LONG HAUL FLIGHT SECRETS | 14 Tips for Surviving Long Haul Flights in Economy

Need help surviving long haul flights in economy? This video will share all the secret tricks, tips and must-knows to help you out with that next long flight!

0:00 INTRODUCTION
0:33 THE JET LAG TRICK TO DO ASAP ONCE YOU BOARD
1:30 TRICKS TO CHOOSING THE RIGHT SEAT
4:15 WHAT TO WEAR
6:01 THE NUMBER ONE MUST HAVE ITEM
7:05 THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR OWN ENTERTAINMENT
8:41 A COMMONLY OVERLOOKED MUST-DO
9:57 LONG HAUL FLIGHT SLEEPING ESSENTIALS
10:58 BRINGING YOUR OWN SNACKS
11:32 BYOSC
13:21 AN UNDERRATED MUST-DO
14:10 HYDRATION SECRETS
15:39 A MUST-DO EVERYONE FORGETS
16:24 STRETCHING

LONG HAUL FLIGHT ITEMS MENTIONED

CHRISTINA'S TRAVEL GEAR

OTHER TRAVEL RESOURCES

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EUROPE TRAVEL TIPS & MUST-KNOWS:

[HappytoWander]

Hey everyone!! Let me know if I missed any of your favourite long haul flight tricks. I'll need them for when I fly back home in a few weeks haha

[lucieherrick]

Compression socks are not only for swelling, they are also to decrease chances of developing blood clots. If you do not wear, you should be moving your legs around. One suggestion I have seen is, from time to time, to do the motion of the alphabet with your legs while sitting.

[jacqattacq]

The joys of being a shift worker. I’m used to just napping, I’m used to sleeping during the day, during the night, and eating basically whenever. In 18 years of international travel I think I’ve had jet lag once or twice. 😁🇦🇺

[yvonnehillsden]

Regarding mint consumption. We bought mints in the Netherlands (called “S-mints”) and were merrily eating them. Then we both developed very disturbing GI symptoms. Realized then that they were loaded with sugar alcohol as a sweetener. Uh oh. This substance can be a potent laxative if consumed in enough quantity.
So if flying, I would avoid any sugar-free mints containing sugar alcohols (sorbitol, xylitol, anything with “ol” endings) as these both create a lot of intestinal gas, and if enough are eaten, diarrhea. Definitely NOT good on a plane!

[sunflowerfields]

Compression socks are a must for me whether traveling 1 hour or 11 hours. I like to be able to see my ankles at the end of the trip. :) I am not one of those people who can sleep anywhere so I make sure to bring a lot of things to do and make use of the movies and shows on the flight. I always say I love traveling but I hate getting there.
My advice is bring snacks and more snacks and more. It's ok to have leftovers but I've found myself starving on more than one occasion because I forget to factor in the time between landing at arriving at my hotel at my destination. It's also nice to have snacks in the room so you can take them with you while you go out and about. So I say bring the entire pantry (not really but....) and nothing fragrant. OMG... people eating their tuna sandwiches. PLEASE NO. That's all I've got. I want to travel now. Next stop Poland in April 2025! Wish it were a direct flight leaving from California but no. It leaves from NYC so I have to get there first. Ah well... POLAND!! I'm so excited.! It's been on my list forever.

[mrc]

Helpful! Couple things I'd like to add (from experience! I travel from Mainland USA to S.E. Asia frequently. That entails a minimum of one 12-14 hour flight!) First, power banks - keep them on you, not in your checked baggage! Also, in USA, anyway, "Power banks must have a capacity of 100 watt-hours (Wh) or less, or 20, 000 milliamp-hours (mAh) or less." Anything higher requires permission. Secondly, compression socks. I swear by them, but I'm on my second couple pairs. I finally ASKED about the amount of compression and, as it turns out, many socks on the market are TOO tight! I got some that have variable pressure, depending on what part of the leg/foot they're on. They are knee-highs, of course.

[tomlengyelgb]

I always try to book with an airline that operates one of the newer aircrafts (A380, A350, B787) that have lower cabin altitude. I feel so much better after a long-haul flight in one of those. Less noise, more oxygen, higher humidity levels make it much more comfortable. Also, I recently flew from London to Canada and used this app called Timeshifter that helps you adjust your body clock and avoid jet lag. It basically tells you when to get natural light / when to go to bed the days before&after your flights, I found it pretty useful. I had no jet leg both ways from west coast Canada (8hr time difference with London)…

[haphazardtube]

I was once on a long haul flight where the entertainment system literally didn’t work. You also never know whether you’ll like whatever entertainment happens to be available.

[yaowsers]

I wore compression socks to/from Milan and to London. I didn't wear them coming back from London because it was a distant brand and it was cutting off my circulation (minor details 😉) so instead I just got up like four or five times to stretch, go to the bathroom, and walk around. I was fine doing that. I do tend to get swollen calves, ankles and feet from sitting too long. Harder to get up during a red eye but coming home it was a daytime flight.

[shawnbell]

I can't say enough about the usefulness of a jacket with deep inner pockets. So far I have found this with lightweight down jackets and its a fantastic plus. Also, for places with currency notes on the large side a flat wallet that does not fold and is about 7 inches long seems to work wonders, and it fits nicely in that jacket.

[sharonzakosek]

I'm going on my first long haul flight in a couple weeks. Thanks for the great tips!

[robyna]

10 hours - I wish! Try 26-30 hours from Australia to Europe!

[thatswhatisaidCA]

Waving hi from Surrey! Great video, thank yoooou!!!

[paulacarter]

Great tips! Compress socks don’t just help with swelling. Most importantly, they help prevent clots from forming in the blood pooling in one’s lower extremities. I recommend them 100%! You always remove once you arrive at your destination.Leg pumps and ankle rolls, at the minimum, also help with clot prophylaxis Staying hydrated is crucial! Thanks, again! ✈️✈️✈️

[jaylo]

Great tips! I have watched so many videos with travel tips but found them so repetitive. I worked as a flight attendant for 3 years, and was able to grab a few new tips from this one. Thanks!

[RottinAdventures]

This is the best flight tips video I've seen. You have great tips, many that other travelers don't think of when making these kinds of videos. 🎉

[sandralulu]

Absolutely great information for someone who has not flown recently. I appreciate this info. Thank you.

[thesquirrelchase-exploreph]

If I can work it in time wise, I find that doing a work out of 45 minutes or longer before I shower and head to the airport (I use a walk at home DVD) makes me much more comfortable on a long haul flight. Walking briskly around the airport helps also. It makes the prolonged period of inactivity less uncomfortable.

[mirelaxo]

They say we swell when we fly due to cabin pressure so that’s possible why you felt the need to pee more when in leggings.
Another tip I saw is to start hydration (ensuring you get all 8 glasses of water) a good 48 hours before your flight that way if it lapses a little while flying etc it’s not as big of a deal.

[paulinecallahan]

Going on my first ever long haul flight soon . I tend to have swollen feet when flying so ill definitely buy some compression socks . Thanks so much for your tips. Much appreciated. 💕