Long-haul travel has entered a new era with the introduction last week of regular scheduled non-stop flights between London and Perth in Western Australia.
Qantas is the airline offering the ultra-long 9,009 mile (14,498 km) route. It is the second-longest regular route in the world, only marginally behind the Doha to Auckland route that Qatar Airways flies. That one comes in at 9,032 miles (14,535 km).
The London to Perth flight takes 17 hours. That’s a long time to be on a plane! Typically, anything over seven to eight hours is considered long-haul. And those words ‘long-haul’ can often strike dread into passengers who don’t like being cooped up into a small space for so long. But with a bit of planning and a positive attitude, those longer flights can be much more bearable. Here then are some of our tips for long-haul flights.
Tips for long-haul flights – Before you go
Check in online to choose the seat you want. Do you prefer window or aisle? Nobody wants the middle! It’s easier to sleep in a window seat as nobody disturbs you when you get up. Conversely, if you want to get up regularly, choose the aisle. Similarly, choosing a seat near the front or rear means you’re likely to get off more quickly. On the other hand, they say that flights are smoother if you sit near the wings, especially if there’s turbulence.
Order a special meal. This might seem selfish, but if you get frustrated at long waits for your airline meals while you see others tucking in already, you could try ordering a special meal in advance. For example, say you want the vegetarian dish, even if you’re not vegetarian. Cabin crew typically serve these special meals first.
Rest before you go. Yes, you’ll be sitting for several hours during the flight, but that’s exactly why you need a different type of rest before you go. The risk of deep vein thrombosis is real, particularly for older passengers. Spend some hours sitting with your legs and feet up before you go, to lessen the risk. And don’t forget to also stand up and walk around the plane from time to time anyway.
Tips for long-haul flights – On board
Try to sleep! Some drop off like a baby. Some say they can’t sleep at all on a plane. But using things like a neck pillow, sleep mask, and ear plugs can make all the difference. Don’t feel foolish about looking odd. Plenty of others will be using them too, and when in Rome…!
Bring your own entertainment. Watching a film is a great way to pass a couple of hours. Watching several episodes of a gripping TV series can make time fly too. And with Netflix now allowing downloads to tablets, there’s no reason not to have plenty of perfect viewing material. The airline’s selection might be okay anyway, but having your own is better.
Bring snacks. You might not like the airline food. You might get peckish in between times. Your body clock might be all messed up and you’re just not in the mood for eating a dinner dish when you feel like it’s actually breakfast time. Having a selection of your own favourite snacks that are good for any time of day can solve all these problems.
Stay fresh. A travel toothbrush and toothpaste, some wet wipes, and a small can of deodorant can keep you feeling fresh throughout the flight. Giving yourself a spruce-up just before landing can also make you feel better for your onward transfer on the ground too. Remember – you are how you feel!
Travel insurance for all your travels
We hope you find our tips for long-haul flights useful. But one of the greatest tips we can ever give is to always make sure you have full travel insurance for your trip, no matter how long or short it might be.
A travel insurance policy with Insuremyholiday.ie entitles you to great cover for a great price. Choose single trip travel insurance for your holiday, or annual multi-trip travel insurance, if you’re likely to do more travelling in the coming year too.
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- Medical Expenses Cover of €5 Million
- Personal Luggage Cover of €2,000
- Personal Money and Documents Cover of €1,600
- Delayed Departure Cover of €200
- Cancellation or Curtailment Cover of €4,000
- Abandonment Cover of €4,000
- Missed Departure Cover of €500
- Personal Accident Cover of €55,000
- Personal Liability Cover of €2,000,000
- Third Party Supplier Insolvency Cover of €2,000
- Schedule Airline Failure Cover of €1,000
- Legal Expenses Cover of €10,000
- Hijack Cover of €1,000
- Catastrophe Cover of €750
- Credit or Cash Card Fraud Cover of €300
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- Personal Luggage Cover of €3,000
- Personal Money and Documents Cover of €2,000
- Delayed Departure Cover of €400
- Cancellation or Curtailment Cover of €6,000
- Abandonment Cover of €6,000
- Missed Departure Cover of €600
- Personal Accident Cover of €95,000
- Personal Liability Cover of €2,000,000
- Third Party Supplier Insolvency Cover of €2,000
- Schedule Airline Failure Cover of €2,000
- Legal Expenses Cover of €20,000
- Hijack Cover of €2,000
- Catastrophe Cover of €1,000
- Credit or Cash Card Fraud Cover of €500
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