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 utilize dedicated crew rest areas on widebody aircraft and staff extra pilots to allow for scheduled mid-flight rest periods, ensuring primary flight crews are rested for critical phases like takeoff and landing.
Pilots are required to have significant pre-shift rest (10+ hours, often extended for time zone adjustment) and additional rest upon returning home to mitigate the stressors of varying sleep schedules.
Airlines rigorously monitor crew rest, requiring pilots to confirm their readiness and empowering them to opt out of flights if fatigued, all to uphold the highest standards of flight safety.

See a mistake? Contact us.

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.