How to Prepare for Your First Long Haul Flight

Your first long haul flight is exciting, but seeing 10, 12 or even 15 hours on your booking can be a little daunting.

Whether you are heading to Australia, crossing the Atlantic to the US or travelling even further afield, a long haul journey takes a little more preparation than a short flight around Europe. What you wear matters more, your cabin bag becomes much more important and you will definitely want something to keep you occupied.

A few simple preparations can make the journey considerably more comfortable.

Choose Your Flight Carefully

Price matters, but look at the full journey before booking the cheapest option.

A slightly cheaper flight might involve an eight hour connection, an airport change or an awkward arrival in the middle of the night. Check the total journey time, where you are connecting and when you will actually reach your destination.

If you have a choice of seats, think about what will make you most comfortable too. Window seats are good for sleeping, while an aisle seat makes it much easier to get up and move around.

Dress for a Long Journey

Comfort wins on a long haul flight.

Wear loose clothing and bring a few layers as cabin temperatures can change throughout the journey. Comfortable footwear is useful too, especially when you could be walking through several large airports.

Think about the weather at the other end as well. Flying from a British winter into an Australian summer can mean stepping off the aircraft into completely different conditions, so keep something suitable within easy reach.

Pack Your Cabin Bag Properly

Your cabin bag should contain the things you would genuinely miss if they were buried in your checked luggage.

Keep your passport, phone, charger, headphones, medication and travel documents close by. A toothbrush, basic toiletries, eye mask and spare T shirt can also make a long journey much more comfortable.

Download films, podcasts, music or books before leaving home rather than relying on airport or aircraft WiFi.

It is worth keeping a change of clothes with you too, particularly if you have a connecting flight.

Know Your Baggage Allowance

Long haul trips often involve more luggage, especially if you are travelling for several weeks, studying overseas or moving abroad.

Check your airline's baggage allowance before packing. Look at the permitted weight and dimensions as well as how many checked bags your ticket includes.

If you are travelling with considerably more than a normal holiday suitcase, you could also send luggage ahead rather than carrying everything through several airports.

For a standard holiday, packing carefully will probably be enough. For a semester abroad or a permanent move, trying to squeeze your life into one suitcase can quickly become impractical.

Make Yourself Comfortable on Board

You do not need to turn your seat into a miniature bedroom, but a few small things can help.

An eye mask, headphones and travel pillow are useful if you want to sleep. Drink water regularly and get up occasionally when it is safe to do so rather than spending the entire flight in the same position.

If you are crossing several time zones, start thinking about the time at your destination. You might not sleep perfectly on the aircraft, but even resting can make the first day easier.

Bring Some Snacks

Long haul flights usually include meals, but you might find yourself eating at unusual times.

A couple of snacks can be useful, especially if you are a picky eater or know you will get hungry between meal services.

Just remember that customs rules can apply to food when you arrive. Something you were allowed to bring onto the aircraft may not necessarily be allowed into your destination country.

Check What Happens During Your Connection

Connecting flights can be the most confusing part of a first long haul journey.

Before travelling, check whether your luggage goes directly to your final destination and whether you need to change terminals or pass through security again.

Give yourself enough time to make the connection too. Large international airports can take much longer to navigate than you might expect.

Plan Your Arrival

After spending most of the day travelling, the last thing you want is to land and start working out how to reach your accommodation.

Research your transport beforehand and save your accommodation address somewhere accessible. It can also be useful to download an offline map of the area.

Consider how much luggage you will have with you. A route involving several trains and a long walk might look easy on a map, but it becomes considerably less appealing with two large suitcases.

Give Yourself Time to Adjust

Jet lag affects everyone differently, so avoid filling your first day with plans.

If you arrive during the day, getting outside and gradually adjusting to local time can help you settle into your new routine. You have plenty of time to explore once you have recovered from the journey.

First Long Haul Flight Checklist

Before leaving for the airport, check that you have:

• Passport and any required travel documents

• Travel insurance

• Accommodation details

• Airport transport arranged

• Baggage allowance checked

• Medication in your cabin bag

• Phone and devices charged

• Chargers and travel adapters

• Entertainment downloaded

• Connection details saved

• Comfortable clothes for the journey

• Your destination address available offline

Enjoy the Journey

A long haul flight can look intimidating when you first see the journey time, but it is much easier when you arrive prepared.

Get your documents and luggage sorted beforehand, keep the essentials close by and know what you are doing when you land. Then settle into your seat, find something good to watch and enjoy the fact that when the doors open again, you could be on the other side of the world.