Everyone has a different theory on how to survive long-haul flights – but not all of them stand up to scrutiny.
That’s why we’ve separated fact from fiction, asking cabin crews and frequent flyers what works and what can turn the hours in an over-crowded metal tube less of an ordeal.
PERCEIVED WISDOM: A meal in the airport gives you more time to sleep on board.
THE REALITY: While it makes sense to maximise your time asleep, the odds for peacefully dozing off in the first few hours of any flight are low. This is when the captain and cabin crew are on the tannoy, meal carts clatter down the aisles and lights are on full beam. So go with the flow – eat on board then, once the empty trays have been cleared, pull down your eye mask.
QUICK FIX: Make long-haul flights easier by investing in noise-cancelling headphones, and don’t be afraid to enjoy a glass of fizz on board
PERCEIVED WISDOM: Seats in the emergency exit rows are worth paying for.
THE REALITY: These rows, with extra legroom, can feel less claustrophobic and are great if you’re tall.
But there can be downsides, including the £50-£70 or so it costs to book them, and on many long-haul planes the extra legroom seats are positioned by the mid-cabin toilets, so you’ll hear the doors slam and loos flushing all flight. Plus you can’t have your bag at your feet for take off or landing.
PERCEIVED WISDOM: Alcohol is best avoided – don’t even have a drop.
THE REALITY: Alcohol is dehydrating and can affect us more at altitude than it does on the ground. But it’s also part of the joy of travel, especially when it’s free on long-haul flights, so in moderation you should be fine.
Just be aware that hangovers kick in about six to eight hours after drinking, so one too many at the start of a 12-hour flight can hit you before landing. It’s also dangerous to drink late in a flight if you’re collecting a hire car. Police armed with breathalysers are known to target roads near airports, especially on America’s East Coast.
PERCEIVED WISDOM: Sleeping pills help you reach your destination refreshed.
THE REALITY: Some frequent flyers swear by the hormone drug melatonin. While it’s easy to buy in America, it is prescription-only in the UK, and travel doctor and Holiday SOS author Ben MacFarlane warns against trying something new on a plane – 35,000ft is not the best place for a bad reaction. Instead, he recommends simple paracetamol.
‘It’s mainly hard seats that stop us sleeping,’ he says. ‘Take the edge off with a mild painkiller and you’ll drift off safely.’
PERCEIVED WISDOM: It’s vital to bring a neck pillow.
THE REALITY: They range in cost from a few pounds for an inflatable one to £60 or more for memory foam, silk-covered or fleece options. But it’s not a disaster if you fly without one, as new-generation economy seats have plenty of support built in – BA’s latest headrests are designed to fold in on each side and cradle your head like a pillow.
PERCEIVED WISDOM: Having lots of toys will keep young children distracted.
THE REALITY: Toys are a great way to keep the kids busy, but beware – choosing the wrong toys can make everything worse. One to avoid is Lego, as no one wants to scramble under seats looking for lost pieces. You should also steer clear of anything that squeaks or makes an electronic noise, unless you don’t mind being the most disliked family on the plane.
PERCEIVED WISDOM: Teenagers will be happy with the seat-back screens.
THE REALITY: Nowadays there’s unlikely to be anything on the plane’s entertainment system that youngsters haven’t streamed at home. Instead, let them load content on to their own devices and focus on the number of video games on the in-flight system – Emirates has the most, at more than 100. Also, give in to the lure of wi-fi. Virgin Atlantic offers one hour for £5.99 or full-flight wi-fi from £20.99 – it will be money well spent.
PERCEIVED WISDOM: It’s best to sit towards the front of each cabin.
THE REALITY: It’s true that booking seats close to the front gets you off the plane and into the immigration queue sooner, which is particularly important in crowded airports. But cabin crew say the back of the plane is always emptier, so sit there if you’re looking to bag a spare seat next to you or even a full row to stretch out in.
PERCEIVED WISDOM: You can beat jet lag by switching to the time zone you’re flying to as soon as you board.
THE REALITY: It’s tricky heading west, as this would mean having breakfast after take off on an afternoon flight to California. Instead, cabin crew swear by the two-by-two rule: spend two hours eating and watching a movie, two hours dozing, two hours snacking and reading, two hours dozing and so on. Then change your watch to the new time zone when you land.
TEN SIMPLE TIPS FOR A FAB FLIGHT
- Beware bassinets. Look at seat plans to see where the babies’ baskets are, and keep your distance.
- Move fast. If you spot empty seats after the plane doors have closed, grab one early. If you can’t move before take-off, go as soon as the seatbelt sign is off.
- Wrap a cotton pillow case from home around an inflatable pillow. Fans say that this tricks the brain into sleep mode.
- Charm the crew. One passenger is rude, one is friendly… guess who gets extra drinks and snacks.
- Wear shoes to the loo or you’ll spend the rest of the flight wondering if the wet patch on your socks is really water…
- If you have forgotten your charger, listening to podcasts and audiobooks use less battery power than movies and games.
- Fasten your seatbelt over any blanket so the crew can see it, and they won’t disturb you if you’re sleeping when turbulence is anticipated.
- Layer up. Crew say it’s impossible to pick a temperature that pleases everyone. Happy flyers have hoodies, cardies, scarves or overshirts.
- Noise-cancelling headphones can transform flights. But remember you’re wearing them when you talk or you’ll be ‘that person’ who shouts.
- Don’t cross your legs. To cut the risk of deep vein thrombosis, keep them straight, flex your toes every now and then and stay hydrated.
