Staring out the airplane window as the lights of New York City shrink into tiny specks, I take a deep breath. I’m buckled in for the longest scheduled passenger flight on Earth – a nonstop 19-hour slog from JFK to Singapore.
As a frequent long-haul flier, I thought I knew what I was getting into. But surviving nearly an entire day in an aluminum tube at 35,000 feet requires more mental preparation than I expected. Here’s what I learned from my marathon in the sky:
Set Your Biological Clock in Advance
A few days before departure, I slowly adjusted my sleep schedule to match Singapore time. No suddenly shifting the day of – take it gradually. The flight departs at night, so I also avoided caffeine after 3pm, stocked up on melatonin, and encouraged relaxation. I wanted to sleep as much as possible onboard.
Choose the Best Possible Seat
I splurged for business class and scored a supremely spacious lay-flat pod – crucial for sleeping comfort. But even in premium economy, snag a solo window seat in the very back. The curvature of the plane allows extra legroom. Map out seats when booking because once airborne, you’re committed.
Come Equipped for Hygiene and Comfort
I packed breathable, loose fitting clothes, anti-bacterial wipes, toothbrush/paste, and cotton socks to refresh mid-flight. Little luxuries like a silk eye mask, earplugs, lip balm and moisturizer made me feel human. I also downloaded movies, books and podcasts – 19 hours is a lot of time to fill.
Sync Eating and Sleeping to Your Body
Since the JFK flight departs at night, I ate dinner and then slept as much as possible. But know they’ll wake you mid-flight for a meal service to sync food with circadian rhythms. It interrupted my sleep but I get the logic. Just power through. Before landing, I slept again to arrive refreshed.
Enjoy World-Class Amenities
From my turndown service to tailored meals to the impeccable crew addressing me by name, Singapore Airlines nails luxury service, even 19 hours in. Sipping Dom Perignon at 40,000 feet as flight attendants hand-serve caviar makes you temporarily forget you’re on the world’s longest haul.
Appreciate the Priceless Arrival
Finally touching down after nearly an entire day en route, I emerged from that aluminum tube feeling shockingly refreshed. The ultra long-haul flight was truly worth it to maximize my precious vacation time. As the Singapore skyline came into view, I smiled thinking of the day of adventure that awaited.
Sure, 19 continuous hours in transit seems daunting. But equip yourself both mentally and physically, and you may just survive and even enjoy the world’s longest flight. Just don’t forget your silk eye mask!