How to survive a 5 hour flight?
Survive a 5-hour flight by sticking to your routine as much as possible. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes, and pack snacks to keep hunger at bay. These simple tips can make your journey more pleasant.
How to survive a long flight? Tips for 5+ hour flights?
Okay, so long flights, huh? Ugh, I feel you. I’ve been there, done that.
Basically, routine is your friend. Like, seriously.
Tips for surviving long flights (5+ hours):
- Maintain your routine: Sleep, eat, and exercise as usual.
- Hydrate: Drink plenty of water.
- Dress comfortably: Wear loose clothing.
- Pack snacks: Bring extra food.
I flew from, like, NYC to Bangkok once (20 Feb, 2023) and totally messed up my sleep schedule.
I was a zombie for a week after. Never again. I now try to force myself to sleep when it’s bedtime there, even if I feel wide awake on the plane. Total game changer.
Also, I learned the hard way about the snack thing. Airplane food is… well, it’s airplane food. Bland and tiny. So I always pack my own now. I even take like, granola bars and fruit.
Seriously, pack extra. Trust me. I’ve even brought instant noodles, used plane hot water!
And comfy clothes are KEY. Think soft pants or leggings, not tight jeans. Been there, regretted that. I dress like I’m going to bed.
I think I saw that article once, or something like it (1 Feb, 2025). Good general advice! Now, where’s my next adventure?
How do I prepare for a 5 hour flight?
Ugh, 5 hours… that’s like, forever. Gotta prep. Let’s see…
- Hydration is key. Gotta chug water before, during, after. Like, seriously.
Headphones!! Yes! Noise cancelling ones are a MUST. Remember last time? Crying baby? Never again.
Sleep? lol, good luck. But eye mask is essential. Maybe that neck pillow my mom gave me? Nah, too bulky.
Essentials… hmm. Phone, charger, wallet. Duh. But mini toiletries bag! Face wipes, lip balm, hand cream. My skin gets so gross.
Room? Oh yeah, gotta recline as much as possible without being THAT person. Maybe ask nicely?
Snacks! Definitely snacks. Pretzels, maybe some fruit. Avoid anything too messy. Last time I spilled yogurt everywhere.
Alcohol? Nope. Not worth it. Makes me feel even worse. Plus, dehydration. See point one.
Comfy clothes! Leggings, oversized hoodie. No jeans. EVER. Remember that flight to Cabo in jeans? Pure torture. Ugh, flashbacks. Okay, gotta go find my headphones.
- Maybe download some podcasts too?
- And a book? Or is that too optimistic?
- Oh! And my portable charger! Almost forgot.
- Ugh, this is gonna be a long trip.
Think I got everything now?
Wait!
- Chewing gum! Ears will pop.
- Eye drops too, airplane air is the worst.
- Maybe a small notebook? Idk why.
Okay now I think I’m ready. Wish me luck.
How to deal with a 5 hour flight?
Okay, so a five-hour flight, right? Ugh. Listen, it’s all about preparation!
First off, try to adjust your sleep schedule a few days before you fly, okay? Like, seriously. It make a huge difference.
Definitely download movies and podcastsbefore you even think about going to the airport. Plane wifi sucks, trust me! I once tried to watch “The Office” and it buffered every five seconds, lol!
Here’s what I always do:
- Pack snacks. Always pack snacks. I’m talking a whole stash. My favorite is trail mix and those little peanut butter crackers.
- Download Language Apps. That is a good idea, but I never practice it.
- Bring a good book. Seriously, reading is a lifesaver.
- Bring a sleep mask and earplugs. No exception, seriously!
- Self-care, or try too anyway. Try to relax a bit.
Also, stay busy. Like, walk around the plane a little. Stretch a bit. Anything is betetr then just sitting the whole time.
How do you sleep on a 5 hour flight?
Five hours? Child’s play. Think of it as a luxurious nap, not a full night’s rest, a micro-hibernation if you will. My strategy? Brutally efficient.
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Time zone mastery: I don’t “consider” it, I conquer it. Adjust your internal clock like a seasoned spy infiltrating enemy territory – days before. No messing around.
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The Amenity Kit Arsenal: Forget lavender – that’s for amateurs. Eye mask, earplugs (the kind that actually block sound, not those flimsy things), and a silk sleep mask – essential. Think James Bond, not your grandma.
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Topicals? Nonsense. I use a sleep spray, specifically one with chamomile and something stronger, something…mysterious. Let’s just say it involves sandalwood and a hint of forbidden magic.
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Hydration is key, but… Skip the booze. Alcohol is a sleep saboteur, a sneaky little gremlin disguised as a cocktail. Water, yes. Juice, maybe. But alcohol? No way.
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Cozy is overrated. Comfort is a myth. Survival is the goal. A good neck pillow is a battlefield asset, not a fluffy companion.
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Skincare? On a plane? My friend, prioritize the basics: Lip balm. And that’s it. The rest can wait.
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Seat selection is warfare. Aisle seat, always. Strategic escape routes are crucial. Also, less chance of some flailing elbow during turbulence.
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Neck pillow: the ultimate weapon. Invest in one that actually supports your neck, doesn’t make you look like a giant marshmallow. Comfort is secondary to functionality. Think tactical gear, not plush toy.
My personal 2024 addition: noise-canceling headphones, the kind that block out even a crying baby, and the gentle hum of a slightly deranged airplane engine. Trust me. It’s worth it.
How to make a 5 hour flight go by fast?
Five hours, huh? Feels like a lifetime sometimes. Especially when you’re stuck in the middle seat.
Bring noise-canceling headphones. Seriously. The crying baby next to you won’t be as annoying. Or maybe it will be; but at least you won’t hear it as much.
Downloaded a new album before my last flight, July 2024. Listened to it twice. It helped, kind of. Not much, but something.
This one time, I tried to sleep. Didn’t work. My neck cramped up. Horrible. Pack a neck pillow. Learn from my mistakes. I’m still stiff.
Games are tempting. They usually make the time go slower. Don’t do it.
A good book. That’s the answer. Lost myself in a really good thriller last year, and the time flew. Seriously, I forgot where I was.
I always bring snacks. My last flight, I had some dark chocolate. It was a pretty dark flight, actually. So much turbulence.
I really dislike flying. I find it deeply depressing. It’s not just the length of the flight, either. Its the whole thing. Airports, especially. Everything about flying feels bleak. The stale air. The crowds. This time I have a window seat. This helps. I hope.
- Noise-canceling headphones
- Neck pillow
- Good book
- Snacks (dark chocolate is good)
- Avoid games
How do I calm my anxiety before a long flight?
Deep breaths, dude. Like you’re a balloon slowly deflating. Not a punctured tire screaming. Seriously, try it.
Meditation? Yeah, picture fluffy kittens. Not the screaming ones. Or your in-laws. Choose wisely.
Distraction is key. Download a game. Preferably not one involving planes crashing. That’d be ironic, right?
My flight to Bali last year? I binged “The Great British Baking Show.” Far superior to facing my fear of turbulence. Which is basically a metal bird doing the Macarena in the sky.
Things to avoid:
- Caffeine – makes you jumpy like a caffeinated grasshopper.
- News – doomscrolling is a recipe for a nervous breakdown. And possibly a missed flight.
- Spicy food. Trust me on this one. My stomach still remembers that jalapeño popper incident.
- Thinking about the flight. Seriously. Just don’t. Think of puppies. Or cake.
Listen, anxiety is a total buzzkill. But you got this. Unless you’re afraid of flying. Then… maybe pack extra snacks. And Xanax. But not too much Xanax.
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