How To Survive Long Flights in Economy

Wondering how to survive long flights in economy class?

You are all packed, had a sleepless night, because you are so freaking exciting for this trip and then you get to the airport.

Check-in, goodbyes, security (unpack all the tech equipment frantically, repack), passport control, shops with overprices snacks and then, you finally arrive at the gate.

I’ve taken lots and lots of long haul flights over the years. Frankfurt to Brisbane, that’s a good 24-hour journey, LA to Iceland, that’s a nice 9-hour flight, Sydney to Chile, 16 hours in the air and you’ll hablo espanol! I’ve done them all in economy class, and I survived.

Middle row, no armrest space, babies crying, food that doesn’t look like something you’d like to put in your body? Sounds familiar?

So how can you fly comfortably in economy class? Is that even possible? With my tips for long haul flights in economy below, you will survive your next trip in a breeze!

Long Haul Flights Tips And Tricks

#1 Make Sure You Select The Right Seat

Ever sat right in front of the toilets, choose a window seat but the actual window was missing or sat in a seat with limited or no space to recline?

Well, let’s start at the beginning. Seat selection.

My ultimate long haul flight tip is to pre-select your seat, no matter what! Most airlines will let you pick your seat when checking in online. Yes, you can also ask at the check-in but if the plane is full, your choices might be limited.

Some airlines make you pay for seat selection, which I cringe at, but if that means I have a comfortable flight, I will do it anyways. It’s up to you!

Maybe you already have a favourite airline where you collect points, which can also be used to pay for seat selection or extra legroom seats.

One of my favourite airlines to fly from Australia to Germany to see family is Emirates, hands down! While it takes a little shopping around, I have found that you usually get the best price for Emirates flights when booking early.

To find out which seats are the best on any flight, I recommend you check SeatGuru, a site that helps travellers choose the best seats through aircraft seat maps and seat reviews by actual people who have taken the same flight. Yes, it even can tell you which seats are often bumped by service carts. Epic, right?

Everyone is different when it comes to airplane seats, some people prefer an aisle seat while others love a window seat. On long-haul flights it’s most important to choose a seat that lets you sleep in comfort and without distractions.

Lastly, airlines mostly fill up their seats from front to back, and everyone prefers to be in the front so they can easily run off after landing, right? However, the back of the plane might not be such a bad choice as it has on average more empty rows so your chance to score more than one seat to spread out are higher.

#2 Wear Comfortable Clothes And Layer Up

Ever asked yourself what you should wear on long haul economy flights?

The best travel clothes for long flights are comfortable and warm that you can easily layer. Bonus, if these also have few metals, just so you can breeze through security.

I like to pack a set of spare clothes in my carry on, especially underwear and an extra shirt to change when taking a connection flight. Usually, I wear sneakers or some easy slip on shoes and socks, because I do get cold on flights.

You might want to wear compression socks to prevent blood clots causing thrombosis on your long haul flight.

Additionally, I bring an extra jacket to keep me warm, which can also roll up as a pillow or serve as an additional blanket. Jackets with extra pockets are perfect as you can store all your long haul flight essentials in them.

I use packing cubes in my main luggage as well as my carry on, you can buy smaller ones for that too. This way you’ll be super organised and don’t have to dig up your undies at the bottom of your luggage.

Check out this crazy travel jacket with 10 different pockets to stash anything from your passport to headphones to moisturizer. This way, you don’t have to continuously open the overhead compartment to grab something you need.

#3 Bring The Right In-Flight Essentials

2. A good travel pillow and eye mask should be part of your in-flight essentials to ease you to sleep. I know, it’s hard on planes and I don’t think ever woke up truly rested from a sleep on a plane. Yet, it’s important to give your body a rest. I use a silk pillow at home, hence I also have a silk sleep mask. When it comes to travel pillows everyone is different and I’ve found that not one solution suits everyone, however Trtl makes pretty good travel pillows that are worth checking out.

3. DIY your flight amenity kit and stock it with the medication you need, toothbrush and toothpaste, a small mouth wash, a small facial cleaner, hand cream, tissues, nose spray for that clogged nose and I also need contact lens solution.

4. Chewing gum might help pop your ears when taking off or landing, it also helps keep your breath fresh and clean your teeth, if you’re not keen on brushing your teeth in the plane toilet, I understand.

5. Bring your own snacks on board if you have special needs or if you find airplane food disgusting. Dry nuts, pretzels, granola bars, rice cakes or dried fruit are perfect and easy to carry.

Pack your liquid travel essentials into a plastic zip lock bag or a more sturdy clear toiletry bag like this one so you can easily take it out at the security check and also walk with your essentials to the lavatory on the plane.

#4 Hydration, Hydration, Hydration

I usually either buy a big water bottle after the security check or if you want to save the few dollars, bring a refillable water bottle. Many airports have water stations or bubblers to refill just before the gate.

You can always ask the stewardess for more water or walk down to the aircraft kitchen, most airlines have drinks readily poured to freely take on long-haul flights.

Applying a good moisturizer to my face personally also helps me a lot. I also bring my favourite lip balm.

#5 Bring Noise Cancelling Headphones

Seriously, these are a game changer! You never realise how loud a plane is when it flies, until you actually use noise cancelling headphones.

To sleep peacefully, without hearing the plan roaring or people around you chatting, you’ll want to invest in a pair. It also enhances your experience when watching movies.

But don’t just get stuck in the entertainment. Walk around, stretch and try not to sit for 10 hours straight, that’s not healthy! Thrombosis is an increasing issue the older you get and your legs will thank you if you get up and take a walk around.

I like the Bose QuietComfort 35 which come with not one or two but three levels of noise cancellation, and the rose gold version is just so pretty!

Otherwise, traditional earplugs also do the job, however, I sleep even worse with them, but everyone is different and maybe it’s just a matter of getting used to them.

Surviving long haul flights isn’t hard and you will be rewarded with a beautiful destination on the other side, so don’t fear and just follow my long haul flight tips!