Savvy Talks: 10 Ways To Survive A Long Flight Without Losing Your Mind ✈️

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Including Why I Spent Six Hours Standing in the Back of an Airplane.

I recently flew home from Nepal, and the final leg from Hong Kong to Chicago was miserable.

I had a window seat next to two very large men who spent most of the flight sleeping and snoring. Every time I wanted to get up, I had to wake them. And on a flight that long, I need to get up!

I was trapped.

The flight attendants were wonderful and tried to find me another seat, but only middle seats were available. Somehow, that sounded even worse.

So I did something ridiculous.

I spent six hours standing in the back of the airplane, working on my laptop.

One of the flight attendants even showed me where to put my laptop and pulled a curtain around me for privacy. I basically had my own little office. In economy. Without a chair.

Eventually, my legs gave out and I returned to my seat.

Looking back, I made some mistakes. I should have been more careful about choosing my seat, considered paying for an upgrade and been more proactive before boarding.

So, after learning a few things the hard way, here are 10 ways to make your next long flight a whole lot more bearable.

1. 💺 Choose Your Seat Like Your Sanity Depends On It

Because after 14 hours, it might.

For long flights, the aisle seat is officially my best friend. You can get up without asking permission, stretch your legs and go to the bathroom whenever you want.

Window seats are great if you plan to sleep through the flight. Not so great if you're someone who needs to move around.

And here's something to consider: if you're traveling alone, there's no one you know to negotiate bathroom breaks with. You're at the mercy of strangers.

Savvy Tip: Don't automatically accept the seat the airline assigns you. Check the seat map when booking, again in the days before departure and when online check-in opens. Seats sometimes become available as people change flights or get upgraded.

2. 💰 Know When Paying For Extra Legroom Is Worth It

I'm all for saving money. But there's a difference between a two-hour flight and spending half a day in a metal tube.

Extra-legroom economy seats can be worth paying for, particularly on overnight or ultra-long flights.

But here's something important: extra legroom doesn't necessarily mean extra seat width.

And more legroom won't necessarily solve the problem of being trapped behind two sleeping passengers.

Savvy Tip: Check exactly what you're buying. Premium economy generally offers wider seats and more recline than regular economy, while extra-legroom economy may simply give your knees more room. Also check whether you can use miles, airline status benefits or a paid upgrade to get a better seat.

3. 🙋♀️ Ask About Better Seats Before You Board

This is where I wish I'd been more proactive.

If you're unhappy with your seat assignment, don't just hope things will magically improve once you're on the plane.

Ask the gate agent whether any aisle seats have opened up. You can also inquire about last-minute upgrades or same-day seat changes.

Savvy Tip: The best time to solve a seating problem is before you're trapped behind two sleeping strangers. Once you're on the plane, your options become much more limited.

4. 🎧 Pack Your Own Survival Kit

Airline blankets and headphones are nice, but I wouldn't depend on them.

Here's what I like to have within reach:

• Noise-canceling headphones or comfortable earplugs

• An eye mask

• A neck pillow that actually supports your head

• Lip balm and moisturizer

• A toothbrush and toothpaste

• A lightweight sweater or wrap

• A charging cable and airline-compliant power bank

Savvy Tip: Keep your essentials in a small bag under the seat in front of you. You don't want to climb over sleeping passengers every time you need lip balm.

Trust me.

5. 😴 Don't Let The Airplane Decide When You Sleep

One of the biggest mistakes on a long international flight is sleeping at the wrong time.

If you're crossing multiple time zones, try shifting toward your destination's schedule as soon as practical.

Set your watch to your destination time, avoid caffeine when you're planning to sleep and use an eye mask to create darkness.

And don't assume a glass of wine will help. Alcohol may make you drowsy initially, but it can interfere with the quality of your sleep.

Savvy Tip: If possible, plan your sleep around when you'll arrive. You don't want to land at 8 a.m. feeling ready to start your night.

6. 🚶♀️ Get Up And Move. Maybe Not For Six Hours.

Sitting for extended periods can increase the risk of blood clots, particularly on long flights and for people with additional risk factors.

So get up periodically when it's safe, walk a little, flex your ankles and stretch your calves.

Graduated compression socks may help certain travelers, especially those at increased risk of blood clots. Ask your healthcare professional if they're appropriate for you.

Now, about my six-hour standing marathon.

The flight attendant showed me a place in the back where I could work on my laptop, then actually pulled a curtain to give me some privacy.

It was surprisingly comfortable. Until it wasn't.

Savvy Tip: You don't need to do what I did. Move around periodically when the seatbelt sign is off, and do simple ankle and calf movements while seated. Don't stand in aisles or crew work areas without permission.

7. 💧 Drink Water, Even If It Means More Bathroom Trips

Airplane cabins have very low humidity, which can leave your eyes, nose and mouth feeling dry.

Drink water regularly and don't rely on coffee or alcohol.

Savvy Tip: Bring an empty refillable water bottle through security and fill it before boarding, where airport rules permit.

And yes, drinking water means bathroom trips.

Which brings me back to the aisle seat.

8. 🥩 Bring Your Own Food

Personally, I always travel with beef jerky from a butcher shop and nuts.

They're satisfying, easy to carry and keep me from reaching for every bag of chips, cookies or pretzels that comes down the aisle.

If you prefer protein bars, those are another easy option.

And I have to say, whenever I pull out my beef jerky, I notice people looking over.

I think they want some.

I'm not sharing.

Savvy Tip: Bring shelf-stable snacks that don't require refrigeration. Avoid anything especially messy, pungent or noisy. And if you're traveling internationally, check customs rules before carrying leftover meat or other restricted foods into your destination.

9. 🔄 Don't Assume Another Seat Will Be Better

The flight attendants on my flight were genuinely helpful. They wanted to find me a better seat.

Unfortunately, the only available options were middle seats.

And I couldn't imagine how moving from a window seat to a middle seat was going to improve my situation.

A middle seat with extra legroom might still be less comfortable than a regular aisle seat, depending on what matters most to you.

Savvy Tip: Ask what your actual options are before moving. Is the seat wider? Does it recline? Is it near a bathroom? Does it have extra legroom?

And don't feel guilty about making a reasonable request. The crew can tell you what's possible.

10. 🎬 Save Something Good For The Last Few Hours

The first half of a long flight is often manageable.

It's the last few hours when everything starts to hurt, you're tired of your seat and the arrival time seems to be moving backward.

So save something you genuinely enjoy for that stretch.

A favorite movie. A downloaded podcast. An audiobook. A book you've been meaning to read.

Savvy Tip: Break the flight into smaller chunks. A movie, a meal, some sleep, a little movement, another movie.

And whatever you do, stop checking that little airplane icon on the flight map every 15 minutes.

It doesn't make the plane go faster.

❤️ What I Learned After Six Hours On My Feet

I'm never booking another ultra-long flight without taking the seat assignment seriously.

I used to think paying extra for a better seat was an unnecessary luxury. And sometimes it is.

But after spending six hours standing in the back of an airplane, I've reconsidered.

The cheapest seat isn't always the best deal.

And next time, I'm paying for the aisle.

Because I'd rather spend a little more money than spend half my flight wondering how to get past two sleeping men without waking them up.

Although I will say this: the flight attendants were terrific.

They practically gave me a private office.

Next time, I'd just like one with a chair.