Advice for internationsl flight?

[Rapunzellover]

It would be nice if they did have footrests!

Sure would. But, actually, I got planes and buses mixed up because I never have foot rest problems so long as I have my purse. I typically put it on the ground and and prop my feet on it. Problem solved. It's just like having a foot rest

Since I only fly with my slash proof canvas bag, it's no prob to just wipe with a clorox wipe at the end of flight so shoe germs go away.

Might be a good tip for short folks.

 

[sayhello]

OK. Just a gentle reminder here to keep things civil and refrain from sarcasm. You've been doing pretty good up until now, but I want it to stay that way. This is a really good thread, and I'd hate to have to close it!

Let's consider the ice discussion closed now, and continue on with the excellent suggestions for how to handle long international flights!

Thank you all!
Sayhello

 

[LoveMickey]

Thanks for getting us back on track.

I have a question. Someone posted:

"Look at the amenities available on your flight; are their electric plugs at each seat"

Where do you find the information on such amenities?

Thanks guys - Stay warm, it was - (yes minus) 2 here this am.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Thanks for getting us back on track.

I have a question. Someone posted:

"Look at the amenities available on your flight; are their electric plugs at each seat"

Where do you find the information on such amenities?

Thanks guys - Stay warm, it was - (yes minus) 2 here this am.

As posted, Seatguru.com. You can also find aircraft descriptions on your airline's website. Example:

http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/inflight/aircraft/777/200/default.aspx

 

[silmarg]

Not exactly on point for this thread but... we are doing Italy... and while the ABD suggests fly into Rome and out of Venice it can be super expensive to fly to and from those cities. (or even do round trips out of either)

We can fly in and out of Milan and less than half the price ($880 round trip per person in high season for a nonstop out of JFK - not bad).

Granted we need to deal w getting to and from Milan (high speed rail is what we r doing)... but w 4 of us going, I am saving a small fortune going this...

 

[crisi]

Pack a VERY small bag you can fit in the pocket in the seat. Lotion (travel sized, of course), Advil (or pain reliever of your choice), Benedryl (if you will use it to sleep), chapstick, a small thing of Kleenex. You don't want to have to dig those things out. I always need Advil, something about travel gives me a headache.

I use headphones, but then don't have anything playing. I tend to read - don't have to worry about batteries in a book. (My Kindle battery lasts a LONG time, but I also bring a paper book just in case).

I wear slip on shoes that are comfortable for the plane and fuzzy socks. Slip on being slip on sloppy, like clogs or garden shoes or an old stretched out pair of loafers, or, God Forbid, because I don't tend to wear them in public - crocs. Not something you need to touch to get on your feet

My experience on long flights is there are plenty of trips down the aisle by the staff for food and beverages. But if you are a big water drinker, buy water at the airport to bring onto the plane with you.

Figure out how the headrest works. Lots of them now on a long flight will do this sort of foldy thing that will provide some head support while you nap. It isn't great, but its more functional than drooling on your partner's shoulder.

If you watch back of the seat movies where there is a lot of choice - I find, and this is me - you might be different - that watching something I'm familiar with or something that is stupid is easiest on a plane. Its hard to watch a serious Oscar nominee for the first time for me under those circumstances. I flip through and find something to rewatch. Books are similar, planes are good for page turners - not so good for Booker Prize shortlisters.

 

[minnie4ever]

Because my old feet swell up like a balloon on long flights, I tend to wear sneakers or tie shoes so I can loosen them up during flight time but I am not struggling to get them back on
before we land or trip on them when I have to get up.

 

[Rapunzellover]

Minnie--. Have you tried wide width shoes? My mom has swelling issues due to a prior surgery. Wide width shoes are a godsend.

Myself I like sneaker shoes with no laces for travel. Sketchers for example makes tons of them. I find that especially useful traveling solo. Bending to tie ones laces (which, less face it, will happen) provides pickpockets an excellent opportunity for snatching. I've seen it happen.

 

[DisneyLover26]

I've done many long-haul, international flights over the years. For me some of my best personal tips include:

1) As others have so rightly suggested, always be prepared with your own entertainment. I always bring a new book, my kindle, my iPod/iPad with movies, tv shows, and games on it. I've found that many of the planes of US carriers (at least, American and United) have outdated entertainment options. By that I mean that many of the planes do not offer personal, touchscreen entertainment options in the seat head in front of you. Most European and Asian carriers are much better in this department, I have found.

2) I always take sleep aids, just in case I feel like I need them. This is obviously a personal choice. I normally just bring a melatonin or two Advil PM's just in case.

3) Going off the point above, in addition to the sleep aid, I always have a little pack of Tylenol or Motrin, an antihistamine, and imodium, etc. just in case I start to feel a little under the weather or have a headache or something while I'm flying. A good nasal spray too is something I would tend to carry. I always get very dry when traveling (especially for extended periods), so this helps a lot for me.

3) For me, I always bring a sleep mask as well. To some this may seem (or look!) slightly ridiculous, but for me it definitely helps me to nod off more because it allows me to cancel out a lot of the movements and lights, etc. of being on the plane.

4) Always bring a spare pair of clothes in your carry-on just in case your luggage gets lost. In addition, I always have a little toilet article bag where I bring travel size deodorant, mouthwash, toothbrush and paste, etc. That way I can freshen up if I feel like it. Especially if it's been hours and hours and we're about to reach our destination.

5) Again, if possible, try to fly business class. The extra room, service, and lie flat (or near lie flat seats) will make a big difference to your overall experience. Try to use miles or if able, then pay for it outright. Obviously, this isn't available all the time for most of us (like me), but if you can swing it, then I say go for it! Treat yourself a little! LOL

6) This one might sound a little strange, but have the appropriate mindset going into your journey. If you know you're going to be flying to Asia or wherever long-haul, then I find it helps for me just to prepare a little mentally. No one wants to be sitting on a plane for 15 hours, but I find it helps if you just accept that fact that you're going to be on the plane a long time and just relax. It will make the flight go by quick and you'll enjoy yourself more if you're not constantly looking at the clock and counting down how much more time you have left.

7) If you're traveling solo, then I always try to at least be cordial to the people sitting next to me. A simple hello can go a long way. Obviously, some people don't want to talk and that's fine. However, I've had some really lovely and interesting conservations with passengers seated next to me that proved to not only be enjoyable, but also helped to pass the time away as well.

8) Get up and walk around. You NEED to stretch your legs and get the blood flowing, so get up several times throughout your journey and just have a stroll around the cabin. I'll often times go to the flight attendants' area and ask for a glass of water and stand and just stretch for a few minutes. Sometimes I'll strike up a conversation with the flight attendants, which again helps to pass the time, but also it's a great way to tap into their knowledge about the destination that you're going to. Chances are they've been there before and can offer some insightful tips on things to do, places to see, restaurants to eat at, etc.

9) Also, I always bring one of those personal electronic chargers things. I don't know what the actual name of them are. But the devices where you can charge them overnight in the wall or plugged into a laptop or something and then can plug your phone or iPod, iPad, etc. into them and charge them back up again. This is especially good if there are no outlets in your seat, or if you're always on your phone (like me) for one reason or the other! Also invaluable to have once you arrive at your destination and are out and about sightseeing all day long!

Sorry there is no really 'logical' order to these points. I just kept numbering as more things popped into my mind, haha.

Hope these are somewhat helpful- Happy flying everyone!!

 

[alldiz]

To get back on topic, here are my suggestions for making a long flight more pleasant:

1. Fly business class if you can afford it or if you can upgrade. It makes a huge difference on a long flight. Or chose an airline which offers a choice of paying a bit more for more room in economy, such as United Airlines Economy Plus.

2. Do take off your shoes. Bring lightweight slippers or an old pair of socks to wear during a flight.

3. Aisle seats are good because it's easier to get up and walk around. The cons are you are often bumped by food and beverage carts, people grabbing the back of the seats as they walk down the aisle, and you may have to get up frequently to let out the other people in your row.

4. Try and get exit row seats (if you aren't traveling with children under 14 and are not disabled in any way). These are often reserved for elite frequent flyers, but you can sometimes pay to select these seats. Be careful though, some exit row seats do not recline, such as on United, where rows 20-21 are exit row seats, but row 20 doesn't recline.

5. Choose your flight carefully. Check the plane configuration of your proposed flight at seatguru.com. It will show you the good seats and seats to avoid. Look at the seat map of your flight to see what seats are available for seat selection. Look at the amenities available on your flight; are their electric plugs at each seat, is there individual seat back entertainment or those outdated overhead monitors, or no entertainment at all? Does the plane have those horrible slimline seats? What is the seat pitch? All this information is on seatguru.

I have chosen flights just based on type of plane (prices being equal) when I know one plane has limited seat selection, or has slimline seats, etc.

6. Try and chose a nonstop routing if possible, or the fewest stops you can. Nonstop flights are not always the most expensive, and even if they cost a bit more than taking a direct flight or flight with connections, you will find it well worth it if you're traveling for many hours.

7. For an overnight flight, bring your own lightweight blanket, if you have room in your carry-on. If you are worried about germs items on the plane, it's the blankets and pillows which don't get cleaned frequently.

8. Never depend on the inflight entertainment. I have been on a number of flights where it hasn't worked. I bring a book, my Kindle and my iPad with music, movies and TV shows. A pair of noise canceling headphones are a must. You don't have to spend a fortune; you can find decent pairs for under $100. I also like to bring a small flashlight, such as a Maglight. If your overhead light is broken, it can come in handy.

OMG. I just looked at this site for my upcoming flight to Italy and my seat is bad. Paid for economy comfort and apparently might have less legroom because of offset window?
Also the row behind me on the way home has no window.
Sheesh!!!
Thanks so much for this sight.
I will put my daughter in the less legroom seat she won't notice
Kerri