longest comercial flights, any advice?

[TheVTCGuy]

I am a seasoned traveler... will probably top 100,000 miles this year and earn Executive Platinum status on AA, a step above the Platinum Pro I have now. Oh boy... Anyway my longest flights were in the 13 hour range, LA to Japan, but I have two WHOPPERS coming up in the next coupe months. LAX to SYD and SAN to London, probably 15 hours each. I believe these are the longest non-stop flights available. I have lots of experience with being in a flying tube, and with my status will be at least in the Economy Plus section of a 777 and possibly Business class, so that helps (a lot). But even with my experience I am always open to suggestions about how to pass the time and not be completely obliterated when I arrive. I will stock up on the usual audio books, movies, laptop, etc. Does anyone have any recomondations? For example, I have never taken a sleeping pill to try and erase six or eight hours of the journey, but I know some travelers do. My concern is (of course) it will make me tired, but I find it difficult to truly sleep in airplane seats, even the somewhat nicer ones of economy plus and business class, so if I take a pill and am tired but can't actually fall asleep, that will just make me even more miserable. But I am wondering if I should try it? Anyway, let's hear what you guys have to say

[Wcdhtwn]

Unisom. Or Costco's Kirkland brand sleeping pills. No hangover, great sleep.

I also can't really sleep when flying, my longest flight was Minneapolis to Tokyo. In coach. Middle seat in back of a 747. I hadn't discovered Unisom yet. It was hell.


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[lapince]

All depends at what time are your flights, if they are at 8-10 in the morning, I wouldn't take a pill, if they are night flights and you have a hard time to sleep in a plane, sure take a pill, but I would take a light relaxant, like 2,5-5mg valium, depends if you have a high tolerance or not, and a very light sleeping pill, the valium will relax you just enough for a light sleeping pill to put you to sleep without being in gases when you wake up. Or have a party the whole night before the flight if it's in the morning, almost don't sleep that should work too

[SearChart]

Eat a strong cannabis infused granola bar, sleep all the way through. :

I'd just read books, listen music and try to sleep. Probably the best you can do.

[tyler1980]

I just drink a lot and then sleep (I'm not a drinker either so it doesn't take that much). When i travel with the kids as i just did LHR to IAH (10 hours each way) I take an anxiety pill.

I do think Doha to Aukland is the longest flight right now at around 17 hours, but 15 isn't far behind.

LHR to LAX is my longest flight ever and that is around 12 hours i think going westbound

[BristolCavendish]

I asked a flight attendant/friend about this years ago. She said the key was to eat when you're hungry and doze when you're sleepy but don't let the time zones interfere with your natural body clock as you will eventually be headed home to your natural habitat and everyday life patterns.

[Abdullah71601]

I've flown 15+ hours a few dozen times. It is very painful in economy, slightly less painful in economy plus. If you can swing business, that's the most cost effective upgrade.

Start a z-pack the day before you fly, and get an Rx for a few ambien. Once you get to cruising altitude take the ambien. Sleep through the flight and wake up rested a couple hours before you land.

[Rolex addict]

My flight from LAX to Melbourne was around 16 hours. Luckily, I can sleep anywhere and also took an ambien. Since they affect people differently, I wouldn't suggest experimenting on your flight. There really isn't much you can do to make those trips enjoyable.

[The Joker]

Where does everyone get these sleepy pills, I need some.

In the UK all you can get is herbal crap.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by The Joker

Where does everyone get these sleepy pills, I need some.

In the UK all you can get is herbal crap.

i get mine from my Dr. the US, they love writing prescriptions there. UK doctors don't hand out the good stuff

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

i get mine from my Dr. the US, they love writing prescriptions there. UK doctors don't hand out the good stuff

Isn't there an epidemic of addicts because of all those doctors handing out the 'good stuff' ?

[BNA/LION]

Check out www.seatguru.com

There are seats that are better than others on all different planes. If you can't go first or business class try to get the best seat you can.

Noise cancelling headphones are key to not feeling crappy, IMHO. Using them to block out the roar of the jet engins helps.

A cocktail or wine and a sleep aid works for me. Drink a lot of water, get up and walk and stand often. Comfortable clothes, compression socks are good and movies, music, magazines help pass the time.

Paul, joining the mile high club would be good too! Is Ana down?

[Wcdhtwn]

Originally Posted by The Joker

Where does everyone get these sleepy pills, I need some.

In the UK all you can get is herbal crap.

Unisom and Kirkland are over the counter in the US. There's lots of other stuff. Tylenol PM is supposed to be good... I've never taken it.


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[GradyPhilpott]

Generic diphenhydramine is good for sleep and is less expensive when bought as allergy medicine rather than as a sleep aid.

They are exactly the same.

Twenty-five milligrams tablets should do the trick, if taken as directed.

https://www.amazon.com/Various-Diphe...2RHB87JDE8M35X

[Etschell]

2 vodkas and a xanax

[breitlings]

Like 5 mg of Xanax is what my brother gets prescribed for his 14 hour flights.

[Runnin' Rebel]

In all sincerity paul..

Try to be packed the day before.. are you taking AA (Fl. 73) late from LAX 23:30 ?? If this is the flight try to get up early that same day, no sleeping in. Go work out, drink lots of Water, stay busy.


There is 52 seats in including first, which has 8 on the 777 so 54 in business. If your not 1st class try to get Row 3 in business, no one next to you and window seat. Row 4 is close to Galley I think so maybe there're noisy so refuse that. You should be in this area.

My daughter had this seat but other window, you have status on AA so try your best.

Do you know what date your leaving ? I can pull up seating charts for this flight and what's available at any moment and if the seats taken by paid passengers. That way you can book seat ASAP and a good seat at that. This is AA of course..

If you want to PM me your info I can do this.

[Snow-Dweller]

I think there's now a direct flight from LA to Singapore....18 hours...

Anyway, I'd definitely take a sleeping pill.

[mph57]

Hi Paul,

I'm a B777 pilot that flies those 15hr flights. Obviously I can't use any alcohol or meds when I fly but here's what works for me. Here's what I think causes your body to feel exhausted

1. Time zone(s) change
2. Low humidity in the cabin.
3. High cabin altitude in the cabin - 7000' to 8000' on a B777.
4. Noise & vibrations.
5. Cramped confines

Here what I do to try to mitigate those effects.

1. I take a multi vitamin before I fly.
2. I coat my nostrils with Vaseline (they always dry out on a 15hr flt)
3. I take lotion and use it every 2-3 hours as the skin (especially the face) dries out easily...really helps comfort-wise
4. I brush my teeth mid flight and before top of descent.
5. I try to nap when my body dictates (when I do nap, I wear eye cover and wear a noise cancelling headset)
6. I drink a lot of water for the dehydration
7. When I'm awake, I'll get up for a couple of walks around the cabin for circulation.
8. I change into comfortable loose fitting clothes and compression socks.
9. I try to stay away from staring at a bright screen for hours on end e.g. movie screen or computer screen...I think the bright light suppresses the body's natural melatonin.

If budget dictates, I would highly recommend at least a business class seat.

I put zero stress on myself to sleep. If the body wants to it will. I usually read or listen to soft music. When we land, I try to stay awake until a reasonable local evening time. Then I take FAA approved melatonin to aid with sleep.

Enjoy Sydney and London...two of my favorites!

Cheers,

Mike

[hugs]

See if you can think of anyone in the world who might be doing something harder than sitting down for 15 hours

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Runnin' Rebel

In all sincerity paul..

Try to be packed the day before.. are you taking AA (Fl. 73) late from LAX 23:30 ?? If this is the flight try to get up early that same day, no sleeping in. Go work out, drink lots of Water, stay busy.


There is 52 seats in including first, which has 8 on the 777 so 54 in business. If your not 1st class try to get Row 3 in business, no one next to you and window seat. Row 4 is close to Galley I think so maybe there're noisy so refuse that. You should be in this area.

My daughter had this seat but other window, you have status on AA so try your best.

Do you know what date your leaving ? I can pull up seating charts for this flight and what's available at any moment and if the seats taken by paid passengers. That way you can book seat ASAP and a good seat at that. This is AA of course..

If you want to PM me your info I can do this.

PM enroute

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by mph57

Hi Paul,

I'm a B777 pilot that flies those 15hr flights. Obviously I can't use any alcohol or meds when I fly but here's what works for me. Here's what I think causes your body to feel exhausted

1. Time zone(s) change
2. Low humidity in the cabin.
3. High cabin altitude in the cabin - 7000' to 8000' on a B777.
4. Noise & vibrations.
5. Cramped confines

Here what I do to try to mitigate those effects.

1. I take a multi vitamin before I fly.
2. I coat my nostrils with Vaseline (they always dry out on a 15hr flt)
3. I take lotion and use it every 2-3 hours as the skin (especially the face) dries out easily...really helps comfort-wise
4. I brush my teeth mid flight and before top of descent.
5. I try to nap when my body dictates (when I do nap, I wear eye cover and wear a noise cancelling headset)
6. I drink a lot of water for the dehydration
7. When I'm awake, I'll get up for a couple of walks around the cabin for circulation.
8. I change into comfortable loose fitting clothes and compression socks.
9. I try to stay away from staring at a bright screen for hours on end e.g. movie screen or computer screen...I think the bright light suppresses the body's natural melatonin.

If budget dictates, I would highly recommend at least a business class seat.

I put zero stress on myself to sleep. If the body wants to it will. I usually read or listen to soft music. When we land, I try to stay awake until a reasonable local evening time. Then I take FAA approved melatonin to aid with sleep.

Enjoy Sydney and London...two of my favorites!

Cheers,

Mike

Thanks Mike, ex Navy Hornet driver here, flying is in my blood as well I just never had any 15 hour sorties during desert storm

[GerardoG]

One word: tequila.

[FTX I]

I use Lorax. Not a fan of alcohol during flights.

[rr-nyc]

Have done EWR-HKG a few times back when it was the longest commercial flight.

I've taken ambien and have gotten a good 8 hours sleep, only to wake up and still have several hours left. It's painful no matter where you sit but it must be hell in economy.

I would quit before allowing my company to put me on a 16 hour flight in economy. It pretty much shows how highly they think of you.

[ecdc]

I've done long ones, nonstop from east coast USA to Shanghai, Jo'burg, Qatar, S. Korea, etc. All 15 hours or so. There's no magic formula to arrive refreshed. Doze a little if you can -- maybe an hour or two of light sleep. Watch a few movies. Get up and pace the aisles every 2 hours for 10 minutes. Stay hydrated. One glass of water every time you get up and walk the aisles, is my rule. But there's no two ways about it, even in lay-down flat business class, you'll be hurting for 2-3 days upon arrival. Try really hard to stay awake until 9pm local time your first couple nights upon arrival to help your body adjust.

[Laszlo]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

I've flown 15+ hours a few dozen times. It is very painful in economy, slightly less painful in economy plus. If you can swing business, that's the most cost effective upgrade.

Start a z-pack the day before you fly, and get an Rx for a few ambien. Once you get to cruising altitude take the ambien. Sleep through the flight and wake up rested a couple hours before you land.

I don't travel too often but when I do one leg can be a 16 hour flight. It's brutal. And I just watch movies and listen to music because trying to sleep is very hard for me. Traveling anywhere is on the very bottom of my list of things I dislike doing.

[mph57]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Thanks Mike, ex Navy Hornet driver here, flying is in my blood as well I just never had any 15 hour sorties during desert storm

Thanks for your service Paul...I just saw you're in San Diego. My daughter and my son-in-law (Ensign) are stationed out there. My wife and I make it out there every 3-4 months or so to visit. Beautiful city!

[lapince]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Isn't there an epidemic of addicts because of all those doctors handing out the 'good stuff' ?

Yep, seems very easy tonget opioid drugs in the US, good luck in France, unless you have cancer or something of the like, fat chance they'll give you the drugs, pain killers sure, opioid ones? No way

[Danny83]

Paul im on a 5 hour flight now, I will just be on trf the whole time, looking at what Gerardo cooks and what Bristols gotta say today
Somebody PM me im bored