How to Survive a Long Flight

After years of frequent flying, I’ve discovered some effective strategies for staying comfortable during long flights. The key is to get enough sleep to power through the rest of the day once you arrive, helping you adjust to the new time zone and sleep through the night. If your flight lands in the evening, aim to stay awake long enough during the journey so you can easily fall asleep upon arrival. Below, I’ve compiled my top tips for sleeping on a plane, staying comfortable, and keeping entertained when you’re not catching some shut-eye.

Updated Dec 2024

Bring headphones

This is a must for me. Whether you’re listening to a podcast, enjoying in-flight entertainment, or tuning into your favorite music, having a reliable pair of headphones is essential. The ones provided on the plane are usually poor quality, so it’s worth bringing your own. Don’t forget a headphone adapter to connect to the in-flight entertainment system.

Download entertainment

While most flights offer in-flight entertainment, it’s always smart to have backups just in case. I learned this the hard way on a long flight with a faulty video system and nothing to fall back on. Downloading episodes or movies from platforms like Amazon or Netflix is a lifesaver—they’ll sync to your phone and be available offline. Just be sure to do this at home with a reliable Wi-Fi connection.

The same goes for podcasts; there’s a huge variety to explore, from news and true crime to love stories, inventions, and history. Don’t forget to sync your favorite music using apps like Spotify, Amazon Music, or iTunes. And if you’re a book lover, downloading audiobooks from Audible can be a great way to unwind mid-flight.

Bring a neck pillow

Pack a neck pillow to keep your head upright and make sleeping on the plane more comfortable. After trying several, my top pick is the Trtl neck pillow, which wraps snugly around your neck. Its adjustable support lets you position the firm piece to the left, right, or center, preventing the dreaded head drop while you sleep. Another bonus: the soft fabric cover is washable, keeping it fresh for every trip.

Bring an eye mask & ear plugs

If someone leaves their window open or you need to rest during a daytime flight, a comfortable eye mask can help block out the light. Pair it with earplugs to muffle engine noise or the occasional crying baby. I recommend this super-soft eye mask from Amazon—it features eye cutouts, so it doesn’t press directly on your eyes, making it even more comfortable for long flights.

Take off your shoes

It’s a long flight, and your feet swell at elevation, so get comfortable and take off those shoes. It’s best to wear shoes with socks so your feet will stay nice and warm.

Take Melatonin

You can bring things like Simply Sleep and other sleep aids, but I recommend the more natural sleep remedy, melatonin. Take it about 30min to an hour before you want to snooze. 

Stay hydrated

Airplanes are so dry. Stay feeling fresh and moisturized with eye drops, lip balm, a facial mist, and eye cream. This way you won’t show up to your destination looking and feeling like death.

If you know of any more great tips and tricks for flying, please leave them in the comments below!