How to Prepare for a Long Flight

I love traveling but hate flying. 

When I first started flying long distances, I bought the most budget-friendly seats possible. This means I’ve had a lot of uncomfortable flights in my lifetime. I’ve done a fair amount of 15+ hour flights, and countless 8+ flights in the past decade, and they’ve ranged from extremely pleasant to absolutely brutal. It takes a lot of testing, learning, and traveling, to figure out what is the best way to survive a long flight, which is exactly why I created this guide. 

If you have an upcoming long flight, I’ve been there. I’ve dreaded it, prepared for it, and made all the mistakes. Here is my best advice on to prepare for a long flight: 

1. Pick Your Seat Wisely 

This doesn’t mean you need to pay for upgraded seats but pay special attention to where you are seated. If you normally like a window on short-haul flights but frequently use the bathroom, an aisle seat might be the best option for a long flight. Also, double-check that you are not sitting in a row that backs up to the bathrooms. Recline is typically limited for those seats, making a very uncomfortable flight. 

I recommend looking at emergency rows if you pay and upgrade your seat. On overseas flights, they are usually more spacious, with standing room near the bathrooms, which means no one is sitting in front of you and tons of extra legroom.

It’s also important to note that passengers constantly change their seats and select new ones. Passengers with status are typically able to upgrade their seats 24 or 48 before departure, which means a lot of different seats become available then. If you don’t like where you are sitting, keep checking the app to see what new ones pop up. 

Emergency exit row on my 16-hour flight. 

2. Noise-Canceling Headphones

This is a luxury that took me a long time to understand. Noise-canceling headphones make a massive difference on long-haul flights, and most aircrafts now also have Bluetooth pairing. I am still a budget-conscious traveler, and these are my favorite budget-friendly noise-canceling headphones that I use on all my long flights. 

3. Compression Socks 

The cabin air pressure usually does a number on things like our feet and skin. If you are someone that has noticed swelling or cramping during lights, compression socks are a game-changer. I also like them because they keep my feet & legs warm in the cabin during long flights - a double win! 

4. Carry-On Only 

If there’s one recommendation I could make to those preparing for a long flight, it would be to pack carry-on only. Most lost bags occur on overseas flights, and fighting with international airlines is much more difficult. If your luggage is lost, it will probably take weeks for it to be returned, if it is returned at all. 

As someone who packs carry-on only, I still find myself overpacking for every trip. I use the Osprey 46 L pack, the largest carry-on. I fly with a lot of gear, including two Canon cameras, a Mavic Air drone, a computer, and more. In this carry-on, I can fit two weeks' worth of clothes, all my gear, and then some. I pair it with this affordable travel tote from Amazon, which I use as my personal bag item. 

My Osprey carry-on-sized backpack 

5. Download New Music, Books, & Shows 

I never ever board a flight without having 

1. A fresh new playlist of new music to listen to 
2. At least 5 shows/movies for the flight 
3. A new book (Kindle or hardcover)

Sure, airlines have a lot of entertainment on long flights, but I still spend 3-4 hours on long flights using my own.

6. Don’t Eat Before to Flight

Long flights feed you well if it’s not a budget airline. Never spend money on an overpriced airport meal before hopping on an overseas or long-haul flight. Most of these flights feed you dinner or a meal shortly after takeoff, followed by multiple snacks and breakfast before you land. I usually pack many snacks for domestic flights but only pack a few when flying for 8 hours. You can typically see what meals your long flight will be serving when looking at your flight details online. 

7. Wear a Comfortable & Warm Outfit 

Long flights are never comfortable, so you always want your outfit to be as comfortable as possible. I typically wear a pair of my linen pants and a T-shirt with a cardigan/sweater over top. I am always cold, especially on flights, so the more layers, the better for me. 

Most frequent flyers say never to wear sandals on flights. I'm a weirdo and wear them on almost all long-haul flights. My feet swell, and it feels less constricted, but I always wear socks during the flight.

I wear my linen pants every time I fly. I have six pairs in six different colors from Lenok Linen. 

8. Pack Smart 

On typical long-haul flights, most people travel with a personal bag and a carry-on. I’m short, and getting into the overhead compartments during flights isn’t the easiest for me. Because of this, I’ve perfected exactly what to carry in each bag so you have everything you need nearby at all times. My personal bag at my feet typically contains the following: 

• Headphones
• Phone Charger
• Gum
• Lotion
• Hair ties
• Snacks
• Laptop (I usually work on long flights)
• Chapstick
• Wallet
• Book/Kindle
• Contact solution & case
• External charger
• Glasses
• Water bottle
• Inflatable Pillow

Hydration is one of the most important things on long flights. And although these flights typically give out a lot of food, there is usually a lack of water. Packing your own water bottle and filling it before boarding the plane is incredibly important. I forgot to fill my bottle on a short connection once before a 10-hour flight, and it was one of my worst flights to date! I use the LARQ purification water bottle. No, it isn't the cheapest purchase, but if you are traveling anywhere where the water might not be safe to drink, this is a must. It uses UV water purification technology to rid water of bacteria, such as E-coli. It purifies in 60 seconds and self-cleans every two hours. My top travel product recommendation for 2023 and comes with me on all my trips. 

After a long-haul flight and missing my next connection. 

My Top Picks From Amazon for Long Flights

Most of these are mentioned above, but here is my full recommendation list for Amazon products that can help you prepare for a long flight:

Noise Cancelling Headphones

Shoulder Tote - Carry On

Compression Socks 

LARQ Purification Water Bottle

Kindle

$17 External Charger

Inflatable Pillow (WAY Better than a neck pillow - neck pillows are a waste of space. Most long haul flights provide a pillow but I still always bring my own)

$12 Amazon Liquids Bag

Travel Size Rose Water Spray (Your skin will thank you!)

How to Prepare for Long Flight: Final Thoughts 

The more you fly, the more all the little tips and tricks for a long flight will make sense! And some things work better for you than others. Use my sandals as examples. Most people HATE flying in open-toed shoes, but it makes me feel less claustrophobic and helps my swelling.

Start with this list of sure-ways to help make flights more comfortable, and add to it with your own tips and tricks as you travel!