Tips to avoid looking like a zombie after an 8-hour flight... or more!
Flights of eight hours or more can feel like a little hell with air conditioning, but it all depends on your approach. Some see it as a punishment, and others take the opportunity to watch three movies, do existential introspection, and eat reheated pasta with zen philosophy.
The trick is not to survive, but to enjoy the journey before the journey. If you know how to choose your seat, dress sensibly, and stay hydrated as if you were a smart cactus, even a Barcelona - Mexico City flight can become a (almost) pleasant experience.
An eight-hour flight can be a mystical experience... or a penance with recycled air. It depends on how you take it. Some see it as torture, and others take the opportunity to binge-watch three movies, eat dubious rice portions, and rediscover the pleasure of having no signal.
The key is not to survive: it is to make the flight part of the journey. And with four tricks, a bit of humor, and maybe a liter bottle of water, you can reach your destination without a zombie face.
That’s why here are the 10 (and a half) "Modernet" tips to enjoy a long flight as if it were a spa with turbulence.
1. The seat: your cloud throne
There is science behind where to sit. If you have long legs, the emergency exits are your runway. If you want to sleep, window. If you want freedom, aisle. And if you want to make an XXL bed, find three empty seats and take advantage of the improvised “premium economy”.
Want to play it safe? Check SeatGuru, the bible for seat nerds.
2. Dress code: sofa-chic
Leave the too "fashionable" clothes for later. Choose loose clothes, shoes easy to take off, and no piece that reminds you that you have internal organs. The temperature on a plane oscillates between “fish market fridge” and “post-boarding sauna.” Dress in layers and be flexible.
3. Your air survival kit
Eye mask, earplugs, toothbrush, moisturizer and good headphones. Not for luxury, but for social survival. A personal blanket can be your best friend when the air system decides to turn you into a human popsicle.
4. Luggage: less drama, more zen
No need to bring half of IKEA. Light luggage makes you freer, literally. Put everything you need for the flight (jacket, headphones, snacks) in a small bag. That way you won’t have to get up at midnight to look for your toothbrush while everyone else is asleep.
5. Food: choose before the cart chooses you
If you have intolerances or picky habits, notify ahead. Bring some healthy snacks —nuts, cookies, or a sandwich. Airlines don’t always have your existential diet available. And remember: airplane food doesn’t count as real calories.
6. Move or you’ll turn into a statue
Walk the aisle every hour, circle your feet, and stretch like you’re an aerial yogi. Besides circulation, it will help you observe the social ecosystem of the flight: babies, snorers, people queuing for no reason...
7. Drink water like it’s your religion
Cabin air has less humidity than the Sahara. Drink a glass every hour, avoid coffee (if you can) and alcohol, and put on moisturizer as if you were an influencer mid self-filming.
• Drink: 1 glass of water / hour
• Avoid: coffee, tea, alcohol
• Cabin humidity: 10–20% (like a desert, but with more people)
8. Relax and pretend you’re on vacation (even if you’re not)
Turn off your phone. It’s the only place where no one can ask you for anything. Watch movies, listen to music, or just let your mind wander. The world will keep spinning while you watch clouds like a philosopher with a blanket.
9. Socialize (or not, depending on the karma of the seatmate)
Your neighbor can be an adventurer, a salesman, or a snoring expert. But if there’s good energy, chatting can make time fly. Who knows, maybe you’ll find someone who also collects boarding passes as a hobby.
10. Entertainment is your salvation
If you have a screen, use it like Netflix at 900 km/h. If not, bring books, downloaded series, or offline video games. Airplane wifi is like toxic relationships: promises a lot, delivers little.
11. Bonus track "Modernet": additional tricks to fly with class
- Night flights: you sleep better and arrive looking human.
- Perfumes off: nobody wants to travel inside a Chanel Nº5 chemical cloud.
- Download music or movies beforehand: wifi is like an urban legend.
- Choose strategic toilets: some people queue more than at a festival.
- Express meditation: 5 minutes of breathing before takeoff and everything flows better.
🎬 Airlines with the best onboard entertainment
According to Skytrax 2024, these are the ones that save you from existential boredom:
| Airline | Platform | Catalog |
|---|---|---|
| Emirates | ICE System | +5,000 movies and series |
| Singapore Airlines | KrisWorld | Art-house cinema and premium Asian content |
| Qatar Airways | Oryx One | Over 4,000 multimedia options |
💺 Prices for seats with extra space (Europe)
| Airline | Extra space (cm) | Approximate cost |
|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | +10 cm | €10–20 |
| Iberia | +12 cm | €25–35 |
| Lufthansa | +15 cm | €30–40 |
🕐 How to avoid jet lag (according to Sleep Institute experts, 2024)
- Before the flight: adjust your schedule 1 hour/day before leaving.
- During the flight: avoid bright screens and caffeine.
- After arrival: go out into natural light and move around.
- "Modernet" bonus: if you drink coffee, do it local time, not your internal clock in drama mode.
🧴 Mini cabin beauty
No need to come out glowing, but hydrating helps not to look like a human raisin. The basic kit includes:
- Facial cream or facial mist (spray) small (≤100 ml).
- Lip balm and hand cream.
- Mini toothbrush and chewing gum for a bit of chewing after meals.
- Multi-use cleaning wipes (without a too strong smell).
🎧 Modernet Playlist: “Long flight, short mind”
Download before boarding:
- “Learning to fly” – Pink Floyd
- “Starlight” – Muse
- “Blinding Lights” – The Weeknd
- “Ocean Eyes” – Billie Eilish
- “Let’s see if we land” – Manel
✈️ Well, flying well is also an art
With a bit of planning, humor, and moisturizer at hand, your long flight can be the calmest moment of the trip. Listen to the expert we all carry inside and remember: enjoying the journey is also traveling.
