What to bring on airplane for a comfortable flight to China?

[The Mystery Machine]

My 19yodd is going to China today and I was wondering if you could share some flight tips for her 16hr flight?

DH and I have never flown international so don't have any advice for her.

I am thinking a pillow/banket maybe? Food? She has an eyemask so she can sleep.

She will have all money, meds, and important items with her.

She is checking her main bag and will have a purse and a backpack. Can she bring in food, snacks and what about drinks? Can she bring them if they are not opened?

Thanks!

 

[Mimi1965]

There is still the 4oz liquid limit rule for carry ons-she can buy drinks after she passes the check in point.

I always bring small pkgs of granola, nuts, fruit bars etc because i get tired of the peanuts/cookie that is offered on every flight.

 

[Meriweather]

DH flies to China a couple times a year.
He brings some snacks and some reading material.
They have always gave him an eye mask, a toothbrush, meals and movies.

 

[abdmom]

The limit for liquids and gels is 3 oz. I wouldn't worry about bringing drinks on a flight. On the 16 hour flight, if she gets thirst in between services, she can go to the galley and get a drink. There should be a dinner and a breakfast and possibly lunch.

I would be more concerned about having something to do . Does her plane have video in the seatbacks? If not, make sure to bring her own entertainment - electronic or books/magazines/crossword puzzles.

 

[joviroxx]

She can buy drinks to take on board after she goes through security, but not before. I always take food with me on long flights. I either buy sandwiches or snacks at the airport or on my way. Ive never had an issue getting food through security.

 

[eliza61]

I was going to suggest Valium before I saw her age. (joking, joking) I've been to New Zealand and that was almost 24 hours travel time but I had a few layovers included.

does she have a laptop that she could play movies on. Bordom was my problem so I brought tons of reading material, my portable cd (pre-ipod) days. I actually stayed up the night before so I could nap on the plan.

 

[design_mom]

I'm not a "seasoned" traveler, but I have flown on a few international flights. I think that most airlines still offer pillows blankets on international flights so you might check with your airline before packing your own (unless you want something special.) I've flown internationally on Delta, Air France and Lufthansa (Lufthansa was my favorite.)

She can take food and drink on board, but she can't take any liquids or gels through security (so she'd need to buy beverages in the terminal after she passes through security.) The flights that I've taken have done a pretty good job of feeding you throughout the flight. They came around regularly with water, as well.

I would take plenty of books, magazines, music player, word-searches, etc. to keep her busy. It is a long time to sit. If possible have her stick her backpack under her seat so she has access to it-- or put as much 'stuff" as possible in her purse. They don't like you to get into the overheads during the flight.

Also, they will make everyone sit in their "assigned seat" for take off, but once the seatbelt sign is turned off, people tend to spread out if the plane isn't full. On my first flight, I think everyone except our group spread out till there was one person per row! It would have been nice to have extra space. Grab it if you can.

If she has to change planes somewhere along her route, I suggest packing as light as possible. Some of the European airports have lots of stairs (or busses/trains from one terminal to another) and few elevators! She'll have to carry whatever she takes. (DH carried a lot of bags in Charles de Gaulle airport for a senior citizens tour group. All the old ladies had wheelie carry-ons that they couldn't carry, and the only elevator in the area was broken.)

 

[NHdisneylover]

I would not bother packing a pillow/blanket. They should have them onboard. She should snag a set as she gets to her seat rather than waiting until they run out (unless every seat has one which is the case fairly often). If she has a comfy neck pillow that might be nice.

I always like a few snacks that i know i will like, but long flights do still feed you well.

As PPs have said, there should be drinks in the galley from the time of the first beverage service until almost landing. That said, I have seen them run out towards the end of a long flight. I hate being without a drink and planes are very dehydrating so I always buy one soda or juice of choice and 1 water once through security. I tuck the water away to use IF needed if the galley runs out and if not it is often nice to have once I have landed (while waiting for luggage/customs/immigration). I sip the soda during boarding (planes can get hot sitting on the ground) and take off (sip do not gulp in case it is a hwile before you can use the restroom).

Otherwise things I take on long flights:
gum (good for ears for landing)
pencil (for games) and pen (for customs forms handed out in flight)
eye mask
ear plugs
game book (I like Games magazine but sodukos, crosswords, etc are all good--just have one)
one new novel to read (or kindle now)
one magazine
lightweight jacket
socks if I am wearing sandals (the air vents by feet can be COLD)
hand lotion (100 ml or smaller to get through security)
pain killers (for the inevitable headache)

 

[stichy]

Tylenol PM or some other sleep aid to help her sleep. Sleeping on planes is so uncomfortable that I need to take something on oevernight flights.

 

[fraggle551]

Nyquil and an eyemask.

 

[Notatourist]

A journal of some sort helps as well.

For me, it was easy to travel the long flight, but every few hours, get up and for god's sake walk around. It keep legs from cramping up.

When it comes to Ipods, make sure the battery is long like the charger.

And most importantly, have fun!

 

[swanmom]

This is going to sound odd but my DH is a very experienced traveler. He recommends a very small plastic spray bottle filled with water. The cabin gets EXTREMELY dry, particularly on long flights. He found that spraying a little mist of water near his face really helps moisten his mouth, lips and nasal passages (as well as being a little 'pick me up.) He swears that it is well worth the extra couple of ounces of carry-on. My DH says that every time he uses it, the passenger next to him says he wishes he had thought of it. (If she is uncomfortable using it at her seat, she can use it in the restroom.) I cleaned out an old spray bottle from a pump-on hairspray for DH to use. Hope this helps. Tell her to have a great trip.

 

[RUDisney]

My "must have" is my neck pillow. We have tempurpedic ones so they are durable and comfy. I hate the little pillows they give you on planes. I'd much rather have my neck supported.

I also find that when there are not enough pillows on my bed, my neck pillow helps to support my head like at home.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Very awesome, thanks for the tips. We head out of here at 2.

 

[Pakey]

I fly internationally and actually just returned from China a month ago. We were given 3 meals during the flight; it was more food than I could eat. I always get the biggest bottle of water to take on board with me because it sometimes takes the attendants awhile to get around to refilling those little plastic cups; I like knowing I have water whenever I want it.

I take my kindle for reading, iphone for music/movies, my noise reducing headphones, an eyemask and a hat because I hate that air blowing on my head when I'm sleeping.

I also take ambien.

 

[Mimi1965]

This is going to sound odd but my DH is a very experienced traveler. He recommends a very small plastic spray bottle filled with water. The cabin gets EXTREMELY dry, particularly on long flights. He found that spraying a little mist of water near his face really helps moisten his mouth, lips and nasal passages (as well as being a little 'pick me up.) He swears that it is well worth the extra couple of ounces of carry-on. My DH says that every time he uses it, the passenger next to him says he wishes he had thought of it. (If she is uncomfortable using it at her seat, she can use it in the restroom.) I cleaned out an old spray bottle from a pump-on hairspray for DH to use. Hope this helps. Tell her to have a great trip.

I once read a "famous" model say something similar-she wears no makeup while flying and sprays her face with water because of the dryness in long flights

 

[swanmom]

My DH will be so happy to hear that he has two things in common with a supermodel ... he doesn't wear make-up, either!

 

[*BTMRR*]

They will give tons of food on the flight. It's always more than I can eat. Snacks aren't just cookies/pretzels but things like ice cream or a bagel sandwich. Still, I bring along a few small items like granola bars just in case.
I always bring some minty candies to freshen my breath a little throughout the flight, and a disposable toothbrush to use in the lavatory before landing.

 

[Glynis]

This will sound odd, but I always take a small package of fig newtons with me, along with some prunes or raisins. Travel always makes me a bit constipated, so I fight it with fruit I like as I go.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Alot of great tips. We brought some snacks, head and neck pillow. She did not bring her IPOD or her CD player. Got me.

We are home and she is probably boarding the plane right now. The group she is going with is mainly guys. There are 3 girls and 15 guys or something like that. It is a geology trip.

Thanks for the help!