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 necessitate unique crew rest procedures, utilizing dedicated, hidden rest areas on widebody aircraft for pilots and flight attendants.
Flights are staffed with additional relief pilots, enabling crews to rotate rest periods mid-flight and ensuring adequate rest for critical phases like takeoff and landing.
Pilots must adhere to strict pre- and post-flight rest requirements, including extended layovers for time zone adjustment and additional rest upon returning home.
Airlines rigorously monitor pilot fatigue, and pilots are empowered to decline a flight if feeling too fatigued, emphasizing crew rest as a critical safety measure.

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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.