Guide to Surviving a Long Haul Flight

So, you’ve dreamt of exploring magical Thailand or you have had Bora Bora on your bucket list forever. Yet, the mere idea of spending 17 hours on a plane is causing a surge of anxiety?

Having just arrived in Southeast Asia this week, I wanted to write a quick post on why that long flight isn’t going to be THAT bad. Fun Fact: The world’s longest route at the moment is New York to Singapore 9,585-miles (15426 kilometers) and it takes 18.5 hours. But whether it is 8 or 18 hours it is important to go into a long flight with a game plan.

This guide will provide a concise overview of how to approach a long-haul flight and present a list of my carry-on essentials.

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Pre-boarding Prep

Complete everything on this list the before arriving to the airport.

Checking in online makes airport waits much faster. Even when checking a bag, many airlines provide a dedicated bag drop line, ensuring a quicker and more streamlined experience compared to those who opt for in-person check-in at the airport.
Document check: make sure you have all the necessary visas and vaccinations needed for your destination. If you are American this information can be found here: Travel.State.Gov
Download all music so you can listen in airplane mode (Tip: download white noise, rain sounds, ocean sound playlists too. I find this super helpful if the plane is too noisy when I am trying to sleep)
Download podcasts, movies, TV shows: This takes some time so don’t wait until you are in the airport. You can download these on Spotify, Podcast apps as well as your streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime etc.)
Make sure you have all your tech: headphones, charging cables, kindle, etc.
Pack a change of clothes: if you are checking a bag make sure you pack a few back up outfits in your carry on. I almost always do this and of course the one time I don’t my luggage didn’t make it onto my connecting flight. This led me to coming off of 24 hours of travel and immediately having to find a shop to by some clothes before my bag arrived. Kind of an annoying way to settle in a new country so be prepared!
Pack snacks: it’s always nice to bring trail mix, granola bars or dried fruit :

Be Aware of Your Timezones

This sounds obvious, but I am telling you people overlook this step and it will make your jetlag worse. I always look at the flight tracker on the plane to make sure I know what it will be when I arrive and what my internal clock is. I know some people swear by setting themselves up on the timezone they are headed to right away or the day before they leave. But for me, my goal is to get as much sleep as humanly possible on the plane and then upon arrival stay awake until it is night there.

Establish An Itinerary

It might sound excessive but I find it really helpful to have a list of things you can do roughly by the hour. For example, below is my rough outline for the 16 hour flight I just took to Taiwan. Of course I didn’t follow this exactly, but it kept me somewhat sane. Knowing I had a list of different activities to keep me occupied for the long trek was comforting.

This flight left at 11:30PM

Hour 1 – Start a movie and eat a randomly late dinner (since that is what most airlines provide on a red eye) and I usually have some red wine

Hour 2 – At this point I pause the movie and go to the bathroom to brush my teeth and “get ready” for bed. This routine helps me mentally prep for sleep. When I get back to my seat I pop two melatonin gummies. This definitely isn’t a must but it really has helped me sleep more on plane than I used to be able to, and this is coming from someone who never takes a sleep aid.

Hour 3 – Finish the movie and get ready to sleep as much as possible. (Sleep essentials are listed below)

Hour 4-10 – These are my dedicated sleeping hours. Meaning if I am unable to actually sleep I will listen to relaxing music or a meditation podcast.

Hour 11-12 – At this point I like to read for a bit or listen to a podcast.

Hour 13-14 – Watch another movie or TV show

Hour 14-16 – Eat last meal served on the plane and finish anything I was working on/watching.

and BOOM you made it.

Packing Essentials

For Sleep…

Eye Mask: some airlines give these to you complimentary but some don’t and it is sooo worth it to have one. There is nothing more annoying than when they turn the lights on while you are sleeping.

High End: 3D Concave Sleeping Mask: I know people who swear by these concave masks, and the reviews are insanely good. It’s definitiely a good option if you are really sensitive to light.
Low End: I normally don’t have too much trouble sleeping so a more basic one like this works for me – Sleep Mask 2 Pack

Ear Plugs: I like to pack ear plugs just in case my AirPods die or when I just want it to be completely silent. I have used both of these options.
High End: Noise Cancelling Silicone Gel Wax Earplugs (side note: I actually used these ones for a year when I lived in an apartment with a super noisy radiator. They do block out everything )
Low End: Foam Ear Plugs, 10 Pair

Sleep Aids: I have only tried these ones, and they worked really well for me: Melatonin Gummies

For Entertainment…

AirFly: This device let’s you connect your wireless headphones to the in-flight entertainment screen. This will likely become obsolete in the next few years because of new planes allowing you to do this. But, my last two long flights didn’t have that feature so I swear this thing was perfect. It also works with any wireless headphones – not just AirPods.

Portable Charger: just in case their is no USB charger or the one in front of you doesn’t work (yes that has happened to me). It is also just a nice thing to have while traveling. I use this one, but there are loads of good options

eReader: I am obsessed with having my Kindle while flying. It is so much nicer than having a clunky book. As well as the convenience of having multiple books on one smaller device.

Journal: I love having a journal while traveling, and a long flight gives you plenty of time to reflect on a trip you are coming home from.

Sudoku: having puzzles or crosswords is a good way to make the time go faster. It is also relaxing to not be glued to your phone or the in-flight entertainment the whole flight.

For Cleanliness…

I always make sure I have these items on a long flight to freshen up and not feel as gross leaving the plane.

Face wipes
Deodorant
Sunscreen
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Hand sanitizer
Comb/Brush
Wipes
Eye mask
Chapstick
Change of clothes

Honorable Mentions: these are things I have yet to try but am curious about. Let me know if you swear by any of these products?

Foot Hammock
Neck Pillow
Inflatable Travel Pillows: one of my friend uses these on long flights and she loves it.
Inflatable Foot Rest
Tablet/ Phone Holder

I promise that navigating a long-haul flight doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Armed with a thoughtful game plan and a curated list of essentials, you can turn those seemingly endless hours in the air into a comfortable and enjoyable journey. Let me know if you have a different approach to a long flight. Drop a comment or message me on Instagram @sliceoftina!

As you embark on your next adventure, I hope these tips and recommendations transform your long-haul flights into an opportunity for relaxation, entertainment, and self-reflection. Bon voyage!