On the listing of the way folks wish to spend their time, sitting on a airplane for hours on finish might be not very excessive. However long-haul flights are a mandatory actuality if you want to journey far.

“A protracted-haul flight can actually be daunting and annoying,” Casey Brogan, a client journey skilled at Tripadvisor, advised HuffPost. “Airports and safety traces undoubtedly generate traveler nervousness, particularly with new tips and ever-changing restrictions. However you will need to remind ourselves that the journey to get there may be not the holiday, and leisure awaits you.”

Along with specializing in the constructive gentle on the finish of the tunnel, there are additionally some ways to make the flight a bit extra nice. A straightforward strategy is to know what not to do.

With that in thoughts, HuffPost requested journey specialists to share the widespread errors vacationers make in relation to long-haul flights — and their recommendation for avoiding these pitfalls.

“The commonest mistake folks make on long-haul flights isn’t dressing correctly,” stated Phil Dengler, co-founder of The Vacationer. “Since you’ll be sitting in the identical seat for six or extra hours, it’s important to be as snug as attainable.”

Keep away from heavy and restrictive clothes and as a substitute select comfortable materials and stretchy clothes for peak consolation and coziness. Carrying layers is useful for the shifting cabin temperatures. And don’t neglect to spend money on some compression socks for well being and luxury throughout long-haul flights.

“Whereas I’m often a proponent of dressing properly on flights, the tremendous long-haul ones are those the place I see many individuals make the error of dressing too cute after which winding up uncomfortable,” stated Gabby Beckford, founding father of the journey web site Packs Mild. “I all the time get compliments on my flight match ― matching high and backside impartial sweats. Or, I like to recommend bringing a cushty flight match to vary into when you attain a cruising altitude.”

Along with sporting snug, stretchy garments, you’ll additionally wish to keep away from sporting tight, restrictive footwear if you fly.

“Loosen the laces so you possibly can slip on and off to get snug,” Brogan suggested. “On the finish of the flight, you’ll most likely discover that your ft have swollen. That is regular and another excuse to decide on snug footwear.”

Your seat choice could make a giant distinction within the high quality of your flight expertise. Should you’re in search of a extra peaceable time, take into account selecting a seat that isn’t in a heavy-traffic space.

“Sitting close to the restroom might sound handy, however it’s by no means enjoyable to be in that row when a line varieties exterior the restroom,” stated Paul Jacobs, normal supervisor and vp at Kayak North America. “Sit far-off and use the stroll to stretch.”

Because the saying goes, “A watched pot by no means boils.” Equally, time will appear to maneuver much more slowly throughout an extended flight should you hold staring on the clock.

“When you’re on board, set your watch to the time of the place you’ll be touchdown in, however attempt to keep away from it and counting down the hours,” Brogan suggested. “Equally, don’t have a look at the ‘the place are we’ map. You’ll land quickly sufficient!”

Don’t assume you possibly can’t afford to improve your seat on a long-haul flight. Examine the improve choices if you verify in in your flight on-line.

“I all the time verify in as quickly as the choice is offered ― 24 hours earlier than flight time through the airline app,” Beckford stated. “Whenever you do this, you will note what seat choices can be found. Usually on the day of the flight, upgrades might be drastically diminished in price.”

“For instance, on my flight from Cape City to Newark, initially upgrades have been $3,000 ― however on the day of the flight, those self same upgraded seats have been $700,” she famous. “That little improve will certainly make a 14-hour flight extra pleasing.”

“You need to deliver good earplugs or noise-canceling headphones should you plan to sleep,” Dengler stated. “Moreover, sleep masks could make an enormous distinction. Lastly, I like to recommend discovering neck pillow earlier than flying.”

He famous that “not all neck pillows are created equal,” so do your analysis and discover the one which works for you. “Get those that connect to the headrest,” Jacobs stated. “It’s a complete sport changer.”

“Earlier than your flight, obtain motion pictures, music or podcasts to your gadgets like cellphone, iPad or laptop computer and guarantee they’re absolutely charged earlier than touring so you’ve got assured leisure choices,” Brogan stated. “On a latest flight, my in-flight leisure was not working correctly, so I used to be glad to have downloaded motion pictures to my iPad as a backup for the hours within the air.”

Your leisure doesn’t should contain a display both. Deliver a e-book or journal or do crossword puzzles for leisure.

“You need to all the time have one thing to do on a long-haul flight,” Dengler stated. “At occasions, that could be sleeping, however I like to recommend all the time getting access to leisure.”

“Be sure you choose your seat prematurely,” stated Ravi Roth, a journey skilled and host of “The Gaycation Journey Present.” “You don’t wish to find yourself caught in a center seat on an extended flight. Most airways don’t cost a seat payment for financial system, however should you can splurge I say go for consolation plus or financial system plus. Further legroom is vital.”

Paying for enterprise class isn’t possible for most individuals, however possibly you’ve saved up sufficient to compromise with a premium financial system ticket.

“Choose a window seat should you plan on sleeping,” Dengler stated. “Pay additional for an exit-row seat if you’ll be extra snug with additional legroom. It actually comes right down to what time the flight is and whether or not or not you intend to sleep.”

Work out which seat place you favor earlier than reserving an extended flight.

“Window or aisle ― you actually need to resolve what’s extra necessary to you,” Jacobs stated. “You possibly can lean on the window ― or have the liberty of getting up and stretching everytime you really feel prefer it. I choose the aisle any day.”

“You will need to work out what you’ll be doing on the flight,” Dengler defined. “Is it a red-eye flight the place the objective might be to sleep? Or is it in the course of the day when you’ll need to remain occupied?”

Attempt to sleep when it’s nighttime at your vacation spot, reasonably than your origin. And should you’re planning to sleep in the course of the flight, keep away from caffeine and attempt to stroll across the airport to tire your self out earlier than boarding.

“Watching motion pictures could make you sleepy, so as a substitute go surfing to Wi-Fi and work or store when you want to be awake,” Jacobs advised.

Jet lag could be very actual, however there are completely different ways for making the time change simpler to handle, even after a sleepless red-eye.

“Don’t take a nap when you land at your vacation spot,” Roth stated. “Energy by so that you just sync up your physique with the native clock. You’ll adapt significantly better to the brand new time zone.”

Don’t put an excessive amount of stress on your self, nevertheless. It’s not the top of the world should you can’t rapidly alter.

“Don’t pressure your self to sleep simply since you really feel like it’s best to,” stated Laura Ratliff, senior editorial director at TripSavvy. “I’m a giant fan of an arrival ‘espresso nap’ ― I down a fast espresso, draw the curtains, and pressure myself to sleep for 25-Half-hour. It helps me get by the day with out being bleary-eyed, and I’m simply drained sufficient to sleep at night time.”

“When touring with colleagues, you don’t have to take a seat subsequent to them,” Jacobs stated. “A protracted flight is a very long time to make small discuss.”

Except you want to do collaborative work throughout a flight, select your individual seat on a enterprise journey if attainable and attempt to put some area between you and colleagues. You’ll have loads of time collectively on the airport after which your vacation spot.

“Plus, no must have your colleagues see or hear you sleeping,” Jacobs stated. “Sit individually ― it’s not impolite. They may admire it too.”

Except you’re sitting in enterprise class, you’re not assured plenty of meal and snack decisions, so should you’re explicit, it’s greatest to eat simply earlier than the flight or come ready with your individual meals.

“I all the time deliver my very own snacks on long-haul flights, and I’ve by no means regretted it,” Dengler stated. “Meals choices could be restricted, so this ensures I can eat what I would like and once I need.”

Being on an extended flight may really feel like some form of alternate actuality the place time and guidelines don’t apply, however it’s nonetheless necessary to handle your self and your physique when you possibly can.

“Stand up to stroll round and stretch each few hours,” Brogan stated. “Your legs will thanks when you arrive!”

Don’t neglect to remain hydrated and take any nutritional vitamins and drugs which are a part of your each day routine. You’ll really feel significantly better throughout your journey should you do what you possibly can to handle your self in the course of the transit course of.

“On lengthy flights, I’ve a bit ritual of brushing my tooth, washing my face and making use of lotion about an hour earlier than touchdown,” Ratliff stated. “My favourite lotion is Le Labo’s Rose 31 — the perfume helps enhance my temper a bit, and now, it’s develop into such a behavior that I affiliate that scent with getting off the airplane and exploring a brand new place!”