20 Proven Tips To Survive And Thrive During A Long Flight In Economy

Flying isn’t what it used to be. We are so old we remember getting real knives and forks along with cloth napkins with our meals… and wine in a real glass!!!

Flying in the 21^st century is no joy unless you’re flying private. This isn’t just a flight, it’s a 14-hour endurance test or a 10 hour prison sentence with dodgy food, a tight confining space where the air is dry and every inch around you feels borrowed – or a constant battle for elbow and/or legroom. To help make your next flight a little bit more bearable, we’ve put together some tips to survive and thrive during your next flight in economy.

Your seat doesn’t just decide your comfort, it decides whether this feels like an enjoyable journey or a hostage situation. Pick the wrong seat and you’ll spend 10+ hours pinned between strangers and wondering why you didn’t just drive to your destination – if that’s even an option.

However, with the right hacks, you can step off the plane feeling refreshed (well, almost) instead of completely wrecked. From smart seat choices to compression socks, stealth stretches, sleep tricks and hydration hacks—these tips are what seasoned travelers swear by.

* Note: We were not paid to promote any item/service that is in this article – we are just showing you what we use ourselves while also presenting some options that may be better suited to your lifestyle. As an Amazon Associate we earn from some qualifying purchases – it costs you nothing extra, but it helps us pay for the websites ongoing expenses*

BEFORE LEAVING HOME

No.1 – Seat Selection

Most economy tickets let you pick a seat as soon as online check-in opens. Some airlines open seat selection 48 hours out, others are 24 hours, so always check. Use tools like Aerolopa to see which rows don’t recline. Which seats are boxed in by the galley, and which seats secretly have extra legroom.

Aisles are best if you like moving around or stretching your legs regularly. Window seats are a lifesaver if you want sleep, no bathroom traffic and something solid to lean against – just remember to clean it before using it (it’s the dirtiest area of any plane and NEVER gets cleaned). Exit rows are great for extra space, but you’ll lose under seat storage and you get stuck with fixed armrests

The underrated choice (one that we discovered lately) is back seat rows that still recline! These are the best – nobody behind you when you lean the seat back. Nobody grabbing and shaking the seat to get in/out while you are sleeping, easy to get extra drinks and food – the stewards are right there in the galley, and you know when the toilets are free too.

No. 2 – Medication.

Follow the 48-hour rule: anything you might need in the next two days lives in your carry-on, not your checked bag – and ideally in the emergency comfort kit you created in No. 15. If your flights get rerouted, connections get missed or the worst – your suitcase takes a surprise vacation to another destination, you’ve at least got something. Keep them close, labeled and easy to grab.

No. 3 – Refresh Kit

We’ve doing this for years. It’s a no-brainer. Build a tiny refresh kit and actually use it before descent. Make it small and keep it close by and easy to grab. Inside put stuff you use every morning when you get up, plus stuff you need while travelling. Think – travel toothbrush and paste, a couple of face/body wipes, lip balm, hand cream, a small moisturizer, contact lens cleaner/refresher. Toss in a spare pair of underwear and socks. Five minutes in the lavatory and you’ll walk out looking and feeling like you are ready for the next part of your journey. Try adding something like the Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe to keep your skin hydrated and refreshed.

No. 4 – Dress For Comfort – Not The Runway

We’ve covered this in other articles too, but we’ll include it here as a refresher… Dress in layers so your seat doesn’t turn into a sauna or a fridge/freezer. The cabin of an aircraft is a pressurized tube with recycled air, where the temperature can flip from freezing to a sauna and back again in under an hour.

It is not a fashion runway, therefore style is not as important as comfort. Wear loose pants or tracksuit bottoms that let your legs move – nobody wins style points for surviving 10+ hours in skinny jeans and a tightly synched belt. Wear a light t-shirt underneath a hoodie or zip-up jacket that’ll give you options when the cabin plays temperature roulette.

Here’s what not to do – wear outfits loaded with zippers and chains. They turn you into THAT person everyone dreads at TSA, setting off alarms and holding up the line. Tracksuit or similar don’t have belts or metal bits to set off the alarms and you just comfortably ease your way through the TSA line.

About an hour before landing, go to the lavatory with your travel refresh kit and change into another shirt, change your socks and underwear and freshen up. Think of it as your secret cheat code. Everyone else lands rumpled and disheveled and you land ready for selfies, because survival on a long flight isn’t just about how you sit, it’s about what you sit in.

Opt for something like Women’s cotton leggings or the Men’s cotton Joggers, both of which offer stretchy comfort and breathability without sacrificing style. Another added bonus is you won’t have to take your belt off for security and you’ll be far more comfortable than wearing jeans.

No. 5 – A Big Scarf

A big lightweight scarf or shawl. This is your Swiss Army tool – a blanket, a privacy curtain and a neck warmer – all in one.

No. 6 – Jet Lag – The Silent Enemy Waiting At Your Destination

It doesn’t matter if you’re 20 or 70. That time zone shift can hit you like a brick wall. Smart travellers don’t just jump on a plane and hope for the best, they plan ahead and prepare for it.

Your best friend is JetlagRooster. It’s free, it’s easy to do and it WORKS! This is another thing we’re stressed in the past and we swear by it. It’s very simple – a few days before leaving, you start nudging your sleep schedule toward your destination’s time zone. Earlier if you’re flying east, later if you’re heading west. We’ve found going to Europe is very important. Coming home to Canada it’s not much of a big deal unless you’ve been in Europe for months at a time.

Once on board, reset everything the moment you sit down. Change your watch or phone to the local time and try to eat and sleep by that clock (easier said than done).

PRE-FLIGHT

No. 7 – Water On The Go

Swap that flimsy plastic water bottle for a proper stainless steel thermos-type water bottle. There are loads of options on amazon – stick to Stainless Steel if possible because they are easier to clean, especially if you drink different types of liquid.

We see the same thing every time we travel! At security there’s a myriad of passengers clutching empty plastic bottles, ready to fill them up at the fountain once past customs clearance. Be smart. Swap that bottle for a wide-mouthed thermos, and you’ve just unlocked one of the best upgrades most travellers don’t even think about.

Suddenly, hydration is a non-event. A good double-walled drinks bottle performs triple-duty. 1) It keeps water icy cold for hours or 2) It keeps hot drinks steamy-hot just like you poured them and 3) You can use it for hot or cold drinks throughout you journey – not just at customs.

Another smart reason DON’T drink the coffee/tea on the plane. The water lines are NEVER cleaned out, they are full of gunk and even mold. Added to that, they serve you lukewarm tea/coffee in horrible little plastic cups full of toxins – yuk!!

Now think about this… a cup of peppermint tea or that nice cup of specialty/Starbucks coffee during your flight. You can do that if you have a thermos-type drink bottle or even a dedicated food/drink thermos. Again, you can also use it on your travels. The bigger size (and neck width) the more useful the container.

We watched a bunch of people on our last flight have their half-full cups of coffee or water on their tray bounce off the table and on to their seat during turbulence, or while getting in and out of their seat, some even had the drinks end up on their lap!!

You can go for a durable and highly-rated classic like the Hydro Flask (available in a mind-boggling number of colours) to keep your water cold for hours. It’s a simple way to keep hydrated without pestering the flight attendants for those tiny cups every hour – for some reason they won’t give you the 2L bottle they have in their hand. Another great option is collapsible bottles – perfect for saving weight and space.

ON THE PLANE

This next tip is the difference between smart travellers that plan and numpties that bring chaos wherever they go.

No. 8 – This Is Classic, Non-Planning

We’re guilty of this… in the past, but we’re smarter now ;>)

One of the biggest rookie mistakes on a long flight is cramming everything into the overhead bin and then realizing three hours in, the need to access the stuff you locked above your head. So you either sit there frustrated, or you do the awkward aisle yoga and climb over people to get out and yank your bag down, get what you need and then put it back – hoping you got everything.

It’s an easy fix. Get yourself a small survival kit bag that stays with you and lives under the seat in front of you – NOT a second carry-on, just a slim pouch or tote that holds the things you’ll reach for most – like your glasses, MP3 player, headphones, snacks, charger cable, lip balm, maybe even a travel toothbrush. Think of it as your in-flight emergency comfort kit. Travel Essentials Electronic Organizer

Use something soft and flexible so it slides into your backpack/personal carry-on bag. If you can find a bag with two or three compartments that’s even better. You don’t want to dump out half your stuff just to find a pair of earbuds.

Here’s a tip that may or may not be seen as ‘dodgy’. If you fly First Class or business Class you get a little bag full of earplugs, eye mask, socks, toothbrush/toothpaste etc. While disembarking a flight one time there was one or two of these little pouches in First Class that someone obviously didn’t want/need and left it behind. I grabbed it. Boom! Got me a survival kit bag for future travel.

No. 9 – Compression Socks

Remember that moment during mid-flight when you stand up for the bathroom and your legs feel weird and don’t really want to do what you want them to do? You’ve got stiff ankles and it feels like you’ve suddenly gotten really old since you sat down.

That’s when compression socks changes everything. Compression socks keep your legs from swelling while flying. They don’t look stylish (hideous would better describe them), but slip them on and suddenly your legs actually co-operate with your brain when you stand up!

And here’s a bonus most people don’t even realize – they’re heaters in disguise. Sometimes the cabin can feel like a fridge, but keeping your feet warm actually tricks your body into thinking the whole flight is more comfortable. Frequent flyers know this trick and you’ll notice the pros tugging on their compression socks right after takeoff. Remember that flying isn’t a fashion show… it’s all about comfort, so toss a pair in your bag and put them on before you board the plane. Fortunately they aren’t very expensive, so give them a shot on your next flight. Check out these compression socks

No. 10 – Everyone Gets A Useless Little Pillow

How about the tiny free pillow they give you – forget your neck, stick it behind your lower back – in your lumbar area. Your body will thank you. Use a sweatshirt/sweater as a pillow – or use a blow up one. Using a travel pillow the proper way – flipped under the chin instead of the back of your neck sure beats the embarrassing head bob. Tiny tweaks make life bearable in economy class.

For travel pillows, there is an abundance of choices and variations. We found these Travel Pillows on Amazon. Another popular option is the Cabeau Evolution Classic Pillow.

No. 11 – Armrest Relief

Here’s another little trick most people don’t know – I figured it out when I was 6 years old, so it’s mind-boggling to see others haven’t clued into this…. check under your armrest. Many seats have a hidden button that lets you lift it up out of the way. Pop it up and you’ve got more room to lean or share space with a travel partner. Many of the isle seats let you lift the isle armrest too, enabling easier ingress/egress from you seat. Look for the switch either at the end of the armrest or back near the hinge.

DURING THE FLIGHT

No. 12 – Standing, Stretching And Walking During The Flight

Standing, stretching and walking to the galley every so often makes a huge difference. Force yourself to get up every two hours, even if it’s just to refill your water bottle.

If you’re stuck in a window seat, you’re not doomed. Stretch your legs under the seat in front if you can. Flex your toes, circle your ankles, lift one knee at a time. It’s stealth exercise – nobody notices, but your circulation does and thanks you for it. Keep those joints and muscles awake now and you’ll sleep far better later.

No. 13 – Shut-Eye In Economy

How do you actually get decent shut-eye in economy without waking up every 20 minutes? Sleep in economy is precious and important for when you reach you destination some-what refreshed. Well first of all, look at your seat. Those headrests aren’t just decoration – most have little wings you can bend inward. Fold them in and suddenly your head stops bobbing around like a bobble-head doll. It’s unbelievable how many people don’t know that’s how the headrest works!!

No. 14 – Eye Mask

Get yourself a real eye mask, not one of those paper one. It just shuts the world out – no need to worry about the person constantly opening and closing the blind – stick your headphones in your ears and the surrounding noise kinda disappears too. They aren’t expensive either.

Many economy cabins no longer provide blankets for everyone. Bring your own with something lightweight yet cozy, like the EverSnug Travel Blanket and Pillow combo, which doubles as a pillow when folded. Cheaper alternatives can be found HERE.

No. 15 – Silence In The Sky Isn’t A Luxury, It’s Survival.

Close your eyes on any flight and just listen. An infant warming up their vocal cords that could register on the Richter scale, a plane engine humming (it’s quieter if you sit in front of the engine, or at the very back BTW), a fellow passenger laughing too loudly at a movie or a gaggle of people talking in front of the toilets. It’s less like an aeroplane and more like trying to nap in Grand Central Station!! This is where noise-canceling headphones change everything.

Earplugs can also work if you don’t want music. To install properly: Compress the foam between your index finger and thumb and roll it into a nice small bullet-shape. Grab the top of your ear and pull it up while you slide the earplug into your ear and wait for it to expand. That’s it. Silence. We just discovered these noise-cancelling earplugs that are pretty cheap – and they ship from Amazon!

I have headphones that fit inside my ears and they work great – with or without music. To take it to the next level consider noise-cancelling headphones. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds come highly recommended by CNET for their comfort and top-notch noise cancellation.

Check out budget-friendly alternatives like the Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro – still great noise cancellation at a fraction of the cost. There are more here too – I would NEVER use Bluetooth/wireless headphones – just think about all those radio frequencies frying your brain all the time!

No. 16 – Your Backpack/Personal Bag

Here’s a trick I’ve used more than once. After takeoff, slide your personal bag out from under the seat in front of you and rest it BEHIND your calves. You instantly get more legroom, it can’t slide behind and out of reach, because of the bar under your seat – it also doubles as a footrest too. So don’t toss it in the overhead bin – keep it close by and use it for your comfort.

No. 17 – Turbulence & Seatbelts

You’re finally all setup – got the neck pillow in place, eye mask blocking the cabin lights, headphones playing music to block out the cabin sound and…. tap, tap. A flight attendant nudges you awake just to check if you are buckled in for the up-coming turbulence. Annoying, isn’t it? But it’s preventable. Buckle your seatbelt over your blanket or jacket, not underneath. It may look a little weird, but the crew can see you’re strapped in without disturbing you during turbulence.

If you plan to skip a meal, just lower your tray table before closing your eyes, that way the crew can set your tray down quietly or just roll past without poking you awake.

No. 18 – Food & Drinks

Stick to light, low-salt foods that your stomach already knows – skip the heavy, greasy dishes or salty snacks that can leave you bloated and uncomfortable for hours. For shorter flights bring a granola bar or some nuts. Just remember those free snacks from the airline – crackers, pretzels and chips will only dry you out even more in cabin air that’s already extremely dry.

Alcohol and caffeine rob your body of water when it needs it the most. Sticking to water is a smart move. Aim for about one cup (250 ml) every hour, or roughly 500ml every 60 to 90 minutes. That’s not as much as you might think – that’s just one regular water bottle every 60 to 90 minutes. If you want some flavouring toss an electrolyte packet in once or twice during your flight.

Bottom line – eat light, drink smart and you’ll step off the plane feeling human and ready for your onward journey!

No. 19 – Electronics & Entertainment

Are you one of those people that just have to be holding your phone for 10 hours straight? Your wrists are gonna give out before you’ve even taken to the sky. The smarter move is to turn that tray table into your own private movie screen. A pop socket stand on the back of your phone will do the trick – we’ve both got them on our phones.

No pop socket stand? Flip your sunglasses upside down and suddenly you’ve got yourself a simple but solid phone stand. The downside is your glasses are probably going to slide around the table or drop on the floor where you’ll step on them as you struggle to find where they are….or you could buy one of these Folding Phone Stands – they are cheap, highly adjustable and fold flat. We use them all the time at home and on the go! They have rubber nibs on the bottom to stop it moving around. They are also sturdy enough you could put a tablet on them for watching all those TV shows and movies you’ve been saving to watch on your flight.

No. 20 – Airplane Bathrooms/ Lavatories

The dreaded ‘bog’ as we’ve called it since we were kids. The second the seatbelt sign blinks off, stampede for the Bog!!!

Timing is everything – you never want to show up right when the line is at its peak (usually after everyone has been fed). And yet that’s exactly what most passengers do! For an hour after the meal service, a conga line stretching halfway down the aisle.

The smart flyer zig when everyone else zags. Use the restroom before boarding – while you’re still in the terminal. They are cleaner, bigger, and there’s no turbulence bouncing you around.

Once on board, keep an eye out for the food/beverage carts – you’ll see the crew in the galley working away, it’s easy to see. Depending on the length of the trip or airline, it’s usually 45-60 minutes after take-off. Time your breaks before the food carts roll out. Or go immediately as they are finishing, while everyone else is stuck with their trays down and can’t get out. It feels almost illegal how easy it is and how predicable people are – you just have to pay attention to your surroundings!

Go early and go when others can’t, and you’ll skip the lines. By the time the rest of the sheeple realizes they need to go, you’ll be back in your seat.

———————

So that’s it. Surviving a long haul in economy isn’t about luck – it’s about knowing the right moves. From the seat you pick to the snacks you pack. Every small choice adds up until the flight feels less like a game of Survivor and more like something you can actually handle and thrive. With a little planning, the journey before, during and after becomes part of the adventure. You’ve survived the cramped seat and you are ready to hit the ground running when you arrive at your destination. May your next flight be smoother, quieter – and just a little more comfortable!

Safe travels.

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About TravelBloggers…
Iain & Gail started blogging in order to inspire and motivate people to travel the world from their perspective – specializing in having the most fun while using the least amount of money…travelling on the cheap without sacrificing comfort.

** In the end you will only regret the things you didn’t do **