Surviving a Long Flight: What Seasoned Traveller's Actually Do.

Long-haul flights, whether overnight or spanning 10-20 hours, they're grim. It's a mental and physical test for even the fittest and usually, people like myself SUCK at them. With a little planning and smart habits, you can arrive at your destination feeling much more relaxed, rested, and ready to go. Here’s a comprehensive survival guide (backed by travel experts, doctors, and seasoned traveller's) on how to make long flights comfortable and even enjoyable.

FYI I have a travel hack below everyone will like (although borderline ballsy.)

Why Long Flights Are So Tough

Before we get into how to survive a long flight without losing your mind, it helps to understand why they feel so rough in the first place. Plane cabins are ridiculously dry, which is why your skin feels wrecked, your eyes burn and your throat’s shot before you even land. You’re also stuck sitting still for hours, which messes with circulation, especially in your legs, so everything feels heavy, stiff and swollen by the time you stand up.

Throw in cramped seats, weird temperatures, barely any movement and the joy of trying to sleep upright, and it’s no shock that long-haul flights leave you feeling cooked. The good news is a bit of planning goes a long way. Dial in a few small habits and you can land feeling human instead of broken. Here’s what actually helps.

Pre Flight & Packing: Setting Yourself Up for Success

Packing for a long flight is a bit of a balancing act. You don’t want to lug half your house onto the plane, but you also don’t want to sit there for 12 hours wishing you’d brought one extra thing. The good news is you really don’t need much. A few well chosen items can make a massive difference to how you feel mid-flight and when you land.

You’ll see doctors online recommending compression socks, supplements, posture gear and all sorts. Most of it’s overkill for the average traveller, so I’m not even going there. This is just the stuff I actually use and swear by.

Cabin air is bone dry, which is why everyone looks and feels wrecked halfway through a long haul. A simple skincare refresh goes a long way. Yes, men too, relax. Moisturiser, eye drops or even a basic face mask can stop you feeling completely fried. Also, bring an empty water bottle and fill it after security. It’s underrated, saves money, and keeps you drinking way more than relying on cabin service.

Snacks matter more than people realise. Plane food is hit or miss, and eating badly just makes you feel sluggish and bloated. Nuts or seeds are solid because they keep you full without spiking your energy. Fruit is great for hydration and easy sugars. Oatcakes, rice cakes or plain crackers are clutch when your stomach’s not loving life. If you want something sweet, dark chocolate or a low-sugar protein bar does the job without the crash. Throw in an electrolyte sachet or herbal tea and you’ll feel way better by the time you land.

Also, add this to your pre-flight checklist (pun fully intended): board the plane last. Not first, not early access, last. It feels wrong, but trust me. You’ll understand why in the next section.

In-Flight: What to Do (and What to Avoid)

To kill the suspense, there’s a very specific reason you board the aircraft last: to steal better seats.

Yes, I’m talking about empty rows and stupid amounts of legroom. And yes, this takes a bit of confidence. But trust in the BB Father, JR.

I’ve got about a 95% success rate with this. Most recently, literally two days ago flying from Surat Thani to Bangkok. I board last, scan the cabin and see the emergency exit rows are full. Immediate thought: F£#K. I’ve got seconds to figure something out. Then, out of nowhere, the first row after first class is completely empty. All three seats. Even more legroom than the exit row. My eyes lit up. Absolute pl-orgasm (plane orgasm if you didn't guess.)

I jumped straight in and acted like I belonged there. No hesitation. No eye contact. Never questioned. I do this on every flight and it nearly always pays off. Try it. Just don’t do it if you see me, because then we’re at war. Respect the BB Father.

Right, back to surviving the flight. Keep moving, even in small ways. Sitting still for hours absolutely wrecks your body quicker than you expect. If you can, stand up and walk the aisle every now and then, even if it’s just a lap to the toilet and back. When that’s not possible, do what you can in your seat. Flex your calves, rotate your ankles, roll your shoulders, stretch your spine or hips slightly. It sounds minor, but it makes a massive difference to stiffness and post-flight pain.

Support your posture. A bit of effort here saves a lot of regret later. Chuck a small pillow, lumbar cushion or rolled-up jumper behind your lower back to support your spine. Try to keep your feet flat on the floor, knees roughly level with your hips, and don’t sit cross-legged for hours. If you’ve got the option of extra legroom, it helps with movement and comfort, but remember the travel hack: don’t pay for it. Earn aura points instead.

Make sleep easier. If you’re planning to sleep, a window seat usually gives more support and fewer interruptions. Layer your clothing because cabin temperatures are all over the place, and comfy socks or slippers are a game changer. A decent travel pillow can completely change how you sleep, and cutting down screen time before resting helps your body switch off instead of fighting blue light at 3am.

After Landing: Reset and Recover

Once you’re off the plane, don’t immediately switch off. For most backpackers, landing isn’t the finish line. It’s usually straight into an airport bus, a minivan or a long wait for a night train.

Before you sit down again, move a little if you can. Even walking through the terminal helps get blood flowing and loosen up legs and joints that have been stuck for hours. Roll your shoulders, stretch your hips and shake off the stiffness before it follows you into the next seat.

Rehydrate properly and eat something light. You’re almost always more dehydrated than you realise after a long flight, and heavy food tends to slow you down even more. Water first, easy food second.

If there’s time, change your clothes. Swapping out tight shoes, socks or your top can instantly make you feel human again. A few quick stretches for your hips, back and calves will help stop that locked up feeling from sticking around for the rest of the journey.

Agree/Disagree?

Are there things I haven't mentioned which you feel like should be included? Send me a message on Instagram, I'm always keen to hear!