How to Survive a Long Flight

Epically long flights are one of the worst aspects of traveling, especially if you can’t afford a cushy seat in first class. Being confined to a tiny economy seat, with minimal creature comforts available to you, can make a long flight unbearable. Luckily, airlines are starting to offer more and more free amenities to those of us stuck in economy class, from wider movie selections to free booze, but these are still the exception to the rule.

For starters, pick your seat wisely. Opt for an aisle seat so you can easily access the bathroom and so you can get up to walk around and stretch without disturbing sleeping passengers. The best aisle seats are on large airplanes with three seat groupings per row, giving the middle seats two options for exiting.

Be sure to get up and move periodically. As tempted as you may be to sit for hours on end watching movies, you’re putting yourself at risk for blood clots and strokes.

Bring entertainment if the plane doesn’t offer any. Some flights now offer seat-back screens that allow you to choose from hundreds of movies and television shows, while other planes are much more limited. Find out what the options are on your flight and if they’re not agreeable, bring your own entertainment.

Try to sleep, even if it means forgoing the free alcohol and swallowing some pharmaceuticals. You’ll feel that much more rested and less jet-lagged when you arrive at your destination.