Around the World in 24 Hours: Surviving Long Haul Travel

Every seasoned air traveller knows that there’s nothing as gruelling as long-haul flights. Sure, flying makes the process of getting from place to place much faster than a ship, but it really isn’t easy on the body and mind. A private jet charter can make the whole experience much more comfortable, but it doesn’t change the fact that you spend a long time in a temperature-controlled environment around at least some strangers.

No matter how luxurious or otherwise it is, travelling can take a lot out of you. If you have a long-haul flight coming up — or if you’ve never taken a flight longer than, say, two hours before — we’ve got a survival checklist that will keep you sane. This is how to make the best of long-haul flights, no matter how you do it.

1. Book early

Whether you are flying on a commercial airline or booking a private jet charter (we highly recommend the latter), booking your travel as early as possible is best. Booking early means you’ll have access to all the best flight packages because no one else will have snapped them up yet! Booking early might also mean you get access to specials that are unavailable when booking a last-minute flight.

2. Prepare well, and avoid jetlag

If you’re crossing time zones to land in some far-flung corner of the world, there’s a high chance you’ll experience jet lag. You can combat this — and make your journey a little less frustrating — by adjusting your sleep patterns a day or two before you even board the plane. Booking private flights minimises the possibility of unpleasant jet lag since you can often book the flights that suit you and your destination rather than falling in line with a commercial airline’s timetable. If you can get some sleep on the plane, we advise that you do so, and try to sleep when it’s nighttime in your destination time zone.

3. De-stress before you fly

Whatever takes the edge off for you, be it boxing, a massage, going jogging, painting, or reading — do as much of it as you can before you fly. This is especially important if you are a nervous flyer: the better the state of mind you are in before you fly, the better your flight will be. If you are a particularly nervous flyer, we advise that you stock up on your favourite herbal stress relief and bring some de-stressing toys (fidget spinners, stress balls, and so on). You can also try to get stuck into an engrossing book or film for the flight to distract you from the experience.

4. Prepare your skincare

Whether you fly private or commercial, the in-flight air can be hell on your skin. The dry, recycled air — along with stress — can cause breakouts, tightness, or even cracks if your skin is particularly sensitive. Prepare your in-flight skincare in advance and keep it in your carry-on for easy access. Here are some great things to have available.

Make sure that you drink lots of water on the flight to stay hydrated from the inside, too.

5. Stay entertained

Private jets typically have a TV in the cabin for your entertainment, along with a selection of films. Since you’ll be in the air for a long time, it is better to be safe than sorry and have a few things on hand to entertain you and keep the boredom at bay. Bring along some books or magazines, and make sure that your phone charger cable is easily accessible for in-flight gaming or social media scrolling. If you’re flying with friends or family, you could pack some board games and stay entertained together. Noise-cancelling headphones will perform the double duty of keeping your entertainment out of any other traveller’s ears and help you settle down for a nap if you need certain sounds — or lack thereof — to get to sleep.

6. Dress for comfort

If you want to look fresh and fabulous when you arrive at your destination, pack a change of clothes and a hairbrush for landing, but dress for in-flight comfort. You’re going to be in a small cabin or sitting in a seat for a long time: wear clothes that feel good, move with your body, and that you can sleep in. Try leggings, yoga pants, or sweatpants — whatever you like, just make sure it’s the most comfortable clothing that you own! A comfy sports bra is better than an underwire bra, slipper or slip-on shoes rather than lace-up shoes, a warm jersey or hoodie, and a blanket will ensure you’re comfortable for the long haul. Private flights may offer some of these, so check before you fly.

Wrap up

If you’re about to head off for a vacation halfway across the world, this checklist should help you make sure that it’s the most comfortable trip you could have. Bon voyage!