I recently achieved a personal travel milestone by going to a non-Asian or Australian country. This marked my first experience with a long-haul flight, while I was filled with anticipation, I also grappled with some anxiety, particularly because I was traveling with my elderly parents. Ensuring their comfort during the journey was a top priority for me. Despite my excitement about exploring a new destination, I couldn’t help but worry about potential jetlag and the potential challenges associated with a long-haul flight.
I wish I had researched before we saw the Cathay Pacific airline promotion. We were so happy to seize an opportunity to take advantage of an airline promotion and secure seats on a flight to San Francisco with Cathay Pacific in economy class. Initially, I had planned to utilize my existing miles to upgrade our seats, but I discovered that it wasn’t an option due to the promotional nature of our booking. Hence, I’m sharing my experience maximizing comfort and convenience during a long-haul flight in economy class, especially for first-time travelers.
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click on the link and purchase an item, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Tips for long-haul flight
I have come across some really helpful tips that helped me through the flight.
Seats with large legroom
The first row of seats in the economy class offers additional legroom and tends to be in high demand, often selling out quickly. It’s common for airlines to charge extra for these premium seats. If you’re fortunate, you might be able to check in early and secure seats with extra legroom. It’s advisable to monitor the seat map before your flight to potentially claim any available empty rows at the last minute. Regrettably, we were unable to secure these sought-after seats. The seats were all marked even before online check-in opened.
Bring a travel pillow
When you’re packing for your trip, make sure to include a comfortable travel pillow that offers excellent neck support. While travel pillows can take up space, they are essential for preventing your head from drooping forward and providing adequate neck support. Even though airlines often provide small pillows, it’s worth investing in your own to ensure maximum comfort during your journey.
Noise-canceling headphones
I typically don’t bring noise-canceling headphones on short-haul flights, but I couldn’t imagine trying to sleep with a crying baby on the plane for 12 hours. Noise-canceling headphones are a game-changer, especially on long flights when you’re seated near a crying baby. The ability to block out ambient noise and create a peaceful environment for yourself can make a world of difference during travel.
This is your best friend when traveling on long-haul flights. On our flight back to Hong Kong, a few babies were seated near us. I listened to some relaxing music and blocked out the crying noises. Although it did not block the cries 100%, it was enough for me to fall asleep. So if you have these, bring them with you. You’ll never know who sits near you.
Buckle your seat belt over your blanket
When you’re on a long-haul flight, it’s important to always ensure that your seatbelt is securely fastened. If you plan to sleep with a blanket, be sure to fasten your seat belt over the blanket to avoid being awakened by a flight attendant for a seatbelt check. This will help you rest undisturbed during your flight.
Wear loose and comfortable clothes
What you wear during long-haul flights is crucial. Choose loose-fitting, comfortable clothing in breathable fabrics like cotton or linen.
Download some backup movies onto your tablet or laptop
On our flight back to Hong Kong, all the games could not be loaded. Fortunately, the movies and music still work normally. It’s a smart practice to keep a selection of extra movies saved as backups on both your tablet and laptop. This ensures that you have convenient access to entertainment while you’re on the move. In the event of technical issues with the inflight entertainment system, having your own movies readily available can be a real lifesaver.
Stretch regularly
During my first long-haul flight, I was seated by the window next to my parents. I made a conscious effort not to disturb them, so I only got up to use the restroom once. As I made my way to the toilet, I noticed some discomfort in my body, particularly in my knees. It served as a reminder to take regular stretch breaks to alleviate any discomfort during long flights.
Bring Eye mask
If you prefer sleeping in complete darkness, don’t forget to bring an eye mask to cover your eyes and block out any light. This will help you have a more restful sleep and wake up feeling refreshed, especially if others are watching movies or reading books while you’re trying to sleep.
Drink water regularly to avoid dehydration
When traveling on an airplane, it’s essential to keep yourself hydrated as the air in the cabin tends to be quite dry. Drinking water regularly during the flight is crucial to prevent dehydration and ensure your well-being.
Pack some travel-size moisturizers
Another important thing to bring on your flight is moisturizers. I’ve got really dry skin, so I made sure to grab some moisturizers before my trip. I packed them in my cabin luggage to keep my skin feeling fresh. Remember to check the size of the moisturizer, it has to be within 100ml to be carried on board.
Pack a slipper
I prefer to wear comfortable rubber shoes when I’m traveling. But I find it uncomfortable to wear them for 12 hours straight. To solve this, I brought a pair of hotel slippers with me. I changed into them as soon as I boarded the plane.
Other Travel Tips
In conclusion, while the prospect of a long-haul flight may seem daunting, careful planning and preparation can significantly enhance the overall experience. By implementing these tips, I was able to ensure a more comfortable journey for myself and my elderly parents and make the most of our first long-haul flight. I hope these insights will be helpful to other first-time travelers embarking on similar journeys.
You can read about my first trip to the United States here. Here are other travel tips and guides that you might find helpful: