Lack of space, immobility, promiscuity, jet lag, fatigue, boredom, dehydration… Even if they take us to magnificent places, long flights are not easy. Fortunately, there are tips to make the hours spent in the air go more smoothly.
- Did you know? The longest non-stop flight in the world lasts 18 hours and 50 minutes. It’s a 15,332 km Singapore Airlines flight connecting New York and Singapore. Phew!
1. Prepare yourself the day before departure.
Certain habits help prepare our bodies for jet lag and long flights. For example: exercise the day before departure, sleep well, hydrate well, do not eat heavy meals before leaving.
2. Wear comfortable clothes.
Spending 13 hours dicked in your new jeans? Help. Loose, soft clothing that you can breathe and move in is essential. This also applies to hairstyles: forget about accessories that pull the hair or tighten the head.
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3. Drink water again and again.
The air is dry and we get dehydrated on a plane. Make sure you have a reusable water bottle (which you will refill after passing through security) and accept glasses of water on board even if you are not thirsty. Staying hydrated while flying really helps you feel better. Be careful, carbonated drinks are not ideal for bloating.
4. Consider basic hygiene products.
Try to stay fresh and tolerable for your neighbors (and yourself!) by having a toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant on hand.
5. Have your kit moisturizing products.
Speaking of dryness, your comfort and beauty allies are the following: eye drops, lip balm, mini hand cream, thermal water spray and eye contour cream. It’s also best to avoid makeup to let the skin breathe.
* Reminder: only gel and liquid containers of less than 100 milliliters are accepted in the cabin, and they must all fit in a transparent one-liter bag.
6. Limit alcohol.
Because it’s dehydrating and a blockage in the air is the last thing you need, it’s better to take it easy on alcoholic drinks on a plane, and at the airport bar too for that matter.
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7. Move (with respect for other passengers).
To avoid being completely numb and help our slow blood circulation, you need to move during a long flight. Getting up occasionally to take a few steps, wiggling your toes, doing small bends of your ankles and knees will help.
8. Bring yourself snacks.
If you have a craving between meal services, or miss a snack because you’re finally sleeping, you’ll be happy to have something (good) to snack on.
9. Choose a seat away from the toilet.
Register online as early as possible so you can select a good seat. Avoid being near the toilets (personally, we leave a buffer zone of at least 3-4 rows!). The main reason is not so much the coolness of the place (although) as the fact that there is a lot of coming and going in this sector. Not ideal, especially if you are on the aisle side.
10. Ask about compression stockings.
Well, it’s not sexy, but if you tend to swell your feet or have leg pain on a plane, you’ll thank us for your compression stockings! Because they exert pressure, they promote blood circulation, helping to combat swelling in the limbs and even prevent traveler’s phlebitis (clots in the legs).
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11. Bring a travel pillow.
Most airlines provide a small pillow and blanket for long flights, but for added comfort why not take your favorite personal cushion. If you don’t have one yet, this one is all the rage.
12. Don’t forget the sleeping eye mask.
Ideal for feeling in your own bubble and avoiding the bursts of light from neighboring screens when you want to sleep or meditate. Choose a soft, cushioned wolf.
13. Consider noise-canceling headphones (or at least earbuds).
Bag of chips, crying, snoring… Noise irritants accumulate during a long flight. Nothing better than cutting yourself off from all these sounds to stay calm. If you don’t have headphones of this type, take earplugs, that helps too.
14. Schedule reading and entertainment on your own devices.
You will find it a long time if, unfortunately, the entertainment system is faulty during your 9-hour flight between Athens and Montreal. Download your series, films and podcasts before leaving, take a book or even bring work.
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15. Pay yourself a (small) upgrade, in cash or points.
This is not always possible, we know that only too well. But if there is a time when a upgrade makes all the difference, it’s good on a very long flight. No need to aim for first class or business class, Premium Economy class or the equivalent (one check above regular) is already a huge difference in terms of spaces, services and seat inclination.
It is possible to pay for this upgrade with your loyalty points if you have them (e.g. Aeroplan for Air Canada) or in cash. Several companies also allow you to bid online: you indicate the price you are willing to pay for an upgrade and you cross your fingers.
16. Slip these items into your carry-on:
- Hand sanitizer
- Tissues
- Lozenges, candy and/or gum
- Your phone chargers & co.
- Your medications: consider pills for headaches and/or heartaches if you tend to be sensitive to them. Some people swear by melatonin to tame jet lag.
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Window or aisle seat?
This is the big debate. The porthole side allows you to lean your head against the wall to sleep, to see the landscape and to be more peaceful. On the other hand, we get up less often so as not to disturb the whole row. The aisle side allows for greater freedom of movement and stretching, but you will frequently be disturbed/snagged by passengers. As for the middle seat, avoid it if you can!