I took a 13-hour flight to New Zealand from LA. Here are 10 mistakes I made.

Flying halfway around the world sounded exciting until I faced the reality of a 13-hour journey from Los Angeles to Auckland. As a first-time long-haul traveler, I was woefully unprepared for what awaited me.

My excitement quickly turned into regret as I realized I’d made several avoidable mistakes that transformed what could have been a bearable flight into a small nightmare.

1. Wearing jeans and a tight shirt

Squeezing into my favorite skinny jeans seemed like a good idea until hour three when the waistband started digging into my skin. My fashionable outfit turned into a prison of discomfort as swelling set in during the flight.

The tight collar of my button-up shirt felt increasingly constricting as time dragged on. By hour seven, I was desperately wishing for sweatpants and a loose t-shirt.

Comfort trumps style when you’re trapped in a metal tube for over half a day. Next time, I’ll pack my cute outfit in my carry-on and change before landing.

2. Forgetting to download entertainment

My heart sank when I discovered the in-flight entertainment system at my seat was broken. I had smugly assumed every international flight would have perfect working screens and hadn’t bothered downloading anything to my devices.

Hours stretched endlessly as I flipped through the airline magazine for the fifth time. The battery on my phone drained quickly from playing the only two games I had installed.

Lesson learned: always download movies, shows, podcasts, and books before boarding. Even on flights with entertainment systems, having your personal favorites available is a lifesaver.

3. Skipping water for coffee and wine

Free alcohol on international flights seemed too good to pass up! I happily accepted every wine offering while also downing cups of coffee to stay awake and watch movies. My plan backfired spectacularly.

Halfway through the flight, my head pounded, my mouth felt like sandpaper, and the constant trips to the tiny bathroom became a nightmare. The dehydrating cabin air combined with alcohol and caffeine left me feeling absolutely terrible.

If only I’d chosen water instead! Dehydration on long flights is real and makes jet lag much worse. My first day in New Zealand was spent nursing a headache instead of exploring.

4. Not bringing a neck pillow

“I don’t need a neck pillow,” I confidently told myself while packing. Those ridiculous u-shaped cushions seemed like a waste of space. My stubborn decision haunted me for thirteen painful hours.

Sleep proved impossible as my head kept falling forward or sideways, jolting me awake every time I dozed off. I tried using the paper-thin airline pillow, rolled-up sweater, and even my hands as makeshift support – nothing worked.

The passengers around me slept peacefully with their proper travel pillows while I arrived in New Zealand with a stiff neck and severe sleep deprivation. That $20 pillow would have been worth every penny.

5. Eating the heavy airline meal right before sleeping

When the flight attendant served a rich pasta dish at 11 PM, I devoured it without thinking twice. My stomach immediately protested this decision as I reclined my seat and tried to sleep with what felt like a brick in my digestive system.

Tossing and turning for hours, acid reflux kicked in whenever I managed to doze off. The combination of horizontal position, cabin pressure, and heavy food created the perfect storm for digestive misery.

Experienced travelers around me had either brought their own light snacks or skipped the late meal entirely. Smart eating choices can make a huge difference in how you feel during and after a long flight.

6. Forgetting to stretch my legs regularly

Fear of disturbing my row mates kept me glued to my seat for nearly five hours straight. When I finally attempted to stand, sharp pins and needles shot through my legs, and my ankles had swollen to alarming proportions.

Walking to the bathroom felt like navigating through quicksand. My muscles had stiffened, and my circulation had slowed to a crawl. The flight attendant noticed my awkward shuffle and recommended I move around more frequently.

Regular movement isn’t just about comfort—it’s about health. Deep vein thrombosis is a real risk on long flights. Now I set hourly reminders to stand, stretch, and walk the aisle regardless of how awkward it feels.

7. Relying on airplane blankets and pillows

The flimsy airline-provided blanket barely covered my torso and did nothing to combat the freezing cabin air. Meanwhile, the paper-thin pillow flattened completely under the weight of my head, offering zero support.

Hours of shivering and shifting uncomfortably made sleep impossible. I watched enviously as seasoned travelers pulled out their own plush blankets and memory foam pillows from their carry-ons.

The temperature on long-haul flights fluctuates wildly, and airlines often skimp on comfort items. Bringing your own full-sized blanket and quality pillow might seem excessive when packing, but at hour nine of a freezing flight, they’re absolutely priceless.

8. Not bringing basic medications

My stomach began churning violently somewhere over the Pacific Ocean. Panic set in as I realized I had packed all my medications in my checked luggage. The flight attendant could only offer me water.

For hours, I suffered through heartburn, nausea, and a developing headache with no relief in sight. A kind fellow passenger eventually shared some antacids, but the experience was miserable.

A small travel kit with pain relievers, antacids, motion sickness pills, and any personal medications is essential for long flights. You never know how your body will react to the altitude, airplane food, or the stress of travel.

9. Forgetting to check in early for a better seat

Procrastination led me to check in just hours before my flight, leaving me with only middle seat options in the center section. For thirteen hours, I was sandwiched between two strangers with no easy access to the aisle.

Every bathroom trip became an awkward dance of waking sleeping neighbors and mumbling apologies. I couldn’t stretch my legs or stand without disturbing others, making the entire journey even more uncomfortable.

Setting a reminder to check in exactly 24 hours before departure can make a world of difference. Window seats provide a place to rest your head, while aisle seats offer freedom of movement – both vastly preferable to the dreaded middle spot on a long-haul flight.

10. Not adjusting to destination time zone during flight

My watch remained stubbornly set to Los Angeles time throughout the entire journey. I slept and ate according to my departure city’s schedule, ignoring the fact that I was flying toward a completely different time zone.

Upon landing in Auckland at 6 AM local time, my body was convinced it was 1 PM the previous day. This massive disconnect launched me into the worst jet lag I’ve ever experienced, wasting nearly three days of my vacation as I struggled to adjust.

Smart travelers start shifting their schedules during the flight by sleeping and eating according to destination time. Resetting your watch immediately after boarding helps mentally prepare for the time change and reduces jet lag significantly.