How To Survive An Ultra Long Haul Flight

You’ve probably seen the news and the announcement that the first ever non-stop flight from Australia to the UK was completed successfully.

The flight was 17 hours and brings a whole new meaning to ‘long haul’. This is a long time to be stuck in an airline seat; you’re going to need to know how to survive an ultra long-haul flight.

There are several things you must do to ensure you arrive at your destinations refreshed and healthy:

Move Round

Sitting in one seat for 17 hours will give you a numb bottom. But it will do much more than that. When you sit, your blood doesn’t flow efficiently. This means that your organs are not getting enough of the nutrients and oxygen they need.

Beat this and any health-related issues by walking up and down the plane at least once every 90 minutes. Ankle rotations and foot flexes can also help.

It is also important to do a set of stretches once you land. This will help the blood get around your body and make you feel better.

Hydration

The air on an aircraft is re-circulated and dry. Hydrate with water while avoiding caffeine and alcohol. These will dehydrate you more!

Drinking plenty will also ensure that you move around on the flight.

Jetlag

One of the biggest issues, when you land, is the jetlag which leaves you feeling terrible. You can lessen its effects by setting your watch to the destination country’s time before you take off.

You should then try to get some sleep but it is not a good idea to sleep for the whole of the flight. This is not how to survive an ultra long-haul flight.

Keep It Loose

It doesn’t matter how good you want to look, you need to think about the fact that you’ll be sitting in the same seat for 17 hours. That’s a long time to have the button on your jeans digging into your stomach.

You will end up with stomach ache; the flight will then seem like forever.

Wear loose and comfortable clothes, you can still look good but you’ll be comfortable for the duration of the flight.

Entertainment

It is also a good idea to ensure you have plenty of things to keep your mind busy. A book; laptop or tablet and a puzzle book will all help the time to pass. You can’t guarantee on conversation form your fellow passengers!