First long haul flight - Advice?
Discussion
Taking my first long haul flight across the pond to the east coat of America. Never done more than a few hours so looking for some tips & advice on how to best prepare.
I'm already not looking forward to being sat for so long, so I know I'll need to move every hour.
I've also ready jet lag on the return is worse than on the way there?
I'm already not looking forward to being sat for so long, so I know I'll need to move every hour.
I've also ready jet lag on the return is worse than on the way there?
East coast isn’t really that far, 7 hours maybe.
Get on, take off, have a drink, get dinner with a drink, watch 3/4 of a movie, nod off and you’re nearly there.
Jet lag not an issue going out - set your watch to destination time.
If you want to stretch your legs every hour, get an aisle seat.
Get on, take off, have a drink, get dinner with a drink, watch 3/4 of a movie, nod off and you’re nearly there.
Jet lag not an issue going out - set your watch to destination time.
If you want to stretch your legs every hour, get an aisle seat.
Jet lag can be quite variable for different people, I haven't suffered badly (mostly just waking up at silly o'clock for a day or two) whereas one of my relatives gets migraines and nausea and takes quite a few days to recover.
+1 on getting an aisle seat if you want to move around, it's a nuisance having to squeeze past people especially if they are asleep. An aisle seat can also let you stretch your legs out at times, exit rows are good for legroom too.
I like to take a book to read, easier on the eyes than constant screen time watching on-board movies or staring at a phone. Plus it will never run out of battery! Most jets I've been on have usb ports for charging devices, but they haven't always worked reliably so I was glad to have a powerbank with me as a backup for charging phone etc.
7-8hr flight doesn't sound too bad, I'm in NZ so long-haul flights to anywhere are much longer than that! My longest direct flights have been about 14hrs, Auckland-Houston and Vancouver-Auckland.
+1 on getting an aisle seat if you want to move around, it's a nuisance having to squeeze past people especially if they are asleep. An aisle seat can also let you stretch your legs out at times, exit rows are good for legroom too.
I like to take a book to read, easier on the eyes than constant screen time watching on-board movies or staring at a phone. Plus it will never run out of battery! Most jets I've been on have usb ports for charging devices, but they haven't always worked reliably so I was glad to have a powerbank with me as a backup for charging phone etc.
7-8hr flight doesn't sound too bad, I'm in NZ so long-haul flights to anywhere are much longer than that! My longest direct flights have been about 14hrs, Auckland-Houston and Vancouver-Auckland.
Edited by GravelBen on Tuesday 1st October 02:21
Fred Flynn flew on Concorde 716 times between London and New York. He said jet lag is dehydration. After many years of flying I think he is 80% right.
I now drink lots of water instead of Diet Coke and beer. I have no issue flying to England and back from New York. That is unless I take the late night flight as I don’t sleep in economy and so I end up reverse jet lagged wanting to go to bed early UK time. That’s not because I’m a snob, it’s because I’m “big” but not in a good way and my back is messed up.
When returning to home (New York) I take the 2PM flight and have no issue going out at night like normal.
Oh, also avoid carbonated drinks before the flight. Take a look at a bag of crisps when in the air and they are bursting to get out. That’s what is going on in your stomach if you drink a load of carbonated drinks.
This is advice is from an old man who would also recommend fiber supplements to keep you regular. Is that a draft? I can feel a draft.
My next two flights are 15 hours and 16 hours. Can’t wait!
I now drink lots of water instead of Diet Coke and beer. I have no issue flying to England and back from New York. That is unless I take the late night flight as I don’t sleep in economy and so I end up reverse jet lagged wanting to go to bed early UK time. That’s not because I’m a snob, it’s because I’m “big” but not in a good way and my back is messed up.
When returning to home (New York) I take the 2PM flight and have no issue going out at night like normal.
Oh, also avoid carbonated drinks before the flight. Take a look at a bag of crisps when in the air and they are bursting to get out. That’s what is going on in your stomach if you drink a load of carbonated drinks.
This is advice is from an old man who would also recommend fiber supplements to keep you regular. Is that a draft? I can feel a draft.
My next two flights are 15 hours and 16 hours. Can’t wait!
It really isn't that bad at all.
Firstly, the in-plane experience will better than any European short or even medium haul flights; A little more legroom (even in economy), more on-board amenities, movies, etc. Bit more space to wander around too.
To make the experience better, if you can, pay extra for seats with more legroom, premium economy is sometimes worth the premium. Business Class is of course optimal but can be pricey.
Jet lag.... best advice is to make peace with the fact that when you get back, you're going to feel a bit odd for a few days. The only thing I've found that has any effect is to reset your behaviours the minute you arrive at the departure airpot when you come back to mimic the time at home. So if it's 9pm in the US and 3am in the UK, don't go tucking into a three-course dinner with wine. But personally, the three course dinner and wine appeals to me more
As for everything else, you're going to get a ton of tips and advice but my advice is to just turn up, fly and enjoy the trip. The worry and the planning to mitigate against 8 hours in a plane really isn't worth the bother.
The only thing to watch when coming back is that booze on board is often free and flowing (if you want). That's fine if you've a taxi or lift waiting when you get home but not so much if you're driving home from the airport. Being in the air for more than a few hours can disjoint you a little from on the ground reality but drinking on board a plane has the same effect as drinking in a pub.
Firstly, the in-plane experience will better than any European short or even medium haul flights; A little more legroom (even in economy), more on-board amenities, movies, etc. Bit more space to wander around too.
To make the experience better, if you can, pay extra for seats with more legroom, premium economy is sometimes worth the premium. Business Class is of course optimal but can be pricey.
Jet lag.... best advice is to make peace with the fact that when you get back, you're going to feel a bit odd for a few days. The only thing I've found that has any effect is to reset your behaviours the minute you arrive at the departure airpot when you come back to mimic the time at home. So if it's 9pm in the US and 3am in the UK, don't go tucking into a three-course dinner with wine. But personally, the three course dinner and wine appeals to me more
As for everything else, you're going to get a ton of tips and advice but my advice is to just turn up, fly and enjoy the trip. The worry and the planning to mitigate against 8 hours in a plane really isn't worth the bother.
The only thing to watch when coming back is that booze on board is often free and flowing (if you want). That's fine if you've a taxi or lift waiting when you get home but not so much if you're driving home from the airport. Being in the air for more than a few hours can disjoint you a little from on the ground reality but drinking on board a plane has the same effect as drinking in a pub.
Time4another said:
Load up your phone or tablet with things to do. Premium economy can gain you a socket for taking a laptop, can then get stuck into some time killing gaming.
Most large carriers have had this throughout the plane for a long time now - not only in the premium+ cabins. RE jet lag, grab some melatonin - it's synthetic sleep hormone (well, the melatonin we produce isn't synthetic, but the stuff you buy is!).
Anyway, take one 2 hours before you should go to bed and you'll sleep well... It's worker for us going to the other side of the world.
For the flight, just sit, watch some crap films - it's usually my excuse to watch it all the rubbish I'd refuse to pay for... If you do like films, then some noise cancelling headphones can help massively with dialogue. Just make sure you get an airplane adaptor.
Anyway, take one 2 hours before you should go to bed and you'll sleep well... It's worker for us going to the other side of the world.
For the flight, just sit, watch some crap films - it's usually my excuse to watch it all the rubbish I'd refuse to pay for... If you do like films, then some noise cancelling headphones can help massively with dialogue. Just make sure you get an airplane adaptor.
I did this a couple of weeks ago and I'd say just relax.
I took a neck support pillow thing and it was useful.
Also, wear comfortable shoes, I had trainers and loosened them as I am sure my feet swell on the flight.
I sat on the aisle, had a couple of beers and then tried to sleep. The fella next to me had the weakest bladder ever so had to get up to let him out. Somethimes he was gone 30min + which was irratating.
I took a neck support pillow thing and it was useful.
Also, wear comfortable shoes, I had trainers and loosened them as I am sure my feet swell on the flight.
I sat on the aisle, had a couple of beers and then tried to sleep. The fella next to me had the weakest bladder ever so had to get up to let him out. Somethimes he was gone 30min + which was irratating.
abzmike said:
East coast isn’t really that far, 7 hours maybe.
Get on, take off, have a drink, get dinner with a drink, watch 3/4 of a movie, nod off and you’re nearly there.
Jet lag not an issue going out - set your watch to destination time.
If you want to stretch your legs every hour, get an aisle seat.
I've been stuck on the m25 and m4 for 7 hours. That isn't a long flight. Op, relax. Enjoy the movies.Get on, take off, have a drink, get dinner with a drink, watch 3/4 of a movie, nod off and you’re nearly there.
Jet lag not an issue going out - set your watch to destination time.
If you want to stretch your legs every hour, get an aisle seat.
It does depend a little on why your going & what times flights are etc.
Sounds simple but travelling west you’re going back in time.
In the days before travelling have a couple of late nights & long lies if you can which can help shift you a couple of hours, if you’re waking up early on arrival there have a walk/swim/gym before breakfast. You’ll be most productive earlier in the day than later so don’t plan too much late afternoon/evening day 1.
If you’re only there for a few days I’d stick to that routine & go for early bed to minimise impact adjusting to home.(where a walk/swim/gym in the evening helps too)
I always toilet before a flight (& often pop a precautionary immodium!). Whilst plane food can be bland eating meals helps break time & have some human interaction. I have my own corded ear buds I prefer to plug in & use with airplane entertainment system.
My travel bag also always has sweets that give me a sharp/sour taste as a freshner, having one now & again makes quite a difference if you’re sitting for a number of hours never opening your mouth! (Some folks bring a toothbrush which I do have in my bag but rarely use on a plane). Consider your clothing & footwear - loose & comfortable & I always carry a basic spare top in case of spillage or what I’m wearing looking rough on arrival.
Sounds simple but travelling west you’re going back in time.
In the days before travelling have a couple of late nights & long lies if you can which can help shift you a couple of hours, if you’re waking up early on arrival there have a walk/swim/gym before breakfast. You’ll be most productive earlier in the day than later so don’t plan too much late afternoon/evening day 1.
If you’re only there for a few days I’d stick to that routine & go for early bed to minimise impact adjusting to home.(where a walk/swim/gym in the evening helps too)
I always toilet before a flight (& often pop a precautionary immodium!). Whilst plane food can be bland eating meals helps break time & have some human interaction. I have my own corded ear buds I prefer to plug in & use with airplane entertainment system.
My travel bag also always has sweets that give me a sharp/sour taste as a freshner, having one now & again makes quite a difference if you’re sitting for a number of hours never opening your mouth! (Some folks bring a toothbrush which I do have in my bag but rarely use on a plane). Consider your clothing & footwear - loose & comfortable & I always carry a basic spare top in case of spillage or what I’m wearing looking rough on arrival.
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