I’ve taken more overnight flights than I could possibly count at this point. Between years of traveling between New York and Europe for wit & whimsy and frequent scouting trips for my travel atelier, En Route to Rêverie, long-haul flights have become a very regular part of my life.

And while I still don’t think there’s anything particularly glamorous about spending seven, eight or 12+ hours on a plane, I have gotten much better at it.

Over the years, I’ve figured out the routines, products and small travel hacks that make a noticeable difference in how I feel both in the air and when I land. Some help me sleep, some keep me more comfortable and others simply make the entire experience feel a little less taxing.

So whether you have an overnight flight to Europe ahead of you or a much longer journey across several time zones, these are the long-flight travel hacks I actually use again and again.

Travel Hacks for Long Flights: 13 Ways I Make Overnight Flights Easier

My Long-Flight Essentials

• Noise-canceling headphones
• Eye mask
• Compression socks
• Cashmere wrap
• Reusable water bottle
• Electrolytes
• Lip balm + moisturizer
• Eye patches
• Toothbrush + toothpaste
• Portable charger
• Kindle
• Downloaded entertainment
• Snacks

1. Choose Your Seat Wisely

One of the best travel hacks for long flights is all about where you sit. I always recommend selecting your seat as early as possible—especially if you’re picky (like me!) about having an aisle versus a window.

• Aisle seats are great if you anticipate a lot of bathroom trips or just want to be able to stretch your legs and get up for walks without disturbing anyone.
• Window seats are best if you want to lean against the wall and sleep without interruption. Window seats are my personal preference for overnight flights to get as much sleep as possible!

I also always check the seat map periodically leading up to departure. Better seats can open up as people change flights or upgrade and I’ve occasionally been able to move myself into a more desirable seat closer to departure.

Another thing that has improved my flying experience considerably? Airline loyalty. Because I fly Delta frequently, status and my Delta American Express can help with preferred seating, upgrades and other benefits that make frequent travel a bit more comfortable.

2. Layer Your Clothing

Airplane cabins are notoriously unpredictable when it comes to temperature therefore I always do my best to dress in breathable layers and bring my favorite cashmere wrap or scarf that can double as a blanket.

Some of my go-to travel outfit pieces:

• A cozy oversized sweater (perfect for layering over tees).
• Leggings or tailored joggers that move with you.
• Comfortable shoes for all the inevitable airport walking.

I actually rounded up some of my favorite travel outfit ideas if you need inspiration for chic yet comfortable looks: 

What to Wear on a Long Flight. 

3. Pack a Well-Stocked Carry-On

I also pack everything I know I’ll want during the flight in my personal item rather than my roller bag. Once I’m settled into my seat, I don’t want to be repeatedly opening the overhead bin looking for lip balm, a charger or my headphones. Before boarding, I make sure my in-flight essentials are all within easy reach.

My personal item is essentially my survival kit for long-haul flights. Beyond the obvious (passport, headphones, snacks), here’s what always makes it into my bag:

• Noise-canceling headphones – Truly a game-changer for drowning out crying babies or chatty seatmates.
• Eye mask – A small luxury that makes a big difference when trying to sleep.
• Skincare essentials – A travel-sized hydrating mist, a hydrating mask or moisturizer, eye patches and lip balm keep my skin from completely drying out. 
• Compression socks – Not glamorous, but essential for preventing swollen ankles and feet after hours in the air.

Related: Everything I Pack in My Carry On Bag

4. Charge Everything Before You Fly

I never board a long-haul flight assuming my seat’s charging port will work. My phone, Kindle and noise-canceling headphones are fully charged before I leave for the airport and I always travel with a portable charger as backup.

5. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

The recycled air in airplanes is incredibly dehydrating. I make it a goal to drink water consistently throughout the flight, even when I don’t feel thirsty. To make this easier, I bring my own reusable water bottle and ask flight attendants to refill it so I don’t rely on those tiny plastic cups.

The Cure Plant Based Electrolyte Hydration packets are another favorite of mine for travel days. The Lemonade flavor is by far my favorite.

I also limit alcohol when flying long-haul (no more than one glass of wine!) and pay attention to when I’m drinking caffeine. On overnight flights, I personally avoid caffeine leading up to departure because I know it makes sleeping on the plane much harder for me.

6. Prioritize Sleep

On an overnight flight to Europe, I treat sleep as the priority rather than trying to maximize the “experience” onboard. Once we’re in the air, I try to get myself into sleep mode as quickly as possible rather than watching multiple movies or lingering over dinner. If I’ve eaten before boarding, even better.

To block out distractions, I wear my eye mask and noise-canceling headphones. One thing I love is this playlist, which helps quell travel anxiety and lull me to sleep.

While I don’t personally travel with one, a supportive neck pillow is another option to consider.

Even if you only manage a few hours of shuteye, it will help your body adjust to the time zone change.

And if sleep just isn’t happening, I’ll sometimes put on a meditation through Calm or Headspace rather than endlessly scrolling through the entertainment options.

7. Move Your Body

Sitting still for hours is not only uncomfortable but also not great for circulation. Every 90 minutes or so, I try to stand up, stretch, and take a short walk up and down the aisle.

I also try not to sit cross-legged for hours at a time, which is something I naturally want to do in my seat. Ankle circles, calf raises, shoulder rolls and a few standing stretches when I get up all help me feel less stiff by the time we land.

8. Curate Your Entertainment

There’s nothing worse than realizing you forgot to download something to watch or read once you’re already at 30,000 feet. And sometimes, let’s be honest, the in-flight entertainment can leave a lot to be desired. Therefore, I recommend:

• In advance, download a few shows or movies from Netflix or Hulu.
• Add new podcasts to your queue (I love travel-inspired podcasts to get me excited about my destination).
• Make sure your Kindle is loaded with at least one new book. You can find some of my favorite reads here.

9. Eat Strategically

Plane food isn’t usually something to write home about, but I’ve learned it’s smart to eat lightly when you’re flying long-haul. Heavy, salty meals can leave you feeling bloated and uncomfortable.

I always have a few snacks in my personal item in case meal timing is strange or I don’t like what’s being served. Think protein bars, crackers, dried fruit or another filling snack you already know travels well. Just remember that certain foods, particularly fresh fruit and other agricultural products, may need to be discarded before entering your destination.

If I’m departing late at night, I’ll often eat a real meal at the airport so I can skip the airplane “dinner” and focus on getting some sleep.

10. Adjust to Your Destination Early

The best way to minimize jet lag is to start adjusting before you even land. 

If you’re flying east to Europe, this usually means eating quickly and trying to get some shuteye soon after takeoff. Westbound flights are usually easier—just try to stay awake until you’re closer to the new bedtime.

The Timeshifter app can also be really helpful if you’re crossing several time zones. It creates a personalized schedule for things like sleep, light exposure and caffeine based on your itinerary. I’ve used it on past trips and found it particularly useful for bigger time changes.

11. Refresh Before You Land

There’s something so much better about stepping off the plane feeling pulled together rather than disheveled.

About an hour before landing, I’ll pop into the bathroom to brush my teeth, splash water on my face and apply a little concealer and lip balm. Even five minutes of freshening up makes a huge difference in how I feel when I arrive.

I’ll brush my hair with the brush in my carry on and reorganize my bag so I’m not digging around for my passport or phone while everyone is trying to deplane.

Related: Little Things I Do To Make My Travels Smoother & Easier

12. Arrange a Transfer

One of the most stressful parts of arriving in a foreign country can be figuring out how to get from the airport to your hotel — particularly when you’re tired, jet-lagged and dealing with a language barrier.

We often recommend that our En Route to Rêverie clients traveling to France and the UK arrange a private transfer in advance. Having a driver waiting after baggage claim means there’s nothing to figure out upon arrival and our clients are always so happy they did it.

13. Get Outside After You Land

What I do after landing can be just as important as what I do on the plane. If I arrive in Europe in the morning, I try to get outside, walk and expose myself to daylight as soon as I reasonably can. I’ll usually have coffee, get moving and do my best to stay awake until an appropriate local bedtime.

I also try not to overschedule my first day. After years of making the mistake of hitting the ground running after a red-eye, I’ve learned I enjoy the start of a trip much more when I leave myself some breathing room.

Final Thoughts on Travel Hacks for Long Flights

I don’t think I’ll ever be someone who looks forward to an overnight flight, but after years of taking them regularly, I’ve learned that the little things really do add up. Choosing the right seat, boarding prepared, prioritizing sleep and having the things that make me comfortable within reach all make the journey feel considerably more manageable.

And perhaps my biggest piece of advice: don’t put pressure on yourself to land feeling amazing. Long-haul travel is tiring! My goal is simply to make the experience as comfortable as possible so I can adjust quickly and start enjoying wherever I’ve traveled to.

And if that next trip happens to be to France or the UK, my team and I at En Route to Rêverie would love to help make the rest of your travels considerably easier, too.

You May Also Like:

• The Makeup I Always Travel With.
• The Best Bras for Travel Days.
• All My Travel Essentials.

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