Overseas flights -- how do you deal with it?

[dparm]

Looks like I might be doing some traveling from the US to the UK soon (business). I have never flown internationally and am a bit apprehensive about these long flights.

Although visiting Europe sounds very exciting, I really dislike long flights. I've done Chicago to LA a few times (4 hours) and it really drags on after about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. I wouldn't say I'm claustrophobic, but flying to Europe is an awfully long time to be stuck in an airplane.

My father said that flying internationally is not the same as taking Southwest Airlines across the country where you're packed in and forced to entertain yourself. He said there's tons of movies and things to occupy the time, though I am not one to sleep on airplanes.

Those of you who fly internationally: how do you cope with long flights? What's the experience like compared to transcontinental stuff?

 

[ChiTDI]

Dan - most of the eastbound flights are late afternoon early evening departures and they put out the lights for sleeping for a few hours in the middle of the journey (if you can sleep). They'll feed you and run two movies if you can't.
There is a travel store on South Michigan Avenue that sells "travel" socks. They are wonderful. They stimulate muscle and circulation and prevent clots and fatigue.

 

[chubbs1]

Xanax

 

[tonycarguy]

Are you flying coach or 1st? Long flights are always worse than short flights, regardless of how many activities they provide. I've been on 12-13 hrs flights in coach and it was not fun. It's just to cramped. Your best bet is to not sleep at all before the flight, bring earplugs, take something to make you drowsy, then hope you're able to sleep through most of the flight. Otherwise bring a book or DVD player & a few movies

 

[dparm]

Yeah, I know all about the DVT stuff. I'm a really young guy and have never experienced it, even while sitting in a car for 10+ hours. Probably not flying first class, probably business class. I could always pay out-of-pocket for the upgrade.

One friend suggested just having a few drinks right before you get on the plane so you relax and just zone out.

Perhaps an engrossing computer game for the laptop will pass the time? I know when Mass Effect (1 and 2) came out, I often found myself sitting at the computer for 6+ hours playing it.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: chubbs1
Xanax


Lorazepam and similar drugs do not have a very big effect on me (though I suspect I just need a higher dose).

 

[JHZR2]

Ive done Philly to Gatwick and O'Hare to Heathrow. UK is an hour or two less than mainland Europe, of course depending upon how far you go east. Ive found that selecting a middle row seat at the back gives max opportunity to not have neighbors, and be able to stretch out.

I always select as far away from a bathroom as possible.

Eye cover and ear plugs (but not on ascent/descent) are most helpful. As is tylenol PM or a sleeping pill - this is the time to use a sleep aid.

You will not get good sleep, but likely will get there and want to be active. Its OK, Ive found that it is best to immediately eat the meals on schedule so you get accustomed to their time, and then take it easy the first day and rest when needed. Do push yourself a bit so you essentially become early to bed the first day and then have a long sleep to be refreshed the next AM.

 

[tonycarguy]

The other thing is remove anything that shows the time because it'll make the flight seem like an eternity if you're prone to constantly stare at it like I do. Don't wear a watch, turn off the clock on your laptop, etc.

Bringing a handheld computer game or ipad is a good idea.

 

[95busa]

I used to do a non-stop from DC to Kuwait. I recommend getting on the bird tired. Sleep. Read and watch movies until tired. Repeat.

 

[CivicFan]

Benadril washed down with booze to knock yourself out. Remember to get a warm coat with you otherwise you will freeze. Get those "flight pillows" to reduce the chance of neck pain.

Try to eat healthy while on the trip. When you come back, there is a chance that you will get sick because of the fatigue endured during the trip.

 

[Nick R]

take a laptop with a few tv shows you want to watch on it. I spent the entire drive to/from Ohio over thanksgiving watching "Angel Beats" and "Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu". Just relax and sit back.

 

[scurvy]

Chicago to UK is frankly a fairly short flight (~6 hours). My company has a sister R&D Center (Centre?) in the UK so I have done that leg many times, also traveled the same route for vacation.

Beyond that sort of timeframe I start to take other precautions to ensure my flight is comfortable. When I was regularly flying to India & China (up to 17 hours in coach), I would have a couple gin & tonics in the airport, have another with the meal and to wash down an Ambien, then I would be out for 9 hours. Afterwards I'd wake up refreshed with only 8 hours left in the flight.

But if you're not one to sleep, bring plenty of things to entertain yourself with: At least 3 books (in case you finish one and can't get into the backup book, you have a backup backup), a PSP / DS, mp3 player, decent noise-cancelling headphones (have a $30 pair from Target that're 90% as good as the $300 Bose ones). Consider some trashy light reading like a copy of the Enquirer, Mad or Maxim in lieu of War & Peace. Dress comfortably. Take your shoes off & stretch your feet/legs/arms/hands regularly. When they're not serving drinks you can get up and wander about a bit to stay limber. Earplugs, eyeshade, u-shaped neck pillow & your own (thin) blanket are excellent ideas, as is loading up on vitamins before you get on board. But try to travel light - nothing's worse than having to go get your bag out of the overhead again to get something. I wouldn't bother with the laptop. Get on the plane tired if you can.

International coach is a tiny bit more spacious than what you're used to with Southwest. They will actually feed you something resembling food and depending on your carrier you might actually get a few free drinks. If you get to take business class I urge you to do so at any possible cost - you'll actually get treated like a proper human being. They do have plenty of movies and TV shows but they tend to be very 'sanitary' feel-good romantic comedies or sitcom reruns - so don't plan on their entertainment if you find those as odious as I do.

And if you're flying to the UK, try to get a flight on British Airways that's a codeshare with American. BA is head and shoulders above AA when it comes to service, plane cleanliness & making it a decent experience. My preference otherwise is for a Lufthansa-operated United codeshare.

I've traveled internationally quite frequently in the past 8 years - I only have 6 unstamped pages in my passport. If you've got any specific questions, feel free to PM me.

 

[Quattro Pete]

I've been flying international (to Europe mostly) for the past 20 years. Even though I'm used to it, I still despise it. I cannot sleep sitting upright, no matter how tired I am. Taking sleeping pills or getting drunk does not work for me either. If your company will pay for first class, you'll be in a much better shape. Otherwise, the amount of seat space in Economy is no different than on any domestic flight, IMO.

Most of those long haul flights have personal entrainment centers now so you can watch movies, listen to music, and play games at your leisure, unless yours happen to be broken... I usually just bring my own music and/or videos or a book to read.

Make sure you get plenty of fluids (water, not alcohol) to keep yourself hydrated.

 

[PandaBear]

Be glad you are not flying to Asia, that's another 12 hours from the west coast.

The ideal plan would be to adjust your biological clock ahead of time so you will be landing without too much jet lag. If you have a choice plan to land at night so you can sleep or plan to land in the morning and sleep on the flight will be the best.

Economy seating on long flights can drain you because of all the kids crying, low pressure and humidity, tightness of seating, and airplane food (still served in international flights).

But you are going to Europe!!!! Don't over think this, and enjoy.

 

[greenjp]

echoing what a lot of other guys have said - I cannot sleep on a plane (I'm 6'3", ain't gonna happen

) and the things I've found helpful are 1) eat healthy - it's hard in airports but do your best, 2) noise cancelling headphones (I have a $100 pair of JVCs that work great), 3) take your shoes off, 4) get up and walk around a lot, 5) do not hesitate to go to the galley and ask for extra water/soda/etc (ie stay hydrated), 6) bring books/mags/Kindle/DS/whatever will help you pass the time, 7) get to the airport early. Really early. Too many people make their already not-fun flying experience much more stressful than it needs to be by getting to the airport late.

And for the love of all things holy, do not recline your seat if someone is behind you (maybe if it's a small child or really short adult and you ask nicely first). And do not hesitate to ask the person in front of you not to. Seat reclining is evil and only sociopaths will do it to someone sitting behind them. You're all in it together.

jeff

 

[Loobed]

Find a flight that has as many stops as possible, so you can get off the plane and walk around.

 

[lyle]

Quote:
And for the love of all things holy, do not recline your seat if someone is behind you (maybe if it's a small child or really short adult and you ask nicely first). And do not hesitate to ask the person in front of you not to. Seat reclining is evil and only sociopaths will do it to someone sitting behind them. You're all in it together.


I completely disagree. Seats recline so that one may be more comfortable (or less uncomfortable). Most coach seats have built-in limits on the amount of recline, and taking advantage of the full travel in not a hardship for the person behind you. I always recline a little bit, usually a minute or so after wheels-up, and my seat stays that way until I get prodded by the FA minutes before landing. Sitting with your back ramrod straight for 7-9 hours will make you swear to never fly again.

Unless you buy an economy comfort or economy plus or premium economy seat, you will be packed in just like on Southwest. Most seat pitches in economy are 31" or 32", and entertainment options vary from audio-video on demand to overhead video screens (shame on you Delta). I can't sleep on airplanes, either, so I try to catch up on movies or listen to music on my mp3 player. If you know your airline and plane type, try seatguru.com to find out where the best seats are inside the cabin.

Like others have said, US to UK is not that difficult compared to US to Asia. From the midwest, it's 13 hours to Tokyo, and then add on more hours if you need to go anywhere else, 4 more to Beijing, for example.

Since May, I have done 3 US to Germany trips and each time the planes were full, nary an empty seat anywhere in the economy cabin. I just keep telling myself, it's faster going eastbound, and westbound I'm going home, there's no place like home.

 

[greenjp]

Originally Posted By: lyle
I completely disagree. Seats recline so that one may be more comfortable (or less uncomfortable). Most coach seats have built-in limits on the amount of recline, and taking advantage of the full travel in not a hardship for the person behind you. I always recline a little bit, usually a minute or so after wheels-up, and my seat stays that way until I get prodded by the FA minutes before landing. Sitting with your back ramrod straight for 7-9 hours will make you swear to never fly again.

I can only assure you that you are 100% incorrect that "taking advantage of the full travel is not a hardship for the person behind you". I have been that person many times and reclining the seat removes the 1" or so of free space between my knees and the seat in front of me (it goes negative, I have to contort myself to accomodate the recliner), as well as putting the top of the seat about 6" from my face. You are taking space away from the person behind you. Making another person uncomfortable so that you may be more comfortable - good example of an antisocial behavior.

I'm being a little over the top in my terminology

I wouldn't really object to a very small amount of recline (maybe 1") but I'd be much happier if 1) people would ask first, 2) you had the ability to "lock out" the seat in front of you and/or 3) the recline mechanism caused the seat bottom of the recliner to slide forward, thus sacrificing the recliner's legroom rather than the reclinee's.

jeff

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: lyle
I always recline a little bit, usually a minute or so after wheels-up, and my seat stays that way until I get prodded by the FA minutes before landing. Sitting with your back ramrod straight for 7-9 hours will make you swear to never fly again.

I recline as well; however, I make sure to bring the seat back forward when meals are served out of courtesy. You sit upright when eating, so you don't need to have the seat back reclined, plus, having the seat back reclined makes it practically impossible for the passenger behind you to eat their meal. This is also the only time when I'd ask the passenger in front of me to raise their seat so that I can eat my meal (if you can call it that).

 

[JayhawkRoy]

Stay hydrated during the trip. I limit the alcohol consumption during the flights. I have found I need more than twice as many drinks/water as what the airlines provide. I take 1.5L more water on board after going through security so I have access to water when I need it during the trip.

You will be tired when you get there. Most likely you will be arriving early morning and you may drag. Be careful if you have to drive anywhere. UK "wrong side" driving combined with fatigue can be a major issue. Public trans is far preferable.