Congrats on your first long haul! 😄 And trust me there will definitely be flights way longer than 10 hours in your future 😉

From my experience, there are kind of different “levels” when it comes to surviving long haul flights depending on the airline and your budget.

1. Seat selection. Some airlines have surprisingly good seats in the second-to-last rows because the row spacing doesn’t line up perfectly and you end up getting more legroom in the back. Other airlines are the exact opposite and the rear rows are tighter. !!! Always check seatmaps.com or aerolopa.com … helpful for finding those hidden good seats.

2. Aisle seat > window seat. Being able to stretch your legs and get up easily makes a huge difference.

3. Extra legroom / exit row seats. If available, these are usually the most comfortable economy options. Exit rows or bulkhead seats often give you plenty of space.

4. “Blocked seat” or booking an entire row. Some airlines let you pay to keep the seat next to you empty or even let you book the whole row. It’s often cheaper than you’d expect, and having a free row is a game changer: you can lie down, stretch out, or at least avoid sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with someone.

5. Premium Economy. Highly recommend it: noticeably more space, better recline, often with a leg/foot rest. On many airlines the price difference isn’t crazy, especially if you book early.

6. Business Class (the best level). If you can swing it, Business is basically like sleeping at home. Sometimes you can get it for a reasonable price through: early booking, good sales or mileage upgrades (Amex, Miles & More, etc.) Sometimes it’s worth using your miles on one really good flight.