While many travelers enjoy jetting off to far-flung destinations, long-haul flights can wreak havoc on the body’s comfort and sleep cycle. Try as you might, it’s no easy feat to arrive at your destination rested and relaxed — especially when you cross multiple time zones and face the inevitable prospect of jet lag. So, how do you maximize your quality time on the ground once you land? Start by adopting these eight travel tips for staying comfortable on a long flight.

Prioritize Comfortable Clothing

Savvy travelers will tell you that investing in a plane outfit is guaranteed to be money well spent. Comfortable and cozy clothes that you can easily sleep in are a must for any long-haul flight. Fitted joggers offer a pulled-together look without feeling too casual for the airport, while offering maximum comfort once you settle in for your flight. For example, these men’s joggers (complete with waist tie and zip pockets) pair well with a light long-sleeved waffle hoodie. For women, these sweatshirts and matching bottoms tick all the right comfort boxes for an overnight flight.

Layer Up

Why is it that airplane cabins always tend to be either freezing cold or stifling hot? In the wrong clothing, you’ll find yourself on the losing end of a battle with the anything-but-comfortable climate. Fortunately, you can avoid this fight by smartly layering. Invest in a pair of moisture-wicking tanks or T-shirts that slip easily under hoodies; they also help whisk away sweat and keep odors at bay throughout long flights. Elevate the look while still staying comfortable and dry with smart-looking stretchable collared shirts. 

Bring Noise-Canceling Headphones

A crying baby, a snoring seatmate, or in-flight announcements have the ability to majorly impact your quality of rest on a flight. Block out disruptions and pop in a pair of wireless noise-canceling earbuds, preferably one with a self-contained charging case that’s key for travel when you might not have access to a charger. Some over-ear headphones options are pricey, but they offer impeccable sound quality and noise cancellation. Plus, can you really put a price on decent sleep? If the answer is yes, then these more affordable headphones might be the perfect compromise.

Try a Pre-Flight Workout

Breaking a sweat before you travel and following a workout with a hot shower may be the perfect routine before you head to the airport. If time allows, squeeze in some exercise the day of travel to work your muscles and promote circulation, which can make sitting on a long flight more tolerable. And you’ll tire your body out to (hopefully) promote better sleep. The hot shower should help you relax before you settle in for the long haul. 

Pack Plenty of Snacks

Most long-haul flights will offer a full meal service, along with snacks and beverages, but the quality of plane food is up for debate. Keep hunger at bay and your taste buds satisfied with packable snacks that offer high nutritional value to sustain you until you reach your destination. Try bringing peelable fruit, trail mix, and granola bars in your carry-on to ward off hunger. 

Book a Non-Stop Flight When Possible

Nothing disrupts the careful preparations you’ve taken to rest well on a flight than the dreaded layover. It takes time and effort to settle into flight mode, find comfort, and drift off to sleep. That all goes to waste when you have to interrupt your journey with a stressful connection at another airport. It’s not always possible, but a golden rule of travel is to try and book a direct flight to avoid starting the process all over again and reach your destination as quickly as possible. 

Strategize Your Seat Selection

If seat selection isn’t included in your economy fare, paying the extra fee to choose your seat could make all the difference for your flight experience. Whether you prefer the window seat for something to lean against or the aisle seat for mobility and a little extra leg room, it’s best to snag your seat preference ahead of time. And check helpful sites such as SeatGuru that show which seats travelers recommend (or recommend avoiding). Otherwise, you risk being assigned the middle seat, which cramps your limbs between two other people and leaves with you little support. It can also be worth it to pay a little extra for an extra legroom seat, such as one located at an exit row, for added comfort.

Pack a Travel Neck Pillow

Finally, consider investing in a portable neck pillow, which provides needed support for your neck and can help you catch some quality shut-eye on a flight. There are an overwhelming number of travel pillow options out there, so it’s important to consider comfort as well as one that supports your body’s ergonomics. The Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow is made from high-quality, shape-adapting memory foam, and has a wraparound style to support proper neck and head position. Plus, its travel-friendly design compresses down to 60% of its full size. 

Note: All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. Daily Passport may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

Adhering to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations when packing for your trip can often be tricky. Double-checking the size requirement for liquids when you’re packing a toiletry bag might have you reconsidering bringing toothpaste, lotion, conditioner, or shampoo. But surprisingly, there are some items that TSA allows that you may have never considered packing, while some forbidden objects have interesting reasons behind their ban. Here are some shocking items that you can — and can’t — bring through airport security.

What You Can Bring

Live Lobsters: Interested in bringing home some very fresh seafood? Depending on the airline you’re flying, you may be able to bring a live lobster on board your plane. TSA does allow live lobsters to pass through security, but an officer will inspect the crustacean and its container, which must be spill-proof but can be filled with water. Keep in mind that this will be easier aboard a domestic flight, as many international customs agents may not permit live animals to enter the country. 

Antlers: If you just went on a hunting trip, you’re in luck: Those prized antlers you wish to mount can travel with you in a carry-on or checked bag. According to the TSA, antlers are not a threat, but packing them in the overhead compartment might prove a little difficult. 

Live Fish: Just like cats and dogs, your pet fish can fly with you after proper inspection. TSA allows live fish to pass through security if they are swimming in a clear, spill-proof vessel. The container can be bigger than the required 3.4 ounces, but an officer will need to inspect it by hand. Unlike lobsters, however, live fish cannot be checked.

Lightsabers: Despite what the Star Wars trilogy might lead fans to believe, lightsabers are not considered weapons by TSA personnel and can be packed in your carry-on or checked bag. May the force be with you as you attempt to pack this bulky item, though. 

Eggs: It might seem odd, but fresh eggs aren’t considered a liquid item by TSA agents. If they’re not broken, they can pass through security in your carry-on or checked luggage so that you can scramble, boil, or fry them at your destination. 

Bowling Balls: Sporting equipment can be difficult to fly with since many clubs or bats are considered hazardous items that could be used as weapons and must be checked. Amazingly, however, a bowling ball in your carry-on is permitted by TSA. Or if they so choose, travelers can simply roll one through security.

What You Can’t Bring

Foam Swords: If a lightsaber isn’t considered a weapon, you might be surprised to learn that foam swords are not permitted to fly with you in your carry-on bag — they must be checked. Because some of these toys resemble real weapons, the TSA has banned the item from being packed in your carry-on luggage. 

Christmas Crackers: British citizens might be disappointed to learn that TSA does not allow English Christmas crackers to board the plane. They cannot be checked either, as they contain traces of gunpowder. Although they seem harmless, these explosive firecrackers can’t fly under any circumstances. 

Thawed Ice Packs: If you’re bringing a cooler so that you can enjoy a refreshing mid-flight meal, make sure those ice packs inside are completely frozen before boarding. The TSA allows gel ice packs to pass through security as long as they are not partially melted, slushy, or have any liquid at the bottom of the container. This might be tricky to accomplish, so perhaps it’s easier to just pack a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in a brown paper bag instead. 

Jars of Peanut Butter: Speaking of peanut butter, the amount you bring in your carry-on might pose a real problem, since the TSA considers the nutty spread a liquid. The peanut butter should be less than or equal to 3.4 ounces, so a small packet or a light amount on a piece of bread should be fine. A jar, however, will be confiscated during the security inspection. 

Snow Globes: A popular souvenir item might cause you some trouble at airport security. If the water inside your snow globe exceeds the required 3.4 ounces, you are not allowed to pack it in your carry-on bag. Instead, these larger snow globes must be checked. 

Obtaining an ancestral passport can open up doors for your future travels or even give you the possibility of moving abroad. According to the State Department, roughly 9 million Americans currently live abroad, and that number is only climbing. More than 50 countries currently offer citizenship by descent, which gives those who qualify through their ancestry dual citizenship, the right to live and work in another country, and potentially easier access to neighboring countries. Wondering how to qualify? Below, discover helpful tips about getting dual citizenship and a foreign passport through your heritage.

What’s the Process?

The path to dual citizenship isn’t always quick and easy. A hefty load of documentation —  including original birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage certificates — is often required to prove your lineage. Administrative and processing fees play a major role, as does the general wait time for application processing and approval. If you have the motivation and the patience, however, hard work can pave the way to a second citizenship. 

Are You Eligible?

Tracing your family roots to a certain country is, unfortunately, not enough to qualify for jus sanguinis, or the right to citizenship through blood. Of the 50 countries offering dual citizenship, some have stricter rules than others. For example, countries like Brazil, France, and Mexico require that one of the applicant’s parents be a citizen at the time of the applicant’s birth, while other countries, like Italy, have more lenient standards. The process for each country will vary, so it’s best to research the country’s procedures for which you think you qualify. 

With that in mind, here are four countries that offer more straightforward paths for those who qualify for citizenship by descent. 

Italy

Italy is one of the most lenient countries when it comes to obtaining a passport through your heritage, which is good news for the 18 million people in the U.S. who identify as Italian-Americans. Eligible applicants must have an Italian ancestor, but it doesn’t have to be a parent or even a grandparent — Italy allows applicants to claim citizenship as long as they have a great-great-grandparent who was an Italian citizen. While this could be welcome news for Americans who are three times removed from their Italian ancestors, it does mean they need to prove their relation to each generation through original birth, death, and marriage certificates. And there are certain caveats and restrictions to be aware of, so be sure to do your research.

Once the paperwork is complete, there are several application options. The fastest route is to live in Italy for a few months while you apply — a great option for those who want to fast-track citizenship and have the flexibility and financial means. However, most people apply through their local consulate — a process that can take up to three to five years due to the long wait in processing times. Another option is to hire a lawyer who can present your case in Italy, which will knock a few years off your wait time, but will cost you in attorney fees. 

Spain

Spain recently passed legislation that allows you to apply for citizenship by descent up to three generations removed, making now a great time to pursue Spanish citizenship. If one of your parents, grandparents, or even great-grandparents are or were Spanish citizens, you are eligible to apply through jus sanguinis. You are also eligible to apply for citizenship if you were adopted by a Spanish citizen before your 18th birthday. 

To prove your lineage, you will need to gather birth certificates of your relatives, as well as marriage and death certificates if applicable. The application approval time can take two to three years. However, like Italian citizenship, having Spanish citizenship (which comes with a coveted EU passport) could be worth the wait, as it will allow you to live or work unrestricted in any of the 27 European Union member countries. The cost to apply for and receive Spanish citizenship is also relatively inexpensive. You can expect to spend around 100 euros on the application fee.

Ireland

As long as one of your parents or grandparents was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth, you’re automatically eligible for Irish citizenship. In some cases, having a great-grandparent who was an Irish citizen can pave the way, as well. 

To claim your citizenship via a parent or grandparent, you must first register your birth at the Foreign Birth Register. If it’s your great-grandparent through which you are claiming citizenship, your parents must have registered themselves with the Foreign Birth Register prior to your birth. After you register, you can complete an application and apply with supporting documents. Assuming your paperwork is approved, you’ll have your Irish passport in around 30 months — allowing you to seamlessly travel throughout the EU. 

New Zealand

New Zealand may be about as far away as you can get from the U.S., but you’ll be handsomely rewarded if you make the big leap to acquire dual citizenship. This island nation is a great choice for people who want access to pristine nature, epic hiking, world-class wine, and fascinating Māori culture. 

New Zealand’s pathway to citizenship is one of the quickest if you have a parent who’s already a citizen. Fill out the application and provide the documentation to show one of your parents is (or was) a citizen, pay the $410 fee (as of 2024), and you’ll have your passports in around two months. Not only will you have the right to live and work in New Zealand, but you’ll also possess one of the world’s most powerful passports, allowing for visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 189 countries.