10 Pro Tips for Surviving a Long Flight

Know Your Plane

I'm always a bit confounded when someone says, "I was so bored! It turned out the plane didn't have any TV/Wi-Fi/outlets." Plane configurations are available online via SeatGuru, so you should always check which seatback entertainment options, movie selections, Wi-Fi options, and power outlets are available to you before you leave (and, frankly, before you even book your flight). This is something I never used to check myself, until I made the mistake of assuming a 10-hour flight would definitely have seatback entertainment. Woe betide me when it turned out that it didn't, and I was stuck watching an endless loop of The Expendables with the rest of the plane. In Spanish. Lesson learned.

Make Up Your Space

Immediately upon sitting down, I like to create as comfy an environment as possible. Yes, it's nearly impossible to feel cozy in a cramped plane seat, but there are steps you can take to make your situation less terrible.

I like to think of my seat as my apartment for the next X hours and "decorate" accordingly. First, I empty the seatback pockets of any extraneous material (SkyMall catalogs, in-flight magazines, etc.). These I place to the side of my seat, where they won't be a legroom-sucking annoyance. Then I split my in-flight necessaries between the pockets; in one, I will set up a "kitchen" (bottled water, snacks, mints). In the next, I'll set up my "vanity" (lip balm, matte powder, sleep mask, tissues). The main pocket becomes my "library" (laptop, books, magazines, iPad). I immediately plug my headphones into the seatback entertainment system so I won't have to fumble with them later. I absolutely hate having a bag at my feet (it impedes what little stretching room I've got), so I remove anything I need before placing the bag in overhead storage.

On long flights, you accumulate a surprising amount of junk that can take up room until the flight attendant comes by to dispose of it. Recently, I started packing or requesting a plastic bag at an airport shop. This I hang from my seat tray or armrest to collect tissues, cups, and food wrappers.

Set a Sleep Schedule

Your trip begins when you board the plane. So for a long flight that spans time zones, the moment you board is when you should begin adjusting your sleeping and eating schedules to match your destination. Keep track of the time not on your flight but at your destination. Then regulate your habits to match that time zone.

I'll walk you through what I did for my Tokyo/Thailand trip. I boarded the plane at 12 o'clock noon EST (2 a.m. in Tokyo). On the plane, I immediately went to sleep, mirroring a somewhat-normal sleep pattern, as if I were already in Japan. I slept for about five hours (from about 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. in Tokyo), ate my first meal, and then stayed up the remainder of the flight, reading and watching TV. I ate again shortly before landing at 6 p.m., had a lengthy layover, and then hopped on my next flight to Bangkok. I kept myself awake, knowing I would land in Bangkok at 11 p.m. That way, once I disembarked, caught a cab, and checked into my hotel, I was able to sleep fairly easily and normally. I was a full 12 hours ahead, but I was able to wake up at 8 a.m. in Bangkok with little trouble (well, and the assistance of a strong Thai iced coffee).

Bring Backup Entertainment

Don't assume that just because you have a seatback entertainment system, you won't get bored. Worst-case scenario, your TV could be broken. And even if your system is working, the movie selections could be deplorable (remember my story of The Expendables en Español?). Here is where self-sufficiency and a little preplanning help. Pack plenty of backup entertainment options in a variety of platforms.

To supplement JAL's merely OK movie selections, I loaded my laptop and iPhone with several NPR podcasts, including the utterly engrossing Serial; two novels; a mini book of logic puzzles; and several hours of music. JAL's Dreamliner isn't Wi-Fi-equipped, so I downloaded my podcasts and prepped all my reading material before I left. I estimate that I had a total of 20 hours of in-flight distraction, not counting the entertainment system—this turned out to be plenty.

Plan Your Meal Times

Most flight attendants will leave you alone during mealtime if you're sleeping. (And on JAL, they place a nice sticky note on the seatback in front of you, letting you know that they stopped by and you're free to request your meal when you awake.)

Not all airlines do this, though, so you may want to plan around mealtimes. If you've brought your own nibbles or you don't plan on eating, you can, upon boarding, politely request that your flight attendant not wake you. If you want to eat fast and then sleep, consider ordering a special meal, such as the vegetarian option. These meals are generally served first, before the rest of coach, which means you can eat and head off to dreamland ASAP. This is my go-to move: I'm a wee distrustful of airline seafood, so I'd much rather eat the veggie meal anyway—and it's nice to get the extra naptime.

Take a Sleep Aid

There is no shame in popping a pill to help you sleep in-flight, but here are some tips. First of all, check with your doctor about whether a medication is safe before you use it; some sleep aids may be contraindicated with other meds you're taking. Secondly, give it a test run. Even "harmless" over-the-counter sleep meds can have funky side effects, much like powerful prescription drugs. At least a week before your flight, take your sleep meds as directed but in the safety of your own home. Monitor how you feel the next day. Are you able to get up without feeling groggy? Did you sleepwalk? Any headaches? You should never, ever try a medication out for the first time while on a plane.

Once on the plane, time your medications appropriately. Don't pop a pill if you know mealtime is soon or that you'll be landing within the next few hours; it is clinically impossible to deal with customs in an Ambien afterglow.

Wear the Right Clothing

Let's just put it out there: I am firmly opposed to pajamas on planes (or in public). If you're OK with them, that's quite fine, but I refuse to let the world see my rubber-duckie PJ pants. However, this doesn't mean you or I can't be comfortable on a long flight.

My in-flight outfit goes something like this: Uniqlo's draped trousers or jogger pants; a loose-fitting V-neck; a button-down chambray shirt or blouse; a large, warm scarf; socks; and slip-on sneakers (I like Superga or Vans). Remove some layers and voila: socially acceptable, totally convertible pajamas! Add a coat (which I stuff in the overhead compartment after everyone has stowed their bags), and this is an outfit that works in freezing temperatures. Land in the tropics? Just remove the blouse and scarf and stick them in your suitcase.

Another tip: I never wear contacts for the duration of a long-haul flight; instead, I wear glasses. (In fact, wearing contacts for 14 hours straight is unsafe, according to my ophthalmologist.)

Pick a Good Seat

Everyone should consult SeatGuru's maps before selecting their seat, especially for long-haul flights. But know that it's not simply a matter of picking the right seat—it's a matter of picking the right seat for you.

Let's just discount the middle seat right away. The only reason to willingly choose the middle seat is if your travel partners are sitting next to you. If you're flying with one person, obviously look for two-by-one seating rather than three-by-one. And if you're flying with two people and they insist you take the middle seat, make new friends.

Personally, I like the window because I want the pretty views and a wall on which to rest my travel pillow. But the window seat has downsides: There is generally a little less stretching room than the aisle seat allows, and getting to the bathroom involves some acrobatic maneuvers around a stranger. Taller passengers may be more comfortable in aisle seats.

Pro tip: Coach is pretty much bad across the board, so frequent-flyer miles are your friend, should you wish to upgrade classes. Cabin upgrades are my preferred use of miles rather than trying to book flights, since reward flights are so hard to come by and cost so much.

Stick to Refreshing Routines

Look at 14 hours in a normal day. You likely brush your teeth once or twice, apply deodorant, wash your face. You should still do these on the airplane: Not only are they all good behaviors that will endear you to your dentist, doctor, and seatmates, but it's likely that you'll have a more comfortable flight if you follow your everyday routines.

Before going to sleep, I make one last restroom trip. Some international carriers, like JAL, keep a small supply of toothbrushes in the bathroom. But I like to carry my own travel toothbrush or amazing Colgate Wisps for a quick brush before bed. Other products to have on hand are a travel-sized moisturizer, lip balm, and a small deodorant. I also stash a packet of Shiseido Pureness Refreshing Cleansing Sheets (they cleanse skin and restore hydration, and the scent is gender-neutral enough for men). The routine helps my brain recognize that it's bedtime, which makes for a much easier flight.

Chill Out

This may sound mushy, like terribly obvious advice, but it's an important lesson I've learned: In the air, many things are beyond my control. Turbulence. Crappy meals. Uncomfortable seats. But it's time to give yourself over to a higher power (at high altitude, your flight staff), accept the realities of your situation, and do what you can for comfort's sake. Focus on what's ahead, not the creepy stranger's hand drifting ever closer to your armrest. Just think: You are headed somewhere fun, or at least different from the everyday. No matter your in-flight complaints—and there will be many—you are on your way.

Know that if something seriously bothers you or violates your rights, you can contact the airline upon landing. But for now, all you can control is your seat, your TV, and your mood. So relax, take deep breaths, do some in-flight stretches, and close your eyes. You're almost there. After all, it's only 21 hours.

You Might Also Like:

• How to Survive a Red-Eye Flight
• Seven Gadgets You Should Never Use on a Plane
• Unexpected Airline Offerings Free with the Cost of Your Ticket