_Harris]

I carry sanitizing wipes and use them on the table and arm rests.

[ri-ojul]

I find that bringing a packable jacket on the flight has been super helpful, i have a packable long winter jacket that somehow folds into a small cylindrical bag. Which makes an excellent pillow and is a hundred times better than a blanket if the plane is absolutely freezing. And in the event my destination happens to have chilly weather, I have a jacket just in case

[sharonla]

When I traveled with my husband, we always booked opposite aisle seats. We never wanted to take the chance of ending up in a middle seat. There's no reason you have to sit right beside your significant other on a plane. Good video. Lots of good tips.

[greatsouthmarketing]

Saline nose spray to combat the dehydration of your sinuses from the plane. Helps me not get sick. Essential to me now after always getting sinus infections after an airplane ride.

[nicoleknott]

I don't usually bring a neck pillow for flights less than 8hrs. However for my trip to Korea and to Thailand it was an absolute must. I have arthritis is my lower spine and sitting down for long periods of time can be very painful. I used the pillow the airline provided for my head, and my neck pillow to sit on. The shape of the neck pillow is the perfect shape to sit and relieve stress from the lower spine. It comes with a strap so attaching it to my carry-on bag was simple and hands free. I also have a small portable foot hammock that fits easily in my carry-on. It straps around the tray table and enables you to get your feet up and off the ground if your legs get restless. I also plan my entertainment to keep from getting bored. Movie, book, rest, eat/ book, eat, movie,

[KathleenSpaine]

This may sound the dry air in the cabin sets off my asthma....so I bring some wet paper towels/washcloth in a baggie....then hold it up to my face for a few minutes every hour and breathe through the wet helps prevent the asthma attack.

[medebarr]

Instead of a neck pillow, I take a tip from the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy … bring a towel. Rolling it up and putting it behind your head is a great pillow. AND it’s super easy to pack. If you’re cold it can be used as a blanket.

[Amanda]

Most probably some people have mentioned that before, but there are travel pillows that can be inflated. So they don't take a lot of space when not in use. There are even some with a washable cover, which I really like.

[jangiles]

Living in New Zealand just about every flight (except Australia) is long haul I recommend also being able to raise and lower your feet by being able to put your backpack under the seat in front and roll up your jersey or hoody as a neck pillow if you find the airline one is too small. I usually go for a window seat and stuff my bulky clothing against the window / wall as this gives me a little more sleeping space. Book flights that make you sleep ie leave at night time and try to arrive early morning. It doesn't matter which country you leave from going from here Auckland to Dubai 17hrs take the 8.30pm you then find your body will adjust while you sleep you arrive around 5am there time but it will feel like 9 or 10am to your body. Conversely flying from LA to Auckland 13-14hrs leave a little later say 10:30pm you again will arrive around 6am but will feel like its still around 8am

[jjjddd]

As an Australian, we face 24 hour trips to get to the UK and Europe and business class really is the only way to go (provided you can afford it). Otherwise, it's very common for Australians to break the journey with a stopover somewhere in Asia such as Singapore (if flying Qantas) or Hong Kong (with Cathay Pacific).

[sally]

I love the compression socks tip. I just had a long haul flight and for the first time in my life my feet/ankles were very swollen after flying. I wish I had worn some compression socks. It’s day two and although it’s not as bad as day one I still have some swelling.

[garyausten]

I leave Wednesday for a bucket-list trip/birthday present--to-self (I'll turn 60 in Cairo). I've always liked a window seat, although I can see your point about disturbing your neighbors. I'll watch the jet lag video even though I paid for an extra hotel night ahead of my pre-trip to Jordan to recover (a first for me). At 23 days, it will be my longest trip by far to date. I hope I don't regret it :) I guess one thing is positive. the travel company had originally booked me on different airlines, but changed a while back...I was going to be flying Doha to Dallas non-stop to return home. A 16-hour flight!!! Now my longest leg is "only" 9 1/2 hours.

[susanf]

One problem with sitting on the aisle for long haul flights is when you’re trying to sleep, passengers, flight attendants walk back and forth (even when the lights are dimmed) so it’s a bit disruptive. I have a hard time sleeping, if I’m close to drifting off to sleep and someone walks by, it wakes me up. I prefer to avoid those seats on overnight flights and take a window seat.

[wrldtrvlrvr]

I'm just thankful I'm able to travel.

[shepardsmith]

43 hours coming back from Cape Town. CPT to JNB and then JNB to Doha on Qatar Airlines and finally Doha to Miami on Qatar. Getting the front row in any section of economy is a must. Or an exit row. Only rows that allow you to stretch out. They cost more but if you are flying 14 hrs like I was on my last leg they are a God send. Premium Economy is a dream, think business class light, but it can get expensive.

[matthewbrown]

A 10 hour international flights leaving a tropical climate & I walked onboard in shorts. I sat next to a flight attendant who told me I would freeze. Well a few hours before we landed I did a midflight strip & changed into my trackie dacks - I was warm again & fell asleep until had breakfast. I learned to add earplugs & an eye mask. Huge difference in my travel. I bought a few refillable squeeze water bottles to fill up after I clear security. Yes I learned to bring extra food as often the meals are dry.

[mike-travel]

We are getting ready for a trip to Italy. I am finding your channel to be a great resource. Really nice job!