I don’t mind long-haul flights. After a 12-hour or longer stretch you have time to sleep, settle into a rhythm, and enjoy a little collective grace from fellow passengers and crew. They aren’t effortless, though—seat choice, gear, movement, and how you manage time and sleep all matter. Below are 11 practical rules I and frequent fliers at Condé Nast Traveler rely on for far-flung travel.
Choose your seat wisely
For long hauls I usually pick an aisle. It feels less confining and lets you get up to stretch, use the lavatory, or visit the galley without disturbing a window person. In many wide-body configurations, an aisle in the middle section can be better than a side aisle because fewer people will have to climb over you. Consider paying a bit extra to avoid middle seats and think twice about exit rows—doors can be drafty.
Prepare your entertainment in advance
In-seat power can be unreliable; bring a power bank and fully charge devices before boarding. Download shows, podcasts, ebooks, or offline TikToks so you’re not dependent on seatback entertainment or spotty outlets. Smaller items like earbuds or a dedicated offline playlist can make the time fly.
Pack the right gear
A travel pillow (I like one with a flat back and straps), compression socks, and a slim pair of slippers or slip-on shoes are worthwhile. Compression socks help circulation; slippers make moving to the lavatory or galley easier. Pack a “bag within a bag”: keep a mini pouch with your amenity kit, book, earphones, and essentials that you can access without rummaging into overhead luggage.
Hold off on checking the flight time
Constantly monitoring a flight timer makes time crawl. Avoid tracking the remaining hours unless you must. Instead, create a loose in-flight itinerary—listen to music at takeoff, eat, watch a movie, read, then try to sleep—so you experience the journey in manageable chunks rather than minute-by-minute.
Don’t be afraid to get some movement in
Compression socks help, but you should move. Walk the aisle every hour or two when it’s safe, and do in-seat exercises (ankle circles, heel raises, foot pumps) to stimulate circulation. Start before boarding: a few minutes of calf raises and ankle mobility at the gate primes your muscles for sitting.
Build your own amenity kit
Bring a compact kit with a toothbrush, face mist or cleanser, moisturizer, hand cream, deodorant, lip balm, eye cream, and any small favorites. Doing your routine in the air—brush your teeth, refresh your skin—helps you feel human after many hours in dry cabin air. Keep the kit ready to grab for every trip.
Schedule your sleep and light exposure to help jet lag
Light and timing are the primary cues for circadian adjustment. Use an app or a simple plan to time light exposure, naps, caffeine, and meals to the destination time zone. If you can, try to begin small shifts before flying. On board, limit caffeine and aim to sleep at times that align with your arrival zone to reduce jet lag.
Get creative with your time
Long flights are a rare block of uninterrupted time. Use it to tackle something you’ve been postponing—writing, editing, sketching, reading, or mind-clearing tasks like sorting photos. Structured, purposeful activities make the hours meaningful and help time pass faster.
Prepare to bloat
Planes can cause bloating from pressure changes and fluid retention from long sitting. To minimize discomfort: avoid fizzy drinks and overly spicy food, hydrate steadily (and consider electrolyte mixes or tablets), choose looser clothing over tight waistbands, and eat light. Walking and in-seat exercises also reduce swelling.
Don’t forget the galley snacks
Many long-haul flights have a self-service galley with water and packaged snacks. Getting up to refill your bottle or grab a light bite is a good excuse to move and freshen up. If you prefer particular snacks or hydration mixes, pack them in your carry-on.
Business class bonus: eat in the lounge before boarding
If you have lounge access or are flying business, consider eating a full meal in the lounge—especially on red-eyes—and then skip the in-flight dinner so you can go straight to sleep. Tell the flight attendant you’re skipping service (or only want dessert) and create uninterrupted rest time on board.
A few last pragmatic tips
– Wear layers: cabins vary in temperature. A soft sweater or a wrap is invaluable.
– Stay hydrated: sip water throughout the flight even if you don’t feel thirsty.
– Be courteous: small gestures—earphones, polite requests to recline, tidying up—make the shared space better for everyone.
– Prioritize rest: plan your preflight and postflight schedules to protect sleep before and after the flight.
Taken together, these small choices—seat, gear, movement, timing, and a little preplanning—add up. Long-haul flying can be an opportunity to arrive rested, sane, and ready for whatever’s next. Safe travels.
