ALOHA!
My most recent long flight to Hawaii was in September 2022.
It was a flight to Hawaii from Japan on Hawaiian Airlines.
This was an 8 hour flight to Hawaii.
Growing up, I flew over the Pacific Ocean every summer going to Asia.
Flying from the United States, this meant two 13 hour flights every year. (One flight going across the Pacific to Asia, and another flight going back to the US.)
I remember when I was a teen, for at least a few of those flights, I read up on tips for long flights and fighting jet leg and made a plan!
This included being sure that I’d request water and orange juice.
The water to make sure I’m getting plenty of liquids while flying, and the orange juice for added nutrients!
I even remember for one flight, I wore a sports watch with a timer, and I’d time it to go off every hour (when I wasn’t sleeping!) so that I could get up to go and walk around the plane and move my legs! I would also time that stretching/moving time to be sure that I would be up for at least 5 minutes.
So, 5 minutes of movement for every hour sitting on the plane!
Nowadays on long flights, I still do try to stay well hydrated on the plane so I’ll request a water or tea with every opportunity. (Although they do say to limit your caffeine intake when you’re flying. 😜)
But I’m not as “strict” about getting movement. Although I totally encourage you to be. 😜
The back of the plane can be one of the best spots to “hang out” during the flight and stretch out your legs, hips, and generally just move the rest of your body. (But only if the seatbelt sign is off! And even if it is off, you should still keep your seatbelt on when seated just in case there’s unexpected turbulence!)
Or you can just walk the aisles.
If you don’t want to get up, alternatively you can be sure to stretch out your upper body while still in your seat, lift your knees up and down (like you’re marching in place), twist your torso back and forth, etc etc!!
This is better than just staying still for the whole flight!
So you can set the timer on your phone to do this once an hour! 😄
Also see Hawaii essentials: What to pack for Hawaii
Your plane to Hawaii will probably be cold.
Well, this may depend on your tolerance for cold.
But I find that planes are cold, and this is one thing that I will definitely try to plan for accordingly!
What is the best thing to wear on a long flight?
The best things you can wear on a long flight to Hawaii are LAYERS!
Instead of packing your long clothes in your luggage, bring them onto the plane with you!
On a recent flight to Hawaii, I checked in luggage, and I also had carry-on luggage for the flight.
Half my carry-on luggage was basically clothes. 😆
No regrets!
On my flight leaving Hawaii, I also brought a packable bag onto the plane with me that I bought at ABC Store in Waikiki. This is a bag that can also get pretty small when you’re not using it so it makes for a nice travel bag.
When I got to the gate, I transferred the clothes in my carry-on suitcase into the packable bag.
Then, that became an easy way to access my warm clothes when I wanted them!
I actually also like to bring a small blanket on the plane with me too.
👆 What to bring on a plane to Hawaii: I brought a packable bag with clothes… and a blanket!
Depending on the airline you’re flying, you may be provided a blanket for free.
On my recent Hawaiian Airlines flights, they did provide free blankets, but I was also happy to have the extra blanket that I brought along! (I’m not sure if that’s just an international thing since it was an international flight. If you are on a Hawaiian Airlines flight from the East Coast, I would think that would be provided? But, best to be prepared as if they won’t be!)
What should you not wear on a long flight?
Even though Hawaii is hot, you still really shouldn’t wear short shorts on your flight to Hawaii.
I wouldn’t even wear any sort of shorts at all.
That thing about the plane to Hawaii being cold!
Or, if you do wear shorts, you can bring along warmer pants to change into.
That is what I did on a recent flight leaving Hawaii.
I was wearing light capris, but I changed into pajama pants on the plane! 😆
You also shouldn’t wear flip flops for the same reason.
Since the plane is cold, wearing flip flops can mean your feet can get cold!
I like to take my shoes off when I’m in the seat, so I also like to bring warm socks with me on a long flight.
The current socks I like to bring along on the plane I think I bought at Walmart.
Other random things you might want to pack for a long flight to Hawaii
Different people have different ways of getting comfortable on the plane! This is all about increasing the comfort level of your flight to Hawaii!
This will also depend on whether you plan on sleeping on the plane!
1. Neck pillow
It wasn’t until a few years ago I tried using a neck pillow to sleep on the plane.
And WOWWWW what a difference it made!!!
It was an inflatable neck pillow, and it really helped me to get way more comfortable to be able to sleep!
I did still put an extra cushion to keep my head propped up further.
And since it’s inflatable, it doesn’t take up much space to bring along!
2. Eye mask
Sometimes for long flights, the lights are dimmed for some of the flight. I don’t recall how it was on my flights to Hawaii from the mainland US. 🤔
If you’re flying from California or the West Coast, I am not sure if 5-6 hours is long enough of a flight that they would do something like this? 🤔
But if they do turn off most of the lights, it will mean that most of the plane will be relatively dark.
Still, maybe you don’t find the plane to be dark enough, or maybe the person sitting next to turns on their reading light right above you.
An eye mask is an easy way to make your sleeping conditions DARK!
You want to make sure it’s a black eye mask.
Any lighter colors may not block enough light.
Some airlines give out eye masks for free, but it’s best to bring along your own just in case if sleep is important to you.
Hawaiian Airlines gave out free eye masks, but they are light grey and they might as well be white. I found them to be pretty useless because it didn’t feel dark with it on, and I didn’t even save them.
Delta Airlines has given out black eye masks, and I have kept Delta’s eye mask and used it a number of times. (aka I like Delta’s eye masks!)
Another way to give yourself dark sleeping conditions is to wear sunglasses. A hat with a brim like a baseball cap can also block light.
3. Empty water bottles
You can’t bring full water bottles past the security checkpoint since liquids like that won’t be allowed by TSA… well, because 3 ounces of water isn’t much so to me it’s the same as saying you can’t bring drinking water!
And buying water within the secure area of an airport tends to be expensive.
But you should be able to find drinking fountains to fill up a water bottle once you get past security.
Even if you get free drinks on the plane, I like to have extra water to be able to stay well-hydrated!
I really like my tea though, so for a recent flight to Hawaii I also did bring along green tea powder that I could mix with water!
HAPPY LONG FLIGHT TO HAWAII!
- Food on a flight to Hawaii: Hawaiian Airlines food
- Flight to Oahu: Honolulu Airport
- Flight to Maui: Kahului Airport
- Flight to the Big Island: Kona Airport
- Flying Southwest: What you MUST know about Southwest open seating (so you can get a window seat!)
- More Hawaii prep
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