No jet-lag drag

Have you ever stood in an airport immigration queue at the end of an overnight long-haul flight feeling like death warmed up?

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And then the cheery cabin crew from your plane breeze by in their special fast-track lane looking as fresh as a daisy?

The jet lag from eight hours or (much) more at 40,000ft in an aircraft cabin can leave you feeling - and looking - like you've been dragged through a hedge backwards.

Australian flag carrier Qantas, which has had a cabin crew base in London for 20 years, operates some of the longest flights in the world. It is currently working on Project Sunrise, which by 2027 should link both London and New York City directly to Sydney with record-breaking 20-hour nonstop journeys.

We asked Maddy Edgar, Qantas Business and First Class flight attendant, to share her top tips for travelling long haul, including how to prepare, pack, and manage jet lag.

PRE AND POST-FLIGHT CARE

First up, plenty of sleep is key. The night before one of my long-haul flights, I steam my uniform, pack the essentials (more on that later), and log into our Qantas portal to confirm my crew position and review roles and responsibilities. Then I head to bed to get as much sleep as possible.