• Long-distance flights can feel endless sometimes, especially after a vacation or when you’re crammed in coach and traveling solo.
  • I traveled with United Airlines from Guam to New York with stops in Honolulu and Houston. Including layovers, my total travel time was about 24 hours.
  • I figured out how to make this trek more bearable by not relying on the airline to feed me, entertain me, or make me feel comfortable. I brought my own food, entertainment, and a comfy neck pillow.
  • I also used the extra time during my layovers to walk around, making sitting still on a long flight much easier.
  • Here’s how I endured 24 hours of travel.
  • Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.

I arrived at the Guam International Airport at around 5:45 a.m. for my 7:40 a.m. flight to Honolulu. But I began preparing for my journey the night before.

Foto: The official name of Guam’s airport is Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

On my way to Guam, United’s in-flight entertainment sometimes didn’t work for hours at a time. So I prepared for my flight by downloading movies and entire seasons of TV shows on my iPad’s Netflix app …

Foto: I downloaded three movies and one season of a TV series.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

… and Amazon Prime. I downloaded a mixture of comedy and drama to ensure I could satisfy my entertainment cravings for the whole trip.

Foto: I downloaded three seasons of a TV series and one comedy special.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

I arrived at the airport on Guam two hours before my flight. I don’t usually arrive at airports this early, but my uncle who travels to the states from Guam often insisted that I give myself some extra time.

Foto: I flew with United Airlines from Guam to New York.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

And I may have needed the additional time if not for my Premier Access ticket.

Foto: United Airlines offers a Premier Access ticket.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

I dropped an additional $20 for Premier Access on this leg of the trip, which gives United passengers access to a shorter check-in line and, in some airports, a shorter security line and priority boarding as well.

Foto: The Premier Access check-in line was shorter than the economy check-in line.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

Source: United


As you can see here, there was hardly a line for United’s Premier Access travelers on this particular January morning.

Foto: There was only one person in front of me when I got in line at the Premier Access section of the United check-in area.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

I was still glad I got to the airport early because there’s a lot to see at the Guam airport, like this marine life mural painted by Robert Wyland.

Foto: The official name of Guam’s airport is Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

Exhibits throughout the airport showcase elements of Chamoru culture.

Foto: A Chamoru Outrigger Canoe stands behind a sculpture celebrating many cultures in a traditional Chamoru shape called a “latte stone.”sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

Having a Premier Access ticket also gave me a chance to spend a final few minutes with some of my Guam-resident family members that met me at the airport to say goodbye.

Foto: Five aunts, three uncles, and three cousins showed up at the airport at 6 am to say goodbye.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

There was no Premier Access line at security, but the line was pretty short anyway.

Foto: The security line at the Guam International Airport.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

Once I got to my gate, people were already lined up to board.

Foto: My gate at the Guam International Airport.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

We had to go through customs as we entered the plane.

Foto: Getting ready to board at the Guam International Airport.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

The sun was rising as I took one last look at Guam and boarded the plane.

Foto: The aircraft that took me from Guam to Honolulu.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

The first leg of my trip was an eight-hour flight from Guam to Honolulu.

Foto: Boarding the first plane of my trip.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

Although it’s a pretty long flight, traveling from Guam to Hawaii isn’t technically flying internationally, so United Airlines flights won’t provide a free meal. That’s why my auntie brought me Kings — a local favorite on Guam.

Foto: King’s is located in Tamuning, Guam.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

Source: In Flight Feed


I began my trip by eating breakfast and watching a dramatic TV series. I hoped a heavy meal would put me right to sleep.

Foto: Eating fried rice and pancakes for breakfast.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

And I was successful! I turned off the show I was watching and instead put on a familiar favorite to fall asleep to.

Foto: Watching Ferris Beuller’s Day Off on my way to Honolulu.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

I woke up to Ferris Bueller singing Twist and Shout about an hour later.

Foto: I only slept for about an hour on my first flight.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

At this point, I decided it was time for a bathroom break and to stretch my legs. I reluctantly bugged the sleepers to my right so I could get up.

Foto: I keep my headphones and iPad in the seat pocket in front of me when I travel.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

First I went to the bathroom, where lotion and face mist were available.

Foto: Air travel essentials in the aircraft bathroom.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

I left the bathroom feeling refreshed from these products. This was the only leg of my trip that offered these amenities, but I suggest always checking when you’re on a long flight.

Foto: The airplane bathroom on my first flight.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

Next, I went to the large open space by the bathrooms to stretch.

Foto: Here, I touched my toes a few times.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

I used this cushioned pad to help me stay balanced as I stretched.

Foto: I pressed my hands up against this pad to stretch my legs.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

When I got back to my seat, I continued to watch television on my iPad until I noticed the sun was setting.

Foto: The Pacific Ocean was visible beneath the clouds.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

At around the same time, Hawaii’s islands came into view. I just sat and enjoyed the view.

Foto: We landed on Oahu — Hawaii’s most populated island.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

It got darker as we approached the airport, and I was glad I got to be in the air for the entire sunset.

Foto: The Pacific Ocean was visible beneath the clouds.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

When I got to Hawaii, I had to go through customs and then back through security, which took less than an hour.

Foto: I had to go back through security before my flight from Honolulu to Houston.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

My entire layover was almost three hours, so I had some time to kill. I decided to spend it on my feet since I was about to sit for hours.

Foto: Stores in this airport provided travel essentials like these neck pillows.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

I spent some time admiring the Cultural Gardens, which merge Chinese, Japanese, and Hawaiian cultures — three heritages that influence life in Hawaii.

Foto: A portion of the airport’s Cultural Gardens.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

Source: The Official State of Hawaii


Next, I browsed some of the stores at the airport. A store called From Hawaii with Love has a huge selection of souvenirs that don’t look like generic airport gifts …

Foto: A storefront at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

… like this small bag collection, which features a pug that looks just like mine.

Foto: My pug is on the left.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

This flower shop sells fresh leis made from Hawaiian flowers.

Foto: A flower shop at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

While I was walking around the airport, I began to notice how sweaty I was getting.

Foto: Feeling sticky in hot Honolulu.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

I always get sweaty when I’m traveling through Hawaii …

Foto: Terminal 2 at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

… since parts of the terminals are outdoor covered spaces.

Foto: Terminal 2 at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

During the day, you can see the Ko’olau volcanic range from this view.

Foto: Terminal 2 at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

Source: Google Maps


Since I planned to get sweaty, I brought a fresh T-shirt and undergarments to change into in Hawaii.

Foto: I brought extra clothes in my carry-on.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

So when I was done walking around outside, I headed to the women's bathroom ...

Foto: Wahine is a word used for woman in Hawaiian.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

... and left feeling fresh.

Foto: A women's bathroom at Terminal 2 at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

My last stop before my gate was this market to pick up a water bottle.

Foto: Stopping at Le'ahi Market to get some water.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

At less than $4, this was the cheapest brand of water in stock.

Foto: This Hawaiian volcanic water was surprisingly affordable compared to my other options.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

When I got to my gate, I took a seat by the window.

Foto: The plane that took me from Honolulu to Houston.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

When I saw people were already lining up to board the aircraft, I knew I had succeeded in killing time in Hawaii.

Foto: Boarding in Honolulu.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

In no rush to get on the plane I was about to spend seven and a half hours on, I let most of the other passengers board before me.

Foto: My gate in Honolulu.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

While I was waiting, I stretched my legs one last time.

Foto: Touching my toes before boarding the aircraft.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

Since we flew through the night, the plane was pitch black for most of the trip. Most people seemed to fall asleep, but I couldn't.

Foto: It was so dark on the plane.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

The lights were only turned on as flight attendants handed out drinks and free snacks, which were Stroopwaffles, Biscoff cookies, or tiny pretzels.

Foto: I opted for Stroopwaffles — my favorite free snack offered by United.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

During this flight, I really wanted to get up stretch, but I mistakenly booked another window seat for this viewless flight, and the people sitting next to me seemed to be in deep slumber. So I did some seated yoga poses in my chair.

Foto: Performing an eagle pose on the plane.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

I knew it would take me less than 24 hours to get bored of watching TV, so I also downloaded issues of the New Yorker on my iPad.

Foto: Reading short stories in the New Yorker.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

While I was reading, I noticed the sun began to rise.

Foto: The sun was rising during my flight to Houston.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

I continued to read fiction after fiction in 2019 issues of the New Yorker while I watched the sunrise.

Foto: I enjoyed the sunrise during my flight to Houston.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

When we landed, the sun was up ...

Foto: The sun was rising during my flight to Houston.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

... and I was in Houston for the final leg of my trip. I had a two-hour layover in Houston.

Foto: I landed at Bush Intercontinental Airport.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

After taking a long walk around the airport to get my blood flowing, I grabbed a taco and some chips and queso near my gate.

Foto: I try to have a taco and queso every time I'm in Texas.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

Then I headed to my gate.

Foto: Bush Intercontinental Airport is the largest airport in Houston.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

I snagged a seat by the window to take a look at the plane I was about to board.

Foto: The plane that took me from Houston to New York.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

At this point, I realized how absolutely exhausted I was from a whole day of traveling. I've always dreamed of sleeping all the way through a flight so it feels like you arrived in the blink of an eye.

Foto: I was so tired.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider

After boarding, I got cozy, closed my eyes, and hoped for the best. I woke up in New York three hours later in what felt like just a few minutes. What a perfect way to end my trip.

Foto: Getting sleepy on the way home.sourceJoey Hadden/Business Insider