Whether you’re on a seven-hour flight to Seoul or taking the world’s longest flight from Auckland to Doha (over 18 hours and 9,000 miles), you’ll need a game plan to arrive ready to take on your trip. Take a look at these tips to hack your next long-haul, then head over to KAYAK.co.in to find your next flight.
8 Hacks On How To Survive A Long Haul Flight
1. Pick a reputable airline by reading reviews
This goes without saying. Our free flight search tool brings you results from the best travel and flight websites as well as airlines that fly from and via India. However, it always pays to do more research. You can read the reviews of all the airlines here on our website. The list includes Air India, Jet Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, British Airways, Egypt Air, Cathay Dragon, Cathay Pacific, KLM,Lufthansa, Delta, Air France, American Airlines, Turkish Airlines, SWISS, Ryanair, Brussels Airlines, Finnair, SAS, TAP AIR PORTUGAL, Aeroflot, Korean Air, EasyJet, China Southern, China Eastern, Czech Airlines, Japan Airlines,EL AL, South African, Scoot, Air New Zealand, Air Astana, Royal Brunei Airlines, SilkAir, VietJet Air, Air Arabia, Tigerair Australia, Hebei Airlines, JetLite, Zoom Air, and Silk Way Airlines and many more.
2. Reset your body clock pre-flight
Wherever you’re going, it’s going to be a much easier flight if you start adjusting your body clock to meet the time zone of your destination. This may mean going to bed later or waking up earlier for a few days before your flight. Airlines on long-haul flights usually match their lighting and meal times with their destination, so start preparing your body in advance.
3. Pack some airport security-friendly hygiene essentials in your carry-on
Keep travel-size (under 100ml) products in your carry-on: Mouthwash, a toothbrush, hand sanitizer, deodorant, and moist wipes. These products will help you feel human on the longest of flights. It’s also very dry on planes so make sure to pack some moisturiser, facial mist, face mask, lip balm and some eye drops.
4. Bring your own snacks and an empty water bottle
You’re going to be trapped in an aluminium cylinder flying through the air for several hours, so plan accordingly. Bring some customs-friendly snacks (if you bring unpasteurised dairy or fresh produce, you’ll have to eat it or toss it before entering your destination). Also, bring a bottle you can fill with water once you can get through security – this is how you survive a long haul flight, by never paying a fortune for a bottle of water again! For more information about staying healthy while travelling, check out our article on healthy food you can just grab while on the move.
5. Pack your gadgets
Make sure you pack your power bank and bring along the necessary cables and international adapters, especially if you’ll be transiting at an airport and need to charge your electronics. As well, good headphones are essential to block out unnecessary noise (and we know there will be A LOT of it, especially in long-haul economy!). There are plenty of brands to choose from and we like the noise-cancelling travel headphones by Sennheiser, which are a dream come true.
It lets you enjoy your audio-book, movie and music in peace and its Talk Through function even lets you communicate with other people without the hassle of removing your headphones! No messy cables is also a plus for us – ensuring that nothing gets tangled.
6. Wear comfy clothes
We can’t stress this enough, wear something you will be comfortable in. There’s this long-held myth that if you dress elegantly on a plane, you’ll be upgraded to first-class. But let’s face it, it’s pretty unlikely. Instead, dress like you’re planning a day-long television binge with a bunch of complete strangers. Trust us, you won’t regret it.
7. Find the right neck pillow
Finding the right neck pillow can be the difference between a few hours sleep in-flight and a trip to the chiropractor at your destination. There are plenty of choices out there, from inflatable ones to novelty ones, from sturdy to soft, from memory foam to styrofoam. But the airport is not the place to figure out you’re the Goldie Locks of neck pillows. Buy one before your trip, make sure it’s right for you, and most importantly, make sure it fits into your carry on.
8. Grab a good seat
The most exciting thing about a flight is the untold adventures awaiting you at your destination, but the flight itself is an experience to be enjoyed as well. When selecting your seat, think about where you’ll be flying and which side or section of the plane might offer the best in-flight experience. Flying on a hot and sunny summer afternoon? Opting for the side of the plane that’s not in direct sunlight might make for a more comfortable ride. On a night flight through skies with northern lights potential? Choosing the side of the plane that faces north for most of the trip might offer the greatest aurora borealis spotting potential.
9. Plan your in-flight entertainment
Make sure you have enough to entertain yourself for the flight if you’re planning to stay awake. If you’re bringing a laptop, an iPad, phone, or anything else that’s energy dependent, make sure you have those shows already loaded on your device and that you’ve got enough charge or back up batteries for each. You can check if your airline has in-flight entertainment but be warned, those consoles can be glitchy or filled with shows and movies you’ve already seen. Check the functions of the entertainment system before take-off so you can inform the airline crew if yours needs a reboot.
10. Move your body
This is important before, during, and after your flight. A quick jog or gym session before your flight can help you get to sleep more quickly in-flight. A jaunt down the aisle and a few stretches will keep you comfortable if you need a stretch on the plane. Follow it all up with a short exercise session when you reach your destination, and your sleep pattern will be better adjust for the duration of your trip. If you want to take advantage of airport facilities while travelling or transiting, check out our article on little-known perks in Asia Pacific airports.
Feel confident enough to book your next big flight? Here are some popular long-haul flight destinations you can search for on KAYAK.co.in right now.
If you’ve been looking and shopping online for cheap international flight tickets, or the best international flight deals, look no further, the best airfare deals are right here on our website and blog.
Popular Long Haul Destinations From India
Flights from India to Tokyo, Japan
There’s so much going on in this exciting capital. For food lovers, try a world-class sushi restaurant and enjoy the delicious creations of expert chefs at places like Sukiyabashi Jiro and Sushi-sho. As the birthplace and headquarters of Nintendo, Tokyo has an almost infinite variety of gaming arcades, and every aspect of video game history is represented. You can play 1980s consoles at Super Potato or try the very latest games in the Akihabara district.
Flights from India to Chicago, USA
Art lovers can spend days wandering around the Art Institute of Chicago, music lovers can spend every evening listening to blues and jazz acts at historic venues like the Green Mill, while architecture fans can join guided tours of Downtown Chicago and see every Art Deco building the city has to offer. The Windy City is also a hub for shoppers – with the craft market at Lincoln Square, the endless supply of boutiques on Michigan Avenue, and city center malls like Water Tower Place. Everyone can find something that their taste buds will savor, whether it’s the deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati’s, the burgers at DMK, the Polish food at Red Apple Buffet, or the Mexican food at Taco Joint. You’ll never be bored when you visit the Mid West’s capital, so start planning your trip today.
Flights from India to Reykjavik, Iceland
On one level, Reykjavik is made to walk around. Architectural highlights like the City Hall and the Hallgrímskirkja are a few minutes from bustling shopping streets like Laugavegur and cultural attractions like the National Museum of Iceland. At another level, Reykjavik is a feast for the senses. Treat your taste buds to gourmet beef and fresh seafood at incredible restaurants. Gaze on the northern lights or spend an afternoon recharging your batteries in geothermal pools. It may be compact, underrated, and hiding on a mid-Atlantic island, but Reykjavik is a fantastic place to visit and it’s all within a couple of hours of America’s Eastern Seaboard.
Note: These rates are based on the most recent data pulled from KAYAK.co.in, the cheapest prices are always displayed first, regardless of specific dates mentioned. The prices are quoted in INR. Flight prices are based on results for a return economy flight search. Hotel prices are for double occupancy, are per night and include taxes and fees. Prices are subject to change, may vary, or no longer be available.
