Whether it’s your first flight or you’re a well-seasoned flier, I get questions all the time on Instagram and Facebook about how to survive a long-distance flight. Sometimes that’s the hurdle that is stopping people from living their dream and planning their exploration distant lands like Japan. How do I sleep? What about deep vein thrombosis?! You can survive, I
But what makes me someone to answer this question? I’ve made the round trip trek from the east coast of the United States to Japan over 20 times. Twice from the west coast. East coast is nearly always a 28+ hour endeavor door-to-door. West coast is much more bearable air and travel time but not as forgiving on the jet lag side.
My longest flight was 17 hours from America to Singapore. I’ve had plenty of opportunities to learn a bunch of ways to combat
- My worst trip ever
- How to survive a long-distance flight and travel days
- Tip 1: Be courteous
- Tip 2: Get up and move
- Tip 3: Stay hydrated
- Tip 4: Use your time wisely
- Tip 5: Take advantage of technology
- Tip 6: Dress comfy
- Tip 7: Make some friends
- Tip 8: Slow is fast, less is more
- Tip 9: Use perks when they are offered
- Tip 10: Treat the airport like a gym
- Tip 11: Don’t succumb to sleep
- What are your tips?
- Psst… don’t forget to pin this for later
My worst trip ever
Let’s get this out of the way. It could be worse! My very first time flying to Japan (and longest flight to date at that point) was nearly 15 years ago. I remember it like yesterday because I got what was most likely food poisoning from the airport before I left. Three hours into the plane ride I started getting feverish and felt my stomach shift.
I was on a 747 and thankfully the flight attendant that was on break at that point let me sit on the staircase curled into a ball. (Not something you should fall back on, it’s actually not allowed). Some other passengers felt bad for me and tried to get me to eat… let’s just say that didn’t go well and I’m glad the lavatory was right next to me.
Soon, my nice flight attendant had to get back to work and from there on out, the rest of my flight was even more miserable. However, there was a bunch of passengers stretching their legs in the same area and they looked out for me.
Moral of the story: Don’t let a single instance ruin your opportunity to travel!
How to survive a long– distance flight and travel days
Top two things that you have to combat if you’re going to survive a long-distance flight: boredom and if you are in coach, the tiny seats. For those traveling in coach, the tight circumstance might top the boredom.
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Tip 1: Be courteous
It’s you and a few hundred people stuck in a very tight space, for a very long time. Be nice to your fellow passengers and definitely follow all flight attendant instructions. We’ve all heard horror stories of people “being surrounded by screaming babies”, my suggestion? Bring earplugs. Also, remind yourself that babies don’t have as much control over popping their eardrums as you do.
Tip 2: Get up and move
I might piss some people off, but I’m sorry, if I have a window seat, I’m going to make you move if I want to get up. What did I just say about being courteous? Don’t get cranky at people on any flight. You want to sleep and not move? Choose a window seat. Most people with aisle seats choose them so they do have the option to get up and move when they want.
No one likes to be cramped up and risking deep vein thrombosis (DVT). You want to actually survive a long-distance flight after all. No blood clots dislodging, people! Most airline magazines will give you some stretches to do as well.
I like to roll my ankles and alternate rising to my tippy-toes and flexing my feet to get some blood circulating through my lower legs.
Tip 3: Stay hydrated
One way to make sure you’re moving? Hydrate! Cabin air is a lot less humid than what you are used to on land. What does that mean? You dry out like you’re in a desert. The Aerospace Medical Association recommends you drink 8 ounces of water for every hour you are in the air. If the flight attendants walk by with water, take some!
For those Americans that aren’t used to international travel, it is pretty standard to get free alcoholic drinks even in coach, something that is limited to business class stateside. While medical personnel will recommend limiting alcohol and caffeine (I’m not a doctor in any way so do not take that this statement as medical advice), as they are dehydrating in nature, if you want to imbibe, I like to alternate between water and my beverage of choice.
I find staying hydrated helps me combat jetlag, so consider that an added bonus!
Tip 4: Use your time wisely
If you are going on a long haul flight, most likely you are going someplace where you don’t speak the language. Buy a phrasebook before you go (I’m a huge fan of Lonely Planet), get some flashcards, even a textbook if you want to go overboard.
Heading to Japan? Minna no Nihongo is my favorite Japanese textbook series.
The important thing is you go over some key language phrases before you get there. Don’t assume people will speak English. As I’ve mentioned before, it will make your experience much richer.
Tip 5: Take advantage of technology
Download some new books to your Kindle, catch up on your video games, or cross your fingers that you are on a plane with a good entertainment system.
If you read my review of the Sakura Lounge, you know I fly One World airlines. Thankfully it’s getting much rarer to be on planes with older systems but it’s helpful to be prepared. There’s that 5% chance that I get stuck with the revolving films where you are waiting 5-20 minutes to catch the next viewing. One, who thought that was a good idea? Two, what’s even the logic of the system? If you end up with that, don’t worry, it’s bearable if you plan ahead!
Tip 6: Dress comfy
To me, sitting in pants for a long time is unbearable, so you guys, make sure they are comfy. I’m all about wearing long dresses whilst flying and though I list this as my number 6, it might be my top tip to survive a long-distance flight.
It’s tipping my hat to the golden age of flying (when you dressed up to fly!) but also it’s so much better than the alternative. In the summertime, I’ll wear a short dress with some cute leggings under so I can still curl up in a ball in my seat if I want to.
Also, I suggest wearing comfy shoes (I live in my Tevas). Easier to roll my ankles around (see tip 2).
Pro tip: Do NOT take your shoes off and walk around in socks, or worst, barefoot. The floors aren’t your home, you don’t know what’s on them.
Tip 7: Make some friends
I realize some people don’t want to have anything to do with their seatmates but if they are friendly, be friendly back! This tip does have some limitations on international flights because there is a good chance you are next to someone that doesn’t speak your language.
Don’t let that deter you! You’re not supposed to loiter near the galleys but there’s plenty of opportunities to chat people up while you are grabbing another drink (see tip 3!) or stretching your legs. Talking to people makes the time pass faster if you are by yourself (I travel solo a lot).
Tip 8: Slow is fast, less is more
This more so applies to
Smile, be nice, remember that everyone else is trying to get
Don’t be one of those people that has more carry on items than they are allowed. It just pisses people off and the less you have, the easier it is to get around and get settled.
Tip 9: Use perks when they are offered
This goes back to having access to clubs, many credit cards now offer a complimentary Priority Pass membership. There is also the option to get a day pass. I’ve on more than one occasion paid for a daily pass if I had a long layover. There are showers in there! Getting that plane smell off will make you feel a lot better.
Tip 10: Treat the airport like a gym
Don’t just sit and wait for your next plane. Use this time as a chance to get a little exercise. This works best if you don’t have a lot of carry-on (see tip #8) luggage. Do some laps of the airport or just start pacing the concourse.
Tip 11: Don’t succumb to sleep
I’m all for sleeping on the plane! Short naps, especially on schedule with the time zone you are going to, will help you switch over. Once you get to where you are going, for the love of everything, do NOT sleep until it’s a reasonable hour for bed.
You’ll have a better chance of sleeping through the night and if not, keep dealing with it the next day. Bottom line: Do not nap. Just don’t. You’ll thank me in the morning.
What are your tips?
Have a tried and true way you survive a long-distance flights? Let me know in the comments!
Psst… don’t forget to pin this for later
My husband had a major stroke after an international flight. I don’t think he was hydrated that day. The other thing is that now he wears compression hose socks on long flights (to prevent blood clots). He’s not the only person who has had a stroke after a long plane ride. I think, hope I”m not at risk for a stroke. But I wear compression socks too now on long flights!
~ Suzana Barton
Good advice, Suzana! I need to invest in some compression socks.