Overseas flights -- how do you deal with it?
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Originally Posted By: user52165
Originally Posted By: Loobed
Find a flight that has as many stops as possible, so you can get off the plane and walk around.
Not many stops in the Atlantic.
LOL! Yeah.
That's a terrible idea, regardless. The more stops, the longer the entire ordeal is going to take, and the more chances along the way that one of your flights is going to be delayed/canceled and you're going to miss your connection, not to mention luggage mishandling during transfers.
If you need to walk around, you can do that in the aisles on the plane. Sure, not ideal, but it's doable.
Originally Posted By: Loobed
Find a flight that has as many stops as possible, so you can get off the plane and walk around.
Not many stops in the Atlantic.
LOL! Yeah.
That's a terrible idea, regardless. The more stops, the longer the entire ordeal is going to take, and the more chances along the way that one of your flights is going to be delayed/canceled and you're going to miss your connection, not to mention luggage mishandling during transfers.
If you need to walk around, you can do that in the aisles on the plane. Sure, not ideal, but it's doable.
Originally Posted By: Loobed
Find a flight that has as many stops as possible, so you can get off the plane and walk around.
This is a terrible idea IMO. Take the most direct flight possible and be done with it.
The only time I would agree that a stopover was worth it was flying back to Chicago from New Delhi on Air Canada. Missed our connecting flight at Pearson and had to spend most of the day in the business class lounge which had free self-serve liquor and hot showers. After a long day in India and 17 hours on an Airbus that shower was one of the best things that ever happened to me.
But all the times I flew back from China, I was glad to have a direct flight (typically 14 - 16 hours) and to be home as soon as I landed. The last time I went to Europe I had a long-haul flight to Munich, then two hops to get to Slovakia. I hated those small, short flights. Being on one long flight helps you get more comfortable sooner.
Good point on every stop being a probable chance that your luggage will get destroyed or lost.
Find a flight that has as many stops as possible, so you can get off the plane and walk around.
This is a terrible idea IMO. Take the most direct flight possible and be done with it.
The only time I would agree that a stopover was worth it was flying back to Chicago from New Delhi on Air Canada. Missed our connecting flight at Pearson and had to spend most of the day in the business class lounge which had free self-serve liquor and hot showers. After a long day in India and 17 hours on an Airbus that shower was one of the best things that ever happened to me.
But all the times I flew back from China, I was glad to have a direct flight (typically 14 - 16 hours) and to be home as soon as I landed. The last time I went to Europe I had a long-haul flight to Munich, then two hops to get to Slovakia. I hated those small, short flights. Being on one long flight helps you get more comfortable sooner.
Good point on every stop being a probable chance that your luggage will get destroyed or lost.
Long distance flying is a circus of misery!
I agree with the other posts, despite the fact that I have an open bar and nowhere to drive, I avoid alcohol. Dress REALLY comfortable and don't be afraid to ask for anything you need from the staff. I'm 6'6" in my bare feet, so imagine how miserable an airplane is for me!
The air in the plane seems like it has about 2% humidity, so drink more water than you think you need. It will keep you hydrated and give you something to do (and a good reason to get up). If you wear contacts, take them out for the flight.
Don't forget to check your devices for voltage requirements and to bring your outlet adapters. Though it's rare, some devices are not dual rated. The UK and Ireland have a specific outlet adapter, continental Europe is different (the Germans call it the "pig snout"). Both are 50Hz (US is 60). I make mulltiple outlet adapters by buying replacement plugs while I'm there and using an American multiple outlet strip (without surge protection), but I'm usually with a group.
I would also get local currency ahead of time, it's a bummer to be stuck in the airport with no way to get a snack or something to drink. Credit cards are not as widely used in Europe as they are here. Phone your credit card company and let them know you are traveling international so they don't shut off your card for strange transactions. I always bring pound notes and Euro, regardless of where in Europe I am going. It has come in handy a couple of times.
NEVER leave your passport unattended. I can get to the airport in Europe with my charm and good looks, but it doesn't work on Customs and Border Patrol when I land in the US.
I agree with the other posts, despite the fact that I have an open bar and nowhere to drive, I avoid alcohol. Dress REALLY comfortable and don't be afraid to ask for anything you need from the staff. I'm 6'6" in my bare feet, so imagine how miserable an airplane is for me!
The air in the plane seems like it has about 2% humidity, so drink more water than you think you need. It will keep you hydrated and give you something to do (and a good reason to get up). If you wear contacts, take them out for the flight.
Don't forget to check your devices for voltage requirements and to bring your outlet adapters. Though it's rare, some devices are not dual rated. The UK and Ireland have a specific outlet adapter, continental Europe is different (the Germans call it the "pig snout"). Both are 50Hz (US is 60). I make mulltiple outlet adapters by buying replacement plugs while I'm there and using an American multiple outlet strip (without surge protection), but I'm usually with a group.
I would also get local currency ahead of time, it's a bummer to be stuck in the airport with no way to get a snack or something to drink. Credit cards are not as widely used in Europe as they are here. Phone your credit card company and let them know you are traveling international so they don't shut off your card for strange transactions. I always bring pound notes and Euro, regardless of where in Europe I am going. It has come in handy a couple of times.
NEVER leave your passport unattended. I can get to the airport in Europe with my charm and good looks, but it doesn't work on Customs and Border Patrol when I land in the US.
Originally Posted By: MichiganMadMan
The air in the plane seems like it has about 2% humidity, so drink more water than you think you need. It will keep you hydrated and give you something to do (and a good reason to get up). If you wear contacts, take them out for the flight.
Excellent point. I always wear glasses for flights and bring lubricating eyedrops. Also helps to slather your face & hands with lotion as well - you will dry out quickly in the very dry air.
But do put your shoes on to go to the bathroom. My cousin, a flight attendant for Delta, jokes that it doesn't feel right to use a bathroom with a dry floor.
Originally Posted By: MichiganMadMan
I would also get local currency ahead of time
I would just get it at your arrival airport from an ATM. Never had an issue doing so.
And y'all did miss one excellent and highly recommended stop in the Atlantic en route to the UK: Iceland!
The air in the plane seems like it has about 2% humidity, so drink more water than you think you need. It will keep you hydrated and give you something to do (and a good reason to get up). If you wear contacts, take them out for the flight.
Excellent point. I always wear glasses for flights and bring lubricating eyedrops. Also helps to slather your face & hands with lotion as well - you will dry out quickly in the very dry air.
But do put your shoes on to go to the bathroom. My cousin, a flight attendant for Delta, jokes that it doesn't feel right to use a bathroom with a dry floor.
Originally Posted By: MichiganMadMan
I would also get local currency ahead of time
I would just get it at your arrival airport from an ATM. Never had an issue doing so.
And y'all did miss one excellent and highly recommended stop in the Atlantic en route to the UK: Iceland!
Originally Posted By: PandaBear
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.
I laugh at that because for whatever reason when I flew overseas they put us at front of plane behind first class with both my babies. The "sound" barrier was a curtain. We requested a "crib" which sat on floor and it needed the extra space there. My kids were actually quiet on flights to Italy and Greece.
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.
I laugh at that because for whatever reason when I flew overseas they put us at front of plane behind first class with both my babies. The "sound" barrier was a curtain. We requested a "crib" which sat on floor and it needed the extra space there. My kids were actually quiet on flights to Italy and Greece.
If you are going to listen to anything with headphones, invest in noise cancelling headphones. They don't have to be Bose, a $40 set will make a world of difference. Half way through your flight you'll take them off and be amazed how noisy planes can be. It also allows you to listen to a movie without having to have the volume all the way up. Continuous high dBs can be fatiguing.
Usually, if you have an ATM card that charges little to no foreign ATM fees, the best exchange rate you'll get is with the ATM machine in the foreign nations.
I know 1st Republic is free and a good choice for foreign traveler. Capital One is awesome for foreign VISA transaction, and the 1.25% cash back and no annual fee is even better.
Credit card is accepted in many places in Europe for $10+ purchases, but in China, you got to be careful when they say they accept credit card. Usually that's the domestic Union Pay and not VISA / MC. I once got stuck with a 4000RMB ($600US) business meal deal and fortunately someone local helped me out with the payment and I paid him back with ATM withdraw the next day.
Check your bank and see which foreign banks do they have alliance with, if in the same alliance they usually don't charge you fees.
I know 1st Republic is free and a good choice for foreign traveler. Capital One is awesome for foreign VISA transaction, and the 1.25% cash back and no annual fee is even better.
Credit card is accepted in many places in Europe for $10+ purchases, but in China, you got to be careful when they say they accept credit card. Usually that's the domestic Union Pay and not VISA / MC. I once got stuck with a 4000RMB ($600US) business meal deal and fortunately someone local helped me out with the payment and I paid him back with ATM withdraw the next day.
Check your bank and see which foreign banks do they have alliance with, if in the same alliance they usually don't charge you fees.
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Originally Posted By: chubbs1
Xanax
+1 Xanax actually makes time go by faster it seems when I take it. I double the dose and take a chill...
Xanax
+1 Xanax actually makes time go by faster it seems when I take it. I double the dose and take a chill...
US-UK is a short hop, nothing to think about.
One of the frequent trips I and my wife make is the flight to Sri Lanka every year - 24 hrs of flight time, 2 connecting flights of 12 hrs each usually...
We've gotten used to it now, but it was rough in the beginning...
I don't sleep well in flights...wifey does it better.
I usually try to find a good movie, read a book, etc...
We've gotten used to it now, but it was rough in the beginning...
I don't sleep well in flights...wifey does it better.
I usually try to find a good movie, read a book, etc...
My better half's first trip was Sydney-L.A., then on to NY.
We both handled 16 hours pretty well witha couple of books, and the in flight movies in cattle class (QANTAS)...toilets were pretty funky. but the views while we were queuing were amazing.
It felt wierd leaving in the morning, then being served the evening meal, lights out, then breakfast, as they try to adjut your body clock.
Biggest pain was on the return leg, we got window seats, and the woman on the aisle doped herself up on something, and couldn't be roused when we wanted to go potty...we had to climb over her, and all her junk that was rattling out of her bag.
We both handled 16 hours pretty well witha couple of books, and the in flight movies in cattle class (QANTAS)...toilets were pretty funky. but the views while we were queuing were amazing.
It felt wierd leaving in the morning, then being served the evening meal, lights out, then breakfast, as they try to adjut your body clock.
Biggest pain was on the return leg, we got window seats, and the woman on the aisle doped herself up on something, and couldn't be roused when we wanted to go potty...we had to climb over her, and all her junk that was rattling out of her bag.
Even if there are fees, our experience is that obtaining money with an ATM card in the foreign country is cheaper than exchanging money in the US beforehand. I have found airport ATMS very easily at Heathrow, Frankfurt and Stockholm, no problem. Key is to get $200 or $300 US equiv, which is generally the max withdrawal, so you spread any fees over a single transaction purchase. Then I go get my snack, etc, if I need to.
In UK, except for meals, I think I used a credit card for nearly all my purchases. Credit card use is far more common than it used to be.
In UK, except for meals, I think I used a credit card for nearly all my purchases. Credit card use is far more common than it used to be.
I flew to Japan and the plane was delayed on runway for 5 hours. Ended up being a 20 hour flight. Add the flight from Japan to Okinawa and from O'hare to Minn and I spent over 25hrs straight on a plane. I was 14 and had ADHD like none other.
6' 3" and 250lb; this is why I dislike flying. I try to cat nap as much as possible and totally ignore what time it is; that is to be worked out when I land at the final destination. I find sensory deprivation very effective.
Worst flight. Kuwait City to Sigonella Sicily to Shannon Ireland to Iceland to Gander to Hartford. The plane was old and really small tanks and poor fuel economy hence short hops.
Worst flight. Kuwait City to Sigonella Sicily to Shannon Ireland to Iceland to Gander to Hartford. The plane was old and really small tanks and poor fuel economy hence short hops.
Having more than a dozen West coast to UK (short)/Latvia (long) flights under my belt, I must echo that on the cheap, earplugs are worth their weight in gold - noise cancelling headphones are likely better although I have never used 'em. My friends think I have narcolepsy since I can fall asleep in any moving transportation I am in for more than 30 minutes.
Depends on you, but I swear by ear plugs, dark sunglasses (helps to block out light and helps me "sleep") and as weird as I might look, multiple walks and stretching/exercise to keep the blood flowing. Drugs and/or alcohol are not worth the side-effects IMO but may work for you.
Depends on you, but I swear by ear plugs, dark sunglasses (helps to block out light and helps me "sleep") and as weird as I might look, multiple walks and stretching/exercise to keep the blood flowing. Drugs and/or alcohol are not worth the side-effects IMO but may work for you.
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.
At 6'4" tall I can assure you that anyone in front of me cannot recline their seat. It's worse now than it was back when my wife and I flew on a regular basis, but my legs/knees make sure that the person in front doesn't end up in my lap. Period.
Being packed in like cattle is the reason we no longer fly anywhere.
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.
At 6'4" tall I can assure you that anyone in front of me cannot recline their seat. It's worse now than it was back when my wife and I flew on a regular basis, but my legs/knees make sure that the person in front doesn't end up in my lap. Period.
Being packed in like cattle is the reason we no longer fly anywhere.
I work as a flight attendant so I can give you a few pointers:
1- Be careful drinking before the flight, if you are visibly drunk they are supposed to deny you boarding. Two reasons for this: a) If they need to evacuate the plane you might not be able to get off fast enough or prevent others from doing so. b)Whenever we have problems with a passenger it's invariably because they've been drinking.
If you are worried about being able to sleep I find Melatonin work well and is supposed to help with jet-lag too. It's not legal to buy everywhere though so you might not be able to get it where you live.
2- If you are worried about legroom you don't necessarily have to shell out for first class. Book early and pay the smaller extra fee for seat selection. If you choose a seat in an emergency exit row or with a bulkhead in front of it you'll get extra legroom. Just be careful choosing emergency-exit row seating if there are two emergency-exit rows one behind the other because the one in front will probably have seats that don't recline. That said most overseas flights will be on bigger planes with *slightly* more room than domestic flights.
3- Yes, reclining your seat in economy class is anti-social, hateful and rude. There's a special place in [censored] reserved for people who do this.
4- Don't be afraid to ask for extra water, soda, napkins, etc. from the crew, it's their job (well that and evacuating you in an emergency or providing first aid if you need it). Just be polite and be mindful that they may be busy fulfilling other duties so it may take them a minute or five to get to it.
1- Be careful drinking before the flight, if you are visibly drunk they are supposed to deny you boarding. Two reasons for this: a) If they need to evacuate the plane you might not be able to get off fast enough or prevent others from doing so. b)Whenever we have problems with a passenger it's invariably because they've been drinking.
If you are worried about being able to sleep I find Melatonin work well and is supposed to help with jet-lag too. It's not legal to buy everywhere though so you might not be able to get it where you live.
2- If you are worried about legroom you don't necessarily have to shell out for first class. Book early and pay the smaller extra fee for seat selection. If you choose a seat in an emergency exit row or with a bulkhead in front of it you'll get extra legroom. Just be careful choosing emergency-exit row seating if there are two emergency-exit rows one behind the other because the one in front will probably have seats that don't recline. That said most overseas flights will be on bigger planes with *slightly* more room than domestic flights.
3- Yes, reclining your seat in economy class is anti-social, hateful and rude. There's a special place in [censored] reserved for people who do this.
4- Don't be afraid to ask for extra water, soda, napkins, etc. from the crew, it's their job (well that and evacuating you in an emergency or providing first aid if you need it). Just be polite and be mindful that they may be busy fulfilling other duties so it may take them a minute or five to get to it.
I commute 4 round trips a month from the west coast to Detroit. I usally bring my Ipad and Ipod for my movies and music, sleep. For long flights to Asia, since I usually travel Business class, having a seat that lay 180 degrees is nice and I take advantage of that. Delta has an entertainment system where I can watch movies and shows.
Originally Posted By: Surestick
3- Yes, reclining your seat in economy class is anti-social, hateful and rude. There's a special place in [censored] reserved for people who do this.
Agreed. You are basically telling the person behind you that your personal comfort is more important than theirs. There is unsually only an inch between my knees and the seat back - so the act of reclining basically jams my knees into your seat back. Not pleasant on a long flight. I've asked people to sit upright when this happens and am amazed about the attitudes that some people have. When that happens I make it my business to make them as uncomfortable as they are making me. Bounce the seat with my legs every 3-5 minutes, etc...
3- Yes, reclining your seat in economy class is anti-social, hateful and rude. There's a special place in [censored] reserved for people who do this.
Agreed. You are basically telling the person behind you that your personal comfort is more important than theirs. There is unsually only an inch between my knees and the seat back - so the act of reclining basically jams my knees into your seat back. Not pleasant on a long flight. I've asked people to sit upright when this happens and am amazed about the attitudes that some people have. When that happens I make it my business to make them as uncomfortable as they are making me. Bounce the seat with my legs every 3-5 minutes, etc...
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