Long travel days don’t have to wreck you. Here, we have the best practical tips to stay comfortable, well-rested and fresh on long haul flights – while staying in economy!
Unless you’re flying to the Pacific Islands or Australia, New Zealanders often have long travel days – which can stretch even longer when trying to keep costs down with extended layovers.
The body starts feeling groggy (and sticky when going to warmer climates!), skin is as dry as a prune and the hair turns into a messy mane that can’t be tamed.
You arrive at your destination tired, sweaty and grumpy. But babes, it doesn’t have to be that way.
What ACTUALLY Helps You Stay Comfortable on a Long Haul Trip
As someone who goes on long haul flights at least once a year, I’ve got non-negotiables so I can tackle gruelling travel days with a bit more ease.
Here are six tips to stay fresh and feel great after a lengthy journey in economy class – yes, it’s possible without having to pay an arm and a leg for premium economy or business class!
Choose a top airline. You get your money’s worth.
I know flying with a top airline means having to pay top dollar, but if the difference between a budget carrier is about $200 or $300, it may be worth considering. These flights are more direct, usually with just one layover, and the cabin experience will undoubtedly be much better. Watching out for sales or booking ahead can also get you a better deal.
As most of my travels are to Asia, I always fly with Singapore Airlines for their world-class service. They offer warm face towels to freshen up and dental kits in the bathroom and their airplane food ain’t so bad. Small luxury, I know, but I love using proper silverware when eating on a plane. The legroom in their long haul flights are slightly wider than other airlines. Their seat pitch is about 32 inches compared with 30-31 inches to other carriers, which trust me, means A LOT on an 11 hour flight.
And of course, our very own Air New Zealand also offers competitive seat pitches: economy at 31-33 inches and Economy Stretch at 35 inches. If you’re traveling with a little one, you can also fully lie flat on their Skycouch offering – when three economy seats gets converted to a couch for a more comfortable sleeping experience – an exclusive Air New Zealand experience. It will comfortably fit one adult and one child, and maybe two adults if you don’t mind the squeeze!
According to ‘World’s Best Economy Class Airlines 2025’ by Skytrax, other top airlines Cathay Pacific and Qatar Airways. Cool thing about Cathay Pacific is that it’s also got very competitive pricing. And, in our side of the world, Jetstar also offers affordable pricing with a great flight experience for a budget airline. (I stand by Jetstar!!)
Long layover? Choose a great airport, or book an affordable airport lounge.
What makes a difference in a long haul journey with drawn out layovers is also the quality of the airport. Again, my bias is Singapore. The Changi International Airport is undoubtedly the best airport in the world, with free snooze lounges and showers, and endless leisure activities like a swimming pool, koi pond, butterfly garden and the Jewel Changi Airport shopping mall.
There are also cheap eats at their countless food courts, unlimited WiFi and access to pharmacies – which was mighty useful when I had to top up on some Gaviscon – ha! It’s also a great place to get stuck in if your flight gets delayed.
Otherwise, it may be worth looking into executive business lounges. When I went to Chiang Mai, my group got stuck in the Bangkok airport because of a solar storm. The six-hour layover turned into 11, and a 35USD lounge for three hours is what saved us. It includes a buffet, a private snoozing room and showers.
Pack an amenity kit.
I remember the days when Singapore Airlines would give each economy passenger an amenity kit – which included a sleeping mask, dental kit, ear plugs and socks. I can’t speak for other top airlines if they’ve also stopped doing this, but it’s taught me to pack my own amenity kit:
• Covered toothbrush
• Tiny toothpaste
• Quality sleeping mask
• Noise cancelling earplugs (not the soft foam pharmacy ones!)
• Overhead noise cancelling headphones (I put this over the noise cancelling earplugs to protect my ears from the pressure)
• Face wash
• Moisturiser
• Lip balm
• A cooling mist like the Avene Eau Thermale Spring Water (again, not an ad! Just love it so much!)
• Deodorant
• A silk bonnet to keep your hair tame the entire flight. (My current obsession!)
• Wet wipes
• Hand sanitiser
• Fresh undies and a pair of socks… or
• Compression socks (Not on my kit just yet – but I’ve read heaps about how this is SO helpful!)
Brushing my teeth, doing a bit of skin care, changing undies and socks (if I can’t shower in between flights!) before getting off the plane makes me feel like a whole new person. Just make sure to do it when outside the bathroom rush – which weirdly is always about an hour before a flight lands.
Stretch, stretch, STREEEEETCH!
Sitting down for long hours slows down your blood flow, especially in your legs, and this is what makes ankles swell (hence the compression socks). It can also lock your hips and stiffen your neck and back. When other passengers are asleep, it’s the best time to go for a quick walk around the plane or stretch. When I go to the bathroom, I squeeze in a little stretch afterwards too. It helps with blood circulation and fatigue, and reduces stiffness.
Top tip: If you have a long layover, another way to get your body moving is going on a free guided city your. There are countries that offer complimentary transit tours. Singapore, Qatar, Japan, South Korea, to name a few. As long as you have a valid visa for that country, you’re good to go!
Stay hydrated.
We all know cabin air is dry AF, so drink up! Staying hydrated also helps with blood circulation and fatigue, and supports digestion and ear pressure regulation.
Get as much sleep as you can on the plane.
Time to put the sleeping mask and noise-cancelling ear plugs (and headphones) to work! Of course, it goes without saying that you also need a good neck pillow. Having all those things handy will set you up for success. Shifting time zones means your circadian rhythm is scrambled. Even if you’re struggling to sleep, just try to get in a quick nap or rest your eyes. It will make a difference!
Top tip: Not me bringing up Singapore again… But if you really struggle to sleep on a plane, get some sleep at the airport during a layover instead. I love the free snooze lounges you can find at the Changi International Airport. It’s a dedicated sleeping spot, so you don’t feel awkward turning three seats at a waiting area into a bed!
I can not emphasise this enough – wear something comfortable.
Look, I’m all for always looking your best, because you never know who you bump into! But giiirl, life isn’t a Netflix Christmas movie and we’re certainly not having a dreamy airport meet cute, so I think I’d rather stay comfortable than wear an elaborate fit. Plus, who says you can’t look cute in a comfy outfit?! My go-to airport outfit is a Uniqlo baggy box t-shirt and sweatpants and Allbirds Tree Dasher 2 trainers for ultimate comfort – again not an ad, just truly love them! Then I wrap a hoodie around my waist in case I need to layer up.
Long haul flights are impossible to avoid from our side of the world, but it’s something we don’t have to dread. It can be comfy, snug and relaxing. Planning ahead – and yes, that includes the airlines and airports you choose! – can significantly improve your travel experience.
