9 Essential Tips for Staying Comfortable on Long Flights

Long flights can be exhausting, but using the right strategies, you can make your journey more comfortable and enjoyable, without the first class ticket. Staying comfortable during a long-haul flight is essential to arrive refreshed. Here are a few tips that have helped us feel our best while up in the air.

1. Choose the Best Seat

Where you sit can make a huge difference in your comfort level on long flights. Here are a few tips for picking the best seat:

Aisle Seat: Ideal if you like to stretch your legs or make frequent trips to the restroom without disturbing your seatmates.
Window Seat: Perfect for those who want to sleep, lean against the wall, and avoid being disturbed by others.
Exit Row or Bulkhead Seats: These offer extra legroom, giving you more space to stretch and move. If you can, try to book seats away from the galley and lavatories to minimize noise and foot traffic.

2. Bring Snacks

To avoid becoming cranky or so hungry you over eat at your next meal, bring some healthy snacks.

Focus on balanced foods: eat a combination of carbohydrate, fat and protein to keep blood sugar levels steady.
Resealable bags: take a few of these to put anything that might need a new container after opening.

Check out our post about healthy travel snacks.

3. Stay Hydrated

Airplane cabins tend to have low humidity levels, which can lead to dehydration. To stay hydrated:

Drink plenty of water: Aim to drink at least 8 ounces of water every hour.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine: So tempting but are dehydrating and can leave you feeling more tired and uncomfortable.
Bring your own water bottle: Fill it up after security so you always have water at hand, and ask flight attendants to refill it during the flight.
Pack lip balm, moisturizer, nasal spray, and eye drops as you may find other areas of your body may suffer from the dry air. Our fave lip balm? Revision Skincare YouthFull Lip Replenisher®. Get it here. See our posts on airplane beauty essentials and staying fresh at 30,000 feet. Extended airplane travel is a great time to up your beauty routine.

4. Move and Stretch Frequently

Sitting for extended periods can lead to stiffness, poor circulation, and swelling. To stay limber:

Take regular walks: Stand up and walk up and down the aisle every couple of hours to boost circulation.
Perform in-seat stretches: Simple stretches like ankle circles, seated twists, and shoulder rolls can keep your muscles engaged. Flexing and extending your legs can also help prevent stiffness.
Stretch your arms and back: Reach your arms above your head or do gentle spinal twists in your seat to release tension.

See our post on the importance of moving frequently during a flight for more information on the other benefits of keeping your body moving.

5. Use a Travel Pillow and Compression Socks

Packing the right gear can greatly improve your in-flight experience:

Travel pillow: A neck pillow can support your head and help you sleep in a more comfortable position. Choose a memory foam or inflatable pillow that suits your needs.
Compression socks: While not the fashion statement of the year, these socks help reduce swelling and improve circulation in your legs, which is especially important on long flights. They can also help prevent DVT and keep your legs feeling energized. And, there are some fun ones out there, so just embrace this part of your wellness and beautification ritual. We like these compression socks. Cute, fun and functional.

6. Wear Comfortable Clothing

What you wear can impact how you feel during the flight:

Opt for loose, breathable fabrics: Choose clothes that allow you to move freely and don't constrict circulation.
Layer up: Airplane cabins can be unpredictable in temperature, so bring layers to stay warm or cool as needed.

7. Pack a Carry-On Comfort Kit

Consider bringing a few extra items to stay cozy:

Eye mask and earplugs or noise-canceling headphones: These can help block out light and noise, allowing you to relax and sleep.
Functional Gums and mints: These can help with various things whether you’re wanting to snooze or be energized.
Toothbrush and toothpaste: To keep your mouth healthy and your breath fresh.
Change of clothes: This can help you feel refreshed after a long flight, or be a life saver if your luggage gets lost.

8. Strategize your In-flight Entertainment

Check the airline website or app: You can usually see what movies and series the airline offers
Download anything else: (ebooks, music, movies, tv shows, podcasts, etc.) Make sure you have everything downloaded on your device before heading to the airport. One of our favorite things to download are meditation apps -- these go along way in overnight flights and put your mind at ease.

9. Plan ahead for the Time Zone

Plan your sleep/wake times: If you’re flying to a new time zone, consider a strategy for sleep to avoid jet lag. There is real science behind the jet lag phenomena and there are ways to ameliorate it some.

Comfort on long flights is achievable with a bit of planning and the right strategies. By choosing the best seat, staying hydrated, stretching, and using travel accessories like pillows and compression socks, you can arrive at your destination feeling refreshed and ready to go. Share these tips with fellow travelers, and make your next long flight as smooth as possible!

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