The best tips for stress-free long-haul flights

Contents:

• Top tips for choosing your seat and packing

• Comfort and well-being during the flight

• Entertainment and productivity on board

• Tips for flying with children

• Conclusion: Reach your destination relaxed and stress-free

Top tips for choosing your seat and handling your luggage

• Book early and choose your seat: Book your flight well in advance to have a wider choice of seats. An aisle seat offers more freedom of movement, whilst a window seat is ideal if you want to sleep undisturbed.
• Find the perfect seat with SeatGuru: Use SeatGuru to find the best seat on the plane. Enter your flight number and get a detailed seat map with ratings and comments for each seat. Avoid problematic seats near toilets or galleys, and choose seats with extra legroom or the best views. SeatGuru also shows you specific details such as seats without windows or those with limited recline.
• Strategic seat selection in emergency exit rows: If you’re travelling on an aircraft with two rows of emergency exit seats, bear in mind that the first row of these seats cannot be reclined so as not to block the emergency exit row behind. So, if you’re planning to recline your seat during the flight and enjoy a bit more comfort, choose the second row of emergency exit seats. This way, you can make the most of the extra legroom in the emergency exit row whilst still reclining your seat to travel more comfortably.
• Middle Seat Hack: Would you like more space and comfort during your flight? Try the Middle Seat Hack! If you’re travelling with a partner, book an aisle seat and a window seat. The middle seat often remains unbooked, allowing you to enjoy the whole row to yourselves. If the middle seat is taken, you can politely ask the passenger if they’d like to swap seats so that you and your partner can sit next to each other.
• A handy tip for your hand luggage: make sure to stow your hand luggage in the overhead compartment on the opposite side to your seat, ideally directly opposite or slightly in front of your seat (never behind you). This way, you’ll always have your luggage in view and can easily reach it after landing without having to wait for the passengers behind you to disembark. This saves time and ensures a relaxed exit.

• Pack smart: Pack light and think carefully about what you’ll need during the flight. Essential items such as medication, travel documents, a neck pillow, an eye mask, earplugs and a good book or a tablet with films and TV series should be easily accessible in your hand luggage.

Comfort and well-being during the flight

• Wear comfortable clothing: Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows you to move freely. Layering is ideal, as temperatures on the plane can vary. Don’t forget to pack some warm socks, as it often gets chilly.
• Don’t forget to move around: Moving around is important to promote blood circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots. Get up regularly, walk up and down the aisle and do some simple stretching exercises. Many airlines also provide instructions for exercises you can do whilst seated.
• Get well prepared for sleep: A good night’s sleep can make all the difference. Use a neck pillow, an eye mask and earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones. If possible, adjust your sleep pattern to match your destination’s time zone a few days before your flight.

• Block out the noise: Peace and relaxation on board: A truly relaxing flight starts with blocking out the loud noises in the aircraft so you can focus on your favourite music, an engaging podcast or an entertaining film. Noise-cancelling headphones are your best friend here. They minimise distracting ambient noise and let you immerse yourself in your own world. With these headphones, your flight will not only be quieter, but also much more pleasant and relaxing.

• A sense of well-being with your own tea bags: Bring your own tea bags with you. The air in the cabin is often dry and dehydrating, and a soothing herbal tea can work wonders. You can usually get a cup of hot water on board free of charge. With your own tea bags, you can then treat yourself to a relaxing cup of mint or eucalyptus tea. This not only helps to keep you hydrated, but also provides a soothing and refreshing treat during the flight. This will help you feel more comfortable and relaxed, no matter how long the flight takes.
• Foot hammock or inflatable beach ball: For extra comfort during the flight, you can bring a foot hammock, which attaches to the seat and allows you to stretch out your legs and relax. Alternatively, you can use an inflatable beach ball to rest your feet on, taking the pressure off your legs.
• Stay hydrated and avoid dryness: The dry air on the plane can quickly lead to dehydration. So make sure you drink plenty of water during the flight and don’t forget to pack lip balm and hand cream in your hand luggage to prevent uncomfortably dry skin. If you normally wear contact lenses, you should switch to glasses for the flight, as the dry air can make wearing contact lenses uncomfortable.
• The benefit of special meals: Would you like to be the first to receive your meal and enjoy a special meal at the same time? Order a special meal such as vegetarian, gluten-free or kosher. Passengers with special dietary requirements are usually served first. This means you can enjoy your meal earlier, whilst others are still waiting for theirs. This advantage not only gives you more time to relax, but also the opportunity to ask the cabin crew for additional drinks or side dishes if needed, without having to join a long queue. What’s more, special meals are often healthier and freshly prepared.

• The cold-air trick for dealing with uncomfortable neighbours in the seat in front: Has the passenger in front of you reclined their seat too far back and taken up your space? Use the clever cold-air trick! Adjust the cold air vents above your seat so that the airflow is directed straight at their head. Most people will feel uncomfortable from the cool air and push their seat forward again to escape the airflow. This way, you can quickly and discreetly reclaim your space.

Entertainment and productivity on board

• Planning your entertainment: Long-haul flights can be tedious, so it’s important to make sure you have something to keep you entertained. Download films, TV series, podcasts or audiobooks onto your tablet or smartphone. A good book or a puzzle book can also be a great distraction. Even if the aeroplane has an in-flight entertainment system, it doesn’t hurt to plan some extra entertainment.
• Preparing your electronic devices: Be fully prepared and charge all your electronic devices fully so that they’re ready for use during the flight. Pack all your charging cables in your hand luggage, within easy reach, in case you need to top them up at the airport. A portable charger is also a clever idea, especially if you need extra battery power during the flight.

• Headphone adaptor: Some aeroplanes have special headphone sockets. A multi-port adaptor can ensure you can use your own headphones without having to rely on the often uncomfortable in-flight headphones.

• Ready to write: Don’t forget a pen: Are you travelling internationally? Don’t forget to pack a pen! This saves you the trouble of asking fellow passengers for a pen to fill in customs forms. With your own pen, you’re always well prepared and avoid unnecessary stress and hassle.

Tips for flying with children

• Book a seat with a baby cot: Where possible, book a seat with a baby cot option (bassinet seat). These seats offer more space and comfort for parents with young children.
• Pack some snacks: Pack a selection of healthy snacks to keep little tummies happy and avoid any nasty surprises. Children are often happier when they have their favourite snacks to hand.
• Lollipops to relieve ear pressure: Lollipops or chewing gum can help relieve ear pressure during take-off and landing. Chewing or sucking helps regulate pressure and makes the flight more comfortable.
• Bring entertainment: Bring toys, books, or tablets with pre-loaded films or games to keep the children occupied during the flight. Remember to bring headphones so as not to disturb other passengers.
• Burn off energy before the flight: Children have lots of energy, and it’s a great idea to burn off as much of it as possible before boarding the plane. Many airports these days have specially designed play areas for children, which are perfect for this. Let your children play and run about before boarding the plane so that they’re more likely to relax during the flight.

• Small first-aid kit: Pack a small first-aid kit containing items such as painkillers, plasters, hand sanitiser and wet wipes. This way, you’ll be well prepared for minor emergencies.

Conclusion: Reach your destination relaxed and stress-free

Long-haul flights don’t have to be exhausting or unpleasant. With the right preparation and a few clever tips and hacks, you can make your journey much more enjoyable. From choosing the best seat to clever packing tips and special tricks for flying with children – there are plenty of ways to maximise comfort and minimise stress. What’s more, on our Travel Deals page you’ll also find cheap flight deals to make your trip even more appealing.

Have a good trip and enjoy your flight!