Long-haul Flight Survival Guide

Over the past few years, I've endured plenty of flights in excess of 10 hours; and the common effects of tiredness, jet-lag and boredom alway seem to materialise. If only there was a way to eliminate these pesky things so we all could enjoy ourselves...

Sadly, the Doc from Back to the Future II didn't quite accurately predict a few things he thought would be around right now. But I'm delighted to see a number of innovations within the airline industry which help to reduce our long-haul flying woes. A good example this would be new, environmentally friendly aircraft; such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the double-decker (not the chocolate bar) Airbus A380.

Yes, there is still a way to go before a long-haul flight is stress free; but here are a few of my fool-proof tips on how you can survive the next time you take to the skies.

Some, if not most airlines now have the capability to allow us as the passenger to choose a seat as soon as we have been given a booking reference. Whether it is free of charge or for a nominal fee, in my opinion this is money well spent.

There is nothing worse than rocking up at the airport two hours before you're due to fly and notice you've been automatically allocated seat 46 E, officially noting that you're going to be the sandwich in a sardine tin. To avoid the heartache; choose your seat... now!

I find looking at seat-maps of the aircraft incredibly helpful. These can be found either on the carrier's website or on one of those infamous seat-review pages, you know the ones I'm on about.

Personally, I love to look out the window and watch the clouds. It's like Candy Floss so what's not to like. That may be quite cool, but an aisle seat is perfect seeing as you can get-up and wander around the aircraft without disturbing anyone. Just keep those elbows down where the seats are 10-abreast please.

Depending upon the airline, you may be able to purchase seats with extra-legroom or even those beside an exit row. Just be aware that you'll have to meet certain guidelines in order to sit here. Another thing to bear in mind is these seats are usually located close to the galleys or washrooms.

Many years ago it was only the wealthy who could fly; and let's be honest, wearing a full-suit and then stepping off the aircraft into the blazing Barbadian heat probably isn't the best option. Neither to wear shorts and flip flops only to be greeted with sub-zero temperatures and snowfall in London.

I tend to wear a shirt or polo, jeans and a pair of comfy trainers when I fly. That way I don't look to casual nor too formal. You could say I sport the smart-casual trend which is becoming more apparent on cruise lines these days. Obviously if you are on business, flying in smart attire is the only way to go - but if you have the option, go with something that you'll feel comfortable in.

Packing a light hoodie or jumper in your hand baggage is a great idea. You never know what the air-conditioning will be like on board, nor what the temperature will be like at your destination. Believe me, you could be sitting up the front feeling a little chilly, but the people near the back are melting. It's just one of those things. Too cold - wear the hoodie. Too warm - use it as a pillow.

It really isn't cool to leave things to the last-minute. Whether you're on your way to a meeting or running to catch that flight.
We've all been there, running behind owing to things which are beyond our control. The trains are out due to leaves on the line (I'm not joking) or there's been an accident on the notorious M25; always plan ahead and allow extra time should any delays occur.

Please keep an eye on the flight departure screens in the terminal; and make sure you factor in the time it will take to reach your gate. There is simply nothing worse than spending too long in the shops or enjoying that pre-flight drink in the lounge and then realising you've got a 15-20 minute walk to the aircraft, when the gate closes in just a few minutes time. If you knew how much time and effort is involved in searching for and then eventually off-loading a single bag from the hold then you'd never be late again.

If you really don't like crowds and just want to have a little peace and quiet before your flight, then an airport lounge is the answer. They really are the perfect place to relax, unwind and get some work done. You could grab a bite to eat, enjoy a few drinks or even relax on an outdoor terrace!

Let’s face it, airline food is what it is. Some meals are delicious, others are well… disappointing. I like to stock up on a couple of snacks for the flight. Avoiding unhealthy snacks is usually a good idea, but it’s hard to resist some biscuits or a bar of chocolate.

Don’t forget to buy some sweets or something to chew during take-off and landing; it should prevent your ears from popping. Plus there's nothing wrong with enjoying a few sweet things when in the air - you're not on the ground so calories don't count. (My opinion).

I admit that I don’t actually have a watch and just rely on my iPhone; but it’s a good idea to reset the time on your watch/phone/gadgets to match that of your destination.

I know it's not easy, but try not to think about what the time is where you just left. It really doesn't help if you're trying to get some sleep - and it might just make you feel worse. Especially if you are leaving Mickey & Co in the sunshine and flying back to the rain...

Believe it or not, the rule of thumb is to drink almost one litre of water for every five hours in the air. Remember that tea, coffee and alcohol will dehydrate you, fizzy drinks too. My advice: mix it up with some good old H20.

I like to get out of my seat and walk around every couple of hours or so. Obviously space is limited, but standing up for 15-20 minutes helps a lot; especially if you're quite tall. This also reduces the possibility of DVT, which everyone dreads when flying. Alternatively, do some at-seat exercises - you may find some listed within the in-flight magazine or even on the IFE.

Time does seem to go very slowly in the air, so it’s best to keep yourself entertained. For me it’s the perfect opportunity to catch up on some movies that I may have missed on the big screen, to read through travel magazines or even do some work. At least not every airline offers in-flight connectivity. The thought of being contactable whilst at 37,000ft is something I do not like the sound of. Not one bit.

Compared to a decade ago; entertainment on-board flights has improved significantly with more than 1,400 hours worth of movies, TV shows, music and games available. Many airlines now offer at seat power and USB sockets, which is great for all us gadget-lovers out there.




If your fellow passenger is in the talking mood, then have a conversation! I’ve met some fascinating people when flying; some of which I may see again from time to time. It’s great to learn about their adventures and they may even have some tips for what to see and do at your destination. The same goes for the crew, they do an extremely hard but stellar job. They are human you know!

It's usually easier said than done, but getting some rest on a long-haul flight is a good way to pass the time.

With some earplugs, an eye-mask and a comfy pillow and a blanket; you should be able to catch up on a few z's. It doesn't always work, but when it does - being asleep while flying in the sky is pretty cool. No matter if you are able to lie-down or not.

After what seems like an endless amount of hours in the air, it’s nice to freshen up a little before it’s time to disembark. I usually carry some wipes, hand cream and facial spritz with me in a little amenity bag - it's usually one I picked up on a previous flight.

Everyone rushes to use the washrooms as soon as the pre-descent announcement is made; so try to be one-step ahead and use it either before or just after the light snack/breakfast service. This comes from experience.

Be sure to have your passport and any immigration/customs forms readily accessible - that way you don’t need to frantically search for these a little later on.

Now is also a good time to stow any of your personal belongings back in your hand luggage. Check twice around your seat to ensure you don't leave anything behind. Leaving my iPhone charger on board felt like the end of the world, and to be honest it was.

Flying can be stressful, but a little bit of courtesy can go a long way. I have experienced all-sorts when flying, but do be considerate to your fellow passengers and crew - I don’t really need to expand on this, do I? 


If there is just one more thing I want to say, then it is to enjoy yourself.

Flying is one of the safest and most fascinating forms of transportation available today.
For me, it is an experience like no-other and without it, I really do not know what I'd be doing right now!