Ask a Cathay member: how do you make the most of long-haul flights?

Make your next journey smooth and comfortable with a little forward planning. Cathay members share their tips on what to pack and do to make long-haul flights a breeze.   

“When I fly it's one of the few times I get to fully disconnect and relax. Since I love watching movies I make a list of some of the best films available on Cathay’s inflight entertainment guide system based on the critic ratings. Before a long flight, I check the Cathay's inflight entertainment guide to see what is playing so I can prepare exactly what to watch and not spend time scrolling through the hundreds of films onboard.

“To get extra comfortable, I always have my noise-cancelling headphones , which allows me to disconnect.”

“Since having my son, my priorities for flying have changed. Flight times and duration are the most important to me now. I try to select flights that have the least impact on his sleep patterns.

“Cathay’s priority boarding for families with young children is such a gift - I recently learned not all airlines do this. As my son is still an infant, I need to bring a lot of gear onboard with me to ensure his comfort. It removes a lot of stress to be able to get organised and set everything up without having to worry about other passengers trying to find their seats.”

“My go-to tip for long-haul flights: If I'm not flying Premium Economy or Business, I pay for extra legroom. I pack an eye mask and earplugs and adjust my body clock to the time of the destination so I can combat jet lag as much as possible.

“I have started ordering Cathay’s delicious vegetarian/vegan meals, as they are served first, then you can sleep earlier if necessary. They make me feel less bloated after a long flight too.”

“I've worn the same outfit on long-haul flights for the past 15 years: leggings, a tank top, a jersey dress, a long cardigan and a big scarf. Smart enough for the lounge but comfy enough to sleep in, and ideal for flying between hot and cold climates. A heat patch on my back also helps keep me cozy and wards off stiff muscles. My carry-on is loaded with lip balm, hand cream, moisturiser and a facial mist to combat dry air .

“I like to take advantage of being offline to crack open a new paperback – short story collections are perfect for dipping into between meals and movies. Most important of all is a steady stream of sweet and savoury snacks – which Cathay supplies in abundance – and I'll never say no to another gin and tonic from the well-stocked refreshments cart.”

“I like to be as comfortable as possible before and during a flight. This means leaving enough time to get to the airport, go through security, and relax in the Cathay lounge, where I can catch up on work before the flight, enjoy my favourite dan dan noodles and a glass of champagne, and still have plenty of time to spare. 

“For the flight itself, I prefer to dress in comfortable outerwear. I usually wear my favourite sweatpants, a sweater or hoodie. Other essentials include my neck pillow , eye mask, and my favourite Korean skincare to stop my skin from drying out mid-flight. I usually connect to the inflight Wi-Fi as my job requires me to be contactable at all times. I’m loving the new free Wi-Fi for Business passengers.

“Lastly, I bring ear plugs or noise-cancelling headphones in case of unexpected noise disruptions during the flight; they also help me sleep.”