10 Thoughts You Have on the World’s Longest Flights

Please Stay Empty, Seat Next to Me

There's nothing better than arriving at your seat to find that the one next to you is empty. But until the cabin door closes, you'll be eyeing everyone who walks down the aisle towards you, and wishing that they keep on moving past. Having two or more seats all to yourself is like the economy version of getting a free upgrade.

I'm so Excited!

Chances are, if you're flying this far, you're going somewhere awesome, so your mind will be drifting towards all of the exciting things you'll be seeing and doing on your trip. Unfortunately, this doesn't apply on the return leg, when you'll likely be thinking about how tired you are and how much work you have waiting for you back at home.

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There Is Literally No Way to Make this Seat Comfortable

I wouldn't want to sit in the world's most comfortable recliner for more than few hours at a time, so being stuck in a tiny, non-ergonomically designed seat is torture. Experiment with pillows, recline angles, and feet position all you want—you're never going to find a sweet, comfortable spot in a coach-class airplane seat.

Should I be Moving More?

Right around hour five, you'll probably start to remember every single alarmist article you've ever read about deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) caused by air travel. Which is good, because hopefully it will inspire you to actually get up and move around. (Or, at least do in-seat exercises like flexing your feet.)

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What's That Smell?

Whether it's the mystery meat for hundreds of airplane meals being heated up at once, the combined odors of passengers who haven't showered in close to 20 hours, or something totally unidentifiable, there's always a weird smell on a long flight.

How Many Free Drinks Are Too Many?

Free drinks are a relic of the past on most domestic flights, but on longer international journeys, you can usually score unlimited free beer and wine (and maybe even liquor, depending on the airline). Which brings you to the question: How much is too much? (Sadly, alcohol can dehydrate you and make your jetlag worse, so it's smart to stick to just one drink to help you fall asleep. Yes, even though it's free.)

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Movie Watching on an Airplane Is a Judgment-Free Zone, Right?

I firmly believe that you cannot be held responsible for the movies you watch on a plane. Hey, you're stuck in the air with limited options, and watching Taken 3 is better than staring into space (sort of). This is why whenever someone asks if I've seen a terrible movie, I always have to justify it with, "Oh yeah I saw that—on a plane" (so they don't judge me).

This policy also extends to how you react to a certain film—it's pretty much a scientific fact that you're more likely to cry on planes, so don't be ashamed when you find yourself openly weeping during Toy Story 3. And go ahead, stream that movie you'd never pay for on the ground. No one's judging you.

It's been at Least an Hour Since I Checked the Flight Map, Right?

Spoiler: It's been five minutes. And you're still 10 hours from landing.

More Food?

It's nice that airlines give out so much free food on flights, but it can really drive home the feeling that you now live on this plane when you're eating dinner, a snack, and then breakfast, all in the same seat. Also, how do they manage to time it so they're starting breakfast service right as you've finally fallen asleep?

RELATED: 10 Ways Your Sabotaging Your Ability to Sleep on a Plane

I Wonder What I'm Missing on the Internet

For many of us, a long flight is the most time that we've been disconnected from emails, phone calls, texts, and various social media updates in years. Although you might be wondering what you're missing out on in the outside world, take the time to enjoy being disconnected from work and Facebook. (Or, just pay for in-flight Wi-Fi.)

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I've Never Been More Excited for Fresh Air

Once those wheels finally hit the tarmac, getting to stand up, walk around, and breathe in fresh air has never felt so good. Another much-anticipated moment: that minute when you finally get to lie flat in a real bed and get a good night's sleep, rather than dozing while strapped into an upright torture device.

More from SmarterTravel:

• Secret Pajamas for Overnight Flights
• 11 Travel Clothes That Feel Like Pajamas (But Look First Class)
• 7 Things You Should Always Wear on a Plane

Caroline Morse has survived the second and third longest flights in the world. Follow her on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline and on Twitter @CarolineMorse1.