Here are my pro tips on how to survive long-haul flights and some of the must-have items that I bring on every flight.
I’m super excited for our upcoming adventure to Madagascar (lemurs, chameleons, and baobabs, here we come!) but I’ll be the first to admit that I am NOT excited about the 25 hours (plus layovers!) of flight time it takes to get there. As a fairly frequent traveler to Africa and Asia, I’ve done my fair share of long-haul flights, and the older I get the more I realize just how rough they can be on your body. However, a little planning and strategy can go a long way in making those long flights feel so much more doable, leaving you ready to hit the ground running (or at least not staggering or stumbling!) at your final destination. Here’s how I do it.
Get Global Entry, TSA Pre-Check, and/or the CBP MPC App
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) program that pre-screens travelers for security and allows them expedited entry back into the U.S. This means no paperwork to fill out and reduced wait times. The application process can be a minor hassle, but the benefits are well worth it, including the fact that it automatically gets you TSA PreCheck as well. If you are traveling in a group, be sure that everyone in your party has Global Entry, and expect it to take around a month to get approved if you are applying for the first time. Don’t forget to download the Global Entry Mobile App in advance of your trip. For those without Global Entry or with only TSA Pre-Check, the CBP Mobile Passport Control (MPC) App is also helpful in expediting customs clearance getting back into the U.S.
Download Airline Apps and Entertainment on Your Phone
You definitely want to have your airline’s app on your phone so that you can check in, change seats, check flight status, monitor frequent flyer programs, and receive instant notifications of any changes to your flights. I also like to download other content like podcasts, movies, or e-books to my phone in the event that the in-flight entertainment system doesn’t cut it for me. If I plan to leave the airport during my layover(s), it can also be helpful to save Google Maps for offline use if I’m navigating a foreign city.
Book Flights Wisely: Allow Space for Connections and Movement
For international flights, Chris and I always book our flights through our preferred airline consolidator. The rates that we pay are similar to booking directly, with the added benefits of having an expert oversee the big, complicated picture to get us the best possible flights for our specific needs, minimizing excessive layovers, or the likelihood of missed connections. If flights are canceled, it’s SO much easier to deal with a single point of contact, rather than have to deal with the airlines directly.
Choose your seats wisely; you’re going to enjoy the long flights more if you opt for more legroom and seat space with Economy Plus, Business, or First Class. If you are flying Economy, we have found that avoiding seats located near the bathrooms will give you a more peaceful experience. In regards to which seat location to choose, here are some pro tips on how to survive long-haul flights when it’s time for your next big adventure. We have tried all combinations over the years, and we now swear by booking aisle-aisle seats when we travel as a couple. While unconventional, this arrangement gives both of us a comfortable seat with some arm room to one side, and we can still communicate easily with one another across the aisle. Not having to bother someone when I want to get up has definitely helped me improve my hydration and physical activity during flights, which is especially important on those 15-hour long hauls.
Dress for Success: Compression Socks for the Win
Being comfortable is key to maximizing your enjoyment of your flights. Wear loose-fitting clothing and dress in layers to stay adaptable to changing conditions. Compression socks are essential to preventing swollen ankles at your final destination, and they are shown to reduce the likelihood of blood clots (have you tried the socks from VIM&VIGR?). I put my compression socks on just as we are about to board, and I couple them with comfortable, slip-on sneakers that can easily be removed once the flight has taken off. My standard flight outfit is the following: lightweight nylon pants with stretchy waist (LOVE these stretchy, comfy, quick-dry North Face pants); t-shirt and bralette underneath; zip-up sweatshirt with zippered pockets for credit cards, phone, passport, and boarding pass; compression socks; and sneakers.
Pro tip for women, no matter how comfortable you think your favorite bra is, ditch it in favor of a seamless bralette during your flights. As a well-endowed woman, I was initially skeptical of anything less than a full-on underwire bra, but I have been pleasantly surprised to see that a bralette can give you the support that you need while feeling a thousand times more comfortable than any traditional bra. This option here is the best $16 I ever spent at Target!
Pack for the Plane: Carry-on Means Less Hassle
Light is right when it comes to packing for adventure travel, and I never check bags (unless I’m coming home with a lot of cool curious - and even then, I try not to check a bag unless I absolutely have to). My go-to system is to have one larger carry-on duffel (the 55L Patagonia Black Hole Duffel is perfect) and my Moraway Adventures daypack. I lock my carry-on with a luggage lock (the key ALWAYS goes in the little pocket of my daypack, clipped to the carabiner) and I stow my big carry-on in the overhead compartment for the duration of my flight. The daypack goes under the seat in front of me and it has everything I might want during the flight.
The following photos show what I carry with me and how I pack. Notice I use little pouches to keep things organized and I keep things that I will need readily accessible in the little outer pouch of the pack, or the side pockets. Pack in a systematic way and once you have a good system, always be consistent in where you keep things - it really helps to stay organized, especially when you are really jet-lagged and need to find your passport, phone, luggage lock key, etc.
Water is Life
Long-duration flights have numerous impacts on the human body, including increased risk of dehydration and blood clots, pressure-induced earaches and headaches, and digestive problems. Staying hydrated before, during, and after your flight is super important. I like to bring a collapsible water bottle to help keep me hydrated. It fits in the seatback pocket, reduces disposable plastic waste during the flight, and takes up no space or weight in my luggage. It’s best to avoid alcohol on long flights, as it can elevate your heart rate, reduce blood oxygen saturation, and lead to poor sleep. I opt for water, juice, and tea instead. As much as I love coffee, I limit my caffeine intake to just one cup at breakfast to help adjust to the new time zone and to ward off caffeine-withdrawal headaches.
Adjust Your Mindset to Rest Easy
As soon as we leave the house on our international journey I start trying to adjust my sleep schedule to my current surroundings. If it’s dark outside I sleep, and even if I can’t fully fall asleep, I do find that closing my eyes while meditating and relaxing still has a restorative effect. Noise-canceling headphones are an absolute must for promoting sleep, and a good eye mask also helps (I also cinch my hooded sweatshirt around my face for added darkness - I may look crazy, but underneath I’m sound asleep!). I personally have never found the need for a travel pillow and don’t think it’s worth the space it takes up in your luggage - the modern, adjustable headrests on most big airplanes will get you pretty far. During the daytime hours of my flight, I will stay awake by watching movies, reading, writing in my journal, going through photos on my phone, and frequently getting up to walk and do leg exercises. If I’m going to be arriving at my destination at night, I try to stay awake on the last flight to arrive exhausted, and if it’s a morning or midday arrival I try to be as rested as possible so that I can stay awake during the daylight hours once I’m there.
Consider Planning Active, Enjoyable Layovers
In an ideal world, it’s great to have layovers that are around three or four hours max, but in reality, that doesn’t always happen. Coming from Montana, we often end up flying through Europe or the Middle East on our long-haul flights to Africa and Asia. Over the years, we have seen that staying awake and being physically active on our layovers, regardless of the length, is really important. If you don’t have enough time to leave the airport, be sure to get some walking in (and take the stairs at every chance!).
If my layover times exceed four or five hours, I look into off-airport options to be active and explore. You definitely need to research and plan ahead, but some options include booking a day hotel room at the airport to base out of, finding a nearby gym that sells day passes (this will get you a locker, a shower, and gym access), or just checking your larger carry-on at an airport luggage storage place. It’s ideal to leave the airport by train/ metro (this way you are not impacted by traffic on the way back) and to pick a location that’s just a few stops away. We are excited for a seven-mile run and mouthwatering Caribbean pork sandwiches for lunch on our upcoming long layover in Seattle (plus dinner in Doha with friends on the next leg!), and we have had some really fun layovers visiting the Eiffel Tower, running amongst the ancient trees and chattering parakeets of London’s Richmond Park, navigating the souks of Dubai, and sampling the delicacies at Oktoberfest in Frankfurt. A well-planned layover can actually be a highlight of your trip!
While no one in their right mind loves sitting on a plane for a dozen (two dozen?!) consecutive hours, these pro tips will help make the journey more enjoyable. And remember, once you arrive, it’s always worth it - I’ll take a little bit of jetlag for a lifetime of memories any day!
Your wild adventure aficionado,
