How to Survive a Long-Haul Flight: Comfort Tips From Frequent Flyers

Long-haul flights of 8 hours or more are a necessary part of international travel, but they don't have to be an ordeal. These tried-and-tested tips from frequent long-haul travellers will help you arrive at your destination feeling as good as possible.

Choose Your Seat Wisely

For long-haul flights, your seat choice matters more than on short hops. Window seats let you sleep without being disturbed. Aisle seats give you freedom to move. Bulkhead seats offer extra legroom but limited storage. Use SeatGuru to check your specific aircraft's layout and avoid seats with known issues.

Dress for Comfort

Wear loose, comfortable clothing and layers — aircraft cabins can swing from warm to cold during a long flight. Compression socks are highly recommended for flights over 6 hours to reduce the risk of DVT (deep vein thrombosis) and swollen ankles.

Stay Hydrated

Aircraft cabins have very low humidity — typically around 10–20%, far drier than most comfortable indoor environments. Drink water consistently throughout the flight (aim for at least 250ml per hour), avoid alcohol and excessive caffeine, and use a travel-size moisturiser and lip balm.

Move Around Regularly

Get up and walk the aisle every 1–2 hours. Do simple leg exercises in your seat — ankle rotations, calf raises, knee lifts. This keeps circulation going and significantly reduces fatigue and the risk of DVT.

Manage Your Sleep

A good neck pillow, eye mask, and earplugs (or noise-cancelling headphones) are essential investments for long-haul travel. If you want to sleep on the flight, avoid alcohol (which disrupts sleep quality) and try to align your sleep with your destination's nighttime to minimise jet lag.

Pack Your Own Snacks

Airline meal timing doesn't always align with your hunger, and the options are limited. Pack healthy snacks like nuts, dried fruit, or protein bars to keep your energy stable throughout the flight without relying entirely on what's served.

Arrive Ready to Adjust

As soon as you board, set your watch to your destination's time zone and start mentally adjusting. On arrival, try to stay awake until local bedtime, get outside in natural daylight as soon as possible, and avoid napping for too long. Melatonin (where legal) can help reset your body clock.