What works for you on a long-haul flight?

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NIGEL M

I would invest in a pair of Sennheiser PXC300 NoiseGard Headphones which cost about 130GBP. These remove all the wind noise as well as that annoying whine form the jet engines. These come with a set of adaptors which will allow them to be used on either the iPod or the In Flight entertainment system.

To extend the battery life of the iPod you can buy an external power pack from places like Argos or online which takes normal AA batteries.

Secondly I would avoid alcohol as this just dehydrates you and increases the risk of DVT on long haul flights. Stick to still mineral water.

Thirdly, switch to the time zone of your destination once boarding the aircraft. Take you meal when you would eat in the destination not when they want to serve it aboard the aircraft.

If it is time to sleep at your destination then try and rest, perhaps using one of the eye masks may help. Many airlines will supply one of these along with a blanket and pillow in what is now described as a comfort pack.

Hope this helps as the above works for us and we travel thousands of miles each and every year.

siamcatp

I like to do crossword puzzles. Before a flight I get a big book of variety puzzles.
I also get a bottle of red wine with dinner and that normally helps me sleep for 3-4 hours.
Make sure you were slip on shoes(my feet always swell up) and get up to walk the aisle a few times.

kenjinuk

if its a good airline then you can use film and TV catch up on your own TV or you can listen to the musak on board.
I would always use the free drinks service if its available, depends how well you want to be sober when you get to the end of 14 hours. !
Take care and bon route !

danyol

I always stay up all night the day before so that I can fall asleep on the flight, usually works for me!

Alan F

Stay on your feet as much as possible while you are waiting for your flight so you are ready for a rest when you board. I have a couple of Beers before the flight to help make me drowsy. Then during the flight drink lots of water, not alcohol because you dehydrate a lot and feel lousy if you do not drink. Go for an isle seat so you can get up as often as you want to. If they offer you an emergency exit for extra leg room go in the middle, beside the window often has the airbag in front of you so you are on an angle all the time. People congregate in that area so if you are on an isle seat you get knocked a lot. Don't be afraid to ask the crew for drinks even when they hide behind the curtains to discourage you. Try talking to people, it is old fashioned but often works to while away a few hours.

susie03

Valium (5mg) - after dinner & the film. Doctor will prescribe especially if you say you have fear of flying. I always take it on long-haul flights and am in no way addicted - take it twice a year on way there & back. Also make sure you have warm socks & clothes even if you are going somewhere hot as the a/c in planes can make it too chilly to sleep.

averagebear

At one time, I was doing 17 hour flights every other week. Got used to it. One thing many people don't think of is that the flight crew controls the cabin lighting and food service. So they kind of control when you sleep and wake. Yes, you have the personal lighting but it is unpleasant light for reading, and if everyone else is sleeping in the dark, you end up being in the spotlight. For me, I fall asleep watching the movies. Then time goes fast.

mag3dot142

sleeping pills - works for me every time.

Kamran

Peanuts - lots of peanuts! They take ages to eat.

A long book like Lord of the Rings.

Playing cards if you're with someone else.

A pillow.

A Rubik's cube.

Play-dough.

Crosswords, Sudoku...

astralpen

Most long haul flights have pretty much continuous movies...so, that helps. Also, get your doctor to prescribe something to make you sleep. Sleeping 6 - 8 hours in the middle of the flight makes a big difference. Also, I don't know how fast you read, but most humans cannot finish a normal, novel-length book in 4 or 5 hours.

cubalishus

Menatolin works for me on long haul flights, you can buy it from the health stores, sends you to sleep in no time and you wake up refreshed at the end of your long flight.

ButterAndJam

Eat, wtach movies, sleep, eat, watch movies, and sleep.
What else can yu do? I have to fly a 17 hr flight anually to go home.

JOHN B

Make sure you have loads of Water, no booze 'cos that is fatal. Plenty of sleep because, you must remember that your flight is just only the time it takes to get to your destination, it's a very long 24 hrs. Have a great holiday!!

Ang

My husband flys long haul alot. He takes a sleeping tablet on take off and wakes up just before landing. Have a good kip, flying is so boring and really uncomfortable!

Afallon

Go at least Economy plus...Business if you can afford it, makes all the difference on a long haul flight.

jazz_liquor

daaaaayummmmmm. I usually take a 9 hr flight every few months to visit home. But do you mind if I ask where are you going?

I usually read, play games, listen to music, watch tv, drink and try to pass out.. before going nuts. It would make it better if you were taking the long flight with a friend, at least you'd have someone to pass the time talking to..

YORKSHIRE

Alcohol and sleep.

Kevin Z

1.Get a GBA Or Something
2.Sleep. works for mum and dad all the time on a half day trip (But not for me, out of the 7 flights I've Been on I have ony slept ounce on a plane!)
3.watch the in flight movie or liten to some music from you iPod or the plane(And if you have 1st or busniess class bring your charger)
And if you have an iPod Vedio Download some movies.

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