*10 Ways to Prepare for A Long-Haul Flight

Thursday, February 21, 2019
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Catching any flight can be an anxiety provoking experience, but even more so if you have a long-haul flight ahead of you. By preparing thoroughly for your trip, you can make your travelling experience run much smoother and hopefully make it stress-free. Some people have concerns and qualms about flying, so being fully prepared can be a great way to lessen your worries about the journey you have ahead of you. Not all long-haul flights have to be boring or worrisome experiences. So here are ten ways to prepare for a long-haul flight that will make your travel a lot more bearable.

Do Your Research
It is important that when planning your long-haul trip that you do as much research as possible. It is likely that your journey will involve different forms of travel in a short period of time, so it is important that you are as organized as possible. A long-haul flight often requires connection flights, so make sure that you research the different routes that are available to you to make your journey as short as possible. Sometimes a quicker journey can cost a little extra, but it is often worth the investment.

Be Savvy
When Booking Your Flight This is one of the more obvious things you should do to prepare for your flight, but it is also the most important. To book your flight, you need to look at the different airlines that fly to the place you want to go to. It is advisable to research airline reviews online and see what experiences others have had when travelling with an airline. It is also a good idea to look at regional airlines, such as Porter, for your connecting flights or transfers to get a better deal. For example, if you are looking for flights to Toronto, then go to flyporter.com to look for regularly scheduled flights between Canada and the United States.

Know Your Luggage
Once you have booked your flight, you should be sure to investigate what your luggage allowance is. Most long-haul flights will allow for a heavier suitcase weight, but you need to double check this when you book. If you don’t think the allowance you have been given is going to be enough, then you can always book extra weight. But try and do this before you arrive at the airport as adding extra luggage last minute can be a costly way to do it. You should be sure to check out the security rules when you are packing your suitcase as there are often rules on what you can take onboard the plane. The rules are less strict for the luggage you are checking in at the desk, but be aware that anything you are taking through security with you that isn’t allowed may be taken off you.

Dress Comfortably
It is important that you wear suitable clothing when you travel, especially on a long-haul flight. Spending a long period of time on a plane can be very uncomfortable and wearing tight fitting clothing and heeled shoes will just make it even worse. Lounge wear is very popular amongst long-haul flyers, and you can get some stylish travel outfits that will allow you to feel cosy while you start off your journey looking and feeling great!

Take Care of Your Health
It is important that you look after yourself during a flight, so you should prepare things you may need while in the air. Flyers can be at risk of getting deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is the formation of blood clots, due to spending a lot of time sat in the same position for a long period. You can get flight compression socks to wear during your journey to limit your chances of suffering flight related DVT. You should also make sure that you keep hydrated during the flight so be sure to buy some water in the airport before you board. You may also consider taking a sleep aid with you to help you get some rest during your flight, though you should discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist beforehand.

Get an Upgrade
When booking your flight, you will be given the option to upgrade to an extra leg room seat or even upgrade into first class. This may seem like a frivolous aspect of your journey, but it can really make your flight a much more pleasurable experience. Traveling in first class will benefit the rest of your trip as you will be able to get more rest if you are comfortable and this can help you avoid the effects of jetlag. In business or first class, you can enjoy the extra leg room, reclining chairs, entertainment and the peace and quiet that you need to start your trip relaxed and comfortable.

Organize Your Carry On
You should make sure that you have everything you need when packing your carry-on luggage. You should remember to pack the necessities such as flight socks, any necessary medication, and your travel documents. It is advisable to check the airline’s regulations on carry-on luggage when you book your flight and also the size of your check-in baggage. There are usually measurements of how big your carry-on suitcase can be, so be sure that you adhere to these otherwise you will have to pay for extra luggage before you board (which can be a costly addition to your journey).

Snacks 
While there is usually food available during the flight, you may prefer to sort out your own snacks. You might not be able to bring food through security but there will be plenty of food options in the airport that you can buy before you board. You may be able to get a hot meal at a vendor in the departure lounge, but if not, then there will be cold snacks available for you to carry onto your flight. 

Pack Things to Do 
One of the worst things about a long-haul flight can be the boredom. So, it is important that you pack things to keep you entertained while you are on board the plane. This can be a great opportunity to start that book you’ve been meaning to read for ages, or the chance to sit through one of your favorite playlists from start to finish. While some airlines have started to have Wi-Fi available on flights, many don’t provide this service, so you need to make sure that whatever content you want to use on your electrical device is available on airplane mode.

Organise Your Transfer 
You may find yourself focusing on planning your flight, but you also need to ensure that you have the correct arrangements in place for when you land. You need to make allowances for possible delays and ensure that you are not left stranded once you land in your destination. While there may be transfer options available to you when you land, these will be a lot more expensive, so it is cheaper to book before you travel. A long-haul flight can be the part of your journey that you dread the most, but by following these simple ways to prepare for your flight, you will be able to start your journey feeling relaxed and refreshed ready to enjoy the rest of your trip.

Do you have any travelling tips? 

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16 comments

  1. I've never been on a long haul flight (or plan to anytime soon really) but these are fab tips.

    Jenny
    http://www.jennyinneverland.com

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  2. Great tips! I love flying but I'm always a bit stressed at the start, packing lots to keep you occupied is vital and being comfortable! xx

    Tiffany x www.foodandotherloves.co.uk

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  3. Awesome tips! I always like to do a little extra research if I'm flying, just so I feel as organised as possible.

    Anika | anikamay.co.uk

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  4. Packing things to do is definitely an important one to be honest!

    Love, Amie ❤
    The Curvaceous Vegan

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  5. ahhh your travel blog is AMAZING!! i just love your blog !

    jadieegosh

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  6. I want to go away soon! I miss flying already, I dream of holidays lol

    Erin || MakeErinOver

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  7. Knowing your luggage is a definite must as there are so many different themes between airlines x

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  8. I'm not keen on long hauls x

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  9. I love flying! I really enjoy relaxing on a long haul flight and always make sure I pack skincare in my hand luggage as I get very dry x

    Sophie
    www.glowsteady.co.uk

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  10. Great tips! Wish I was going away long haul! Haha x

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  11. I do all of this before flying as I like to be organised and know exactly what I am doing; great tips! xx

    https://paulamarieee.blogspot.com

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  12. Dressing comfortably is the best thing for long haul flights.

    http://littlemissmelanie.com

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  13. I'm all about snacks when I'm flying. Making sure I have a decent charge on my phone & lots of playlist set up is a must too.

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  14. I always try and do most of these things to prep early x

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  15. I hope to go to America next year so I’ll keep these in mind.

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  16. A face mask is a perfect long haul activity for me!

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