Survive Long Haul Flights In Economy
- Helen
- Jun 10, 2019
- 10 min read
So, who doesn't love a long haul economy flight?
Hours and hours to sit upright in a seat not much bigger than a small person's bootie, knees hitting the seat in front, sandwiched between two strangers with personal hygiene habits that are questionable at best and crossing time zones that leave you wondering if it is day, night or anywhere in-between!
Arriving at your long-dreamt of destination feeling invigorated for the adventures that lie ahead, ready to start exploring and not just long for a warm bed might seem optimistic as you stagger, blinking at the bright airport electric lights, from the plane after 12 hours in economy!
Is it possible to not only survive a long haul flight but also not reach your destination feeling as if you have been dragged through a hedge backwards and upside down?
Well... let's not get too optimistic.
I cannot promise that flying long haul economy will ever leave you feeling like you have just spend a weekend in a luxury spa being pampered. However, perhaps there are measures you can take for damage limitation, to arrive feeling human at least!
Having undertaken a good few long haul economy flights now, I will share some of the tips I have learnt along the way which could make your long flight in cattle class not just an ordeal to be endured but perhaps an experience to be enjoyed (and yes, there are long haul economy flights I have enjoyed!).
How To Survive A Long Haul Flight In Economy
What To Wear
I know what you are thinking - you just don't know who you are going to meet on your flight and your economy class ticket could put you with George Clooney (or his twin brother) sitting next to you for 12 hours and so looking one's best is 100% necessary.
Tight skinny jeans, figure hugging tops, mini skirts and high heels (yes, boys - I'm talking about you too!)... are the order for the day when you dress for your flight - right??
After all, style always wins over comfort!
True, you might find the person seated next to you is drop dead gorgeous - but in reality, probably not!
If you want to feel rested on the flight and be able to shift into positions that might involve a certain amount of flexibility, what you wear will affect whether you are comfortable or miserable!
Therefore, you might not look glamorous but when you fly, elastic is your friend.... tracky bottoms, leggings, elastic waists.
Loose fitting tops are also good and layers in case the temperature on board is too hot or too cold.
If you do need to be in your best clothes either before you board or immediately on landing then have a change of comfy clothes in your hand luggage so you can change on board.
Regarding clothing also think about shoes... it can be more comfortable to take your shoes off during a long flight and even put on a pair of cozy warm socks but some people find their feet swell slightly on a plane. Therefore, wear shoes that are comfortable and are easy to remove and put back on, allowing for some possible foot swelling!
Alcohol
Woo hoo... you are booked on a long haul economy flight and one of the perks, even though it is economy, is that there is booze included in the cost of the ticket!
Getting your money's worth is the right thing to do you think... numb the discomfort of a long flight by drinking it away.
Plus, what else is there to do?
Agreed, enjoying some of the flight's alcoholic catering can help pass the time and might even make you feel more relaxed in the short term.
However, go easy on it.
Flying long haul is already dehydrating and alcohol dehydrates us further, so if you do drink too much on board you will probably reach your destination with a strong headache, if nothing else.
It is also true that in the short term alcohol can have a sedative effect but after this, alcohol is actually a stimulant so drinking on a flight might just have the opposite to the effect you intended. After a short doze you will find yourself wide awake and frustrated!
Entertainment & Passing The Long Hours
It might be you are on a long flight and you are lucky to be able to sleep the journey away and arrive relaxed, wondering where the time went!
Probably not though...
The conditions and comfort of the plane are often not conducive to hours of deep slumber.
So, when you get on the plane have some ideas of what you will do to make the hours ahead fun... actually, when you think about it, how often in this modern age do you get 12 hours to yourself, to do what you want and chill out without other pressures from the world at large coming from all directions?
Make this a true few hours of 'me time'!
When you see the hours on the flight as a necessary evil that could be enjoyed and not just endured, it is easier to accept the time and flow with it.
Tips to avoid boredom and relax into the hours that you cannot sleep away are TV and films - most long haul flights offer a good library of films and TV shows on their in-flight entertainment.
However, sometimes these systems do fail so it is worth bringing a tablet or other device loaded with some films and a good set of ear or headphones so that you can indulge in binge watching all those great productions you missed.
Already downloaded podcasts or music are also great to listen to on a flight.
If you like reading, how often do you get several minutes, let alone hours to really get absorbed in a great book? Bring a book you have long wanted to read or load up your kindle and settle in!
Perhaps you do have some work that needs doing - having your laptop and getting some off line work completed without email and message distractions can also help the hours go and make the time feel a little more productive.
Keep distracted and entertained and the hours will pass effortlessly!
Other Comfort Measures
Spending long hours in an often slightly hard, upright seat is not comfortable for long, so take measures to ensure you can be as comfortable as possible, especially if you are hoping to get some shut eye.
As well as comfy clothes, think about other ways you might feel more cosy...
Flights can often get cold, particularly if you are tired and sedentary. One blanket is often provided by airlines on a long haul flight, but often these are quite thin. They also often provide a small pillow.
It can be worth asking the flight attendants after you board for a spare blanket so you can ensure being warm, even an extra pillow if you think it might help.
Neck pillows you can buy are also useful when flying to prevent the inevitable head-drop awakenings that come from upright sleeping.
If you find lights on disturbing then also pack an eye mask to wear as you try to sleep.
Sleep!
Most of the time on a long haul flight you will want to be able to get some sleep, to ensure you are at least partially able to function at your destination.
Regarding sleep - take it when you can get it!
Avoid having fixed ideas about 'sleep times' or fitting in around other occurrences on board. If you feel your eyes grow heavy then make the most of it and allow yourself to sleep...
Forcing yourself to stay awake, in the hope of sleeping later instead might just back-fire, when later your brain has decided that sleep is an unnecessary evil, no matter what tactics you try!
Some people like to use sleep aids on a flight, such as melatonin or other sedatives...
These can be a help, but if you have never taken anything like this before then try it before you fly. Some people find that these 'sleep aids' have the opposite effect for them or have reactions to them.
Downloaded guided meditation that you can listen to to try to help you switch off and relax on a flight can also be of help if you do find your mind racing.
Seat Assignment
Where you are seated on a flight could make a big difference to how comfortable you are and whether you enjoy the flight rested or endure it with frustrated frazzlement!
Today's modern world means that most flights now allow us to check in online or through the airline's app. With some airlines you can choose your own seat at this point and with others the airline will randomly allocate the seat for you.
If you can choose your own seat then think about where it is likely to be most comfortable.
Sitting in the front row of economy or by fire exits, where there is more space in front of you is all well and good you might think, extra leg room!
However, airlines tend to seat families with very young children and babies in these seats, so you might find a screaming tot next to you for several long hours!
Similarly the couple of rows immediately behind these could be more noisy.
Window seats are great for take off and landing to see what there is to see outside, but consider the fact that you could then be stuck with two slumbering strangers next to you, unable to get out when you need that bathroom break!
When I can choose my own seat, I tend to go towards the back of the plane (and have never had children nearby) and in the aisle allowing for freedom to get up and down when I choose to, without guilt at disturbing anyone else.
If you cannot choose your own seat when you check in and it is randomly allocated, you can usually see from the plan which seats are still available.
Follow the process through to see if your random allocation is to your liking but if it is not, and you can see there are still seats left that you would prefer then cancel the check in at that time and try again later (this is assuming you are checking in online with plenty of time to spare!).
Next time, the allocation might be more in your favour... This technique has worked for me in the past!
Requesting A Change To Your Seat Assignment
When you are preparing to board the flight you might still be able to see from your airline app or website which seats on your flight have been assigned and if there are any empty seats remaining.
Long haul flights are rarely completely full.
Have a look before you board and review whether the seats beside you are full or vacant - if they are not filled then happy days - keep your head down and enjoy the space beside you!
You might though find that the seat next to you is occupied, but there are other rows with more than one empty seat left.
If this is the case then ask the staff at the gate (when they are not busy elsewhere) if you can be reallocated to one of these rows....
If the airline does not have an app you can check the seating plan yourself then ask the staff to check for you but the least work you give them, the more likely you will get a positive outcome!
The other option here is to wait until you board and then ask a flight attendant when they appear free if you can move to have a vacant seat beside you - if they can, in my experience, they are usually very obliging.
An empty seat beside you, with that little extra room can make all the difference in terms of comfort.
Be The Ideal Passenger!
Have you ever worked in any sort of customer facing role?
If you have, or even if you haven't, just imagine, who are you more likely as an airline steward to look kindly upon and go the extra mile for... the passenger complaining about every small thing or the passenger who smiles and offers compassion, even if things are not all plain sailing for them?
It costs nothing to remember to smile, make eye contact and say please and thank you to the stewards on board and in return they will probably reciprocate with extra kindness and thoughtful gestures in return.
In this way, I have had stewards willing to seek out (more superior) drinks from first class for me when they had run out in economy and been offered a whole row of seats to myself...
These acts of kindness were all very much appreciated when I was flying for 12 hours with them!
Stay Mobile
It is tempting to think - I have paid for this seat and good money at that, so I am going to get every penny worth out of it and stay here throughout the flight!
Yep - you could do that and many do, but you will probably end up at your destination very stiff and a bit sore.
So, to stop getting too uncomfortable, try to get up from your seat regularly (every 2-3 hours if you are awake) and walk up and down the aisles or go to the back where there is more space and have a good stretch!
Walking about also gets the blood flowing back from your legs to your heart, which reduces your chance of developing a blood clot (DVT) and even without that might help prevent foot swelling.
When in your seat try to also keep your feet and ankles moving every now and then - rotating your feet at the ankle which also helps with DVT prevention.
Hand Luggage Size
Be realistic about how much hand luggage you will want or need on board - yes, things like a book, laptop / tablet, toiletries and a few comfortable items for the flight are needed but the rest could probably go into checked in baggage (if you have this option).
The bigger the hand luggage you have, the less space you might have on board for your body! If you need to store your bag under the seat in front then this restricts your leg space... and flights do run out of overhead locker space regularly so don't rely on this.
Snacks & Drinks!
When you fly long haul, ensure you pack a good supply of snacks with you too.
Most long haul flights, even in economy do still include some meal provisions but even if they do, the food might not be to your taste, or they might serve it at a time you would rather be sleeping.
Carrying snacks ensures you can eat what and when you want on board and won't go hungry! If the flight provisions are good and sufficient then you just take the snacks away with you again, no harm done!
If you are on a flight that does not include meals in the ticket you purchased then taking food with you on board is even more important.. yes, they do sell food and snacks to passengers but the prices on board will be inflated!
In addition to eating regularly to keep yourself sustained, ensure you do stay well hydrated when you fly - keep drinking, ideally water- planes can dehydrate us and that will cause more fatigue, sluggishness and headaches.
Feeling Human When You Land
As you start to reach your destination after these long hours on board, it is worth taking some time to rouse and refresh yourself so that when you do finally disembark the flight you do feel relatively human!
Try to wake yourself up in the last hour of the flight and have a drink and snack - this is where coffee might help!
Take the chance here too to visit the WC and wash your face and (having packed a toothbrush in your hand luggage) give your teeth a clean.. it does make a difference!
This is also the time to change your clothes if you did need to be more presentable immediately on arrival!
All in all, a long haul flight in economy is never going to be the most comfotable way to spend several hours.
However, hopefully adopting some of the tips above will help make it less of an ordeal and even possibly not just bearable but a tiny bit enjoyable!
**To make my travels possible and affordable I do so through international house-sitting, using both Trusted Housesitters and Kiwi Housesitters**
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