Long-haul flight tips SURVIVAL GUIDE: Proven strategies for an easy-peasy flight (even in economy)

August 27, 2025

Dress in layers, wear compression socks, and bring a neck pillow and eye mask. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and carrying a reusable water bottle. Download offline entertainment, and pack your own snacks. Move around the cabin to improve circulation and consider earplugs or noise-canceling headphones for better sleep.

Before You Go

Hydrate and eat light: Drink plenty of water and electrolytes in the days leading up to your flight and eat light, simple meals before boarding.
Exercise: Light exercise before your flight can help you feel more comfortable and energized.
Charge electronics: Make sure all your devices are fully charged before you leave home.
Prepare entertainment: Download movies, TV shows, music, podcasts, and audiobooks.

During the Flight

Dress for comfort: Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes in layers so you can adjust to the cabin temperature.
Wear compression socks: Compression socks can help reduce leg swelling and improve circulation.
Bring sleep aids: Pack a travel pillow, eye mask, and earplugs or noise-canceling headphones for better sleep.
Stay hydrated: Drink water, but avoid excessive alcohol.
Move around: Get up and walk the aisle or find an area near the galleys to stretch and improve blood flow.
Use a refillable water bottle: Bring a reusable bottle to fill up with water after going through security.
Pack your essentials in a small bag: Keep your eye mask, headphones, toiletries, and snacks in a small bag in the seat pocket for easy access.
Use hand sanitizer and wipes: Sanitize surfaces like your tray table and armrests to maintain hygiene.
Bring personal toiletries: Pack lip balm, lotion, and a toothbrush and toothpaste to feel refreshed, as the cabin air is very dry.
Chew gum for ear pressure: Chewing gum can help alleviate ear pressure during takeoff and landing.

In-flight Entertainment & Comfort

Download entertainment:Load your phone or tablet with podcasts, music, and movies for when the in-flight entertainment isn’t enough.
Use a high-quality neck pillow:A supportive neck pillow is essential for comfortable sleep in an upright position.
Consider a Bluetooth adapter:An adapter can allow you to use your favorite wireless headphones with the plane’s entertainment system.

This video provides additional tips on managing long-haul flights, including using a neck pillow and an eye mask:

Note: We do use YouTube Video’s under the “Fair Use” Act under the Copyright Law:

“Fair use is a doctrine in the United States copyright law codified in Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976.¹ It provides for the legal, non-licensed citation or incorporation of copyrighted material in another author’s work without requiring permission from the rights holders, such as for commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching or scholarship.⁰¹ The U.S. Copyright Office Fair Use Index should prove helpful in understanding what courts have to date considered to be fair or not fair but it is not a substitute for legal advice.²“