Longhaul Flying – It’s Not as Bad as You Think
If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting New Zealand but hesitated because of “the flight,” this one’s for you. As a Kiwi who’s been flying between New Zealand and Europe for most of the past 30 years, I’ve heard it all - “It’s so far!”, “How do you cope with those long flights?” or “I could never do that many hours in the air.” Here’s the truth: longhaul flying doesn’t have to be painful. With a few smart choices, you can make it not only bearable but even (dare I say it) enjoyable.
Tip 1: Prebook your seat
Most airlines now charge for pre-seating and don’t allow free seat choice until check-in. Don’t leave it to chance — where you sit on the aircraft can make a real difference to your flight experience.
Tip 2: Choose the right seat for you
When I first started traveling longhaul, I always booked the window seat - because that’s what I liked on short flights. Then I realised every time I needed to go to the toilet, stretch my legs, or grab something from my carry-on in the overhead locker, I had to disturb people.
Now, I always choose an aisle seat. And where there are three seats on the side, I’ll go for the aisle seat in the middle section (for example, seat D), That way, chances are I’ll only be disturbed by one other person.
Also - stay away from the galley and toilets. It’s amazing how much quieter the flight feels when you’re a few rows away.
Tip 3: Keep your carry-on luggage to a minimum
Although some airlines now fly nonstop longhaul - like Qantas’ Perth to London service (17.5 hours!) - ost of us will have at least one transfer point.
If you’re not stopping over but have a few hours to connect, roaming an airport with multiple bags can be a challenge. Between navigating people, moving walkways, and trying to get to the toilet, you’ll quickly wish you’d packed lighter.
The less baggage you carry, the easier the stop will be. Plan ahead for what you’ll actually need on the flight - and maybe pack a spare set of clothes “just in case” your checked bag goes missing.
Tip 4: Have a shower
This might sound a bit personal - and there’s no scientific research to back it up - but stick with me.
After sitting in an aircraft for 10 hours with stale air, little movement, and not much sleep, you’ll be feeling pretty average. Having a shower halfway through the journey (or during your connection) and changing into fresh clothes makes you feel so much more alive when you land.
And because we can’t all travel in Business or First Class and access lounges for free, remember that anyone can pay to use an airport lounge with shower facilities. As a side note - this makes a great gift for anyone you know who’s traveling longhaul!
Tip 5: Noise-cancelling headphones
Before you leave for your holiday, your social media algorithm will probably flood you with “must-have” travel accessories. Trust me - noise-cancelling headphones are the only real game changer.
There are so many random noises on flights, and when you’re trying to sleep (or half-asleep), they seem to amplify. Forget the viral footrests and the “perfect” travel blanket - all you really need is a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones.
Longhaul flying doesn’t have to be something to dread. With a bit of planning, the right seat, and maybe a mid-journey shower, you can actually enjoy the trip — or at least arrive feeling more human than zombie.
Next time someone tells you somewhere is “too far,” remind them — the world’s best adventures are often at the end of a long flight.