How I survived my first (solo) long haul flight on economy

I In May, I flew to Dublin for a work trip — and not only was it my first solo flight, it was also my first long-haul flight. Add the fact that I was flying economy and had to report for work almost immediately after landing, and let's just say... I was a little nervous.

I'm quite a fidgety person on planes, so I did a fair bit of preparation beforehand to arrive feeling as rested and refreshed as possible!

To my surprise... I ended up sleeping 9 hours straight. 🤯 It was honestly one of the best sleeps I've had in a long time.

Here are the things that made the biggest difference! (Product links are in my bio! 🔗)

☁️ 1. A wrap-around travel pillow

This was the MVP for me!!!

Unlike the typical U-shaped travel pillows, I got one that wraps around my neck and fastens with velcro, so it stays snugly in place instead of shifting every time I move.

The fitted support helped keep my neck from flopping around whenever I fell asleep, which meant I wasn't constantly waking up to readjust my position.

If you're hoping to get quality sleep on a long-haul flight, don't underestimate how much difference a good travel pillow can make.

✨ 2. Skincare samples

Instead of bringing full-sized skincare products on flight, I packed all the samples I'd been collecting over the months. They're lightweight and take up almost no space.

💧 3. Hydrogel mask

Cabin air is incredibly drying, and my dry, dehydrated skin always feels tight after a flight. Putting on a hydrogel mask while on flight really helped my skin feel much more calm and hydrated by the time we landed.

😷 4. Japanese moist mask

I changed into a Japanese moist mask when I was ready to sleep. Besides keeping my skin and lips from drying out, I found myself breathing through my nose much more comfortably throughout the flight.

🦷 5. Toothbrush & toothpaste

So so important especially since it was a long haul flight!

🌿 6. Other Self-Care Essentials

Facial mist – A quick refresh whenever my skin started feeling dry.

Lip balm – An absolute essential because airplane cabins can be incredibly dehydrating.

Dry shampoo – Perfect for freshening up before landing, especially after sleeping for hours.

🤍 BONUS: Chou Chou!

Okay... this one is purely for emotional support — it just feels so comforting to have my chou chou with me when I travel 🤣

And here’s my seat selection strategy for the flight – Choose the aisle seat in the centre section of the plane ✈️

Here's why:

- Usually, only one person needs to get past you to go to the lavatory

- You still get the convenience of getting up whenever you want without disturbing multiple people

- I also try to avoid seats near the lavatory or galley, where there's usually more foot traffic, conversations and bright lights throughout the flight.

A quieter seat made it much easier for me to sleep uninterrupted!

If you're about to embark on your first solo long-haul flight, I hope this gives you a few ideas to make the journey a little more comfortable.

And who knows... you might even end up having one of the best sleeps of your life at 35,000 feet ☁️

What’s one travel essential you never board a plane without?

7/3 Edited to

Flying solo on a long-haul economy flight for the first time can be daunting, but with a bit of preparation, it can turn into a surprisingly pleasant experience. From my own experiences, focusing on both comfort and skin hydration made all the difference. Bringing along a wrap-around travel pillow that fastens securely helps maintain proper neck support, significantly reducing the amount of times you wake up to adjust your position. This pillow style really outperforms the traditional U-shape by preventing your head from flopping around, allowing deeper and more restful sleep. Another crucial aspect I learned is tackling the harsh cabin air environment. It often intensifies skin dehydration and causes tightness or irritation. Packing lightweight skincare samples, especially hydrating products like hydrogel masks, provides a refreshing boost mid-flight which leaves your skin feeling calm by arrival. Switching to a moist Japanese mask before sleep not only keeps skin hydrated but also helps ease nasal breathing, improving overall in-flight comfort. Don't underestimate the power of small self-care items — facial mists and lip balms are absolute must-haves for quick skin refreshment and to prevent chapping. A travel-sized dry shampoo and dental kit are game changers for freshening up before landing, especially after a long sleep session. Plus, having a personal comfort item like a beloved plush or 'chou chou' offers unexpected emotional support and relaxation. Strategic seat selection also plays a key role. Choosing an aisle seat in the center section of the plane limits disturbances from other passengers and makes lavatory access easier without inconveniencing others. It’s smart to avoid seats near the lavatory or galley to minimize noise and light distractions, which helps maintain uninterrupted rest. Overall, preparation with the right gear and seat choice transforms a challenging solo economy flight into an opportunity for rest and rejuvenation. Once you find your blend of comfort and self-care, you might just experience one of your best sleeps ever while cruising high in the sky.