How to fly smart on long haul flights – our top 10 tips to help you arrive at your destination fresh and happy

The wander of travel is filled with the excitement and anticipation of the unknown, realising in a matter of hours you will be disembarking on the other side of the world with all the glory of a new place just waiting to be discovered. But there is a cabin seat, plane food and usually at least two international airports awaiting you before then. Flying smart on long haul flights focused on the basics: food and water, simple wardrobe and makeup choices and as little stuff as possible. Add a potential business class seat, plenty of rest, the ideal seat allocation and minimal stop over time and eight hours in the sky will melt away.

1Choose your airline wisely

The Beige Renegade team recently did the dreaded 24 hour haul from Australia to Europe for Milan and Paris Fashion Week with Etihad Airways, and can corroborate that it really does matter who you fly with. Not all economy classes are equal, and important factors from the age and size of the airplane to the level of service and amenities provided all make a huge difference when you’re stuck in a tight space for extended periods. In the case of Etihad, in addition to newer, larger planes and comfortable seats, the little inclusions like noise cancelling headphones, bed socks and toothbrush reminded us of the days when air travel was treated more as an experience than a necessary evil.

2Get an upgrade to business class

All things considered, perhaps the single most beneficial thing you can do to make long haul flights, well, fly by, is to score yourself an upgrade to business class. But beware: once you’ve flown business class, you may never be able to go back to economy. As we experienced flying business class with Etihad Airways, the extra mile of leg room, fully reclining cabin seats and the 5 star service that makes you feel like you’re in a luxury hotel at 36,000 feet – Champaign on request, anyone? Telegraph’s digital travel editor Oliver Smith reveals the secrets of how to get a free airline upgrade, and the Independent Traveller has some clever tips for improving your chances.

3Choose the perfect seat

There are literally hundreds of seats to choose from but choose well, and you will be rewarded. If you’re in a hurry to disembark, make sure to get a seat in the first few rows but if you’d rather have some potential space around you, book right at the back of the plane. While it’s more likely to have row 46 to yourself, you’re also going to be right next to the galley so keep that in mind. Exit rows have plenty of leg room but be prepared for the safety lecture. We’ll give you a hint: don’t open the door if there is water or fire outside. Every seat has its pros and cons so consider what your needs will be on the flight and book accordingly. Australian Business Traveller have some expert advice on picking the best seats.

4Board well rested

If you’re one of those gifted people who can sleep comfortably on a plane, lucky you, but for the rest of us, counting on a restful sleep on an plane is almost guaranteed to see us land exhausted and sleep deprived. Arriving at the airport, checking in and boarding while well rested means the body is more relaxed and more likely to find a comfortable position quicker. Sleep well the night before and use your in-flight time instead to do some reading or catch up on work.

5But if sleep is nonetheless your goal…

If you know a solid nap is the only way you can handle a long haul flights, board prepared so you have the best possible chance of getting some shut eye. Block out noise and light with sound cancelling head phones and an eye mask and make the most of those jelly-bean shaped neck pillows for sale in the boarding lounge.  If you’re a super sound sleeper, reserve the window seat so you don’t have to be woken by other passengers and use the stickers provided in the seat pocket so the air hostess knows if and when to raise you. ‘Wake me up for food?’ No thanks. If all else fails, you might consider visiting the chemist for some suggestions on sleep aids.

6Drink and eat well

Staying hydrated while flying is guaranteed to help the body cope with long haul flights. For the Beige Renegade reader, it may further incentivise, knowing that you will look and feel fresher when you land. Similarly, eating fresh and nutritionally rich food and avoiding processed sugar just prior and during travel helps the body fight off germs and to more quickly bounce back after hours trapped on a plane.

7Wear minimal make-up

Because it will never look like it did when you got on the plane. Wearing heavy makeup at the outset of long haul flights prevents the skin from being able to breath, rejuvenate and repair itself following high altitude and a lack of sleep. While going completely fresh faced might be just a little bit too confronting for some, swap foundation for CC or BB cream or tinted moisturiser to make sure the face stays hydrated but still with the comfort of a light cover. Pack an illuminating powder or setting powder in carry-on luggage for intermittent touch-ups – it’s quicker and more efficient that having to re-do a full face of makeup and won’t waste valuable carry-on space.

8Check it all in

Lugging more than one carry-on bag that’s too heavy and over packed is uncomfortable, inconvenient and downright embarrassing. If you aren’t completely certain you need it within the next 18 hours, check it in. Unless your work has a deadline in the next few hours, leave the laptop in the suitcase as well. Wearing minimal makeup also means you don’t need the whole bathroom cabinet to freshen up. In my carry on you’ll find my passport and relevant documents, a light coat, a small cosmetics case with a toothbrush and translucent powder among other things, antibacterial wipes and my purse, iPad and iPhone.

9 Dress for the occasion

We’re not about to tell you to turn up at the airport in Qantas pyjamas but wearing something comfortable you know will last the distance (literally) is a necessity. Choose dark, monochrome colours and light-weight breathable materials like cotton and pure wool. These won’t crease as noticeably as other materials and will disguise any tea and coffee mishaps caused by turbulence. Pick something that’s an old favourite so you know exactly how it wears after a few hours and something you can trust to be comfortable in, and that includes footwear. Pack of light coat in carry on luggage as well because in cabin temperature is often a few degrees cooler than what we might expect.

10Time transfers just so

In my late teenage, inexperienced naivety I once booked UK flights super late (as in 36 hours prior to departure) and, unable to book a reasonable transfer time at the last minute, ended up trapped at Dubai international transfers for 16 hours. It was not the duty free shopper, international jet setter, wine sampler experience I had imagined in my haste to buy the tickets. But I lived to tell the tale and to tell others not to. The ideal transfer time is long enough to disembark, freshen up, have a nibble of something that isn’t plane food and make it to your next gate without the need to hustle. The timing of this will depend on which airport you transfer at – some are significantly larger than others so factor in the time it takes to get to the next gate as well. My suggestion is an hour and a half for direct transfers and at least two and a half hours for indirect transfers requiring you to check in again or switch from international to domestic. Booking early is the best bet at securing the ideal transfer timing.

Images feature:
Etihad Airways Boeing 787-9 Perth to Abu Dhabi Business Class Cabin – Book early bird deals here
Bag: Chloe ‘Faye’ Handbag
Hat: Sarah J Curtis ‘Elegance Is’ Straw Boater Hat

Photography: Jiawa Liu | Words: Emma Clarke

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