O.A.T. Senior Copy Manager Sarah West took her longest flight ever to experience Japan’s Cultural Treasures—and this moment with Nara’s famous free-roaming deer was well worth it.
On National Aviation Day, we celebrate the power of flight and everything its historic achievements make possible. But as much as we enjoy the destinations at the end of a long international flight, it’s safe to say that air travel is not the highlight of anyone’s journey.
For tried-and-true survival tips, we polled O.A.T. associates who recently settled in for the long haul. Here’s what they do to power through.
Sarah West, Senior Copy Manager & O.A.T. associate since 2014
Long-haul adventures: Japan’s Cultural Treasures and The Wilderness Beyond: Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego & the Chilean Fjords
Longest flights: Boston-Los Angeles-Tokyo—17 hours; Dallas-Buenos Aires—11 hours
Sarah’s advice:
Sarah at the Perito Moreno Glacier during The Wilderness Beyond: Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego & the Chilean Fjords.
I’ve tried every trick in the book to sleep on flights—and then one day I finally realized that my stress about falling asleep was actually keeping me awake. Now I get as cozy as I can and just surrender to the experience: I have a glass of wine (or two) with dinner service; queue up several episodes of Stuff You Should Know, my favorite soothing podcast; and zone out.
Shoes are optional; socks and a blanket are essential. If I’m feeling especially indulgent, I’ll pack an inflatable cross-body pillow. It’s the perfect option for side sleepers who like to travel light. I always manage to get at least a few hours of sleep on every flight.
Kelley Moran, Traveler Relations Help Group Manager & O.A.T. associate since 2015
Long-haul adventures: The Wilderness Beyond: Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego & the Chilean Fjords
Longest flights: New York-Buenos Aires—11 hours
Kelley's advice:
Kelley also visited Perito Moreno Glacier in Chile.
While I may not always have the luxury of an upgraded cabin, I try to create a cozy experience for myself onboard.
First things first, I always make sure to wear a good pair of socks and some slide-on shoes. Comfort is key! As soon as meal service is over, I start my nighttime routine, just like I would at home. This includes brushing my teeth, washing my face, and moisturizing—it's all about feeling fresh and relaxed.
And of course, I never forget my sleepy time tea bags (Celestial Seasonings girl for life!). It's the perfect way to unwind. I also bring along my trusty eye mask and earplugs. The noise-canceling headphones they provide on flights are never truly noise-canceling, so this combo really helps me get some shut-eye.
Barb Lagrotteria, Manager, Travel Relations & O.A.T. associate since 2015
Long-haul adventures: Ancient Kingdoms: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam
Longest flights: Boston-Hong Kong—15 hours
Barb’s advice:
Barb took yet another long flight to experience Pure New Zealand.
Bring plenty of things to do on the flight (iPad, book, headphones for plane movies, etc.). Also be prepared to have mediocre food. If you can't stand the thought of airplane food, bring snacks!
Besiana Kapaj, Senior Accountant & O.A.T. associate since 2018
Long-haul adventures: South Korea & Japan: Temples, Shrines & Seaside Treasures
Longest flights: Boston-Dallas-Incheon (Seoul)—19 hours
Besiana’s advice:
Besiana in South Korea during South Korea & Japan: Temples, Shrines & Seaside Treasures.
I always choose an aisle seat so I can move and stretch during the flight—this is economy class advice!
For the time I do not plan to sleep, I set alarms for every 45 minutes to an hour to stretch and move—I also try the exercises the airline has on the TV under the wellness menu.
Always with me for my face: rose water spray and a hydrating mask.
I also bring magnesium, vitamin C, and (for flights longer than six hours) a mini-Advil to take before or one-to-two hours into the flight. I find it helps with muscles and any possible inflammation.
I either wear or change into comfy clothes and drink as much water as I can—which also helps me keep moving since it increases the need to go to the washroom.
I don’t drink coffee or alcohol—neither of those taste good to me on a long flight. Instead I have some dark chocolate and bring my own packet of instant espresso.
Also, when I’m well organized, I try to avoid plane food—on my last trip to South Korea I had a medium cup of cut fruits and veggies (melon, carrots, apricots, and some walnuts) and a baguette sandwich prepared at home with grilled veggies (no cheese). Or I’ll eat or buy something at the airport before departure that seems more fresh (like a salad).
Carol Palmer, Travel Counselor & O.A.T. associate since 2019
Long-haul adventures: Ultimate Africa: Botswana, Zambia & Zimbabwe Safari
Longest flights: Boston-London-Johannesburg—18 hours
Carol’s advice:
Carol delivered books to an elementary school in Zimbabwe during Ultimate Africa: Botswana, Zambia & Zimbabwe Safari.
Having started in the travel industry when my kids were still young, I always loved flying solo for work—I could sit and read a book or watch a movie, uninterrupted, for hours, and had my meals and a glass of wine delivered to me!
Thirty years later, I still feel like my vacation starts when I step on the plane, though now I always opt for Premium Economy seats. It's a smaller cabin, with just a couple dozen travelers and a dedicated cabin crew; reclining seats with a leg rest; reserved overhead storage for my carry-on; upgraded meals; amenity kits; and priority boarding. All those things make for a much more comfortable flight and I arrive at the destination feeling ready to start my adventure.
For long layovers, I always look to www.SleepingInAirports.net to see tips on restaurants, quiet spots, or even short excursions from the airport.
Ethan Webb, Relationship Marketing Copywriter & O.A.T. associate since 2022
Long-haul adventures: Ultimate Australia
Longest flights: Boston-Dallas-Sydney-Melbourne—28 hours
Ethan’s advice:
During Ultimate Australia, the wide-open Outback was the antithesis of Ethan’s cramped economy class quarters.
Bring earplugs to drown out noise—loud, crying babies can be maddening on a long flight.
You might not like the plane’s selection of TV shows and movies… So, if there’s any TV show or movie that you’ve had on your "must watch" list and haven’t yet found the time to indulge, then now’s the chance! Buy and download them onto a personal laptop (BEFORE the flight, of course) and enjoy.
In the same vein, bring any books on your reading list. Time flew when I wrapped myself up in a good novel.
Bring chargers for your phone, laptop, etc. Some older planes might have old-school plug-ins, so it might be smart to play it safe by bringing a USB-A converter.
Load up on snacks! Airplane food isn’t always too amazing (and often doesn’t sit too well with the stomach). If you do get hungry, don’t hesitate to walk to the back of the plane and ask the flight attendants for some more snacks. They’re usually happy to oblige.
I was very intentional about not enjoying a glass of wine or cocktail on the flight—being dehydrated on the flight would’ve been tough.
Bring a toothbrush, deodorant, etc. You’ll feel quite grimy if you go on a 24-hour flight without proper hygiene.
Sleep as much as possible. Nothing made the time go by faster for me. You don’t have to go so far as sleeping pills, but bringing melatonin gummies and chamomile tea teabags can help. An eye mask is crucial (I wouldn’t recommend using the ones supplied by the plane—they’re not super comfy—just spend $20 on a silk one).
Whether you’d like to upgrade to Premium Economy, request a preferred airline, or stopover in a connecting city to help you feel more refreshed, personalizing your adventure with O.A.T. can make any journey more enjoyable.
