There’s more to do on a long-haul flight than just endure it – travel experts share 5 tips

▲ Airplane. (Photo / Darzhi Images / Illustration)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

It was once unimaginable for an airplane to fly non-stop for such extended periods. Flights like New York to Singapore, San Francisco to Bangkok, Perth to London, and Dallas to Sydney represent some of the longest routes in the world, with A350 and B787 non-stop flights continuously breaking records. However, covering distances of eight to nine thousand miles on a non-stop flight means being in the air for nearly 19 hours. If you can only get an economy ticket, how do you cope with the long and difficult time? Ed Perkins, with over 30 years of experience in travel writing,Ed Perkinsshares five tips that are worth considering.

1. Keep an eye out for business class promotional tickets
Ed Perkins mentioned that if you want to improve your comfort during the flight, the best advice is to spend a bit more to upgrade—but business class tickets are typically 5–10 times the price of economy, and premium economy can be double. However, airlines sometimes offer promotions, so it’s important to stay alert. If you can’t find discounted tickets, at least consider paying extra for more legroom.

2. Join last-minute upgrade auctions
Ed Perkins noted that Plusgrade is the largest bidding system provider, partnering with 54 airlines worldwide. The process involves purchasing an economy class ticket first, then the airline notifies you via email at the time of booking or afterward to see if the flight is open for upgrades. You log in to the airline’s website and enter details such as how much you’re willing to pay for the upgrade. A few days before the flight, the airline will inform you whether your bid has been accepted. Additionally, Optiontown partners with 11 airlines including Asia’s AirAsia, and you can check details on how to upgrade through their website.

▲ Cabin (Photo / Darzhi / Illustration)

3. Ask about upgrades when you arrive at the airport
Some airlines handle these matters through ground agents and may offer upgrades at check-in or at the gate. Even if you’re not lucky enough to get a free upgrade, it doesn’t hurt to ask how much an upgrade might cost—consider whether it’s within your acceptable budget.

4. Consider budget-friendly layovers
While non-stop long-haul flights save time, they can also be quite challenging. Some airlines often include stopover options on long-haul routes, which don’t cost much—and sometimes are even free. Airlines like Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Turkish Airlines have introduced travel packages that include stopover hotels and local tours. Alternatively, you could book two different budget airlines and connect the journeys, which is also a good option.

▲ Airlines occasionally offer business class promotional tickets. (Photo / Darzhi / Illustration)

5. Boost your in-flight comfort
If none of the above methods work out, you’ll likely have to endure the long flight stuck in economy class. Remember to stay hydrated, avoid excessive alcohol, get up and stretch every couple of hours, and use an eye mask and neck pillow.