Surviving Ultra-Long-Haul Flights

Seat Selection is Everything

For a 15-hour flight, where you sit defines your experience.

• Aisle Seat: Best for tall people and those who need to walk around or use the restroom frequently.
• Window Seat: Best for sleeping, as you can lean against the wall and won't be disturbed by others getting up.
• Avoid: The row directly in front of the bathrooms (doesn't recline, high traffic) and the middle seat at all costs. Use SeatGuru to check your specific aircraft.

The Physical Toll

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a real risk. Wear compression socks to improve blood flow. You must stand up and walk the aisles every 3-4 hours. Do seated calf raises and ankle circles.

Hydration and Food

Airplane cabins are drier than the Sahara Desert. Bring a large empty water bottle through security and ask the flight attendants to fill it. Avoid alcohol and heavy carb-loaded airline meals which will leave you feeling bloated and groggy.

The Entertainment Strategy

Do not rely on the in-flight entertainment system (it might be broken). Download 20 hours of offline content to your iPad or phone: movies, entire TV seasons, podcasts, and audiobooks. Bring a quality pair of Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) headphones.