6+ Easy Tips for Surviving a Long Flight to Europe in Economy

While it's no secret that overnight, long haul flights across the Atlantic Ocean might not be the most comfortable way to spend an evening, with a bit of preparation and the right mindset, surviving a long haul flight to Europe in economy doesn't have to that difficult. Your favorite Europe travel blogger walks you through a few easy tips that'll make your flight as comfortable as possible.

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Wondering How to Survive Your Long Flight Across the Atlantic to Europe?

Ah air travel. Ah international air travel. Ah international, post-pandemic air travel. 


While the glory days (were they ever real? Seems hard to believe) of real cutlery, glassware, and fancily-dressed passengers are a thing of the very distant past for the vast majority of us, international flights have opened the world to extensive tourism in a way that would have been impossible to fathom 100 years go. I can leave the midwestern heartland after dinner and arrive in Paris in time for a freshly baked croissant, at fairly accessible prices.


But to achieve this miraculous, modern-day travel feat, I do have to "survive" a long-haul flight in economy class. And while I do announce loftily while planning every international trip that "this is the trip where I'm finally going to shell out for first class seats," I have yet to pull the trigger. Lie-flat seats, bedding, and beautiful wines brought to me out of an ice bucket may be in my future, but they aren't, alas, in my present. 


A bit of good news for those of us "stuck" in economy! 


Economy seating on international flight is significantly more comfortable than on domestic ones. I should note that I speak only of the 'mainstream' American airlines, which are the only I've used internationally, personally. The cheapest seats on an international flight offer about as much space as "Economy Plus" seating on a flight from Chicago to Atlanta, etc. So while it's not exactly luxurious, it's not too painful either. The service is better (you get multiple meals and free wine!), the passengers tend to be happier, the plans are nicer and cleaner, and the excitement of a transatlantic flight is undeniable.


So let's dive in - how do you survive a transatlantic flight in economy? You prepare! And you've already started that process. Never fear - I'll get you all the information you need to be as comfortable as possible on your flight to Europe.




And while you're here, I hope you'll check out the many, many free resources I've created over the years for Americans planning trips to Europe!

• The Ultimate Guide to Packing for 10 Days in Europe
• What to Wear in Paris
• What to Wear in Scotland
• What to Wear in Italy
• What to Wear in London
• 6+ Must-See Art Museums for Your First Trip to Paris
• 5+ Enchanting Day Trips from Edinburgh Without a Car
• 7+ Essentials You'll Need in Europe This Summer

6+ Easy Tips for Surviving a Long Flight to Europe in Economy

1. Pick the right seat

First things first, the million dollar question: should I book an aisle or window seat for an international flight?


Personally, I am very much team aisle seat. Even if I don't need to get up much during the flight, I like knowing that I can stand up, walk around, or have easy access to use the restroom whenever I need to. No seat is perfect, obviously. One very clear downside to the aisle seat is being more frequently bumped by flight attendants as they go about their business in the cabin and your fellow travelers en route to the restroom. That aspect does make it slightly harder to sleep in the aisle seat, but not to the point that I change my position.


Conversely, team window seat will tell you that they get the best sleeping situation, as you can rest your head on the window and you aren't getting bumped. That said, you have to crawl over people, people who are potentially sleeping, to use the restroom, and the floor area near the window gets shockingly chilly over the Atlantic Ocean at night.

Tips for picking the best seat on a transatlantic flight to Europe:

• If you can avoid a middle seat, definitely do (though, we've all been there!) 
• Try to sit as close to the front of the plane as possible. The back of the plane has the bulk of the flight attendant's facilities, including where they take breaks, so it can be louder both from the engine noise and the noise of the staff.
• That said, do not sit anywhere near the bathroom. Obviously, people will be using the restroom throughout the flight, and a small line will often form.
• If there are any small upgrades available, even for purchase, you can always take advantage and upgrade yourself to the best seats available, such as the exit row. You won't regret a good seat and you're unlikely to luck into sitting next to empty seats on these popular and lucrative flights.

2. Try to sleep

Ideally, you will sleep for as much of the flight as possible. After the meal service ends, the crew will dim all of the cabin lights, and almost everyone will try to sleep. As tempting as it may be to watch one more show or just scroll through your phone, the best way to combat the inevitable jet lag is to get some shut eye. Seriously try. Even if you think you'll never be able to sleep on a plane with hundreds of strangers. You'll almost certainly surprise yourself.


I generally bring an eye mask and a neck pillow (some airlines give you a cheap eye mask) to try to maximize my comfort to the extent possible.


The one non-negotiable item for an overnight flight to Europe is a pair of high-quality, noise-canceling headphones.

​True Europe travel blogger horror story: I was once on a flight from Chicago to Madrid with a baby who clearly thought the world was ending (not my baby, thankfully). The poor little baby screamed hysterically the entire night, with an impressive stamina. If you don't have noise cancellers, get some. Trust me.

FAQ: Should I take a sleeping pill on a long-haul journey?

Many people advise taking sleep aids, such as Tylenol PM on an overnight flight. Obviously, it's up to you, but I would personally advise against it.

​I only did it once and, given the patchy quality of sleep on the plane, wasn't able to really "sleep it off" enough to get it out of my system by the time we landed. So, I arrived in Edinburgh after a jumbled night of sleep with a Benadryl handover. Not ideal. Your travel day isn't over when you land. You've still got to get to your hotel, which could involve navigating unfamiliar languages and public transit.

3. Dress properly

As I mentioned, it gets surprisingly cold high in the air over the long hours above the Atlantic Ocean. You'll want comfortable clothes that'll have you at the right temperature for the entire flight. Packing for a trip to Europe is my great passion, so you'll find plenty of resources on the blog about this very topic. Here are the highlights for packing for a long haul flight to Europe in economy:

• Wear comfortable, close-toed shoes or your feet will be freezing. I generally wear my heaviest shoes, so that they don't take up room in my suitcase.
• Do not wear much, if any, eye make-up. It will smear and get in your eyes when you try to sleep. If you need to look nice upon landing, pack some in your purse.
• Wear your hair down. A pony tail is the worst possible option for a long flight. If you think you'll need to get your hair off of you, bring a big clip.
• Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing that doesn't wrinkle easily. No linen. No tight jeans.
• Bring a wrap, cardigan, or pop over for evening. It gets a little chilly. They give you a small blanket, but it's basically useless.
• Europeans do no wear athleisure. Do not wear pajamas or a yoga bra as a shirt, as that is not appropriate attire once you land.
• Pack your personal items in a collapsible tote bag that you can jam under the seat in front of you. You won't want to use this for tourism days in Europe (pickpockets are real!), but it's idea for the airport.

For the full guide: The Ultimate Guide to Dressing for a Long-Haul Flight to Europe

4. Have a drink...but not too many

Do not be overwhelmed by the temptations of free booze on a long haul flight. Have a glass of wine or two with dinner and then cut yourself off and be sure to hydrate. There will be time to enjoy all the alcohol you like in Europe once you land. There's plenty of free water on the plane. Flight attendants will pass through the cabin more than on a domestic flight, passing it out. After getting enough sleep, being sure to drink enough water is the best way to prevent jet lag. Too much alcohol will disrupt your already-jumbled sleep, and you won't be able to sleep off the booze you do drink. 


That said, on the East-West flight home from Europe, it'll be day time throughout your trip, and you will likely arrive back in the States still during the day. Having a few drinks during this flight is a better option, as long as you have a responsible way to get home from the airport!

5. Pack the right items to accompany you on the flight

There are a few items you'll want to make sure you have access to, in your personal item/tote bag that you bring with you on the plane. I generally avoid putting anything I might want access to on the flight in my roller carry-on bag, because it's nearly impossible to open during the flight. The items you'll want to bring include:

• empty water bottle
• portable charger (the planes have USB ports/ power outlets, so a normal phone charger with that detachable plug will work great)
• noise-cancelling head phones
• neck pillow
• eye mask (some airlines hand these out)
• additional entertainment, if needed

6. Entertain yourself

Alright, as we've discussed, on the flight to Europe, you'll actually have fairly limited time for 'entertainment.' Between meals, drinks, trying to sleep, and then preparing for landing, what down time you have really should be dedicated to sleep. On the flight home, you'll have more time for entertainment, so it's worth discussing.


The in-flight entertainment system on a long haul flight is significantly different than on a domestic one. Each seat has its own in-seat tv, which you control. You can watch a range of free entertainment on there, or stream it on your phone. They offer enough recent movies and TV shows to keep you entertained for the long trip. I tend to binge a tv series on the flight home - for whatever reason, time goes by more quickly for me with the rhythm of show after show, rather than slogging my way through an entire film.


While I'm never opposed to bringing a good book on a travel day, remember that your reading of the book will be fairly limited during the flight to Europe. With the cabin lights turned off for the vast majority of the flight, you will surely incur the ire of your seat mates if you turn on the overhead light to read your book. But for the airport, taxi, and the flight home, load up that book. Maybe put it in your carry-on for the first flight.

FAQ: Is there free WiFi on international flights?

Generally, airlines still charge for WiFi on international flights, though some carriers, such as Delta, allow free iMessaging, as they do on domestic flights.

​The WiFi on long flights can be patchy, particularly as the flight drags on, even if you've paid, so be sure to download any items you want to stream during the flight onto your phone or tablet. You'll need to be mindful of the light from your devices in the depth of the night, so shelling out for patchy WiFi just might not be essential, if you're looking to save a few bucks.

Remember - you're on vacation!

While the reality is that overseas flights in economy are doable but not particularly comfortable, just remember what you'll find when you land. You're on vacation (or a very fancy work trip), and it will all be worth it.

​An overnight flight is just the beginning of your adventure. You'll get through the flight and, before you know it, you'll be sipping a spritz overlooking the Pantheon. It's always worth it.

Thanks for Stopping By!

I hope I've given you some ideas to help you survive those long-haul trips to Europe. Travel days are hard, but they don't have to be terrible! Keep a positive attitude, settle in for the long haul, be kind and courteous to your seat neighbor and the airline staff, have a drink, sit back and relax! It may be the longest flight of your life so far, but with the right airline and a good travel pillow, you'll do just fine.

Surviving a Long Flight to Europe: Essentials