Tips to make it through Y long haul?

[Justinf]

It;s going to cost $2k each to upgrade to Y+. That's $4k extra.
I have flown SYD-LAX-SYD in V Aus Y+ and was impressed, but not sure whether it's worth it to upgrade this time, even with the LAX-JFK Main Cabin Select seat on V America.

 

[drewbles]

While I agree with your suggestions, there is a line of thinking that may not be alligned

Stay up late the night before and board the aircraft exhausted and ready to drop off to sleep. This may be especially helpful if changing timezones.

Some people find the air conditioning and air flow on board to be "drafty". I know Mrs NM always wears warm clothing, including a cardy/jacket/jumper and heavy long pants. For her, that is more comfortable on an aircraft than light-weight attire. But she wears bed-socks in summer in Brisbane! Personally, I dress much as you have described when flying.

Good option if one has lounge access. Otherwise arriving "on time" makes the overall journey time less and can avoid some boredom.

Definitely

Agree. But always carry your own IFE - either some form of media player or a good book or puzzle etc

Good option if you have the FF points. But as an infrequent flyer, not having high status in the FF program means you need to plan for remaining in the cabin of the fare booked. So paying more for an upgradeable fare and then not winning the upgrade lottery means money wasted.

Indeed does help.

After a few flights in a month, I can have the crossword and two sodokus completed before take-off . So carry your own puzzles if you enjoy exercising the brain that way.

Personally I find both uncomfortable and annoying. But I know many people find them great. Mrs NM loves to use the eye mask for sleeping.

Or just plan to arrive prepared for the destination timezone. If arrive in the morning, start the flight really tired so you can sleep on the plane. If arriving in the evening, plan to arrive really tired so you can sleep as soon as you get to your accommodation.

Agree with some but not all just like NM.

I always attempt to get into the timezone as soon was i board. Tis adjusts me much better.

Also try and board the plane as tired as possible if you want to sleep the flight and cope with jet lag later.

I also put my noise isolating headphones in asap to avoid "polite" conversation with my neighbour. I prefer to keep to myself when traveling alone, although its always nice to engage the FA's in the galley if they're feeling chatty

 

[JeniSkunk]

I'm seeing some of these suggestions say not to go to the movies for 1-2 months prior to travel. I'm failing to make the link between fighting jet lag and the cinemas. Is it simply to fight off boredom through watching the movies??

I think it means that there's a good chance you won't have seen any of the films available on IFE ?

I actually cannot see how not going to the cinema for 1 to 2 months prior to travel will help overmuch. The reason I cannot see how it will help is because of the time it takes films to come out on DVD/Blue Ray after finishing at the cinema.
How often is it, that a film playing on the IFE, will be on the IFE before it's out on DVD/Blue Ray?
I would think that not going to the video shop for 1 to 2 months prior to travel would be a better idea.

Jenifur Charne

 

[markis10]

if you look at the current QF entertainment guide I doubt you will find many that will be on DVD in the next few months, it's not unusual for QF to have movies that are not even in the cinema yet.

 

[VHOEJ]

All the other tips have been mentioned - I personally find watching the movies makes it go slower. For some reason, that 90 minutes seems like 3 hours in flight for me.

Noise cancelling headphones are brilliant - I have frequently used them, wacked on my ipod and fell asleep, meaning my ipod is usually dead by the time I wake up.

Always have your own entertainment like a personal DVD or your laptop- relying on the IFE to keep you totally entertained for a long time is risky.

Don't look at the time - the flight path updating you on your progress is brilliant but it reminds you how far you have to go in the the filght. Not having your watch on or avoiding looking at that part of the IFE does help.

 

[JohnK]

I firmly believe the key is the ability to relax. I really do admire people like my father and mother who are very patient people and are able to relax without any need for IFE or other comforts on a flight.

It's surprisingly easy to do, and surprisingly bearable once you're there.

So true. The plane trip is only a small part of the overall holiday.

 

[chrisb]

Avoid Alcohol.

Ha!

My tip - Be realistic about what you'll be doing when you arrive. Allow some buffer time before your scheduled work or tourist activities start. If you have the energy you can choose to do stuff, if not you can chose to rest without worrying about missing something.

 

[Rebekkap]

Noise cancelling headphones are brilliant - I have frequently used them, wacked on my ipod and fell asleep, meaning my ipod is usually dead by the time I wake up.

You need a new iPod! The battery in my iPod classic lasts 36 hours of play time.

You can also get battery powered re-chargers, which I used to use with my previous iPod, which didn't last a long-haul flight. Agree about the NC headphones though, absolute gold.

I have a couple of suggestions to add:

1. inflatable foot rest - it's an absolute life-saver as far as I'm concerned. I've got one about the same height as the seat, so I can put my legs up at the same level as my body. You can get smaller ones that you can put on top of a roller bag too.

2. inflatable neck pillow - get one that is flat at the back so it doesn't push your head forward.

3. eye mask that lets you open your eyes - i.e. doesn't touch your eyes. Sure, you look like a blowfly, but they're heaps more comfortable.

4. empty water bottle - not all airlines give you water in a bottle, and I don't want to have to get up to get a drink if I'm trying to sleep.

5. I take a full-sized feather pillow - I have sewn a zipper onto a pillow case so I can roll it up into a very small roll. Is brilliant for padding where you need it - lower back if the seats aren't brilliant for lumbar support, or round the side if you're trying to sleep slightly on your side...

6. extra blanket (or I have now actually replaced this with a mini sleeping bag) - it can be freezing mid-flight, particularly if you've snagged an exit row. Also warm socks.

7. eye drops, and that saline frequent flyer nasal spray. This stuff is like magic for stopping the moisture being sucked out of your body by the dry air.

8. Wear a hoody. It's like creating a sort of cocoon. I don't know why this helps, but it does.

9. I second everyone who suggested valium and sleeping tablets. Don't mix them with alcohol, and I reckon it's a good idea to take some low-dose asprin to reduce the risk of DVT from being immobile. I take half a valium in the lounge before boarding, and a sleeping tablet when they serve dinner. Would not take sleeping tablet until flight reaches cruising altitude - in the event of an emergency landing, you want to be awake.

10. Set your watch to destination time and try to eat/sleep at the right times for your destination - it really helps avoid jet lag.

 

[UP4014]

I actually cannot see how not going to the cinema for 1 to 2 months prior to travel will help overmuch. The reason I cannot see how it will help is because of the time it takes films to come out on DVD/Blue Ray after finishing at the cinema.
How often is it, that a film playing on the IFE, will be on the IFE before it's out on DVD/Blue Ray?
I would think that not going to the video shop for 1 to 2 months prior to travel would be a better idea.

Jenifur Charne

QF and the other majors often have movies that are trailing off in the cinema and very current.

 

[Cruisejohn]

If the airlines were'nt so worried about making a fortune and treating then they could treat their passengers better, they should not try to get as many seats crammed into the cabin as they do. I always ask and get for an aisle seat and have on many occasions asked for the exit row and have received that on some occasions. But the rest of the cabin is really "cattle class".

 

[MelbMan]

Agree with most comments here except not going to the movies for a few months before flying. Almost without exception I find on QF that all the movies are just about Australian pre-release.

As I pay for my travel we always travel economy and often LCC carriers. Always aim for an aisle seat... an empty seat next door will improve the flight 100%, giving a bit more space to move about. A netbook with a 9 cell battery (6 hrs) and perhaps a spare and some movies as fallback is a good idea.

The right sort of flight subject to space can be great for getting work done. If the leadup time to a business trip's been hectic, a small A5 note book is great for strategizing, planning. I really prefer to spend our money on the ground. However flying to Europe for example we always break our journey for a night or two both ways in Singapore.

 

[soetes]

Hi.
Most important though, is attitude. If you approach the day as a long day at the cinema (with free food thrown in), then you will be perfectly happy. If you go to the airport in a bad mood, dreading the trip, then odds are that you will have an awful flight. And go with the flow...sounds a bit new-ageish, but worrying about missed connections, rude staff, lousy food, lines at immigration etc is completely pointless, and will make you grumpy and miserable and therefore uncomfortable.

That's it. From someone who travels down the back all the time - SYD-JFK every couple of months - this is the beginning and end of the answer.

Re all the other advice, the only bit I disagree with is the aisle seat. I have a strong bladder but I'm a light sleeper. Being clambered over by someone going to the toilet will wake me up for the rest of the flight, if I'm lucky enough to have been asleep. So it's window for me.

 

[rezzadogs]

5. Confortable clothes, I don't wear jeans when I travel and a T shirt is perfectly fine, unless you are trying to dress to impress.

If you can get hands on them, change into QF 1st class PJ's once on board. The drink service level increases without asking. That helps me get to sleep

 

[ksg]

7.5 - 10 mg of Zoplclone is a good start.

 

[timster]

Over 10 hours in a plane is torture for me (188cm) .... break up the flight in anyway possible ... transit in Auckland (ideally in QC) even if it means a little longer in the air ... or stop for a day in Singapore or Bangkok if flying to Europe (even if you stay near the airport). Never fly straight on when you reach the US. Lots of OK hotels near LAX - catch the blue bus down to Santa Monica / Venice for the day or head for Fox Hills Mall. Likewise on the way home.

If you think I'm giving away my few remaining techniques for getting an exit row, forget it ! The only one I'll give away .. check out the online seat plans and choose an airline that has lots of exit row seats. A Qantas 747 usually has 12 ... a BA 747 has 4.

Only fly airlines that have individual entertainment systems. As soon as you get on, grab the IFE guide and map out your entertainment for the flight (a movie first will tire you out, followed by shorter programs if needed). If your IFE system doesn't work (used to happen all the time, less common these days), complain - I've been upgraded when it was just mine and got a $50 voucher when it was everyone's (must ask for the official complaint form). Have a book just in case.

Proper fold-up full-ear covering NC headphones can be bought for $30 and are SO much better than the standard giveaway ones ... don't be conned into paying over $200. Make sure you carry one and two pin plugs, and that the batteries are charged. Listen to the the new age relaxation channel - there's nothing better than that cough to put you to sleep.

Full size laptops in Y aren't practical.

Make sure you have enough comfy clothes to keep you warm ... planes are cold. Except when they're hot (eg sitting on the tarmac in Bangkok).

Don't sit there stewing over noisy children. A 'look' towards the parents first, and if that doesn't work buzz the FA and politely ask them to 'have a word'. But the NC phones get rid of 'almost' all such noise.

A neck doughnut pillow and a proper eye mask (the ones they give out nowadays are thinner than the old Qantas ones and don't block out 100% of the light ... esp if near galleys / toilets). Put the provided 'pillow' under your bum. If in the exit row, wear white socks otherwise people will step on your toes in the dark.

As soon as your tray is taken, kit yourself up for sleep, recline your seat and make use of the post food drowziness to sleep. Of course avoid coffee.

Avoid alcohol. It will just make you feel worse.

Grab bag of pills etc for the usual maladies. Alcohol hand wash to avoid other people's germs and poor hygiene.

If you arrive during the day, avoid the temptation to 'just lie down for a bit' at all costs.

 

[sacolman]

Contrary to other people, I do not believe that sitting in business or first guarantees a better night's sleep. I did not sleep when I used to travel first and now that I am paying myself for our annual one or two European flights I still don't sleep. However I stop halfway to Europe and suffer in silence on my straight through return to Oz and go to sleep in my own bed when I get home.

 

[JohnK]

If you can get hands on them, change into QF 1st class PJ's once on board. The drink service level increases without asking. That helps me get to sleep

Some of us still have a little dignity left and would not wear QF pyjamas (or any pyjamas for that matter) in public.

 

[Logan^]

I never stop through when I am travelling, I did it once when I stopped in Singapore for 2 days on the way out from London to Sydney and I found it just didnt make that much difference to the jet lag what so ever.

Now I go straight through with a short connection for example, I actually prefere it when you have to change planes with SIA for example as that 2 hour window is enough time for a shower and a freshen up which does wonders.

 

[serfty]

Some of us still have a little dignity left and would not wear QF pyjamas (or any pyjamas for that matter) in public.

IMHO they are more like light track suits ...

 

[harvyk]

Some of us still have a little dignity left and would not wear QF pyjamas (or any pyjamas for that matter) in public.

I don't mind the QF PJ's... When I was given them I wasn't planning on wearing them, however after dinner when I noticed most of the cabin had donned them, I also put them on... Really comfy and warm...

As for Y long haul... I prefer a window seat... The reason is I usually put the pillow up against the wall and lie against it... I also loosen the seatbelt a little bit so I can move around in the seat (but still there so that if we hit turbulence I stay in the seat)

As for movies, I find I'll watch one or two movies. However I've been watching a few of the TV shows as well of late, as it keeps the viewing interesting and ever changing (It's like sitting down in front of the TV for 12 hours, more common than watching 4 movies in a row). I'll also usually listen to the radio and QF (and from memory AirNZ as well) have some CD's available via IFE, and of course my own MP3 player (although I usually save the batteries for times sitting around at airports, as when you have 10 hours to kill at various airports around the place, music is nice, and can't always charge laptops \ mp3 players at airports)