Flight attendant reveals top tips for a long-haul flight

Australia
By William

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A flight attendant reveals why you SHOULD NOT eat on a long-haul flight (and why you should pack a travel pillow)

  • Kris Major has been a flight attendant for 24 years and shared her top flight tips
  • Offers advice on where to sit on the plane and how to feel energized afterwards

By Leonor Dye

Published: | Updated:

A flight attendant has revealed her surprising tips for surviving a long-haul flight, including not eating during the flight and making sure you pack a travel pillow.

For many, the prospect of a long-haul flight is exciting – it marks the beginning of a trip to a long-awaited vacation somewhere warm and sunny.

But for others, the thought of spending long hours cooped up with strangers, screaming children, and having disturbed sleep can be daunting.

Kris Major has been a flight attendant for 24 years. After spending many hours in the sky, he shared his best advice for a smooth flight with CNN.

Kris’s first helpful tip is to avoid eating during the flight.

A flight attendant has revealed her surprising tips for surviving a long-haul flight (file image)

Instead, she recommends using the time you would normally spend eating to get some rest, so you’ll be as energized as possible when you arrive at your destination.

Brushing your teeth once you’ve gotten off the plane can also help you feel refreshed after a long, groggy flight.

The best tips for a long-haul flight

  1. Eat before boarding but bring snacks
  2. Bring your own travel pillow, eye mask, and blanket.
  3. Get as much rest as possible, but don’t worry if you can’t sleep.
  4. Clean your teeth afterwards to feel refreshed.
  5. Move to get the blood flowing
  6. Feel free to remove your shoes if it is more comfortable.
  7. But take them off elsewhere if you’re worried about the smell!
  8. The best seats to deal with turbulence are near the front
  9. A window seat is best for a decent sleep.
  10. Bring your own entertainment in case the screens aren’t working, as well as a portable charger
  11. Bring familiar toys and blankets to keep children calm.
  12. Try leaving an airport for fresh air or book a hotel during a layover

Kris advises eating before you board, but packing snacks in case you start to get hungry.

Most airplanes today should provide you with a comfortable seat and pillow for your flight.

But it’s always better to be prepared in case you find yourself facing a 12-hour trip without a pillow.

Kris says it’s a good idea to bring an eye mask, travel pillow, and blanket to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible during your trip.

He told CNN: “I would say cater to your own comfort and your own needs as much as possible.”

The flight expert believes that comfort on board the plane is paramount to customer satisfaction.

Therefore, he advises people not to worry if they cannot sleep, to remove their shoes if they feel uncomfortable, and to move regularly to get the blood flowing.

Choosing a seat is also important, but where to go depends on the requirements of each passenger.

For those who experience motion sickness or don’t like turbulence, the best place to sit is at the front to reduce motion.

But if your top priority is getting a full eight hours of sleep, it might be worth thinking about reserving a window seat.

And if you’re tall and tend to get leg cramps in the small seats, you can reserve the emergency seat for more legroom.

Previously, flight attendant and vlogger Jamila Hardwick also shared her top flight tips.

Like Kris, she also recommends bringing your own blanket and pillow.

For travelers concerned about hygiene on board, he says they can rest easy cleaning trays with wet wipes and not ordering tea or coffee, as he stated that the pipes are rarely cleaned.

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