There’s an Art to Flying Long Haul

Here’s what pilots do to handle and recover from lengthy flights.

John McDermott

Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Long-haul pilots get to fly big planes over long distances and spend time in exciting destinations around the world. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Long-haul flights present unique challenges requiring specific crew rest protocols, with modern widebody aircraft featuring dedicated mid-flight rest areas for pilots and flight attendants.
Airlines staff long-haul flights with additional "relief" pilots, allowing the primary crew to rest for several hours during the en route phase and be fresh for critical operations like takeoff and landing.
Pilots must adhere to strict pre- and post-flight rest periods, which are often extended for long-haul trips to help them adjust to time zone changes and manage stress.
Crew rest is meticulously monitored by airlines, and pilots can opt out of a flight if fatigued, emphasizing that optimal rest is crucial for flight safety beyond just legal compliance.

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Flying long haul is a dream for many new pilots with their eyes set on the airlines. Pilots get to fly big planes over long distances and spend time in exciting destinations around the world.

However, the logistics of operating a long-haul flight are unique and bring distinct challenges. Most notably, pilots—and flight attendants—must still adhere to crew rest requirements even while they’re still on the airplane.