8 Flight Tips For Feeling Refreshed After a Long-Haul

Getting ready for an amazing beach getaway or traveling across the country for a meeting? Wherever you are headed, long hauls can be tough on both your mind and your body. Keep reading for some tips and tricks that we love to help make your flight the most leisurely ride possible.

  1. After countless flights, we can tell you that the every single plane ride will get chilly. It doesn’t matter what month you travel, it’s cold 35,000 feet in the air and there is nothing more uncomfortable than shivering your way through the sky for 6+ hours. The best thing you can pack in your carry-on is a long sweater or sweatshirt to keep you warm. (Check out our post on essential carry-on items for even more tips.) And if you’re not wearing it, you can use it as a blanket or roll it up and use it as a pillow (if you don’t like traveling with a dedicated pillow).
  2. It can be tough to get rest in the air, and if you’re anything like us, you will try almost anything to get a little in-flight shut-eye. We envy the people who can nod off before take off, but how do they do it? (If you know the secret, please let us know!) Until then, we like to opt for the window seat to rest your head against the wall with your sweater-pillow. If you checked in and none were available, try getting to airport a few minutes earlier to ask the agent at the gate to switch your seat. If you’re extra nice and there is one available, it will be all yours and you’ll be on your way to snoozeville.
  3. Drink a lot of water because hydration is a key component to staying refreshed. Pack an empty water bottle in your carry-on and fill it up in the airport. Once on the plane, the flight attendants offer cups of water. Drink as many as you can and also have the attendant refill your water bottle for you. The plane’s cabin is much more dry than your normal daily environment so staying hydrated on the outside is just as important. Load up on lotion. Store it in your carry on and apply to both your face and body to avoid feeling like you just spent days in the Sahara Desert.
  4. Get up and stretch, as often as possible. There are some simple stretches that can help your body stay aligned and comfortable. Take a lap to the restroom and take a moment to reach for the sky, reach for your toes, reach side to side and then pull each knee into your chest. Your body will thank you.
  5. Keep face wipes accessible and wipe your face clean before takeoff and again right before you land to keep your skin clean and help feel refreshed. If you boarded the plane with makeup, we recommend you wipe your face clean before take off and reapply before landing, if you need to hit the ground running. 
  6. They call it the red-eye for a reason and there is nothing worse than the post-flight bathroom pit stop to see a vampire-like reflection staring back at you. Keep eye drops handy for when you land because your eyes may be red and feel dry from the low humidity in the cabin. This is an instant reviver!
  7. Also for that post flight bathroom pit stop, feel more refreshed by brushing your teeth. Pack a disposable toothbrush in your carry-on.
  8. Get the upgraded seat for more legroom and more space. For a cross-country red-eye, consider spending a little more moolah for more comfort all around. We look forward to re-launching our auctions in the coming months with additional airline partners to offer special discounted prices for upgrades, so you can score that first class seat on your terms!  

These are all simple remedies to help land feeling refreshed. We hope this helps on your next long-haul!