Travel expert shares crucial info for anyone doing long-haul flight

Long haul flights can be extremely hard the first time round, so one travel expert has given their advice on some of the best tips and tricks to make it as easy as possible

Many people around the world are familiar with the excitement of jetting of on vacation or a holiday, whether it be to for a short break or something slightly longer, and as a result they've become accustomed to the regular, shorter flights - and they have some expert advice.

But what about when things get a bit more serious and you're stuck on a flight for hours to a destination on the other side of the world? Putting up with narrow aisles and someone you don't know sitting next to you for a few hours is manageable, but when you're on flights that are eight, nine or more than 10 hours long, what's the best way to make it as comfortable as possible? This comes as TSA recently approved 11 new items you can now travel with in any size.

One travel expert has shared their best tips for making the journey as easy as possible and how to avoid stress and get in that holiday mood.

Firstly, and one of the most important things on the list, is to book sensible flights which leave and arrive at a good time. If you need to take two or more flights, it's best to check the overall journey time as you don't want to spend longer than necessary getting to where you want to be.

If it means spending an extra $100 but you save 10+ hours with connecting flights than it might be the extra cash. You may even spending a large chunk of that while waiting in the airports.

Next, make sure you avoid buying separate tickets. For example, if someone's going from Dublin to Bangkok via London the best practice is to get one ticket which covers them all and not to get a Dublin to London ticket and then a London to Bangkok ticket. That's because the singular ticket usually means the airline are required to put you on the next available connection if you miss one or its canceled.

A slightly more obvious one, but one which is essential, is to give yourself enough time to get your connecting flight. If your first flight is delayed even up to 15 minutes and can be a disaster for your connecting flight and could leave you in a rush. If you are lucky enough to make it to your flight, it doesn't always mean your luggage will make it there as well, the Travel Expert explains.

Being comfortable is one of the most important things to keep in mind for your long haul trips, so picking good seats is essential. You can check out websites such as Seat Guru to find out the seating plan for which aircraft. If you're travelling with family members of more than three you can then pick your seats tactically to sit in front of each other rather than have one person on their own.

Travellers are also advised to make the most of the luggage allowance on the flight. So if you have a 23kg checked bag, use as much of it as possible to avoid having a large and heavy cabin bag taking up foot space.

Checking in online is another quick and easy tip to make your travel experience easier. Checking in online for all legs - which most airlines let you do 24 hours before departure - can decrease any possible stress and cut time stood in queues.

Now, everyone gets a bit peckish on a long flight and it's no secret the food isn't exactly renowned for being amazing. So, if you don't fancy a standard in flight meal make sure to pack pretty of snacks. But, if you do want to make the most of the meals provided by airlines, make sure you check the menu for any possible dietary problems you could encounter and book them in advance.

Also, with so much time in between destinations, take the opportunity to look after yourself. Long flights can be tiring on your body and drying on your skin. Drink plenty of water and use good moisturisers to feel good.

Again, another really important tip is to bring supplies to stop the boredom creeping in. Whether it's your phone, tablet, books or games - make sure to get those essentials in the bag in between getting some sleep. Most planes have power sockets now so bring your charger with you so when you arrive at your destination, you can still use your phone. Think about how best you sleep, if you need aids like sleeping tablets, neck cushions, eye masks, ear plugs – bring them.

A Verbatim MEDIA SHARE is invaluable if travelling with kids. It creates it’s own wifi network so kids can watch movies on their tablets or phones anywhere, even on a plane. It is also really compact so much easier to carry than a portable DVD player and lots of DVDs.

Lastly, and one probably for the future after your first flight, is to join the airlines frequent flyer club. Hopefully you enjoy your first experience the most and will be returning so can make the most of the benfits.