Advice on Flight Options to New York in April – Minimising Jet Lag?

[virgintiger]

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a family trip (two adults and our teenage daughter) to New York in mid-April this year and need some advice on which flight option would be the best for minimising jet lag. We are fortunately going to be flying business class which will help.

Here are the options I’m considering:

Option 1:

• MEL-LAX: QF93 departs at 9:40 am, arrives in LAX at 7:00 am.
• Connecting flight: AA238 departs LAX at 10:31 am, arrives JFK at 7:02 pm.

Option 2: (Departing a day earlier)

• SYD-LAX: QF11 departs at 5:35 pm, arrives in LAX at 2:20 pm.
• Connecting flight: AA10 departs LAX at 10:00 pm, arrives JFK at 6:32 am.

Option 2 includes a long stopover in LAX (about 7.5 hours). Thinking we could use that time to grab a hotel room for a snooze or head to In-N-Out Burger and enjoy some sunshine to break up the trip, however I’m concerned whether the timing—landing in JFK early morning—might make the timezone adjustment tougher. Along with both of the flights effectively being overnight based on Australian time.

I’d love to hear thoughts or experiences from anyone who has taken similar routes. Does the stopover and early-morning arrival help or hinder adjusting to the time zone? Or is it better to go with Option 1 and arrive in New York in the evening, ready to crash and adjust the next day?

Thanks in advance for your insights!

 

[levelnine]

QF3. Far better than either option.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The QF3 might be a good option.

But failing that I’d go for option 1. It arrives into new york in the evening, and by the time you get to your hotel you’ll be ready to sleep, which will help setting your time zone for new york.

Do you have friends to stay with? Option 2 pretty much means arriving exhausted, and then having to wait 6 or 7 hours for your accommodation to be ready.

If you are doing option 2 - 7 hours transit hotel in LAX… prolly not worth it if flying business. I find I arrive pretty refreshed on the QF11. Plus there’s a super AA flagship lounge to use at lax which has really good food and drink options. By the time you have to catch the shuttle to the hotel, join long lines to check in, and be back at the airport at least 90 mins before your connecting flight to allow for TSA, you’ll only have a couple hours there.