BootsnAll Travel Community

Hubby and I just returned from NZ. 3 hours flight to LA, 5-6 hour layover, then 12 hours to NZ. Same thing on the way back. On the way over we were fortunate enough to be seated in the two-somes row with more space (this made a world of difference), but on the way back we were crammed in the 31" pitch with 3 per section. The flight was just so unbearable. I thought I was going to go crazy and hubby did not know how he was possibly going to get through it.

How do other people get through these trips? The other passengers seemed a bit grumpy, but nowhere as bad as how we were feeling. There must be some trick to being crammed, shaking constantly and hearing the roar of the engines for 12 hours straight???

Noise cancelling headphones, eye shades, comfy clothes, plenty of alcohol or sleeping aid of your choice.

I either try to sleep as much as possible or every once in a while get up and hang around either the washrooms or flight attendant food prep area for an hour or so. This enables you to stretch a bit and break the monotony of just sitting (I can only watch so many movies!). Another alternative is to just cruise up and down the aisles every so often to check out how other passengers are suffering.

My plan tends to look something like this-

window side aisle seat- I'm fond of C- i've yet to land on a plane where c wasn't an aisle, tho I suppose it could happen (but it'd be a really small plane)

Benadryl
Valium is nice too
headphones
book
laptop
aisle seat
movies
aisle seat
free booze
aisle seat
more booze
sleep
etc.

Note that aisle seating isn't very.. um.. cozy when you're travelling with someone else.

If you're willing to pay for comfort, though, I'm all about the putting self in debt for years to have the cooshy seats, since I don't think anyone takes mile upgrades from coach for another airline. (mmm, fast disapearing int'l first class- yum. I gotta love any seat where it takes my whole body stretched out to reach the seat in front of me)

Oh, and be glad you didn't take korean- it's a long ass flight to LA when you have to go up to Korea first...

j.

Well I have to say when I fly, since I'm pretty big guy I always try to go for an aisle seat in one of the bulkhead rows. Gives me slightly more leg room and I'm not squeezed in by the person beside me.

Yes, please... i need some tips, i have a long haul flight of note (the main flight is 18hrs, but i have 3 other flights inbetween with long layovers) coming up... although i've done it many times before, this one is freaking me out a little more!

I think medication and alcohol are gonna be the answer for me!

Fly more! It seems that every flight I go on, the harder it is for me to stay awake. I used to toss and turn and be miserable. Now, I struggle to stay awake for the movie. I am a firm believer of travelling with one of those blow up neck pillows. Much more comfortable than they look.

It's also good to wear yourself out before the flight. Just like you do with kids. Make them run around like crazy, so when it's bed time they can't wait to get in bed.

quote:

Fly more! It seems that every flight I go on, the harder it is for me to stay awake.

True for me too, but it took years and hundreds of thousands of flight miles to be able to zonk out in economy class. I've never tried ambien or other sleep inducing drugs which are highly recommended by frequent fliers. 4-6 beers, and some wine with dinner works for me.

I guess the key is to get the aisle seat then? Hubby and I were crammed in window and middle seat, so it wasn't very easy to just get up when we needed a breather.

I think I'll definitely load up on the booze next time, too.

dopeyzn - Ouch! You may just want to bring a whole bar with you!

Last time I flew I had my jacket on which had a hood - found putting that up and hiding from the world worked and got loads of sleep

I like window seats for the view, but aisle seets especially on longhall are better overall especially when it comes to being able to move about.

Ambien. Best Stuff Ever. I used to try Benedryl, but like others, it would leave me "foggy" long after I woke up. Some suggest Tylenol PM. If you want to go that route, save yourself some cash: Tylenol PM is acitominephen mixed with Benedryl. You could easily buy small generic or store-brand versions of each separately, and put a few in a small bottle to take with you.
As for the Ambien: I've gotta' take it either right before I get on the plane (while waiting to board) or soon after I get on. If it's a really really long haul flight, I might take it with a glass of wine over dinner in flight.

Think about that choice of a window seat for the view. The view of WHAT? If you're on a long haul international flight, chances are you're spending most of it flying over the ocean. Not a whole to see there between take-off and landing. Or, chances are, you're on a long-haul overnight and not a lot to see in the darkness anyways. Sure, the few minutes of your departure or arrival city view on take-off & landing may be cool, but the hours you'll spend in between aren't worth it. And, anytime you need to get up (and you should get up every now & then to stretch your legs), you've gotta' climb over your seat-mates before reaching the aisle.

Here's a really helpful site for picking the best seats: www.seatguru.com. It's ideal if you've got your reservation on hold and haven't confirmed your seats yet. Look on your reservation or ticket or boarding pass to see what kind of plane you're on. Then, on the site, scroll down the left to your airline, then click on the aircraft you're flying. You'll see a seat-map of it with green/yellow/red color codes for best-worst seats. The yellow ones aren't necessarily the worst---usually the "yellow" is just noting something you'll need to consider (example: an exit row that has has tray tables in the armrests making for slightly narrower seats, but with a lot of leg room 'cuz it's an exit row). If you see a better seat there than yours, then note the seat letter/number you want call the airline & see if you can change your seats it.

Hi, I agree with all the above.
Sleep on the plane.
The only time I take sleeping pills is when I travel.
It actually takes some discipline to do when meals are spread out. I have travelled a lot as an antiques dealer,and we had to be awake and running to catch an auction,etc upon arrival. You really have to force yourself to go to sleep when everyone else is awake.
Food: bring your own. Something healthy. avoid a big meal on the plane. avoid bread! that can make you constipated which happens to me with my biological clock turned around.
I love seat guru!
I prefer a window seat as I can curl up on my side by the window and that helps me sleep. it is cold by the cabin wall, so be sure to get a blanket when boarding.

quote:

Originally posted by owenf:
Last time I flew I had my jacket on which had a hood - found putting that up and hiding from the world worked and got loads of sleep

I like window seats for the view, but aisle seets especially on longhall are better overall especially when it comes to being able to move about.

I second both of these comments, especially the one about the hood. The hood pulled down over my eyes makes a world of difference for me.

Singapore Airlines sorts me out every time.

Ambien.Then try some ambien.Then a little gin and some more ambien!
My flight back from South Africa was 20 hours.I'd have been a basket case had I had to be awake the entire time.

I just don't sleep the day before... Easier to keep on sleeping during the flight and I feel so refreshed after the flight is over.

Nic

I take note of what time I arrive in my destination - if I arrive in the morning, I pop some melatonin and read myself to sleep. If I know I'm arriving at night or late afternoon, I keep myself awake by reading, and with inflight entertainment (love Singapore Airlines and Qatar air for their on-demand entertainment).

AISLE SEAT! - might suck if you fall asleep with your elbow or knee leaning out on the aisle because you'll get bumped and nudged for sure as people , or worse trays!, pass you. But you will never have to worry about having to wake people up to use the bathroom- hated that!

Melatonin - this is my drug of choice, I usually take it about an hour before take-off. Never leaves me feeling groggy.

Reading materials - a good book and some magazines , I can't fly without

Super comfy clothing - If I could wear a track suit each time I travel, I would

Foam ear plugs - much more comfortble than iPod earphones or those big ass headphones

Ditto on the neck pillow

I don't recommend drinking alcohol or caffeine - this can screw with your system and body clock. Alcohol on flights for some reason gives me headaches.

quote:

Originally posted by gypsysoul:
I don't recommend drinking alcohol or caffeine - this can screw with your system and body clock. Alcohol on flights for some reason gives me headaches.

It dehydrates you and I'm too scared of bloodclot. I've got bad blood circulation as I do anyway.

Nic

Never tried the drugs. I also fear if I drank on the plane it would make me feel sick.

I always have my earplugs, eyeshades and neck pillow.

Always the aisle seat if possible...I get up all the time to wander around. You can look out the windows at the back of the plane by the toilets if you miss the view.

I have to confess that if it is long haul I will generally drink as much free plonk as I can get.

I know it goes against everything you should do on a plane but it sure makes the time go quick!