Poli's Guides · ✈️

Long-Flight Comfort Tips for Older Travellers

Thirteen hours in the air sounds harder than it is. With a little planning, even a first international flight can be genuinely comfortable — here's what experienced families do.

Before the flight

• Request special assistance when booking — wheelchair, escort through the airport, early boarding. It's free, and there is no shame in it: it turns the most stressful parts of the journey into someone else's job.
• Choose an aisle seat for easy bathroom trips and leg stretches
• Pack all medications in carry-on, original packaging, plus a doctor's list with generic names
• Wear loose clothing and consider compression socks
• Put the child's Canadian phone number and address on paper in a pocket

During the flight

• Move every 1–2 hours: a slow aisle walk plus seated ankle circles keeps blood flowing and prevents stiffness and clots
• Water, not wine: cabin air dehydrates; alcohol makes it worse
• Take medications on home-time schedule during the flight, then switch to Canadian time on arrival (ask the doctor beforehand if timing matters for a medication)
• Sleep when the cabin lights dim — an eye mask and the airline blanket work wonders

Landing and the first days

• Jet lag is normal — expect 3–5 easy days; morning daylight walks reset the body clock fastest
• Follow our airport arrival guide for the immigration steps
• Rest first, sightseeing later — the visit is long, there's no rush

Frequently asked questions