Surviving Long-Haul Flights to Dive Destinations: Tips from Underwater Photographers

In this article from The Underwater Photography Show, Alex Mustard, who has unwillingly become an expert in long haul travel, discusses with Matthew Sullivan, who hates flying, how getting to those world-class diving destinations often requires hours of flying, which is why surviving long-haul flights is a learned skill. This article covers practical tips for managing fatigue and stress, ensuring you're not an exhausted mess, but instead, feeling refreshed and ready to jump straight into the water for your first great shot.

As underwater photographers, we often find ourselves chugging along on airplanes for long-haul travel to reach the world's best diving destinations. It's an important topic because being fresh and well-rested when you arrive will make you more effective as a photographer. However, standard advice for long-haul flying doesn't always apply to us, as our carry-on luggage is typically packed with camera gear, limiting the space for comfort items.

Here are our essential tips for surviving long-haul flights while balancing the needs of an underwater photographer:

Make Travel Less Tiring by Increasing Familiarity

The more familiar you are with your travel routine and the airports you pass through, the less stressful and tiring the entire experience will be.

Know Your Airports: Pay attention to your local airport and transit hubs. Use excess time from early arrivals or delays to learn the layout.

• Find quiet, uncrowded seating areas that can offer a peaceful time, making a massive difference to your airport experience.

Utilize Lounge Access: If you travel business class and have lounge access, research the facilities ahead of time.

• The ability to have a shower in a hub airport mid-flight can make you feel massively refreshed at the end of a trip. You might need to use a different, quieter lounge to easily access a shower.

• Some lounges offer incredible perks, like private "cabana bathrooms" (without a bed) for up to 45 minutes, providing your own space with a full bath and shower. Others may offer daybeds.

• Research what you need; for example, if peace, quiet, or a shower is your priority, look for the lounge that offers that, not just the one known for the best food.

• If an airport has multiple terminals, a quick transport between them might give you access to the facilities you really need.

In-Flight Comfort and Sleep

The best way to arrive fresh is to get good sleep on the plane. I (Alex) find that I can sleep very well in economy seats, which I consider a learned skill.

• Stabilize Your Head: Most people struggle with their neck when trying to sleep upright. Avoid the massive pillows and opt for nice wraparound collars that are less bulky and comfortable for travel, as they help stabilize your head for better sleep. Matthew also considers a neck pillow indispensable.

• Restrain Your Arms: Alex finds that a little restraint makes it easier to sleep. He puts his arms underneath a loosely fastened seat belt to keep them from flopping about.

Practical Carry-On Items

Since camera gear dominates our hand luggage, we focus on minimal, high-impact items.

• Loose Clothing/Pajamas: Loose clothing is important for comfort. Alex often packs a pair of loose cotton pajamas (kept from a previous flight). He boards the plane in the clothes he wants to arrive in, then changes into the pajamas in the bathroom. This ensures his arrival clothes stay clean, even if he's a messy eater.

• Layers and Blankets: Flights can be too hot or too cold. Since we can't pack many clothes, take one long-sleeve layer. Remember to ask for a blanket, even on a daytime flight, to stay warm. A blanket also serves to save your clothes from spills.

• Small Personal Kit (Cosmetics/Toiletries): We keep essentials in a small, lightweight plastic bag that is ready for security.

  • Hydration/Moisture: Stay hydrated during the flight. Use moisturizers (especially if you've been in the sun). Small bottles handed out on flights are worth keeping.

  • Facial Refreshers: Face mists (just water is fine) are very good for feeling less "filthy and dirty" at the end of a long flight. Makeup remover wipes or similar wipes can be used every 8-9 hours to clean your face for a refreshing feeling.

  • Dental: Bring a toothbrush and toothpaste.

  • Other Comfort Items: Lip moisturizer (for dry lips) , eye drops (for dry eyes) , and a sinus decongestant (to combat a blocked nose from air conditioning and germs).

• Essential Digital Hub: Take a small, powerful third-party charger (like a small GaN charger) and a short plug/cable. This one hub can charge your headphones, iPad, phone, and laptop. This charger can also serve as your main charger at your destination.

Technology and Routine

• Noise Reduction/Isolation: Take noise-reduction headphones. Consider taking two different sets (in-ear and over-ear) and alternating them to prevent aggravated ears, which is important before a dive trip.

• Digital Content: Download your favorite shows or podcasts onto your iPad or other device using streaming service apps.

• Work/Writing: Use the peace and quiet of the flight to work or write articles, as the excitement of the trip can be motivating.

• Masks and Eye Masks: A mask over your nose and mouth can be a good idea, particularly if traveling during the northern hemisphere winter when many people are sick. An eye mask can help you "hide from the plane".

• Flight Routine: Be aware of the plane's routine to time your activities.

  • Planes usually feed you when you first board and again about an hour and a half before landing.

  • The bathrooms are busiest when the seat belt sign is about to come on (around 30-40 minutes before landing). Be a cunning traveler and go to the bathroom an hour before landing to avoid queues and take your time to clean your teeth or wash your face.

  • If you regularly wear makeup, consider removing it when you board and reapplying it about an hour before landing.

Following this advice helps us arrive fresher and better prepared to make the most of the first day of our trip, which is when we often capture some of our favorite images.