My flight from New York to Bangladesh was about 17 hours WITHOUT counting the transit hours. To top off the already oh-so-dreaded hours in the crouched up Economy seats, my connecting flight from Abu Dhabi got delayed by about 24 hours. So here I am, trying to shine some light on the creature controls for long flights, if you are planning on thriving in the Economy.

Before I roll into my tried and true long hour travel trips, I need to be completely honest with you. You will know the true definition of a restless sleep. Almost all your muscles will ache. You will be dehydrated and your skin will be dried out. Basically, when you deplane, you will feel disgusting and while there is no pill to the perfect long flight in Economy, there are some travel buddies that will ease your troubles out.

• Prep and sync all your entertainment. While most planes that fly for long hours have an in-built entertainment system with all the latest movies and TV shows, it will be comforting knowing that you can catch up on that episode of American Horror Story you didn’t have the time to watch. Stock up on books on your e-readers. Also, I hope you don’t have any pending work because trust me, the amount of elbow space you will get will not allow you to work.
• Strip into your comfortables! Forget the airport outfit you copied off Pinterest if it is not comfortable. I travel in my pajamas and that is totally okay! And, layers baby! Layer up! That way, you are ready for absolutely anything!
• Let’s talk sleep. Let me enunciate this. Stay. Away. From. The. Booze. Alcohol will only make your long flight worse! An eye mask and a neck pillow are your best bets at getting what little sleep you are about to get in your cooped up Economy seat. (Try a Chamomile Tea eye mask!)
• Quench your thirst. Before any long flight, the first thing I purchase (or make sure that I own) is a large water bottle. Once on the flight, I get it filled by one of the flight attendants. Hydration is everything and there is no possible way to put more emphasis on this. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
• Pre-plan on staying healthy. Planes are incubators for all sorts of viruses and I am about prevention here! My go-to comrade: ANTISEPTIC WIPES! I wipe down everything, starting from my arm rest to my seat belt fasteners. Might be a little weird but hey, I am not trying to catch any sickness that might potentially ruin my trip.
• Pre-pack your very own in-flight toiletry set. While most long flights today come with a toiletry pouch in the seat pocket in front of you, it is always a good idea to bring your own. Bring along your toothbrush, toothpaste, face care items, lip balm, hand cream and a spare set of contacts in a small, personalized pouch (or a Ziploc baggie). I’ll throw in some makeup, medication and a very good pair of headphones as well.
• Make a mini Baggie. I always pack a small pouch or a mini baggie inside my handbag with my phone, a book, headphones, my pre-packed toiletry pouch, snacks, eye mask and neck pillow. Before take-off, I take it out and place it under the seat in front of me. Everything else goes in the overhead cabin. This yields more leg room AND everything I need during the flight is easily accessible.

And there you have it! My very own tried tips for long, dreadful flights. At least I am collecting lots of miles on my Etihad card so that next time when I fly for long hours, I can book a flight in the business cabin. Because, there is nothing like lying down horizontally in the second floor of an airplane, and not have to pay for it! (This is probably not going to happen next time but sometime in the future. Till then, Hello Economy! Come at me bruh!)