How to Survive a Long-Haul Flight (Economy Edition)

Pick the seat

• Window if you want to sleep.
• Aisle if you want to walk.
• Avoid the row in front of an exit row (often doesn't recline).
• Avoid the last row (galleys, traffic, smells).

What to wear

Loose layers. Cabin temperature swings 10°F across a flight. A hoodie or pashmina doubles as a pillow.

Hydrate aggressively

Cabin air is desert-dry. Aim for 8 oz per hour airborne plus a refill before boarding. Avoid alcohol; it dehydrates and wrecks sleep architecture.

Sleep tactics

• Strategic light — wear an eye mask, dim your seatback display.
• Strategic noise — bring noise-cancelling headphones.
• Strategic position — lean against the window with a small pillow.
• Avoid sleeping pills you've never tried before.

Move

Walk the aisle every 2 hours. Calf raises in your seat help blood circulation.

Eat lightly

Skip one meal if you can. Heavy in-flight meals make you feel worse on arrival.

Entertainment

Pre-download podcasts and movies. Seatback systems fail; your phone doesn't.

Track the trip

Pin the flight in FlightyFlow before you board. After you land, the app shows baggage carousel and walking distance to immigration without you having to read the signs in arrival fog.