If there is a choice of flight times available, I would always recommend booking a flight to arrive in your destination in the afternoon or early evening, making it easy to get an early night, so helping with jetlag. It also ensures that your hotel room will be available for check in upon arrival meaning you can freshen up and relax.

Stopovers allow you to break up long journeys and stretch your legs, help with adjusting to jetlag and provide an excellent excuse to explore a new destination. Trailfinders offers a range of exciting stopovers, whether you’ve always dreamed of seeing the world’s tallest building in Dubai, tasting the fantastic Cantonese cuisine of Hong Kong or sipping a Singapore Sling in the Raffles Hotel, there are many options to choose from which you can find on our stopover pages, or by speaking to your Trailfinders travel consultant.

To optimise your long haul flying experience, check how far in advance you can pre-select your seating through Trailfinders ViewTrail app, to maximise you getting a seat you are happy with. Aisle seats are good for those wanting to move around frequently on the flight, whilst the window is perfect for snoozing or taking in the views. A top tip from cabin crew is to consider booking a seat a few rows from the back of the plane to improve your chances of getting an empty seat next to you if the flight doesn’t get fully booked.

To ensure maximum comfort on the flight I recommend preparing a kit of travel essentials. Bring toothpaste and a toothbrush onboard, as well as some basic toiletries to keep yourself refreshed, including a moisturiser and lip balm to protect against the dehydrating cabin air. Whilst pillows, eye masks and ear plugs are often provided, better options are available to buy to help maximise your comfort on long journeys. Offering neck support, a travel pillow is perfect for allowing you to sleep even when sat upright, while eye masks and ear plugs can help to block out the sights and sounds of the surrounding cabin.

Long haul flights usually come with plenty of in-flight entertainment, however the choices on board will vary by the airline. To ensure you always have something you want to watch I suggest coming prepared with a must-see film or your favourite TV shows downloaded on your phone. Don’t forget your charging cable or a portable charger to make sure your device has plenty of charge to last throughout the flight if bringing your own entertainment.

If you like to watch the in-flight entertainment, consider buying a headphone adapter. This handy little device means rather than relying on the basic free headphones from the airline, you can connect your own headphones into the airplanes double-jack system, which is even better if they’re noise cancelling. Bluetooth adapters are also available to transmit the sound to wireless headphones from the airplane jack, so you can avoid getting tangled up with wires.

If you prefer to sleep throughout the flight, then it’s a good idea to eat a meal at the airport beforehand rather than waiting for a meal on board. This gives you time to digest your food before sitting on the plane, meaning you will feel less bloated. Once on board you can get comfortable and relax rather than having a tray of food sat in front of you. Some airlines even provide 'do not disturb' stickers for your seat for those that don’t want to be woken up when food is brought around, meaning even more sleeping time.

Cabin air is very drying so it’s important to keep hydrated. Bring a water bottle with you to fill up after security, or buy a big bottle of water from the airport, as it is advised to drink approximately 240ml per hour in the air.

Sitting for long periods of time on a plane is bad for our health, but unavoidable when travelling to far-flung destinations. Minimise the impact of the flight by regularly moving when possible. My top tip is if you are getting up to use the bathroom, combine it with some time to stretch and walk up and down the aisle to improve circulation and prevent your joints stiffening, or alternatively practice small stretches from your seat, such as rotating your ankles or turning your head from side to side. Airlines often have in flight videos showing examples of exercises you can try. Compression socks are also recommended to help reduce swelling in the feet and ankles and lower the risk of deep vein thrombosis.

For more spacious seating, access to priority services and premium dining options, consider upgrading to a higher cabin. Travelling in first, business or premium economy can make the long journey a more comfortable and enjoyable experience, helping you feel well-rested when you land. Speak to your Trailfinders travel consultant to find the best deals on upgrades.