The Top Tips for enjoying a Long Haul Flight
Let’s face it, long haul flights can be tedious. Unless you’re sitting in the luxurious comforts of First or Business Class, you’ll usually have to make do with sleeping upright and having your meals served to you in foil trays. After watching a few movies back-to-back,trying to get into a decent sleeping position, you find yourself clock watching!
Yes we’ve all been there, but luckily there are a few things you can do to make your journey as comfortable as possible. If you’re embarking on a long-haul journey any time soon, here are some things you can do to turn your flight into a relaxing bit of down-time.
1. Window or aisle?
Picking the right seat is half the battle. The worst seat by far is the middle seat, which means you’re stuck between a bunch of other people. If you would like to be able to get up for the bathroom without clambering over anyone, you might want to pick an aisle seat. Alternatively, if you need to be able to rest your head when you sleep, you should pick a window seat. Take a look at the seating plan of your aircraft when you book your tickets, and choose the best possible seat available. Front-row seats often have extra leg room, but that often means your in-flight entertainment system folds out from the arm rest. Meanwhile seats near the emergency exits sometimes have restricted recline. If you sit near the front of the aircraft that often means you’ll be the first to receive your meal, while passengers at the back will have to wait and may not get their first meal choice. If you are sitting in a seat close to the galley or lavatories, you may be disturbed by cabin crew and odours.
2. Pack a travel kit
You may be given an amenity kit onboard the aircraft, but just in case it’s best to pack a little emergency travel kit with a toothbrush, toothpaste, moisturiser, socks, eye mask, ear plugs, lip balm and pain killers. This way you can freshen up in the bathrooms during the flight. Bring a blow-up pillow with you so that your neck will be supported when you try to sleep.
3. Wear comfortable clothing
You’ll want to wear clothing that will make you feel comfortable, so ditch the tight jeans. Women, for instance, could wear leggings and a loose fitting top or poncho, while men should opt for comfortable trousers and shirts made from natural fabrics to reduce sweating. You can always carry a change of clothing if you need to dress smartly when you leave the plane.
4. Wrap up warm
With all that air conditioning it can get really cold on flights, so it’s always wise to layer up with a sweater and some thick socks. You might even want to bring a light scarf, or your own travel blanket for the journey.
5. Prepare some snacks
Airline meals aren’t always the most delicious of meals, so you might want to come prepared with some snacks. Foods like nuts, protein bars, dried apricots, individually wrapped cheeses and beef jerky are easy to bring on the plane. For a healthy snack you could bring a bag of celery and carrot sticks. If you’re planning to bring sandwiches, use fillings that won’t make them go soggy, or better still, pack a bagel filled with cream cheese. Some countries including the USA and Australia, have strict regulations about what is allowed through their Customs channel so all items need to be consumed on the flight to avoid any importation issues.
6. Bring entertainment
Long-haul flights can be a little bit boring, so make sure you fill your iPod with the latest tunes and load your tablet or laptop with the latest movies. Bring a new book to get stuck into, or download a few books onto your e-reader over WiFi before you board the aircraft.
7. Move around
It’s essential to get up every now and again to stretch your legs and get the blood circulating. Wear flight socks and move your feet in a circular motion when sitting down to help prevent deep vein thrombosis.
8. Avoid alcohol, caffeine and fizzy drinks
While it can be tempting to take advantage of that free bar, try to cut back on alcohol and caffeine consumption during the flight as it will only make you more dehydrated and make it more difficult to sleep. Fizzy drinks can make you bloated, so stick to water and fresh juices.
9. Put all your essentials in your seat pocket
To avoid having to reach into the overhead locker every five minutes, take out all your essential items and put them in the seat pocket in front of you for easy access. Just don’t forget to take them all out before you disembark at the end of your journey.
10. Set your watch to the timezone of your destination
Jetlag is a common annoyance when traveling to long-haul destinations, so it’s a good idea to set your watch to the timezone of your destination as soon as you board the aircraft. Try to adjust your sleep patterns a few days prior to the flight and you’ll have a better chance of beating it.
Article written by www.simplyluxuryholidays.co.uk
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Sounds daft I know, but the time u spend at airport and your flight, my granddaughter could have a new outfit everytime!!
In contrast, flights with Bangkok Airlines, KLM and Air NZ were far superior, even on smaller planes. Even the legroom issue was better. Two very short flights with Bangkok Air still managed to produce an excellent hot meal.
During my travels I was constantly being told by frequent travellers that Singapore Airlines was the best. Needless to say, I shall be trying them next time.
I have also travelled to Vietnam on Malaysian more than once without any problems at all.
Fly First-Class - if you don't,your children will !
Advice to Airlines :-
Fly children inthe hold,along with other pets.
David
Virgin, uninterested staff, baggage unloading unbelievable, seats uncomfortable, you are considered and treated as cattle.. Delta, don't.
Try for Premium economy in BA. It is worth the extra and they are introducing a few extras.
Not worth going club and if you do, avoid an aisle seat on a night flight.
ba is far superior.
virgin staff were offhand; vrigin ran out of food choices and we were not allowed to have food from either upper class or economy to supplement their lack of planning.
that would not happen with ba.if you can fly business- then that's great; but as i usually can't,then i opt for ba premium economy (aisle seat)
And I don't understand what people have against BA - I've flown them several times long haul and they're fine. The one to avoid at all costs is Virgin Atlantic - the food is handed out in cardboard boxes. Just like a budget coach trip.
i flew from bangkok to heathrow in 2000 and it was probably the worst experience of my life,no legroom,virtually no recline on the seat and as for the stewardess' they just couldn't wait to get to the back and go to sleep..they are an absolute disgrace,i challenge anyone to fly long haul with emirates,etihad,oman air,qatar,malaysian singapore,thai or eva(taiwan) then get a BA,flight after and tell us what you think then.
they are all normally cheaper as well as being like the dorchester compared to a travelodge.. sorry about my rant but it was that bad that 14 years later it still makes me angry..
Please remember this 'not all disabilities are visible' before you pass judgement. Thank you.
In that context, this article recommends to pack: toothbrush, toothpaste, moisturiser, socks, flight socks, eye mask, ear plugs, lip balm and pain killers, a change of clothing, a sweater, some thick socks, a light scarf, travel blanket, nuts, protein bars, dried apricots, individually wrapped cheeses, beef jerky, a bag of celery and carrot sticks, sandwiches, iPod, tablet, laptop, books and e-reader. Many of these items are provided by the airline. I don't play a rock show and turn up at the gig with my own rider of food, drinks and towels!
We spent years avoiding all nuts because a girl at our daughters school was "nut allergenic" only to discover that her sister ate snickers bars in the car on the way home from school.....
It is your allergy, You manage it, the same as they are your kids manage them!
in any long haul flight. I am so quiet and non intrusive its like
I am invisible.
Bridget Leech
Wouldn't it be nice if their next seat on a plane was dependent on a report by their fellow passengers or staff on their behaviour on every journey , and only by good behaviour would you move up the plane , as in pig class , to people class to upper class .
You will then be helping the environment (less pollution from planes can only help the earth) - saving money as well !!
If you did choose to fly them you may see the world and realise that by you preaching to others not to fly won't make one bit of difference. The light bulbs of Vegas come from power generated that creates pollution, the GROWING number of coal fired power stations in India and China cause pollution. The huge engine cars in the USA cause pollution. The whole human life cause pollution. Now I'm not having a pop at you what I'm saying is that by turning your tv off at the wall won't save much power and save the world and nor will not choosing to fly. The reason is MONEY. Unfortunately the whole world is geared by money and the world out there is an amazing place to see. So the moral of this is....... In the few short years you are on this planet you have to see it, live it and love it because in the 4.5 BILLION years the earth has been here, pollution don't count for much. I hear what your thinking, it's the future your trying to protect..... Not going to happen sir, the reason is because big Mr's that run the countries of this world will eventually bring it to an end by technology developments and war so my advice to you is live your life to the fullest as possible, don't worry about a few exhaust fumes because my friend the only thing it will mean is the fact that you won't see this amazing world in your tiny amount of years your here. The politicians (especially in the uk) have used pollution as an excuse for the countries residents to pay as much in taxes as possible. E.g. The uk have closed 99% of the coal fields, instead we import it for our few power stations, the others burn wood clippings that are chopped from a forest in the USA, and they get here......... By a big smelly polluting diesel ships that pollute. If they don't burn wood they have to pay a green tax. We pay fuel tax for our cars at an extortionate rate, allegedly to promote a cut in emissions. We are an island less than 1000 miles long with a population of 60 million. The USA is over 3000 miles long with a population of 250 million. How many emissions do they produce. It's all about money not saving the world. If it was then the whole of the worlds leaders would pull together and sort it. Never gunna happen.
Stop worrying and see the world.
I then had the long task by going through my agent for my prefered seating choice and I believe they had an uphill struggle with Malaysian also.
Regards Mr D Bragger.
I fly LHR to Singapore once a month, and have for a while. Singair got rid of their 747's a while ago. BA still fly them. Singair got A380's in 2007. BA are only getting their's now, and brag that they have 6 seats across in Business Class. Singair have always had 4 seats across in Business Class and have suites (cabins) in First Class. The cattle class experience is much better too. Mind you, having recently flown BA, Lufthansa, KLM and Easyjet, cattle class in Europe, the BA experience was much nicer.