Long-haul flights can be tough, especially if it’s your first time flying such a distance. In a perfect world, we’d all be stretched out in Business or First Class, a glass of champagne in hand while the hours drift by. But let’s face it – most of us will be squeezed into an Economy seat, just trying to make the long flight a little more bearable. That’s where I come in! I’ve flown long-haul in Economy Class many times and have picked up tons of tips and hacks along the way. In this blog post, I share my practical ideas, handy gadget recommendations, and suggestions to help you pass the time, stay comfortable, and relax during your journey.

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Ways to Pass the Time

• Watch Movies and TV Shows: Most long-haul flights have an in-flight entertainment system loaded with movies, TV shows, and documentaries. Many of us struggle to find the time to watch films during the working week, which means a long-haul flight is the perfect place to catch up on some movies you may have missed. Make sure to pack noise-cancelling headphones – essential for reducing cabin noise and enhancing your audio experience. The headphones provided by airlines are usually uncomfortable and don’t fully cover the ears so you get a lot of distracting background noise. If headphones aren’t for you, consider Loop earplugs. Remember to bring headphone jack cable so you can connect your headphones to the airline’s entertainment system.
• Download Content Ahead of Time: It might be that your in-flight entertainment system is a bit glitchy (or doesn’t work at all!) so it’s a good idea to load up your smartphone or tablet with some downloaded TV episodes or movies to watch offline. Downloaded games like puzzles and strategy games are also great for passing the time. Remember to bring a portable power charger. You can usually charge your electronics on board, but the in-built power sockets seems to take forever so I always travel with my own charger. 
• Listen to Music and Audio Books: Long flights are also a great opportunity to catch up on podcast episodes you missed or listen to your favourite artists. You can use apps like Spotify or Audible to keep yourself entertained without needing WiFi. Airlines also have different albums or playlists included in their in-flight entertainment so it can be a good chance to listen to something new. If flying makes you nervous, having music or a soothing playlist at hand can help ease anxiety and pass the time pleasantly.
• Read Book or E-Books: I am a huge bookworm and do most of my reading in transit (or killing time at airports). Long flights are perfect for diving into a good book. Rather than packing a stack of books, a tablet or Kindle loaded with e-books and audiobooks can provide endless entertainment without weighing you down. 
• Journal or Write: I often see people writing, journaling or sketching on flights. Whether it’s a travel diary, a story, or some random thoughts, writing can be a therapeutic way to spend time. Not sure what to write about? You could use the time to plan your upcoming trip and what you’d like to see and do, or do a ‘brain dump’ on everything in your head so you arrive at your destination with a decluttered mind.

How to Be Comfortable

• Choose Your Clothes Carefully: Let’s be honest, flying for hours in Economy class is never going to be comfortable. It often feels like whoever designs airplane seats has no knowledge of the human body’s aches and pains (I’m nearly forty, I need lower back support!). What we can do to counteract this is dress as comfortably as possible. Opt for loose, breathable clothing and dress in layers to adapt to varying cabin temperatures. I always travel with a hoodie or light sweater/jumper because aeroplane AC can be intense!  Lastly, don’t forget your compression socks! Yes they are fiddly to put on, but they’re really important for improving circulation and reducing swelling and the risk of blood clots.
• Bring Sleep Accessories: You might be given a pillow by the airline but they are usually flatter than a pancake. Bring your own, far superior travel pillow! Inflatable neck pillows or memory foam pillows can be a Godsend when it comes to helping you get some shut-eye during your flight. I always travel with this eye mask to block out the world around me, and ear plugs to cut out the engine hum and cabin noise, making it much easier to relax or sleep. 
• Support Your Feet: Some people travel with a portable footrest or foot swing to elevate their feet and improve comfort. You easily loop the strap around your tray table, so your legs can be lifted off the ground into a more comfortable position. I’ve read that these can disturb the passenger in front of you, so it’s best to double-check with them before setting it up. 
• Pack a Tray Organiser: It can be really frustrating having to dig around in your hand luggage or the overhead locker during a long flight. To save disturbing your fellow passengers, you could get this ingenious tray cover to keep everything you need close to hand. There are multiple expandable pockets for storing your electronics, books and travel gadgets. Better still, it’s washing-machine safe so you can keep it fresh for every flight.

How to Relax

• Practice Breathing Techniques: If you’re a nervous flyer, deep breathing exercises, like inhaling for four counts, holding for four, and exhaling for four, can help calm your jitters. Airlines sometimes have their own mindfulness videos as part of the in-flight entertainment, so you can listen to or watch relaxing videos to relax and unwind.
• Try Meditation and Sleep Stories: Download a meditation app like Headspace, Calm or my personal fave Insight Timer for soothing music, deep breathing exercises, sleep stories, and guided meditation sessions that can help you calm your nerves and drift off to sleep.
• Stretch and Move Around: It’s important to get up from time to time to walk around the cabin to stretch your legs and improve circulation. I always try to book the aisle seat so I can get up whenever I like, but if you’re in the middle or window seat, remember to jump up whenever people in your row go to the toilet or stretch their legs. A good rule is to walk around every one or two hours. Simply go up and down the aisle, or, better yet, find an area near the galleys or lavatories where you can stand and stretch a bit. 
• Do Seat Stretches: Simple stretching exercises in your seat, like rolling your ankles, pointing your toes, or doing shoulder rolls, can help too. If you think you might forget, set regular reminders on your phone to prompt you to move around and stretch.
• Take Care of Your Body: The dry cabin air can be brutal on your skin. Pack a small skincare kit with moisturizer and lip balm to keep your skin feeling fresh during the flight. Face wipes, saline nasal spray and hand cream are especially refreshing on long flights. Remember to choose fragrance-free options to avoid bothering fellow passengers who might be sensitive to strong scents. If you wear contacts or suffer from dry eyes, a small bottle of hydrating eye drops can be a game-changer for in-flight comfort. 
• Try Sleep Aids: If you have trouble sleeping on planes, consider using natural sleep aids like melatonin, which is a popular option for those crossing time zones. Another easy sleep aid is herbal tea. You can bring your own tea bags on board and ask the flight attendants for boiling water. If you are planning on taking any kind of sleep aid/medication, don’t take it until your plane has taken off and you are in the air. If you take it too early, there’s a chance your flight gets delayed and then you’ll be super groggy.

What to Eat and Drink

• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water in the days before your flight, and throughout the long journey. The air on planes is often very dry, so aim to drink more water than usual. You will be given water on board, but those measly little plastic cups are never enough for me. I have a chronic fear of ever being thirsty so I always bring an empty, reusable water bottle to the airport and fill it up after passing through security. Another reason to sit in the aisle seat so you can empty your bladder on a regular basis! 
• Pack Healthy Snacks: Aeroplane meals… some people love them, some hate them, but I think we can all agree they are a bizarre mix of flavours, colours and textures (I’m talking about you, weird spongy thing pretending to be an omelette). In case your in-flight meals are all duds, it’s smart to pack a variety of snacks that will keep you satisfied between meals, like mixed nuts, protein bars, pretzels, crackers, and dried fruit. 
• Avoid Too Much Caffeine and Alcohol: I know it’s tempting to indulge in the ‘free’ alcohol given out on aeroplanes, but alcohol and coffee will dehydrate you more and work against all that healthy water you’ve been downing. I usually make sure that I ask for a cup of water alongside any caffeinated or alcoholic drink I get (#balance). 

Everything Else

• Upgrade your Seat: Maybe you can’t afford Business class unless you pay with airline points (or sell a kidney!). However, it’s worth comparing the price difference between economy and premium economy. This difference could be less than you think so it’s worth checking to see if you can pay extra for a more comfortable, spacious seat. 
• Adjust Your Watch to the Destination Time Zone: This is a classic tip, but it really helps to combat jetlag. If you wear a watch, set it to the time zone of your destination so you can mentally adjust. Try to take naps at times which align with your new schedule.
• Take Notes on Arrival Essentials: It can be really disorientating getting off a long flight so have reminders or notes on your phone about where to find transportation, the address of your accommodation and how to get there. If you’re changing flights, double-check your boarding pass and make a note of your gate number for any transfers.

I hope all these tips have been helpful! I believe the key to a comfortable long-haul flight is all about preparation. With the right gadgets, a few comfort essentials, and a positive mindset, you’ll soon realize that a long hour flight is not only manageable but an opportunity to rest, recharge, and look forward to what’s ahead. Is there anything else that helps you manage the hassle of long-haul flights? I’d love to hear it in the comments! Happy travels!

Izzie, the Curious Sparrow