Long Haul Flight

Found some bargain flights to New York for you and your mates? Or some amazingly cheap flights to that destination you’ve always dreamed of that you just couldn’t pass up? Worried about the fact that said flight is 10, 12, even 16 hours long when you’re the kind of person who finds it hard to sit still for an hour at a time? Don’t be discouraged. A long haul flight may not be your idea of heaven, but it doesn’t have to be a nightmare either. There are some simple hints, tricks and tips that will help even the most unseasoned long haul traveller to get through the trip in comfort, ease, and with the minimum of boredom.

First and foremost; choose your seat carefully. Most airlines will give you the option of choosing your own seat, and the kind of flight you have can often hinge on this all-important choice. If you simply want to sleep, go for the window seat. This position means you won’t have fellow passengers clambering over you during the flight to get to the toilet, or trolleys bashing you in the elbow every time someone in the plane fancies a drink! It may also be a good idea to opt for the emergency rows where, in return for opening the door, you get oodles of extra leg room and space to cuddle up in comfort.

If the chance of you sleeping on anything that moves is slim to none, you might want to opt for an aisle seat. By sitting on the aisle, you can get up and move around without having to disturb your fellow passengers – handy for those trips to the bathroom or simply to stop your legs from cramping up.

Another choice to make before you ever hit Departures is which airline you’re going to fly with. This is something worth looking into for longer flights as the in-flight entertainment system can make all the difference in the world to your onboard sanity! Some airlines may be using older planes with poor entertainment systems. Aim for a company which uses more modern systems, with screens set into the headrest and the option to choose what you want to watch on demand.

For those with more specific tastes, bring an iPod with your own films, podcasts, or music. (Make sure it’s fully charged before you go!) Or bring a Kindle or e-reader loaded with enough light reading to get you through the day or (shock, horror) a good, old-fashioned book, though nothing too heavy; a plane probably isn’t the best place to try to tackle War and Peace for the first time, as your concentration levels are likely to waver during the long flight.

Another useful tip is to bring plenty of water. Airplanes are dry environments, so it’s important to stay hydrated. You could also bring lip balms, moisturisers or eye drops, depending on how much of an issue this is for you.

If you do want to sleep, bring an airplane pillow. There are plenty available that can be packed easily into your hand luggage. Ear plugs and eye masks are also a must to block out announcements about “smokeless cigarettes” or the inevitable switching on of the cabin lights just as you are dropping off to sleep.

You can even bring your own food on board if airplane food isn’t really your thing.

So there you have it! It might not be rocket science, but having everything you need for a comfortable long-haul flight takes some planning. Any preparation time will be paid back in full, however, when you arrive at your dream destination relaxed, rested and ready to explore.