Tips for flying on a Red Eye

[Lulu's Mom]

Hello we leave on Saturday from LAS and have a red eye flight to MCO. I was wondering if anyone had any good ideas or advice on how to survive a red eye flight and not feel so jet lagged when you land. I know to sleep on the plane but the flight is only 5 hours long so shouldwe take a nap during the day before we leave??

Thanks for any ideas or advice.

 

[bavaria]

• drink lots of water on the day of your flight; drink no pop or caffeine
• starting 3 days before your flight eat light meals and avoid fatty foods
• chagne your watch to your destination time zone as soon as you board
• bring eye shades and ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones, or put the airline headphones on low
• try and sleep for the entire flight; if you are going to use sleeping pills pretest them a few days before as they may be too strong for you
• try for seats in the bulkhead or exit aisle, but they MAY not have armrests that flip up or recline; if so avoid them
• ask the FA if you can move to an empty row or use two seats to sleep
• bring a change of shirt/underwear and freshen up right before landing or in the terminal on landing
• grab a coffee from Starbucks or Seattle's Best at MCO before leaving

 

[bavaria]

Also bring a light sweater for the flight; possibly a pillow as many airlines don't offer pillows and blankets anymore

 

[bavaria]

If you can't get into your hotel room early, look for quiet places like FW; there are rocking chairs where you can relax, or the rocking chairs at BCV or BWV. That way you can do some park activities but have a resting place.

Also consider using the hotel pool and change rooms if you need a shower.

Try and stay up that day on a normal scheudle - if you nap right away you won't adjust.

 

[sandiegosusie]

Benedryl works wonders for me. I take it to help me sleep and my doctor tells me its not hard on your system...My sister-in-law drinks a Coke and pops an Excedrin when she lands. I can't take Excedrin but she swears it takes away that headache from a redeye.

I agree with bringing a blanket and earphones. My husband takes his Bose and he never hears a thing...

 

[tracys2cents]

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=1&tid=34865016

 

[salmoneous]

I would not recommend a nap the day of flight. You want to be tired for your flight so you can get some sleep in. For flying West -> East, I like to start keeping the new time zone a few days early. Too late for you guys, but I would recommend getting up early tomorrow.

To help with sleep on the flight, I have nice eye shade and ear plugs. Consider carring on a full sized pillow. Drink lots during the day, but stop 90 minutes before your flight. Be sure to hit the bathroom just before getting on the plane. As soon as you get on the plane, start getting read to sleep. Don't wait until everybody gets on, you taxi, the plane takes off, you get a drink, etc. As soon as you are on the plane, plop on the shade, the earplugs, if you are using a blanket make sure your seatbelt is visable outside the blanket, and start relaxing.

 

[Coloradomom]

We just did a red eye for the first time in March. DD age 16 brought a blanket of her own which helped. Warning that even though it is a red eye they showed a movie, which was tough not to watch (it was one I wanted to see). So be prepared that the plane will not be dark and people around you may be watching. We did doze though. For us, when we got to the resort (SSR) we were very flexible on our room so we could get one right away when we arrived at 6AM. This worked so well......we showered, rested, waited for our grocery order and then headed for the parks about 10AM. It was not a late night, but we were surprisingly not exhausted. I think the adrenaline kicks in a little as well. We'd do it again!

 

[Lulu's Mom]

Thank you for all the replies.... If I can ask one more stupid question... is a regular sized pillow considered a carryon or a personal item???

Thanks again for all the tips... they were great.

 

[bavaria]

Thank you for all the replies.... If I can ask one more stupid question... is a regular sized pillow considered a carryon or a personal item???

Thanks again for all the tips... they were great.

Yes, a regular size pillow SHOULD be considered as one carryon/personal item; unforutnately many airlines do not police this.