Tips to Survive a Long Haul Flight
21 hours of flight time is no joke! On our recent trip from Seattle to Cape Town, there were travel essentials that helped me survive a long haul flight in economy. I’m sharing all of those with you below to help you enjoy your next flight a little more!
Before the flight
As soon as I book a flight that will have meal service, I reserve a ‘special meal’ on the airline’s website (e.g. Delta’s Special Meals) using the booking confirmation code. Special meals need to be reserved at least 24 hours before the flight. I don’t eat dairy, so I reserve the vegan option. Even though plane food isn’t great, the vegan option is at least a healthier alternative and an added perk is that your food will be delivered before the regular in flight meal service (so you eat first!).
I used the app Time Shifter for the first time on this trip. Starting about two days before a trip, Time Shifter will recommend waking, sleeping, caffeine, and light times to help you ease into your new timezone. I generally find sleeping on flights hard due to my flight anxiety, so starting to shift before hand did help me be more tired during the flight and eased jet lag symptoms once we arrived.
My other pre-flight ritual is to download all of my entertainment for the plane. I never rely on the airline’s entertainment. I always fly with an iPad and Kindle, and sometimes my laptop depending on the trip. I like to download shows on my iPad since it fits easier on the tray table and depending on the seat back, my case can hang off the seat in front without needing the tray table down. Especially for long flights, if there are shows that are airing each week that I watch, I’ll stop watching for a week or so before to build up a reserve of shows I’m excited to watch. Here’s what I download:
Shows from Netflix, Hulu, or iTunes
Podcasts including Nothing Much Happens sleep episodes
Spotify playlists including chill music (Fleet Foxes is a flight favorite!) and sleep background music
Kindle book
What to wear
Comfiness is paramount for a long haul flight! I wear comfy clothes and layers since some planes will be ice cold and others hot. I typically wear leggings, a long sleeve t-shirt, and a jacket that’s easy to remove (and can double as extra pillow cushioning!). And let’s be honest, no one wants a wedgie for 20+ hours, so wearing comfortable underwear is also important! I wear Skims Fits Everybody Triangle Bralette and Skims Fits Everybody Thong for flights.
I normally wear contacts, but for long flights I’ll always head to the airport with my glasses and a clean, moisturized face.
My luggage
A Beis carry on, Lululemon Everyday laptop backpack, and Lululemon Everywhere belt bag keeps everything compact and organized when I travel. I wear the belt bag as a cross body going through the airport for quick access to your ID, passport, and phone, then it’s easy to stick into the backpack once you’re boarding.
During the flight
Alright! Let’s get to the nitty gritty. Here’s everything I pack in my carry on backpack to have with me in flight:
iPad
Kindle
AirPod Max noise canceling headphones
Pouch with battery pack and tech cords that I’ll need in flight
Pouch with lip balm, Tylenol PM, Olly extra strength melatonin, purel, vitamin C packets, Ultima electrolyte packets, silk hair tie
Pouch with flight toiletries: travel toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, moisturizer
Dust bag (one comes with the Beis carry on) to put your shoes into
Lots of healthy snacks (nuts, protein bars, dried fruit, Chomp beef sticks)
Neck pillow (I have both a blow up and foam one. I prefer foam if I need to sleep, but will use a blow up one if I need more space or don’t want to have to lug it around my destination)
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I hope this post helps you on your next long haul flight!
