11 long-haul flight hacks: Conquer economy class like a pro

Let’s be real—when it comes to choosing between spending money on travel versus spending exorbitant sums on travelling in style, the decision is a no-brainer!

It’s no shocker that most of us opt for economy seats instead of splurging on those dreamy business class thrones. Sure, in a world where money grows on trees, the choice would be easy, but back here on planet Earth, not all of us are ready to cough up that kind of cash for some extra legroom and champagne.

If you’re brave enough to take on the ultimate endurance challenge—aka surviving a long-haul flight in economy—these tips might just save your sanity.

Disclaimer: This isn’t a hate letter to economy class, but let’s be honest—spending hours wedged into a tiny seat is a bit of a back-breaking experience. With that out of the way, let’s get into it.

Compression socks / stockings

Ah, swollen legs and feet—the not-so-fun souvenir of long flights. When you’re stuck in a cramped seat and can’t move around much, your leg veins go, “Yeah, we’re going to struggle to pump blood back to the heart,” and voilà: your ankles start looking like they’ve joined the pufferfish club!

Enter compression socks—the MVP of long-haul flights. These snug little wonders help keep the blood flowing and reduce swelling, making them an absolute must for flights over 7 hours. Trust us, they’re a lifesaver.

The only catch? Getting the darn things on. Seriously, putting on compression socks is like wrestling with a very stubborn elastic boa constrictor. But once they’re on, your legs will thank you.

Earplugs or noise cancelling

If the soothing grumble of airplane engines is your jam, then congrats—you’ve found your white noise paradise. But for the rest of us, that relentless engine hum is less “relaxing soundtrack” and more “instant stress trigger.”

Now, let’s talk long-haul flights—because that’s where the real struggle begins. Sure, some seasoned travellers have their sleep strategies down to an art, but even then, your brain isn’t always on board. Add crying babies, leg-stretching neighbours, and flight attendants zipping up and down the aisle, and falling asleep feels like trying to meditate in a theme park.

The easiest fix? Earplugs or a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. And not just any headphones—we’re talking Sony, Bose QuietComfort, or JBL. These bad boys are Bluetooth-enabled, designed to hug your ears comfortably, and even come with an AUX cord for when you need to plug into the in-flight entertainment system (or when Bluetooth inevitably betrays you mid-flight).

Now, you might ask, “Why spend on fancy headphones when I can just use earplugs?” Fair point, but hear us out. Earplugs are great for muting the world, but they won’t save you from the airline’s tragic excuse for headphones (unless you’re flying business class, in which case, congrats on winning at life). Noise-cancelling headphones, on the other hand, let you play your own white noise, lullabies, or even The Office theme song on repeat—whatever floats your snoozy boat.

Pro tip: If you really want to level up, grab a Bluetooth headphone adapter. Plug that into the plane’s system, and boom—wireless freedom while binge-watching your in-flight entertainment like a champ.

So, whether you’re drowning out the chaos or curating your own mid-air playlist, noise-cancelling headphones are the unsung heroes of stress-free travel.

Eye mask

Let’s face it—nobody actually sleeps well on a red-eye flight, especially when you’re wedged into an economy seat that feels like it was designed by someone who’s never sat down before. Sure, they dim the cabin lights to lull everyone into “sleep mode,” but let’s be honest: those glowing screens from your neighbours’ seats might as well be tiny rave lights for your eyeballs.

Enter the hero of the skies: the eye mask. Some people swear by silk ones, but hey, we’re not that fancy over here. If you want to get extra bougie, though, go for the ones with moulded cups that keep the straps from smooshing your eyelids. And if you’re feeling techy, grab a mask with built-in speakers so you can nap and vibe to your favourite playlist. Multitasking at its finest.

Here’s the deal, though: humans are creatures of habit. If you’ve never used an eye mask before, don’t expect it to work miracles on your first flight. Start wearing it a week or so before your trip to get used to the feeling. Otherwise, you’ll spend the whole flight fidgeting with it and wondering why your “brilliant sleep hack” feels like a bad decision. Pro tip: preparation is key, folks.

Hydrate

In our last blog, we talked about how flights can leave you feeling like a shrivelled raisin, and yep, airplane air is as dry as a desert thanks to that lovely cabin pressure. But here’s a fun twist: newer planes like the 787 and A350 are stepping up their game with extra moisture in the air. Humidity? On a plane? It’s practically a spa in the sky.

Now, if flying makes you nervous (and let’s be real, it does for a lot of us), you’re probably losing even more moisture. So, just like you wouldn’t skip your favourite moisturiser, don’t skimp on hydrating from the inside.

Oh, and while we’re at it—if you’re feeling bold, consider a hydrating face mask mid-flight. Yes, it might feel “too extra” for some, but by hour six of a long-haul flight, nobody cares what you look like. Lean into the chaos and come out with baby-soft skin.

Pro tip from the Aerospace Medical Association: aim for about eight ounces (240 ml) of water for every hour you’re in the air. For a 15-hour flight, that’s a solid 3.6 litres. Sure, you’ll be visiting the bathroom more than you’d like, but hey, at least you’ll be hydrated. Speaking of which… let’s talk bathrooms.

Walk around

People are all over the map when it comes to flying. Some sleep like statues, while others toss, turn, and somehow end up twisted like a pretzel. Age might play a role too—who knows? If you’re the fidgety type, try a little “in-seat yoga”: stretch, twist, or do that thing where you tense your muscles for a few seconds before letting them go. It’s the ultimate economy class workout.

Then, of course, there’s that person. You know the one—the passenger who doesn’t move, doesn’t eat, doesn’t drink water, and hasn’t stood up once. You might genuinely think they’ve passed on to the next life. Just because they can pull off the human statue act doesn’t mean you should too!

Walking around on a long-haul flight isn’t just good for your sanity; it’s crucial for your health. Nobody wants to deal with deep vein thrombosis (DVT)—those pesky blood clots that can form if you sit too long. Walking helps keep your blood flowing, prevents muscle stiffness, and makes you feel less like a crumpled piece of origami.

But here’s the deal: walk responsibly. Don’t go grabbing people’s headrests like they’re handrails and skip the impromptu yoga session in someone’s foot space—especially if they paid for extra legroom by the bathrooms. Respect the vibe, people.

Now, if you’re one of those folks who finds walking mid-air unsettling, don’t worry—your bladder will probably handle the motivation for you. Unless you’ve got a bladder of steel, managing 3.6 litres of water is going to require a few trips to the lavatory. And if you’re a frequent pee-er? Do yourself a favour and book the aisle seat. You’ll thank us later.

Choose your seats based on your habits

Your seat choice can make or break your flight, especially if you’re spending 15 hours in an economy seat that feels like a medieval torture device. Are you someone who needs to get up every hour on the hour because your bladder has zero chill? Go for an aisle seat and save everyone (yourself included) the awkward “excuse me” shuffle.

On the flip side, if you’re the type who fuses to your seat and doesn’t move a muscle the entire flight, do everyone a favour and stick to the window seat. You’ll have a great view, and no one will have to climb over you like it’s an obstacle course. Choosing the wrong seat—like an aisle seat when you’re a certified statue or a window seat when you’re a frequent flyer (literally)—is a recipe for a stressful, guilt-ridden journey.

Oh, and let’s be real: economy seats are already a chiropractor’s dream . If you need more legroom, pay for it. If you want to recline, go for it—but for the love of all that’s good, don’t recline during meal times. Nobody needs their tray table served directly to their lap.

Neck pillow

Ah, the neck pillow—the most debated travel accessory of all time. Some people swear by them, while others have tried enough to fill a small closet and still haven’t found “the one.” Let’s be honest, neck pillows can be awkward to pack, take up precious space, and sometimes do absolutely nothing to help you sleep.

Pro tip: Try wearing it backwards, with the cushion supporting your chin. Sounds weird, but it works for some. That said, if you’re short and your head barely reaches the headrest, a neck pillow can be your MVP.

Still not sold? Use it as a back support instead. Those flimsy airline pillows are about as supportive as your toxic ex. At least a neck pillow might save you from feeling like you’ve been folded in half by the end of the flight. Choose wisely, traveller!

More entertainment

Sure, airlines claim their inflight entertainment has everything—movies, dramas, music, podcasts. But let’s be honest: for the inner spoiled brat in all of us, it’s never enough. Sometimes you want comfort TV because anxiety is creeping in and nothing soothes like the familiarity of your favourite sitcom. Other times, you’ve got a whole backlog of shows you’ve been meaning to watch, and a 10-hour flight feels like the perfect excuse to finally catch up.

Here’s the move: charge your phone, fire up Netflix, and download everything. Episodes, movies, podcasts—load it up like you’re prepping for a digital apocalypse. Go ahead and check to see what the airline’s entertainment lineup looks like. If it’s solid, great! If not, well, get a backup plan.

And it doesn’t stop there. Bring your iPad, Kindle, or e-books, and keep a couple of books on standby—because variety is the spice of life, even at 30,000 feet. Got a Nintendo Switch? Bring it. Gaming on a controller while cruising through the clouds? Chef’s kiss. Just don’t rely on some awkward in-flight joystick situation; it’ll only break your spirit.

The bottom line: anything that helps you pass the time faster is a win. The real pro tip? Options, options, options. Because there’s nothing worse than running out of things to do halfway through the flight and realising you’ve still got six hours to go.

Break up your flights

Stopovers get a bad rap, but honestly, they’re not as dreadful as you think. Sure, they make the journey longer, but think of it as a bonus adventure! You get to stretch your legs, snag some lounge access for a much-needed shower, and maybe even treat yourself to a decent meal that doesn’t come in a foil tray.

If you’re feeling fancy, book an airport hotel for a quick nap or, better yet, treat yourself to a massage before boarding your next flight. Because let’s face it: there’s no unwritten rule saying you must suffer straight through a long-haul flight. Take the stopover—it’s like hitting the “refresh” button mid-journey.

Snacks

One of the most popular questions about long-haul flights is, “Should I bring more food?” The answer? Absolutely. Let us tell you why:

First off, plane food isn’t exactly Michelin star material. Even if you pre-book that special meal (which, let’s face it, is usually just pasta), Murphy’s Law loves to swoop in. By the time the cart gets to you, surprise! Only meat options remain.

And then there’s the cold. Planes are like flying refrigerators, and when we’re cold, we eat. It’s science. Throw a little flight anxiety into the mix, and food becomes a great distraction from wondering why the plane feels like it’s hitting speed bumps in the sky.

Sure, long-haul flights might have some decent snacks or even instant noodles (shoutout to Asian carriers), but having your own stash is a game-changer. Plus, being “hangry” at 30,000 feet for 15 hours is a surefire way to make the flight even more uncomfortable. So pack those snacks like your sanity depends on it—because it does.

Wear comfortable clothes

Business class passengers get cute little pyjamas to lounge around in. For the rest of us economy-class heroes? We have to DIY our comfort.

Now, there are some bold souls out there who wear shorts on a flight. For the rest of us mere mortals, comfort is key. Think yoga pants or joggers paired with an oversized hoodie or jacket. Add some fuzzy socks, and boom—you’ve got your perfect in-flight sleepwear.

Planes get cold enough to make you question your life choices, so layering up is the ultimate move. And while you may not have the luxury of lie-flat seats, at least you’ll be cosy while trying to fold yourself into the smallest possible sleeping position.

Sure, your flight might still be uncomfortable…

…but at least you’ve done everything you can to make it better. Business class may look like a dream, but let’s be real: we’d rather spend that money on actual food at our destination than on fancy meals in the air. The trade-off? A slightly sore neck but a much fuller wallet when you land. Priorities, right?

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