Long Haul Flight Tips and Tricks! (11 Brilliant Hacks)

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Planning your next overseas adventure? Check out these Long Haul Flight Tips and Tricks before you go!

Planning your next big trip?

Whether you’re planning your next Bucket List Trip or travel frequently for work, you’re going to love these fun and practical Long Haul Flight Tips and Tricks! Long distance flights don’t have to be a drag. By following these tips below, you can actually make them enjoyable!

I’ve done so many long flights over the years… whether to Hawaii or Europe, and these are my favorite tips and tricks to pass the time and stay comfortable on the journey!

Here is your ultimate survival guide for long flights…

Long Haul Flight Tips and Tricks:

#1: Board with Fully Charged Devices + Charge Them As You Fly!

Nothing would be worse than boarding a long overseas flight with only half the battery life left on your phone! Avoid this tragedy by charging up your phone and any other electronic devices you have before leaving for the airport. If you need to use your devices at the airport or on a layover, make sure to look for a place to plugin and charge while you wait for your plane to arrive.

Then… while you fly, give your phone or iPad a boost with a Portable Charger. These tiny chargers are a lifesaver, and will easily fit into your carry on.

#2: Load up Your Devices With e-Books, Movies, Music & Games BEFORE You Go

You’ll also want to load up your phone, Kindle or iPad with your favorite movies, books, or games BEFORE you go. You could even download free language learning apps like Duolingo to practice some basic phrases of the target language of the country you’re visiting. Be sure to also add some of your favorite songs to a new playlist to escape from the loud roar of those airplane engines!

#3: Don’t Forget the Headphones!

I know, I know… it sounds obvious, but I’ve been on flights where I accidentally left my headphones at home. Oopsy! Watching movies without the sound is only so fun, right? 🙂

#4: Buy Water at the Airport

If there is one thing for sure in a long haul flight, you’re bound to get dehydrated – and fast! After going through airport security, investing in a large water bottle is definitely worth the cost. You’ll thank yourself!

#5: Pack Extra Snacks

Why wait hours for that little snack cart to roll on by when you could very easily pack some of your own snacks onto the flight? Nobody wants to be a little hangry on the plane, so satisfy any hunger you may have between meals by packing snacks along.

#6: Bring Bacteria Killing Wipes + Hand Sanitizer

Airplanes are notoriously known for being germ-filled spaces. I’ve had stewardesses tell me some scary stories about things they’ve seen go on the tray tables and in the pockets on the back of the seats. So to be safe, pack along some sanitization wipes to clean off the table tray, and a small hand sanitizer to use before chowing down on snacks. This is one of the easiest ways to Stay Healthy While Traveling.

Related:

Staying Healthy While Traveling

#7: Freshen up With a Toothbrush and Deodorant

Let’s face it: we’ve all had that one experience sitting next to a stinky person on a flight! You know it’s true! 🙂 Out of respect for the fact that everyone is all on the same tube of steel for very long flights, it’s a good idea to make a trip down to the microscopic lavatory and apply some deodorant and freshen your breath by brushing your teeth! As a bonus, you’ll have an excuse to stretch your legs!

#8: Don’t Forget the Chapstick

Along with getting dehydrated, your lips can become severely chapped on long flights! Don’t forget to bring some chapstick along!

#9: Wear Compression Socks to Avoid Cramping in Your Feet and Calves

By wearing long compression socks, you can significantly reduce the cramps you get in your calves and feet which come from sitting in the same position for a long time.

#10: Get up and Stretch

Walking around is a proven way to feel more refreshed, less drowsy, and less achy when you arrive. Even by simply walking up and down the aisle every couple of hours, it’s amazing how refreshed you can feel!

#11: Try to Sleep If You Can

Sleeping on flights is an easy way to combat long-flight drowsiness and feel more refreshed when arriving at your destination! Three things that make falling asleep on flights a lot easier are Earplugs, a Sleeping Mask, and a Neck Pillow. If pays to invest in comfortable sleep while on the plane! Even if you have trouble sleeping on flights, at least resting for a couple of hours is a smart investment of time.

Window seats are preferable if you want to sleep. On a red eye flight from Washington, D.C. to Rome, I sat in a window seat and was able to catch a few hours of sleep more easily by resting my head on the side.

Looking for even more useful Travel Tips and Tricks? Now that you’ve seen these effective Long Haul Flight Tips and Tricks, check out even more tips below…