Growing up in New Zealand with all my extended family in England, I’ve spent a considerable amount of time on long-haul flights.
With an average flight duration of 23 hours between the two countries, it’s about as lengthy as flights come.
It’s a challenging journey, even for those who enjoy flying, but there are ways to make it slightly more bearable. The contents of your carry-on bag are crucial for long-haul flights.
There’s one item I would never take this journey without: a silk scarf. While it may seem like an unnecessary luxury, it serves a vital function.
The air inside planes is recycled and treated, which can be extremely drying for your skin. I find that covering my mouth and nose with the lightweight scarf helps prevent my skin from drying out and aids my breathing – it’s also incredibly useful when you want to sleep.
Simply drape the scarf over your face and relax. This cover ensures the air I breathe is less dry, and my skin doesn’t dehydrate as quickly.
Another item I would never travel long-haul without is comfortable socks and slip-on shoes. This might be controversial, but the first thing I do when settling in for a 14-hour economy flight is remove my shoes, store them in my overhead locker bag, and put on some warm socks.
Planes are typically chilly, and if I’m going to be confined on one for an entire day, I want to ensure I’m as warm as possible. My cosy socks make me comfortable – and the slip-on shoes that I store under the seat in front of me mean that I don’t have to tie my trainers every time I need to use the loo.
It’s crucial to note that one should never venture into an airplane bathroom barefoot. Generally speaking, they’re not the cleanest, and the likelihood of that damp patch on the floor being just water is minimal.
The third essential item for any flight is my personal headphones – ideally, ones with noise-cancelling capabilities. The headphones provided for plugging into the TV screen usually aren’t top-notch, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll be watching at least six films and whatever half season of Friends that all airlines seem to offer.
Bringing your own headphones that can connect to the TV means comfort – and if they’re noise-cancelling, even better, because planes are incredibly noisy environments. As someone who experiences flight anxiety, being able to drown out the constant drone of the plane helps to calm me.
When it comes to ensuring comfort on a long-haul flight, there are a few things I always do. Being nearly 6ft tall, I know I’m bound to be uncomfortable but I always inquire at check-in if there’s anything that can be done to alleviate this.
The key here is to maintain politeness – and manage your expectations. However, I’ve had multiple successful experiences by simply inquiring with the staff at check-in if there’s any possibility of being seated either at a bulkhead (the seats at the front of the plane with no seats in front of them) or even if there’s an available row where I can be seated.
A smile and some courteous conversation can go a long way!
And if there’s nothing that can be done to reposition you, don’t become upset or angry – it’s never the fault of the staff member. If you find yourself cramped in economy, ensure you stand up when possible and stretch your legs – a trip to the lavatory doesn’t count.
Try bouncing on the balls of your feet, touching your toes or pacing up and down the aisle a few times to stimulate blood circulation and prevent leg swelling due to the pressure change. Long-haul flights are seldom a barrel of laughs – but there are certain measures you can take to make it slightly more bearable.
And remember, once those 23 hours have passed, you’re on the other side of the world!
It’s incredible, and absolutely worth the effort.