Recently updated on May 29th, 2025 at 03:32 pm
With nearly 1,400 flights under his belt, Travel Director Tod Covich is no stranger to life at 35,000 feet. Before joining Trafalgar in 2019, he spent 25 years in the aviation industry, including a stint as cabin crew that took him around the world. Our Croatia-based Travel Director has even taken the longest flight in the world – 18 hours from Singapore to New York. Plus Tod travels to Australia during European winters to visit family and celebrate Christmas. He’s learnt every trick in the book and has plenty of tips for long haul flights with your mind (and body) intact!
From seat selection advice to keeping boredom at bay, Tod shares his best tips for long haul flights to help your air travel feel manageable – and maybe even enjoyable.
1. Before the flight
Choose your seat wisely
One of my top tips for long haul flights is about seat selection. I like to sit towards the back where there could be a chance of spare seat or the last row where no one will be pulling on your seat from behind.
When travelling alone, I go for the aisle in the centre 3 or 4 (depending on the aircraft) as it’s likely the people next to you are together and will access the other aisle. If you choose an aisle on the window side you will always have someone who needs to access to the aisle which isn’t ideal if your plan is to sleep.
These days, I’m very much studying where I could get a spare seat, or if I can afford to go in premium or business. Check out the cost for an exit row – it might be worth the investment. Many airlines have premium economy now, which is another option to make the journey more comfortable.
Dress for comfort and layering
I’m still someone who likes to dress up and look decent at the airport, but you have to be comfortable on the flight. So definitely, no jeans, no belts, no high heels, no tight shoes. I always pack a hoodie with a zip and loose trackie pants to change in to for during the flight.
Even if it’s hot at my origin or destination, people forget that aircrafts are usually cold – especially since you’re mostly sitting. A hoodie is comfortable, keeps the back of your neck warm and it’s cold you can put the hood on. If people don’t like wearing hoodies, a light scarf like a pashmina is good. It gives you a barrier from the air conditioning and you can cover your head to sleep.
Layering is the key. I always wear long-sleeved T-shirts as I don’t like my elbows touching the person next to me. And pack a little pair of slippers – those free ones you get from hotels. You don’t want to go the toilet in your socks!
Pack a well-thought-out carry-on (with spare clothes!)
Carrying too much hand luggage or dressing in clothes that are not comfortable is one of my underrated tips for long haul flights, and something people often get wrong. Make sure you have the essentials – I have a little pack I keep in my seat pocket with my airpods, cord to keep my phone charged, ear plugs and eye mask.
And I always suggest packing one set of clothes for your first day, just in case your bags are delayed. You just need the basics – underwear, t-shirt, and you can re-wear jeans etc.
Take your own snacks
I take some of my favourite snacks from home since airports charge high prices for them. I take a small chocolate bar or protein bar, something savoury like flavoured rice crackers or crisps. I’m gluten free, but even if I wasn’t I’d pack snacks in case I miss the meal, or the airline’s snacks are not my thing.
Prioritise your sleep schedule before take off
It’s good to get some restful sleeps before the travel day. Depending on flight timings I would try to fly late at night, which relates to my bed time, and try to sleep after take off. If it’s an early morning flight from Australia (I generally try to avoid these) then you probably didn’t get a full night’s sleep so again try to sleep after take off but can be harder when it’s daytime.
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Limit alcohol/caffeine and avoid greasy food before flying
Don’t overeat or eat greasy food and alcohol before your flight. And drink a decent amount of water the day of your flight.
It’s fun to celebrate going on holidays but if you’re going long haul save those drinks for the destination. If you have a late flight you might want to have a nice meal at home or the airport, and avoid the first meal on the flight especially if it’s after 11pm.
Download entertainment in advance
Make sure you have your own entertainment to complement the in-flight entertainment system. Download music, podcasts, movies and audiobooks in advance.
Adjust your schedule to the destination time zone a day or two before
If you can, adjusting your schedule by at three to four hours can make a major difference for your arrival. The second you board, reset your watch and pretend you’re already in your destination. Once you land, never look at the home timezone.
Think about how to adapt your routine to the flight
I honestly believe in taking snacks and sticking to your routine. My routine in the morning is that I take a few supplements, including this horrible green vitamin powder. I take all this stuff in travel size in the cabin and I have it with me so that I trick my body. I tell my body, “hey, it’s morning – you survived”.
Just do what you normally do. If you don’t normally eat a hamburger at midnight, then don’t eat one on the plane at midnight.
2. Tod’s tips for during your long-haul flights
Stay hydrated with regular water intake
I stick to non-gassy drinks (boring as it seems – water is the best). You can pack powdered sports drinks or sachets of electrolytes to help you stay hydrated during the flight.
One glass of wine is also a good strategy, but I try to avoid alcohol in general.
READ NEXT: Trafalgar travel hacks: 9 expert tips on how to beat jet lag
Move frequently: stretch, walk, do in-seat exercises
I try to sleep at least 4-5 hours initially go take a walk and hope I can sleep some more. I suggest a light neck strecth to the sides and if possible stretch your back but reaching up.
Don’t worry if you can’t sleep – watch movies and TV shows
If you can’t sleep, try not to worry about it. It happens even when you don’t fly. Watch something on your ipad or seat back screens but something that doesn’t require you to think like a thriller series or movie. Go for sitcoms and short shows in case you do fall asleep.
I try to watch a movie if I’m alert, and sitcoms or TV series if I am hoping to sleep. Being distracted does make the time pass faster.
Use your sleep kit
Pull our your pre-planned sleep kit with a neck pillow, eye mask, ear plugs, and whatever you need for a bedtime routine. Doing your routine helps tell you body its bed time. Make sure your watch and phone are set to the future destination timezone!
Bring music or meditation tracks
Make sure you have music that is saved to your device, plus mediation or calming music if you want to drown out the sounds around. It can be worth packing a book incase there is a fault with the entertainment onboard.
Book yourself a transit lounge
For our guests coming from Australia and New Zealand, they would have to take two flights to reach Europe. So I always recommend paying to use some facility, like a lounge, where you’ve got a shower, so you can freshen up.
During that transit in Asia or Middle East it’s worth the investment to feel human again.
Most airline lounges don’t let you in unless you’re in a loyalty program, and if they do they charge a lot. But look on the airport website for independent lounges and facilities, and check if your credit card has an agreement that gains you lounge access.
Focus on your arrival destination timezone
Don’t look at the time back at home because your body wants to put you back there. You have to trick your body that you’re in a new place. When you arrive, head into the sunshine!
3. Upon arrival
Spend time outdoors as soon as possible to reset your body clock
Being in daylight (even if it’s nighttime at home) is the best way to adjust on your arrival day, and try stay up until night at your destination. Stay up and go out. Explore and keep busy. Have a break (coffee/lunch etc.) but avoid naps and bed until that evening.
Don’t go to bed too early and avoid caffeine etc in the evening as you might wake up at 2am. I would go to bed 9.30/10pm and you can take natural supplements like melatonin.
Don’t nap – push through until the local bedtime
Taking naps during the day will make the adjustment harder. I recommend pushing through, but if you are really tired – where it becomes unsafe – then a nap is needed, no more than 2 hours. But not in your bed or a dark room! Take a nap outside on a sunlounge, and set an alarm – the body responds best to seeing sunlight to keep awake.
Careful with your caffeine intake
Stimulants are good, but there’s a point where you’ve got to cut them off. Because if you decide to have a coffee at five or six in the evening, but you’re planning to go to bed at nine, then that may counteract and change your body time.
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Those are Tod’s best tips for long-haul flights – and with 1400 flights under his belt, we certainly think he knows best! Do you have any other tips to add? Leave us a comment…