Long flights = the death of me. I’m never able to sleep on flights, I always feel disgusting, and I get super bloated/greasy. It’s the absolute worst scenario because I want to rally and enjoy the new city I’m visiting, but all my body wants to do is shower and sleep.
After many many long haul flights, I’ve finally figured out the cure to my perpetual drowsy/grossness.
This list should help you find the types of products you need to feel refreshed and renewed after any long haul flight. Note that every person is different, so you may need to find the right products for your body and skin type.
1. Don’t eat the airplane food.
It’s been said time and time again that you shouldn’t eat airplane food, and unfortunately, that rang 100% true for me. I know that sucks since it’s included in the price and you think you HAVE to eat it, but airplane food makes you bloated and doesn’t give you the nourishment your body needs. Yuck. The key is to eat a well-balanced meal before your long flight (think omega 3s and lots and lots of veggies).If you’re unable to do that, bring healthy snacks to nosh on before and during the flight.
My go-tos are Rx bars, kale chips, dried fruit + nuts, and Krave jerky. These snacks are filled with real, whole foods, while also giving you the protein you need to stay full. Once you land in your destination? Eat the meal that’s appropriate for the time zone. If it’s 10am, eat breakfast. 2pm? Opt for a snack to keep you full until dinner. You get the gist.
2. Drink a lot of water.
And I mean a lot. Those little tiny cups they give you is nowhere near what you actually need. Do yourself – and your skin – a favor and buy a massive bottle of water preflight. You’ll thank me later.
3. Wash your face…without actually washing your face.
On a regular day, my skin tends to get super oily. On a plane, my skin dries out to the extreme, which makes it really difficult to deal with. Do I moisturizer preflight and get really oily in the security line? Or do I skip the moisturizer and get dry patches during the flight? The ultimate struggle. I’ve struggled with this for a while now until I recently found Sephora’s green tea face wipes, which changed my world. They actually clean my skin and leave it feeling fresh and clear, not clogged with more product. And the best part is that it has a rough side for exfoliating those pesky dry patches.
4. Brush your teeth.
The easiest and most straightforward tip on this list. Brushing my teeth after a long flight makes me feel like a completely new person. Probably because it’s the absolute first thing I do when I wake up, so doing it post flight makes my body think I just woke up. The perfect medicine for jet lag. Do yourself a favor and pack a brush and toothpaste in your carry on and brush those pearly whites the second you get off the plane. Life. Changing.
5. Change your clothes.
Long gone are the days of luxe flight travel. With athleisure becoming the new everyday trend, it is more than appropriate to wear comfy clothes on flights. Opt for leggings and a cute, loose top, which will give your body circulation while you sit for a long period of time. Once you land, change into clean clothes – another surefire way to make your body think you just woke up.
What are your favorite ways to feel refreshed after a long flight? Comment below!
I’m Ashley. I’m a recent Maryland transplant living in NYC. I currently work in fashion, but my true love is travel. I was bitten by the travel bug at an early age and ever since I’m always craving my next adventure. From Europe to South Africa, I’ve been all over the world, but there are still so many places I have yet to explore. I hope you enjoy our little taste of wanderlust and are inspired along the way!
19 Comments
Heather Johnson
July 15, 2017 at 2:46 pmI have never been on a long flight and never really plan to. But getting cleaned up and changed are great ideas after any long trip!
corinne & kirsty
July 15, 2017 at 5:20 pmThese are all so useful! I haven’t been a long hauls lately but I am sure these tips will be of use in the future! xx corinne
On women's mind
July 15, 2017 at 6:51 pmMy hubby was a expat and we use to travel very frequently and even now we usually travel once a year … I totally agree with you plan food is not very yummy friendly most of the time. Thanks for great suggestion will try them soon ..!
Lyf&Spice
July 15, 2017 at 10:51 pmYou’ve got some very relevant points here. I like to keep my skin hydrated too. I sometimes use a refreshing face mask before landing. It keeps me up and about, and of course, wide awake. 🙂 Cheers!!
angge
July 16, 2017 at 9:30 amThese are useful and I can apply it freely to myself! thank you for this xx
Denay DeGuzman
July 16, 2017 at 7:44 pmThese are wonderful tips for long flights! Earlier this year we traveled for a full day going from California to Chile and then down to The End of the World – Patagonia. I kept a clean pair of clothes in my carry-on, and washed my face whenever I could to feel refreshed. I too packed a toothbrush to help me feel clean throughout the long journey.
Adrienne
July 16, 2017 at 10:34 pmWhat great tips to fight the overbearing tiredness of those long flights. I agree about the water – I always try to grab at least two big bottles!
Ankita
July 17, 2017 at 3:14 amThis is what exactly I was looking for..how to get relaxed in a long and tiring flight journey..These are very beneficial for me..:)
Kimberly C.
July 17, 2017 at 3:21 amThese tips are great. Drinking water is something I already do and I always brush my teeth too. going to try these on my next flight.
Gideon
July 17, 2017 at 5:47 amDrinking a lot of water can do a whole lot of things when your tired and gross from a flgiht.
Christiana
July 17, 2017 at 6:47 amGreat tips you have shared here. Will surely keep it in mind.
Nicole Caudle
July 17, 2017 at 11:54 amThese are great tips. The longest flight I’ve taken was 6 hours and it was hard enough. I couldn’t imagine doing anything longer.
Erinn Sluka
July 17, 2017 at 12:33 pmI agree with the plane food thing. I pack bananas and if anything scoop up a yogurt parfait in the concourse before the flight and a coffee. The brushing teeth is a fantastic suggestion
Chelsea Pearl
July 17, 2017 at 5:40 pmIt’s so true, the plane meals and snacks are packed with salt and processed ingredients that will make you bloat and feel gross. Packing healthy snacks before heading to the airport is a must!
David Elliott
July 18, 2017 at 12:31 amIt would depend on the air plane food for me. There are lots of airplane food I would agree with you on. But some of it I have had is really good. Especially when I have been fortunate enough to fly first class.
Elizabeth O
July 18, 2017 at 4:48 pmStaying hydrated is very important and if necessary take a sleep aid to help settle in on a long flight. I’ve been on super long flights and what I know helps me feel refreshed are facial wipes, water, rest and comfy clothes. Airline food doesn’t bother me at all. Honestly, like David, I’ve had upgrades and very good food.
Elizabeth Brico
July 19, 2017 at 2:01 amThese are really solid tips. Especially not eating that awful food. And washing your face! That circulated air always makes me feel sticky and just yeck. I always feel so extra grimy after a flight! I’ll have to try ALL OF THESE next time!
lisa
July 19, 2017 at 2:25 amGreat tips. I have never really been on a long flight. But if I do get to go on one I will keep these tips in mind.
Leo T. Ly
July 21, 2017 at 4:09 pmA nice cold drink (like the coconut in your picture) will definitely help. After that sitting down for a relaxing meal will help too. Ultimately, anything that does not involve running around will do.