Life hacks to help you survive a long flight

Traveling is always an important event, especially if you have to cross an ocean. A long flight can be a difficult test. Or it can be fun – it all depends on how you prepare for it. We tell you how to optimally plan a trip across an ocean, thousands of kilometers and seven time zones, so that you leave the American airport in a good mood.

Choose a connecting flight

Give yourself a chance to rest a little — choose an option with a transfer in one of the European capitals.

Even if the interval between flights is short, you will at least be able to stretch your numb muscles at the airport. This is especially important if you are traveling with children or elderly people: such passengers have a hard time with long flights.

Yes, in this case, your trip will be several hours longer than with a direct route, but you will be able to take a break. And you are unlikely to overpay: such flights are comparable in cost to direct ones, and often even cheaper.

If your transfer takes place in one of the Schengen countries and you do not plan to leave the transit zone of the airport, then you do not need a Schengen visa. It is a different matter if your next flight departs from another airport or you want to go out into the city. Find out these details when planning your trip.

Tip: when flying with a transfer without changing airports, check in your luggage until your final destination. Put the most necessary things in your carry-on luggage – a change of underwear, a cosmetic bag, a first aid kit, so that you can walk around a European city lightly.

Minimize the risk of jet lag

Changing several time zones is a big strain on the body. After a flight, especially a transatlantic one, you will definitely want to sleep if you do not rest on the way. Without special preparation, your body will confuse day with night for several days and live according to Moscow time.

The most common advice is to go to bed an hour or even two later for three days in a row before a flight to the West. This helps the body gradually get used to the new time zone. We also recommend that you reset the clocks on all your devices to the new time during the flight. And if you arrive during the day, try to sleep on the plane so as not to collapse into bed before dinner. Go to bed when it is late evening in your new time zone.

Make sure you have a comfortable seat

It’s ideal if you’re flying business or first class. But economy can also be comfortable – you just need to know your seats.

If you don’t like looking out the window the entire flight, it’s better to sit by the aisle. This will make it easier for you to stand up, and you can also stretch your legs: you’ll want to do this more than once during a long flight.

If possible, try to get seats by the emergency exit: there will be more legroom there.