How to survive a long haul flight: Tips for the anxious traveller

My first solo trip outside of Europe was in 2015 when I was 19 years old. I was on my way to 3 weeks in Vietnam, and I had no idea how to survive a long haul flight. Nearly 8 years on I flew from the UK to Australia; my first long haul flight in a while due to the pandemic, and felt the familiar anxiety creeping in. This guide is from someone who understands, to help you feel prepared and good about your upcoming trip!

Does this sound familiar?…

I believe everything about travelling is wonderful…apart from the travelling. “I love airports” my friend Anna said many years ago as we arrived at London Heathrow 5 HOURS before our departure to Bali, a length of time our parents mutually agreed was appropriate to drop us off to ensure we did not miss our flight. Anna sees getting to the airport as the beginning of the adventure. My trip on the other hand very much starts when I get blasted by that wall of heat on leaving the airport in the desired destination.

Is my passport definitely in there? It is in date, isn’t it? Probably should have checked that before now. Oh cute dog! Oh wait… “can you step aside mam…” oh no. What if they find some class A drugs that I’ve never taken on my possession… now I’m looking suspicious, okay neutral expression… neutral expression. Furiously patting my pockets, knowing full well I have emptied them and had practically turned them inside out in the process, when they say, “anything in your pockets?”. Do I make eye contact with the security person as I walk through the metal detector or look at the floor? And whhhy did I nod back at them? Watching nervously when my bag is hovering at the fork for what seems like a cruel amount of time before that sigh of relief when it slides to the collecting side. Picturing the embarrassment of them going through every inch of it, before hurriedly replacing my belt and shoes that I probably didn’t need to remove in the first place.

Phew. We made it. Now to sit and stare at the departure board until the gate number is announced. What if a family didn’t think to book seats next to each other and asks me to move? Well, then, I shall stand my ground and say no.

Yeah okay, we all know I am not going to do that.

How to survive a long haul flight:

If like me, you are an anxious traveller, or are just interested in some tips on how to survive a long-haul flight, this blog is for you 🙂 Feel free to check out my Pre-Travel Checklist blog with a list of everything you need to do before you go on holiday which may help too!

1. Be Prepared

Take it from someone who has experienced vomiting into a paper bag while being stuck in the middle seat with the seatbelt sign on. Travel/motion sickness sucks. Once the nausea hits, it’s hard to feel better and of course, getting ‘some fresh air’ is not an option when 35,000 ft in the sky.

On my most recent long-haul flight I took travel sickness pills and ‘rescue remedy’, which is a herbal flower liquid that claims to ease anxiety. Whether it works or has a placebo effect, I got through my entire 26 hour journey without feeling ill. It goes without saying though that everyone is different, and you know what works/doesn’t work for you. My top tip on how to survive a long haul flight is to try everything ‘on the ground’ in the weeks before you go. You don’t want to be trying anything for the first time on a 10 hour flight…

2. Travel Insurance

As soon as you can after booking your trip, get travel insurance. If you are weeks, or even months away from your departure date, the sooner the better. You know you have to get it at some point, so might as well tick that job off the list! Comparison websites are useful to get a good deal. If your journey all goes smoothly, you can just sit back and relax with a peace of mind that it can be used as a back up. But in the event that everything gets turned upside down, it really is a lifesaver!

I have never had to claim on the travel insurance, until recently, when two of the three legs of my journey from London to Australia were cancelled due to strikes at Frankfurt Airport (very anxiety inducing). Disappointedly, both Expedia (where I booked my flights) and the airline were VERY unhelpful and both said it was the others’ responsibility to rebook my flight… which may have been in a few days time. Long story short I ended up having to rebook part of my flight myself costing an extra £525- the entire money I had put aside for spending ☹ not knowing whether I would get this back. But once back in the UK, I put a claim in and minus the excess I got the money back!

3. Seat

Once booked, I recommend downloading the airline(s) app(s) (you can always delete it after your trip) and logging in with your flight details. Not only does this have up to date information about your booking, you can also use it to check in, choose food preferences, and select your seat. Some airlines make you wait until check in to book seats. However, on my most recent return long haul to Australia (where I flew with 5 different airlines), I booked my free seats in the weeks leading up to take off. I felt so much better knowing I had an aisle seat.

4. Organised

I am my father’s daughter when it comes to the love of functional pockets. The Cabin Max bag I use (Metz 20l) is the exact dimensions for a Ryanair (and therefore pretty much fits every other airline) free carry-on bag. It has loads of handy compartments including an ipad/tablet/small laptop pouch, zipped pockets, pouches, pen holders, bottle holder, even more pockets… an absolute dream as I know exactly where everything is. I also recommend getting a zip up wallet/folder for all the important stuff like passport, G-Hic card, visas, boarding pass, covid docs etc (My horror when friends pull out their passport loose from their bag, or even worst, from a trouser pocket!). I also use a pencil case to keep items such a plugs, adapters, cables, portable chargers etc easily organised and in one place!

5. Carry on carry-on bag

If like me, you opt for the cheapest ticket around which means your allowance is one hold and one small cabin bag and so everything must be squeezed into a carry-on rucksack that may or may not fit into their sizer and avoid it being weighed at all costs; I would recommend taking a bag within a bag. You know that faff we’re all guilty of when finally on the plane. Trying to hurriedly decide what you want out of your bag and what you want stored away. Sitting down and clasping your seatbelt only to realise your earphones are still in your bag in the overhead locker. Seat belt off and back up we go.

I used to attempt to shove my whole bag under the seat so I could have easy access to everything. This is fine for shorter flights, but on long haul flights, the ability to stretch your legs and wiggle your feet about is non-negotiable.

Therefore, in the many hours in the airport before the flight takes off, I collect my ‘cabin essentials’ in a tote bag, (or you can use a hip bag, handbag etc.) and then when I find my seat, all I need to do is unzip my rucksack, grab the tote, and then store my rucksack in the locker. These essentials can include things like phone, cables, earphones, sweets, water bottle, anxiety/travel medication, lip balm, eye mask, ear plugs, book, tissues, travel pillow, toiletries.

5b. Carry on ‘just in case’.

I’ve heard of two stories of people’s luggage getting lost. One got theirs back the next day, the other, after 4 days. I believe it will always turn up eventually, but upon hearing these tales, I always now pack a couple of pairs of underwear, a spare t-shirt, and some shorts (if going somewhere hot) and a small bag of essential toiletries. Make sure that all essentials like medication are in your carry-on bag and not your hold luggage too. Even if you get smoothly reunited with your hold luggage at the carousal, having some things like shorts makes it easier to quickly change to accommodate the shocking change in climate. 

6. Food

Love it or hate it, the sight of a metal trolley full of aeroplane food being pushed up the aisle stirs some excitement. What intriguing mush served in a foil tray are we getting today? Knowing for the next half an hour you will be preoccupied with something other than staring at the screen on the back of the chair infront of you, trying to sleep without your head nodding, or wondering how many times asking the person next to you to move so you can go to the toilet is too many… Imagine my horror when the stewards came up the aisle a couple of hours into a 14 hour flight, and asked ‘chicken or beef?’, ‘no sorry we don’t have a vegetarian option’, ‘yes sorry nothing we can do about that’, ‘perhaps you can have the bread roll on the side…?’

The take home message here? Download the airline app and log in with your flight details after booking your flight. Always check the inflight menu which should be under your trip information on the airline app and contact the airline at least 48 hours before take off to ask them to accommodate for any allergies, intolerances, special diets/preferences. Do not make my mistake and assume that every airline takes extras of each meal type. And bring snacks. Lots of them. Sweets you can suck on may help with the pressure of take off and generally just give you something else to focus on for a while.

7. Comfort

When it comes to outfits on long haul flights, anything goes. While I once saw one absolute QUEEN sit through a 14-hour flight with perfect hair, make up, blazer, and high heels, I’ve also seen fully grown up adults in a full set of PJs. It seems, societal expectations are left on the ground on long-haul flights, and I think most people would agree that the latter was the more desirable ensemble.

For the most part, we are all in this together and you can definitely save looking fab for your actual holiday. Wear your comfiest clothes! Comfy trousers, leggings, big sweatshirt, sports bra, no bra, no one cares. Layers are good, and if I have a stopover, I like to take some clean underwear and t-shirt to change into at the airport and feel fresh for the next flight. It is also worth investing a good travel pillow, although long haul flights do usually offer a complimentary pillow and blanket.

8. Self care

Aeroplane air is drying so be sure to pack a moisturiser in your carry-on bag. At least once a flight I spritz my face with a toner, follow up with a moisturiser, put some eyedrops in, and add a dash of lip balm. This routine takes less than 5 minutes, but it makes me feel like a new woman. Pack a toothbrush and paste, especially if you are flying overnight or hoping to sleep as this routine will help your body get into ‘sleep mode’.

Be sure to move around the plane. Paddle your feet, stretch your legs and march on the spot while waiting for the loo, walk the long way back to your seat, and wear your flight socks- I brought mine from a supermarket for around £6- totally worth it. Stay hydrated, the flight attendants are usually excellent at bringing around cups of water at regular intervals, but it is also okay to go to the back of the plane and ask them to re-fill your bottle.

Tip- Items like Toner/water mist, moisturiser, lip balm, dry eye drops, wet wipes, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste make all the difference! I love love love this Calming Facial Tonic spray by Coraline Skincare.

9. Entertainment

In the days leading up to your trip, or in the airport, make yourself a playlist of all your favourite songs, or a chilled/relaxing playlist. Make sure you have the music downloaded!! This is super important if you don’t have/want to pay extra for the Wi-Fi on the flight. The in-flight entertainment is free and usually has a great selection of films to choose from. They usually offer earphones, but I always take my own (note they may not support bluetooth earphones, so take some with a 3.5mm jack).

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog on how to survive a long haul flight. If you have any questions or feedback, please message me! 😊 Wishing you happy (and anxiety-free) travels.

B