By Fathima Rukaiya,

Long flights can be exhausting, but with the right preparation, you can turn them from a dreaded ordeal into a surprisingly manageable and even enjoyable part of your trip. As of 2025, travelers are better equipped than ever, thanks to smarter planning tools, health awareness, and improved airline services.

Here are 11 detailed tips to know before boarding your next long-haul flight.

1. Choose Your Seat Wisely

Your seat is the foundation of comfort during a long journey.

• Book early to secure a good spot. Window seats let you lean and rest, aisle seats give easy movement, and over-the-wing seats feel more stable in turbulence.
• Check less-crowded rows. The rear of the aircraft is often noisier but may have more empty seats, giving you room to stretch.
• Consider upgrading. Even moving from economy to premium economy gives you more legroom, better recline, and priority boarding. If you have loyalty miles, this is often worthwhile use.

2. Dress Smart and Use Layers

Clothing directly impacts your comfort.

• Choose loose, breathable clothing that doesn’t constrict your waist or circulation.
• Bring layers like a hoodie or cardigan since cabin temperatures fluctuate.
• Wear slip-on shoes and carry a pair of warm socks. Compression socks are highly recommended on flights over four hours to prevent swelling and improve blood flow.

3. Drink plenty of water

Dehydration is triggered by the extremely dry conditions in airplane cabins.

• During the flight, sip water frequently. By bringing a reusable bottle, you can avoid depending solely on the crew’s little cups.
• Limit coffee and alcohol intake because they cause dehydration and disrupt sleep.
• To stay hydrated, munch on fruits or foods high in water whenever you can.

4. Move Around for Circulation and Health

Long periods of inactivity while sitting raise your risk of stiffness and potentially circulation issues.

• When it’s safe, walk down the aisle every few hours.
• Perform in-seat stretches by flexing your calves, rolling your shoulders, lifting your knees, and rotating your ankles.
• To lessen swelling and lower the chance of deep vein thrombosis, wear compression socks.

5. Master Sleep and Beat Jet Lag

Sleep is often the biggest challenge on long flights.

• Shift your sleep schedule slightly before traveling to align with your destination’s time zone.
• Create a sleep kit: eye mask, neck pillow, noise canceling headphones or earplugs, and a light blanket or shawl.
• Avoid screens right before sleeping; instead, read or listen to calming music.

6. Build a “Cabin Comfort Kit”

Pack essentials in your carry-on so you don’t have to dig through luggage mid-flight. Include:

• Chargers and a power bank.
• Downloaded offline movies, music, books, podcasts.
• Toiletries like a toothbrush, face wipes, lip balm, and moisturizer to stay fresh.
• Small comforts like a scarf, eye mask, or travel pillow.

7. Food to Snack On

Airline food may not always suit your needs.

• Pack light, healthy snacks such as nuts, protein bars, or dried fruit.
• Avoid heavy meals right before landing, since digestion is slower in the air and can leave you uncomfortable.

8. Make Use of Travel Aids and Technology

In 2025, travelers will have more tools at their fingertips to handle lengthy journeys.

• Apps such as Timeshifter allow you to modify your sleep and light exposure to lessen jet lag.
• Since WiFi might be costly or unreliable, download offline content.
• Keep a backup power source on hand to ensure that you never have to deal with dead gadgets.

9. Get Your Body Ready Before You Take Off

Being well before your flight has a big impact.

• Get enough sleep in the days before your vacation; a flight that begins when you’re already exhausted will be worse.
• To increase circulation and relax muscles, do some gentle exercise the day before, such as yoga, stretching, or walking.

10. Be mindful of cabin etiquette

Everyone enjoys a more comfortable flight when the cabin runs smoothly.

• When reclining your seat, take your time and make sure the person behind you is eating.
• Don’t clutter common areas and keep your own belongings neat.
• To keep air flowing around you and lessen stuffiness and infections, use the overhead air vent.

11. Keep Your Mind Engaged

If you only watch movies on long flights, they can seem endless.

• Include a variety of hobbies, such as reading, writing, journaling, watching television, and listening to music.
• To deal with boredom and anxiety, try meditation or relaxation techniques.
• To make your brain feel “at home” in the sky, set little routines like cleaning your teeth and putting on an eye mask before bed.

What to Avoid

• WiFi and in-flight entertainment aren’t always reliable; they can let you down.
• Stay clear of excessive coffee or alcohol consumption, as these substances increase restlessness and dehydration.
• To avoid bloating or discomfort, avoid eating large meals immediately before landing.

Long-haul travel will never feel as simple as a quick hop, but with careful planning, you can arrive feeling energized rather than exhausted. Your lengthy flight can be made more comfortable and less of a chore by combining sensible packing, good habits, and a positive mindset.