From eating to sleeping, five tips to surviving a long-haul flight
Whether you’re crossing continents for work or heading overseas on holiday, experts share their top tips to help you make the most of your next long-haul flight.
If you live in Australia, you know that long-haul flights come with the territory.
Whether you’re crossing continents for work or heading overseas on holiday, hours in the sky are inevitable — but they don’t have to be unbearable.
With plenty of air miles under their belts, Lonely Planet’s travel experts share their tried-and-true tips for surviving (and even enjoying) those epic journeys.
Here are five top tips to help you make the most of your next long-haul flight:
1. Eat before you fly
“I like to board ready for sleep — not a meal service. As soon as my seat is wiped down and my neck pillow (Turtl!) is on, I switch on noise-cancelling headphones and settle in for some shut-eye. Eating beforehand means I don’t need to stay awake waiting for the trolley.”
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— Serina Patel, senior marketing manager
2. Embrace the all-nighter (if you dare)
“This is not the healthiest tip, but I’ve prepped for plenty of long-haul flights by staying up the night before. Yes, it helps me procrastinate packing (I throw in outfits last-minute and hope for the best), but more importantly — I fall asleep the moment I buckle in. Seatbelt on, world off.”
— Deepa Lakshmin, director of social media
3. Find your pre-flight formula
“When I’m flying solo, I do a Pilates session … to help my body relax and my brain switch off. When I’m travelling with my kids? It’s Pilates and a quick prayer.”
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— Sarah Stocking, digital editor
Board tired and sleep may come easier … at least according to our experts.
4. Order a special meal
“I fly long haul a lot — my family’s in Canada, but I live in Australia and New Zealand. One of my go-to hacks? Order a special meal in advance. You’ll be served before everyone else, which means you can eat and get to sleep sooner — crucial on overnight flights.”
— Jessica Lockhart, destination editor, Oceania
5. Load up on books
“A long flight is the perfect excuse to get lost in a great read. I always preload my Kindle with a mix of ebooks and guidebooks to stay inspired and entertained all the way to touchdown.”
— Alexander Howard, editorial director
Read the full list of 27 tips here
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