Planning a long flight to your dream destination is extremely exciting, but can also be nerve-wracking, especially if you have never experienced a longer flight before. If your plane ride is over 6 hours, you may wonder how you will possibly get through such a long period of time in a stuffed-up airplane.

Ultimately, a flight can be as great as you want to make it, and there are a lot of ways that you can prepare for a longer plane ride to help make it more of an enjoyable experience! We have pulled together some of our top tips on how to get through it, and before you know it, you will be at your dream destination!

How to get through a long flight

Check out our simple tips to get through a long flight:

1 – Wear comfortable clothing. 

First, make sure that you have a comfortable outfit planned for the ride. Make sure that you are wearing clothing that you will feel comfortable sitting in for hours on end, and falling asleep in. Try to opt for loose layers so that you can adjust your clothing as the temperatures change throughout the flight. Everyone can relate to flights feeling a little too warm, or sometimes too chilly! If you are prepared clothing wise, you can ensure that you will stay comfortable throughout the flight. 

2 – Purchase a good seat. 

When booking your plane tickets, opt for a good seat, if it is possible and available at the time. For example, if you are someone who requires or prefers more leg room, look at seats in the exit rows. And think about whether you prefer sitting in a window seat or if you are someone who likes to get up throughout the flight, an aisle seat. Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to where they are most comfortable sitting on a flight. For a flight that is longer, be prepared to splurge on a good seat – you will not regret it! 

3 – Prepare to sleep. 

Once you are on the flight, prepare to sleep as much as you can. This will not only help you feel more well-rested, especially if your destination has a time-change, but it will also help the time go by much faster. For some, this means investing in a lightweight blanket to bring on board, unless the airline provides it, as well as a comfortable travel pillow that will help to support your neck. If you are anything like me, do not forget the Melatonin! 

4 – Bring your favorite snacks. 

A prolonged flight can be miserable if you are starving throughout it, which is why it is always smart to bring along some of your favorite quick snacks that you can munch on throughout the flight. Some great snacks to bring on board include protein bars, chips, nuts, or dried fruit, which can all go into your carry-on luggage.

5 – Stay hydrated.

This is key for a successful flight! Make sure that you are staying as hydrated as possible. Airplanes are very dry so it can be super easy to become dehydrated, which is never any fun! Drink plenty of water regularly before your flight and on your flight to avoid feeling dizzy or sick. The more hydrated you are, the better your skin will look and feel after the flight, which is always a plus!

6 – Stretch out throughout the flight.

 Every hour or so, try to stand up and stretch out so that your muscles are not cramping up throughout the flight. Whether stretching means standing up in the aisle for a quick minute, or taking the time to take a bathroom break, it is important to stretch out and move around when you can. 

7 – Relax. 

Overall, use this time to relax! It is not very often that we are able to sit back and relax without having a million responsibilities to attend to, so a prolonged flight is a perfect opportunity to sleep, catch up on your favorite TV show, read a great book, watch a movie, or make some new friends!