Before the flight: seats and meals
- Window seat: best for sleeping, since no one wakes you to get past.
- Aisle seat: best if you like to move or need the bathroom often.
- Exit-row seats: more legroom, but often for a fee and not given to people travelling with children.
- Special meals: if you need one (halal, vegetarian, child, diabetic), request it when booking or at least a day or two before the flight.
What to bring in the cabin
- A neck pillow, eye mask, and earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones.
- An extra layer and warm socks: planes get cold at night.
- An empty water bottle to fill after security.
- Lip balm and hand cream: cabin air is very dry.
- Films, series and books downloaded to your phone, plus a charger.
- A small toothbrush and wet wipes to freshen up before landing.
On board
- Drink water regularly: cabin air is dry, and dehydration adds to tiredness and headaches.
- Go easy on coffee and fizzy drinks: especially in the second half of the flight if you want to sleep.
- Move every hour or two: walk the aisle, and flex your ankles and legs while seated. Sitting still for long slows circulation in your legs.
- Compression socks: helpful for people with circulation problems or risk factors for blood clots. If that's you, ask your doctor before you fly.
- Set your watch to destination time: as soon as you board, and act on it: sleep if it's night there, stay awake if it's day.
Jet lag: how to beat it
Jet lag happens when you cross several time zones quickly and your body clock stays on home time. As a rough rule, the body needs about a day per hour of difference to adjust fully, and flying east is usually harder than flying west.
- Start before you go: two or three days before the flight, shift your bedtime an hour a day towards destination time.
- Daylight is the strongest cure: after landing, get outside and walk in the sun: it resets your body clock.
- Stay awake until night: even if you're tired. If you need a nap, keep it to 20 to 30 minutes.
- Eat on destination time: mealtimes help your body adjust too.
- Don't plan a busy first day: keep the day after arrival light.
- Sleeping pills and supplements: don't take any without asking a doctor.
Our advice: for very long journeys, consider a comfortable stopover with a night on the way, or a flight that lands in the evening so you can go straight to sleep. We help you pick the best flight for your destination.