{2025} The 8+ Secrets to ENJOYING a Long Haul Flight

When preparing for an international vacation, we put so much emphasis on "surviving" long haul flights - why not make the most of your time and enjoy a long flight? Check out these tips on how to pass the time and what to pack for your journey, from your favorite Europe travel expert!

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"Don't you hate those long flights??"

(SPC)

Until I was in my mid-20's, I had never taken a "true" long haul flight. We travelled domestically, drove a lot like good Midwesterners, and the longest flight I'd been on was San Francisco to Indianapolis. 

Once I was finally scheduled on a transatlantic flight for our honeymoon to London, I found it incredibly daunting. My husband had traveled internationally with his family quite a bit. But he's a much chiller person than me, so I found his preparatory talks unconvincing. I'm constantly moving, doing, changing activities, going places. How can I keep myself locked in an airplane seat for an entire evening?

Well, I'm pleased to report that I not only survived, but I'd venture to say, thrived, on that first trip to London, and on many more trips to Europe since then. With the right mindset (key), a few tips, plenty of entertainment tools, and a bit of grit, you'll not only survive, but ENJOY, your transatlantic flight.

Noise canceling headphones ON

​Here I am today, a few years later and now with many trips "across the pond" under my belt, in addition to quite a few across the U.S., and I'll readily admit that I LOVE flying, especially long hauls.

I'll even go as far as to say that I *look forward* to transatlantic flights - want to know why?

So, today we'll discuss what to expect, what to bring, and how to enjoy a long flight, along with my tips on how to enjoy each element. Just tips, no paywalls, gimmicks, or cheap sales techniques. And I'm not going to try to convince you to buy a bunch of junk from Amazon that you don't need. Much of this comes down to personal preference, but I hope my musings will give you some good food for thought as you think through how you feel about these points.


Like it here? There's nothing I love more than helping Americans plan, prepare for, and enjoy traveling to Europe. I hope you'll consider subscribing to my newsletter and following along with me on social media.

• The Ultimate Guide to Packing for 10 Days in Europe
• 6+ Easy Tips for Finding the Best Luggage for Europe
• 9+ Surprising Items You Should Never Wear on a Flight to Europe

{2025} The 8+ Secrets to ENJOYING a Long Haul Flight

First things first!  A few tips on picking the perfect outfit for your long-haul flight:

• Don't wear much, if any make-up. It will run and end-up in your eyes by the end of a potentially 18-hour travel day. If you're concerned how you'll look upon arrival, pack make-up in your purse.
• Don't wear your hair in a ponytail, it makes it hard to sleep.
• Please, please, please do not wear pajamas. You are in public.
• Remember you'll be wearing this outfit during your first morning in Europe. 
• Wear your heaviest shoes so you don't have to pack them.
• Wear layers to adjust for temperature.
• It gets surprisingly cold, even in the plane cabin, over the Atlantic Ocean on overnight flights. Bring a classy wrap.
• On that note, wear close-toed shoes, and preferably socks as well.
• No flip flops. Europeans don't wear them, they aren't supportive when you're standing on long travel days, and, as I say, your toes will be cold.
• Put a new outfit in your carry-on in case your hotel room isn't read (more on this later).
• Think carefully about your pants. Don't wear jeans or leggings that are exceedingly tight. I like a travel set.

and they say the perfect travel wrap doesn't exist...

Shop my outfit on my LTK here!

Packing Everything You Need for Your Long Flight

Alright, we've discussed sleeping, snacking, tv, drinking/not drinking! Let's discuss what you need to bring with you on the plane, and what to pack in your carry-on bag.

First things first on the packing front: though it should go without saying, sometimes packing gets the better of us all and we make silly mistakes! Any checked luggage will be very securely out of your hands for your entire voyage. If you have a connection, you may be briefly reunited with your luggage depending on which country you're in, but you also may not. Do not put anything in your checked bag that you may need, such as documents, passports, medications, or keys.

Pack the bags you bring with you onto the plane accordingly. Personally, I bring a tote bag and a roller bag. 

What to pack in your purse/tote bag:

• wallet;
• keys;
• earphones;
• phone;
• book; 
• hand sanitizer; 
• tissues;
• a wrap that could double as a blanket - it gets a bit cold above the Atlantic in the middle of the night;
• printed information about our hotel

What to pack in your carry-on for a long flight:

• Whatever it'll take to make me feel human for the journey to the hotel (generally a hair tie/small hair brush, pack of mints, travel toothbrush/toothpaste, eyebrow pencil);
• A change of clothes upon arrival, if my luggage gets lost;
• Coat or jacket you're bringing for the trip (unless it's extremely cold, I don't want to deal with this on the plane)

Packing for a trip to Europe is one of my great passions. If this interests you, check out some of my many free Europe travel packing resources, and subscribe to my newsletter for a free, downloadable packing guide!​

Savoring your meals on long haul flights

First Class Dining Ok, ok, the meals might not all look like this, but they aren't bad! (SPC)

It's an oft-repeated trope that "airplane food is terrible." And while I'll agree that it's not the French Laundry, and I'll further agree that food on domestic flights (in the now extremely rare instance that it is provided) isn't great, I think you'll find that international meals really aren't so bad.


One of the things that surprised me most about long flights is the sheer amount of food you are served in transit. These days, the dining experience is one of the main reasons that I now look forward to those flights.

Food & drinks to expect on a typical international flight

Dinner on a transatlantic flight (JSB)

On a "normal" flight from a large U.S. city to a large European one, you can expect to receive:

• Kick-off drink (more on drinking, below) and a selection of crunchy snacks (yes, please); 
• Lunch (generally salad options and one warm option) or Dinner (including bread, main dish from generally a selection of pasta, and two different meat dishes, cheeses, salad, and dessert), accompanied by beverage(s);
• Additional beverages and snacks if you go and get them throughout the flight from the flight attendants (they come through more often on a day-time flight); and
• Breakfast (generally cheese, muffin, yogurt and orange juice, accompanied by two rounds of coffee and water).

Make your home away from home...as clean as possible

Post-pandemic, we're all a little touchy about germs. No one wants to start off their vacation by getting horribly sick. It's hard to feel comfortable when you think about all the germs every time you touch your seat belt.

I bring a small bag of disinfecting wipes and wipe down the seat belt, tray table, seat, and arm rests quickly when I'm settling in.

​It would have made me look a little funny years ago, but I'm not the only one doing it these days. That way I can spend the long hours in my seat feeling a little bit more comfortable, and hopefully avoid that vacation cold.

Entertainment...and SLEEP Tips for International Travel

(SPC)

Keeping yourself entertained during a long-haul flight is one of the top stressors for people who are new to international travel, so I thought we'd discuss that next. And it correlates with the TOP stressor going into an international flight: how on earth am I going to sleep on a loud plane full of hundreds of people?


On an East-bound flight, you'll likely go overnight, which comes with different challenges, with the opposite on a West-bound, so I think it's worth discussing them separately.

East-bound transatlantic flights

For my American friends, this will be the first leg of your European vacation- from the U.S. to Europe. And, the end of the trip for European visitors to the States. I will say that Americans do get the short end of the stick on this one. The East-bound flight is significantly harder, and it's really not the best way to start a long vacation. But, never fear, with some easy tips, you'll do just fine.

And, yes, let's just get this out of the way - you do need to try to sleep, no matter how unnatural it feels.

How to sleep on a long flight

(SPC)

The first couple hours of your international flight will be occupied with the aforementioned dinner, drink, and snack service. Unless you've taken strong medication or are suffering some sleep deprivation, I doubt you'll be able to sleep during that portion, as there's a great deal of noise and the lights are on. After the food rounds have been completed, the cabin lights will go off, and then you need to try to start relaxing. 

And then, slap on an eye mask and noise canceling headphones and try to sleep, at least for a bit. The brutal reality is, you will feel strangely the next day, due to jet lag, travel exhaustion, and lack of sleep, but just try for a bit and don't stress too much. If you can't sleep, it's not the end of the world, but as your body is still on its "normal" schedule, you likely will get at least some shut eye. 

FAQ: Should I bring a neck pillow to help me sleep on an international flight?

You certainly can bring a neck pillow on a long haul flight. I've never been much of a neck pillow girl myself. I hate having another thing to haul around the airport. But, in the depths of your sleepiness, a little neck support goes a long way toward helping you get some shut eye.

Entertainment options on long flights

SPC

Be mindful of your screen time on an overnight flight, as it'll only keep you awake, particularly because the in-seat screen is right in your face. I generally watch a show or two either on the in-seat screen or that I previously downloaded on my phone. 

A gentle reminder that you shouldn't plan to engage in a ton of reading from an actual book on the east-bound flight. They will turn off the overhead cabin lights after dinner and while you do have an individual light above your seat, it's not much light, and you'll likely be pressured by your seat mates to turn it off as the night wears on.

If you're truly dedicated to reading on your flight, I'd recommend a personal book light, and you'll need to turn it off at a reasonable time.

Remember: Your AirPods won't connect to the in-seat entertainment system. Depending on the airline and your seating class, the airline may provide "normal old school" headphones, for this reason. But if you're concerned about it, or flying on a budget airline, you can always bring your own.

FAQ: Should I bring noise-canceling headphones on an international flight?

It wasn't until later in my international flight journey that I finally took the plunge and got noise-canceling headphones (well, actually, they were a gift - thanks, Mom!)

​Personally, I would say noise-cancelers are worth the splurge. Whether you up for the full over-ear headset option or just the noise-canceling AirPods, being able to block out your fellow travelers is worth its weight in gold. And they aren't all terribly expensive - the over-ear option I recommend here is just $99.

West-bound transatlantic flights

These west-bound, return flights, naturally, are quite different. They're generally during the day, in both your destination and your departure point. If you're coming from Europe to the U.S., you can easily leave Europe at 11 AM Europe time and arrive in the U.S. in the afternoon U.S. time. Transversing a few time zones while you eat snacks and sip cocktails. Of course, you'll be exhausted the next day, but at least you don't have to pretend to sleep.

My suggestion : enjoy your time in the friendly skies! These planes have a wide selection of movies and T.V. shows to watch, much wider than the option on domestic flights - find a new favorite! Delta allows messaging (subject to a variety of restrictions), so why not have a free glass of wine and tell your friends all about you trip?

FAQ: Can I charge my phone on the plane?

Yes. Every long-haul flight I've been on has offered in-seat USB ports or power outlets for phone charging. If you intend to use your phone a lot, it's worth bringing an airline-approved portable charger/external charging device, though personally I've never needed to.

Location, Location, Location:
​Picking the right seat for your international flight

FAQ: Do I want an aisle seat or a window seat for an international flight?

The traditional wisdom is that frequent travelers and business travelers prefer aisle seats and infrequent travelers or vacationers prefer the window seat. I have largely found this to be true and, as a frequent bathroom user, I am firmly an aisle seat girl.


For international flights, I'd say the "best" seat is likely different depending on the timing of your flight. On your (usually overnight) flight to Europe, when you will want to try to sleep, it may be a good idea to opt for a window seat, since passengers and flight attendants will continue moving up and down the aisles all night, potentially bumping you.

For the return (almost always daytime) leg of your trip, you may prefer an aisle seat, so you can get up and move around, and have easy access to the bathrooms, as needed. And, as always, try at all costs to avoid the middle seat, unless you know all of your travel companions.

FAQ: Where are the best seats on the plane on an international flight?

With trying to sleep firmly in mind, I would try to select seats that are not too close to the kitchens or the bathroom, as people will be constantly standing near you while you are trying to sleep. Generally, you also try to avoid being in the back of the plane, where many of those service stations/bathrooms are. 

But remember, on a large, international plane built for a long-haul journey, there are multiple bathrooms and flight attendant service areas.

Look at the map of the plane when picking your seat. Some of the mid-aircraft bathrooms in the middle of the plane are near "upgrade" seats, so you'll pay a premium to have a bathroom line bumping into your knees for 5 hours and the icky bathroom smell. These seats may look enticing, as they may be in a semi-bulkhead or an exit row, but keep an eye on those bathrooms. I made this mistake myself.

That said, airlines can always change aircraft and mess you up!

​Be smart about drinking alcohol on a long flight

Cheers! (SPC)

Ah, the million dollar question. Free booze abounds, but should you drink during a long flight? My advice differs, depending on your direction of travel. Regardless of whether you drink alcohol, be sure to drink plenty of water on your international trip. Flying is dehydrating. Not sleeping well is dehydrating. And drinking is dehydrating. And, of course, travel is dehydrating because you don't have as much access to water as you usually do! So don't forget.

East-Bound Flight: Ok, so, as we've discussed, you need to try to sleep. Getting really loaded is not going to help you sleep AND you're not going to feel good after too many drinks, especially when you can't sleep them off. You do not want to spoil your first day in Europe with a hangover. 

My advice: drink the same amount that you might drink on a "normal night." If you regularly drink one glass of wine on a week night, I'd say you can easily do the same, get some semblance of sleep, and even if you can't sleep super well, normally feel fine. If you do not normally drink, this is frankly not the time to start - wait until you've truly started your vacation and hit the pubs.

Snack binge (note the gin #thanksdelta) (JSB)

West-Bound Flight:As long as you don't have to drive your car home from the airport, enjoy this leg of the flight - you don't have sleep to worry about, it'll feel like the middle of the day, and...what else is there to do! I hadn't intended this post to be so heavy on praising Delta, but here we are - don't forget that Delta serves liquor on its long haul flights, unlike most other major airlines which only include beer and wine. 

Your friendly, lawyerly reminder: alcohol hits some people differently on a plane. ​Don't cause a drunken international scandal. And DO NOT MIX DRINKS AND SLEEP AIDS.

​FAQ: Should I take sleeping pills on an overnight flight?

I know many people swear by popping a sleeping pill on an international flight. They purport to wake up well-rested and ready-to-vacation. I tried once, didn't sleep well, and felt extremely groggy the entire next day. Personally, I'd skip the pills. If you really want to try a sleep aid, just be sure to try it at home at least once before you try it on the plane. And DO NOT mix it with alcohol. ​

REMEMBER:
you're on vacation!

On the beginning, and even the end, of trips, always remember - you are on vacation. Yes, you're on a plane, yes it's a bit cramped, yes that guy won't stop coughing and simultaneously kicking you, which actually takes an impressive amount of coordination, but you are not at work, you are on vacation - and there's nothing required of you at this very moment, aside from to sit here and watch a great show.

{2025} Long Flight Travel Essentials

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​Bon voyage!

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