If you live in Australia, you know that long-haul flights come with the territory.

Whether you’re crossing continents for work or heading overseas on holiday, hours in the sky are inevitable — but they don’t have to be unbearable.

With plenty of air miles under their belts, Lonely Planet’s travel experts share their tried-and-true tips for surviving (and even enjoying) those epic journeys.

Here are five top tips to help you make the most of your next long-haul flight:

1. Eat before you fly

“I like to board ready for sleep — not a meal service. As soon as my seat is wiped down and my neck pillow (Turtl!) is on, I switch on noise-cancelling headphones and settle in for some shut-eye. Eating beforehand means I don’t need to stay awake waiting for the trolley.”

— Serina Patel, senior marketing manager

2. Embrace the all-nighter (if you dare)

“This is not the healthiest tip, but I’ve prepped for plenty of long-haul flights by staying up the night before. Yes, it helps me procrastinate packing (I throw in outfits last-minute and hope for the best), but more importantly — I fall asleep the moment I buckle in. Seatbelt on, world off.”

— Deepa Lakshmin, director of social media

3. Find your pre-flight formula

“When I’m flying solo, I do a Pilates session and take cannabis gummies (where legal!) to help my body relax and my brain switch off. When I’m travelling with my kids? It’s Pilates and a quick prayer.”

— Sarah Stocking, digital editor

Board tired and sleep may come easier … at least according to our experts.

4. Order a special meal

“I fly long haul a lot — my family’s in Canada, but I live in Australia and New Zealand. One of my go-to hacks? Order a special meal in advance. You’ll be served before everyone else, which means you can eat and get to sleep sooner — crucial on overnight flights.”

— Jessica Lockhart, destination editor, Oceania

5. Load up on books

“A long flight is the perfect excuse to get lost in a great read. I always preload my Kindle with a mix of ebooks and guidebooks to stay inspired and entertained all the way to touchdown.”

— Alexander Howard, editorial director

Read the full list of 27 tips here