Long Flight tips???

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Cathy C

For entertaining yourself, that kind of depends on what you like. There is always just listening to music and/or reading a good book. Perhaps you would enjoy playing some games on a handheld game player (some flights also have games available). Bring along your laptop to watch some movies or enjoy the in flight movie (I presume there will be one or more). Maybe if you enjoy some kind of crafts you could bring along some knitting, crocheting, or needlepoint - check ahead regarding what you are allowed to bring on board.

As to avoiding jet lag and/or looking good on arrival - - - sleep as much as possible!!! I don't like flying but love to travel, so I always ask my doctor for an Ativan or Valium or Xanx before long flights; just enough to get me through a round trip so he knows I'm not just popping pills for fun. If you have trouble sleeping in such close quarters (as I do) then something like that would help you relax and perhaps sleep. If you don't feel comfortable with that then try some over the counter Benadryl which has a slight sedative effect.

Also set your watch, phone, whatever to Hong Kong time as soon as you get on the plane so you start "living" in that time as soon as possible.

Another good tip, both for avoiding jet lag and looking good on arrival, is to drink a lot of water. Avoid alcohol if you can, it just dehydrates you. The air in planes is totally dry so staying as hydrated as possible really helps.

Don't wear a lot of make-up. It will just get yucky over time and make you feel uncomfortable. Also I would recommend bringing a small tube or whatever of some kind of lotion on board so that you can moisturize your face and hands. Again, the air is so drying that you will be more comfortable with hydrated skin. If you feel you need to arrive fully made up, then bring a little makeup on board to put on before you land.

Get up and walk around as often as possible! I know that they ask you to stay in your seats - but getting up and walking at least every hour is important for heath reasons as well as comfort. Many people have had problems with emboli on airplanes. Those are blood clots, and you might not even know that you have one. if you sit for too long without moving it can cause a very dangerous situation.

Wear comfy clothes, maybe something loose and/or stretchy. Bring along a sweater or something to put over your clothes in case it's too cool on the plane, and also something soft, warm, and comfy to put on your feet.

Hope you have a wonderful trip - sounds exciting!

averagebear

For that flight, there will probably be personal video systems. You already got some good advice above. A very important thing to keep in mind is that you don't get to decide when to eat, and to a lesser extent, sleep. They decide when to serve the meal, and when to turn the lights out. It's hard to sleep when the meal is being served and/or when people are noisy and moving around. When people are all sleeping, and you want to read, you have to use the seat "spotlight", which is very hard on your eyes.
When travelling, it's best to just go with the flow. You might end up looking good after the flight, just because you relaxed and are happy.

thai

1. I know the headphones are a bit pricey, but I would buy them. Most flights have "special" headphones that will only work in their airplane, but it is worth it if you are going to be on the plane that long. This way, you can watch movies, tv shows, listen to some of their music, etc. I would also reccomend taking a laptop and/or a book, a magazine, some of your own music (mp3 player) and maybe a notebook so you can write or draw if you get bored.
2. Keep your watch set for Manchester time and know (or carry an extra watch) for Hong Kong time and try to nap appropriately on the plane to get yourself somewhat used to the time change.
3. It is hard to look good after a flight, but if you can keep some makeup in your carry on, you can check yourself in the bathroom before you land or even in the airport.
4. As far as making yourself comfortable, take first class, but if that isn't possible, then try to stretch as much as possible, and make sure you can put your seat up and down. They also give blankets and pillows on flights to try to add comfort. I would suggest getting up every once and a while to walk to the restroom, even if you don't have to use it, it'll be good to stretch.

Good luck and have such a wonderful time.

supersteph

1. Bring stuff to do, books, magazines, music, puzzles, games

2.there are tablets you can take during your flight called 'no jet lag"... my mom swears by them - or try and sleep when it is night time in Manchester - get you sleep in sync with manchester

3. Bring a carry on that has stuff like toothbruch, brush, facewash - and go tothe bathroom to freshen up, also don't wear clothes that are easily wrinkles

4. Wear comfy clothing, bring a neck pillow, perhaps an eye cover for when you are sleeping..

Allison R

1. Learn to knit. If you don't know how. It's entertaining and productive!
2.Good luck with that one, pretty unavoidable.
3.Don't wear anything that can wrinkle. And wear waterproof makeup if you plan on sleeping. Have some make up in your carry on so you can touch up in the bathroom if you want.
4. Fly first class. Haha.

bv0r_27

If your anything like me and find it hard to sleep on planes or long car rides. Bring a laptop loaded with movies you haven't seen yet or haven't seen in awhile. Load up your player with music.

Though I've never experienced 12 hours, sounds painful haha, good luck.

julian192001

Take a portable DVD Player. I also suggest not to sleep the night before and once you get on your plane, you will pass out and wake up around your destination. It works for me.

John K

Something like an ipod is a great thing to have along, you can put all the stuff you like into it and then you don't have to worry about what "in-flight" programming is available. I just went coast to coast on a JetBlue flight. Westbound was great as far as the in-flight entertainment went but on the way back I was very happy that I brought my MP3 player with my favorite music and some movies on it.

It's going to be difficult to avoid jet lag on a trip that long. however, try to drink plenty of water on the trip as it is very easy to get dehydrated on aircraft. That will help a little. Try to sleep when you normally would, if you can.

Well, looking good is all relative I suppose.

As the flight attendant for a pillow and blanket for when you want to sleep. Wear comfortable clothes.

hersheba

As a frequent transatlantic flyer, can I recommend 'noise cancelling' headphones such as Sony. Not the cheapest headphones but boy do they improve flight quality by eliminating a lot of the engine drone!

I always set my watch on destination time at take-off and try to sleep on the flight at the right time, I find this helps with jet lag

Look good after a flight, that depends what you look like before lol ;-) I have no chance of looking good (before or after!!)

one_bad_foxbody

i have a iphone with movies music and tv shows i downloaded , also a PSP and nintendo DS i had a 24 hour flight to japan couple years ago without all these things , it was BRUTAL

Clovie

I fly to London from Los Angeles several times a year, 11 hour flight...The airline I fly has 'TV' screens on the back of each headrest and there are loads of movies, TV shows, music, games, etc...for the inflight entertainment. Most airlines have these so you can check the airline website to get more information on this. Chances are you will be jet lagged for at least the first day, but you can lessen this by trying to get yourself on your destinations time before the flight. The 1st time I went to England I was jet lagged for a few days, but I haven't been on any other trip. I wouldn't suggest drinking alcohol on the flight. It will not help you look good when you land lol. Make sure you get up and walk around every couple of hours to help with water retention. My feet tend to swell on these long flights, but walking helps. Try to sleep as much as you can. I always have overnight flights, so after they serve dinner I usually try to read or watch a movie for a bit, then get to sleep to get myself on England time. Wear comfortable clothes! I go to see my b/f who lives in England, and on my 1st flight I wanted to look great when I landed so I was thinking about fashion, not function. I was so uncomfortable! Now I just wear yoga pants, a t-shirt and flip flops lol. I also layer my clothes. I will wear a zip up hoodie under a jacket. If I get too hot I can always use one of them for a pillow. :) Bring a travel toothbrush and toothpaste in your carry-on.
Ok, well, that is pretty much all I do. Good luck on your flight and have a great time! :)

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