For a first-time long-haul flyer, the entire experience can be overwhelming. First there`s the time you spend on board the aircraft, which may seem like it`s never-ending. Then there`s the choice of seats, which may prove bothersome to you. Finally there`s the research you have to do about each airline -- after all, you don`t want to be in the air for 6, 8, 10, or even 12 hours on a flight where you are miserable. The long-haul flight can be pretty draining, and that`s not just taking into account the actual travel. The booking process can be difficult too -- but it doesn`t have to be! Here are some tips that will help you have a relaxing flight.

Don`t judge the final price tag too harshly. Think of the experience by how much you are offered in the time you are traveling to your destination. Does your 6 or 8-hour flight offer great food and wonderful entertainment options, or is the flight cramped with next to no entertainment, and when there is, the films are all outdated? Consider all that long-haul flights offer and pick the one that best suits your needs.

Making your connection is crucial. On long-haul flights, unless your final destination is a large hub such as Tokyo, London, Paris, etc., you will have to connect to another flight overseas to reach your destination. Connections overseas can run you down, so here`s what you should know: Pay attention to the connection time you are given. A connection may be classified as `legal` but it may not be feasible for you specifically. Click on `Flight Schedule` in the air display in the booking process and note how much time you have to connect to your next flight. Give yourself ample time for everything you need to accomplish, from check-in to boarding. A worst-case scenario may see you rushing off the plane, picking up your bags at baggage claim, clearing customs, checking in for your new flight, re-checking your bags, going through customs and security again, and proceeding to your connecting flight`s gate. That`s a lot to do! Make sure you have the time you need.

It would be in your best interest to check to see if you are getting some sort of frequent flier benefit, whether it be miles or some other reward, for flying such a long flight and paying a lot of money to do so. You may want to select an airline with which you already have a frequent flier account, or an airline that belongs in the same alliance as the airline you frequently fly.

Dress comfortably. Keep in mind that you will want to fall asleep, take off your shoes, walk around, or stretch on a long flight. Dressing in stretchy, loose clothes and sneakers or slip-on shoes will be most comfortable.

Consider either bringing along your own tablet, buying one before your trip, or borrowing one from a friend. On the tablet, make sure you have a few of your favorite movies loaded so you have lots of things to keep you engaged not just on the flight over, but also on the flight back. Consider downloading a few books on tape, some episodes of your favorite TV show, and definitely a few hours` worth of your favorite music. Download e-copies of your favorite magazines as well, so you have lots of variety to choose from.

Not all airlines are the same or offer the same amenities. In fact, you`ll find that there are perhaps the most discrepancies when it comes to how airlines handle long-haul travel. Here are three things that will definitely vary by airline on long-haul flights:

Food

Nearly every long-haul flight offers a succession of meals, usually interspersed with light snacks. If you are concerned about the variety of food offered, or if you have a dietary restriction, it pays to research the long-haul flight menus for each airline you are considering. The airlines usually make this information public on their website; the website www.airlinemeals.net also details the food options from airlines across the world. In the end, it can`t hurt to pack some familiar snacks -- things you would munch on while at home or at work. If you would have a granola bar at work, take some with you on the plane.

Entertainment

After you take some time to research your food options, take some time to look at the entertainment offered on your flight. After all, you will be spending a good amount of time in the air. Narrow down which choices are the best for entertainment and keep those airlines in mind. Also, choose seatback screens instead of overhead monitors. Your neck will thank you, as you won`t have to crane it upward for hours to view a film. Also, seatback screens allow you to watch what you want, so you aren`t forced into watching a specific movie with the rest of the plane that you may not even like. Check out www.seatguru.com; not only are they great at providing seat charts for aircraft around the world, they will also let you know if your airline/aircraft offers overhead or seatback entertainment.

Comfort

Speaking of SeatGuru, check out the configurations of each long-haul aircraft that flies your desired route. That way you can figure out which seats and which aircraft will be most comfortable for your journey. A 3-5-3 configuration of seats may be better than a 3-3 configuration, simply because a 3-5-3 will offer two aisles, extra lavatories, less waiting while the flight attendants come around for meal or drink service, etc. Plus, on long-haul flights it is recommended to walk around every so often, and a flight that offers more room to move around will be more comfortable for you. Also consider whether or not the seats recline, if there is enough room for your feet and legs, and if you will be seated in an area where lots of passengers will walk, like closer to the lavatories. Making the right decisions will ensure your comfort when flying overseas.

What Makes a Great Seat?

The best seats are usually considered to be the aisle seats, the window seats, seats on an exit row, and seats close to the front of the plane. For example, on a short flight, an aisle seat near the front may be best so you can get off the plane and to your destination as quickly as possible. On a red-eye flight, a window seat may be more ideal so you can fall asleep and rest your head on the window. People afraid of turbulence may like the seats over the wing, as they are not shaken up as much by turbulent wind patterns. Exit rows offer more legroom, but if you are traveling as a family, this would not be a feasible option. Children and infants are not allowed to sit in exit rows (infants are actually not allowed to sit in the rows behind or in front of the exit row either).

Another favorite seat assignment is the `bulkhead seat`, which is the very first row of seats after a barrier such as a wall or a curtain. No seats are in front of this row, so extra legroom is to be expected. Be careful, though, because on some flights the bulkhead row may not offer lots of space. You will also have to store your carry-on items in the bin overhead and not on the ground under the seat ahead of you (as there won`t be one). To learn more about seat configurations on aircraft, visit www.seatguru.com.

Make a note of the seat pitch; this is particularly important for taller travelers. A seat pitch is the measure of how much space there is between a seat and the one right behind it or in front of it. The higher the number means more legroom for you.

The middle seat is typically undesirable regardless of aircraft. Seats near the flight attendants or the lavatories will experience more foot traffic and you may find it is more difficult to fall asleep in those seats. Likewise, seats closer to the overhead screens may impede your path to rest.

Then there is the big question: If something bad happens, which seats are the safest? There is no clear answer to that question. TIME Magazine recently found that sitting in the rear of the aircraft will give you a higher chance of survival in case of a plane crash. Greenwich University found, however, that the safest place for passengers is toward the front of the plane, sitting within five rows of an emergency exit.