International flights, especially from the U.S. can be, and feel, extremely long. Good news though – you are not alone in feeling that way. So, how can you prepare when air travel is already stressful? We’ve compiled some tips that help us get through what can feel like a never-ending flight.

Here are 10 tips to helping you prepare for the long-haul:

1. Choose a seat that works for you. If you’re taller you might consider selecting a seat with extra leg room. While upgrading your seat will undoubtedly cost more, can you put a price on comfort and sanity?

2. Get up and move around. Aisle seats give the best access to taking small breaks to stretch your legs around the cabin, but there are also simple exercises you can do at your seat as well. In short, do what’s best for you to improve circulation and be proactive against stiffness.

3. Layer up! It is the absolute worst when you’re sweating or shivering while traveling on public transit. Try to wear loose clothing that allows you to accommodate different temperatures. Also, and we’ve heard a lot of debates around this notion, ‘wear shoes you can easily take on and off’. If you are someone that likes to kick back and relax with those piggie toes hanging out, just be considerate of your surroundings.

4. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! This is the most important tip we could give. We each never leave home without a refillable water bottle. Drink before, during, and after the flight to prevent dehydration. 

5. Pack healthy snacks. While international flights may offer meals and snacks, it’s a good idea to keep healthy options on hand. We typically pack protein bars, jerky, nuts, and pretzels.

6. Disinfectant infect your area. Wipes and hand sanitizer are staples in our travel packs these days. Covid has us all conditioned to be a little more aware of germs in public places and planes are no exception. To take precautions from getting sick on our travels, we aim to maintain cleanliness during the flight on this playground of unknown germs.

7. Have a toothbrush handy! If you’re traveling through the night having the ability to brush your teeth in the morning can be a game changer, leaving you feeling fresh and ready to explore. 

8. Entertain your brain. While we’d all love to sleep the whole time and get our rest, there are times you will need to keep yourself occupied. Podcasts, reading, and games are all great ways to keep yourself busy. If you’re using your phone or tablet during a flight don’t forget to pack a charger! You’ll be sad you didn’t if your devices die midflight. 

9. Consider your sleep environment. Is sleep a priority for international flights? We honestly flip-flop on this one. It depends on what we have planned for when we land. Sleep obviously can’t be forced, but if we know we have plans for the minute we land we use sleep aids like melatonin or noise-canceling headphones to try and get some rest. We use neck pillows to try to rest and use jackets or layered clothing as blankets if needed. If you’re worried about adjusting to time zone changes, some apps can help you plan your sleep schedule ahead of time to try to minimize jet lag. 

10. Be prepared to combat recycled cabin air. Recycled air can be tough on our bodies. To combat the dry air we pack moisturizing location and lip balm to stay hydrated. Mini first aid kits are always in our backpacks. They contain essentials like tissues, pain relievers, antacids, and motion sickness medicine. 

It doesn’t matter if it’s your first long flight or you’re a veteran globetrotter. We want you to arrive at your destination feeling your best! Give these tips a try on your next long flight and let us know what worked! 

Safe Travels!