Surviving Very Long Flights
14 hours in economy to Asia. 11 hours crammed into a middle seat to Europe. I’ve done both more times than I’d like, and I’ve figured out what actually helps versus what’s just wishful thinking.
Before You Fly
Shift your sleep schedule a few days early if you can. Even an hour or two helps. Stay hydrated the day before – not just on the plane. Avoid heavy meals and alcohol the night before.
Wear comfortable layers. Planes go from freezing to stuffy with no warning.
On the Plane
Move. Get up every couple hours, walk the aisle, stretch by the bathrooms. Your legs will thank you.
Water, water, water. The cabin air is brutally dry. Bring an empty bottle and fill it after security.
Limit alcohol and caffeine. Both dehydrate you and mess with sleep. I know the free wine is tempting. It’s not worth it.
Compression socks sound dorky but they work. Especially if you’re prone to swelling.
Entertainment you’ll actually use. Download shows and podcasts beforehand. Seatback screens die or have terrible selection.
Beating Jet Lag
Set your watch to destination time when you board. Eat and sleep on that schedule even if it feels wrong.
When you land: sunlight during local daytime hours, avoid naps if humanly possible, push through to local bedtime. Melatonin helps some people, doesn’t do much for others.
Accept that day one will be foggy. Don’t schedule anything important. Your body needs time to catch up.
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