Long Haul Flight First Time

[bond]

Hello, my longest flight so far in my life is 6 hours and I got very fidgety. I will be going from the UK to Honk Kong soon, which is nearly 12 hours. I like a drink or few, and some people are saying have a few drinks and it will make me fall asleep but obviously others say do not drink any alcohol due to dehydration over that time (and then dvt risks etc). I have never had any sleeping pills, I'm just not sure how to handle/approach this long flight, I will be sitting in BA world traveller (ie economy), and I often get back ache. Anyone have any tips or advice? Thank you.

[237SJ]

Make sure you check in online as soon as check in opens (24 hours before) and get an aisle seat so that you can get out and walk around without having to bother the people sitting next to you. Take a half litre bottle of mineral water and when you have drunk it, ask the crew to re -fill it for you. Have a couple of drinks (red wine and brandy are good for getting off to sleep) but keep alcohol to a minimum. Don`t choose a seat too near the front of the cabin because that`s where the babies are and you don`t want to be disturbed if they are restless.

[saintpeter48]

Aisle seat, drink plenty of water during the flight plus have a few glasses of red wine, wear flight socks, try and get an overnight flight so that your normal sleeping times are not interupted, so if you get a flight around 9 or 10pm by the time youve settled in, had a glass of wine and your first meal that should take you past midnight and your body clock is telling you to sleep. Make sure you get up and walk and stretch, walk to the rear of the aircraft and do a bit of stretching etc. Mainly, do as I do, wait til the very last minute to board, let everyone get on first, (I wait til I'm the last one in the waiting area), that way you can get on board and see if there are 2 or 3 empty seats together, just plonk yourself down, I've never been asked to move, and you can have 3 seats to stretch out on and lay down and sleep. I do it regularly on flights to Thailand.

[jno]

you can always ask your GP for sleeping pills. You won't become instantly addicted. Use ear plugs and eye mask if you can (they'll probably provide them but you can always take your own). How comfortable it is depends on how tall you are, but it's never going to be an enjoyable experience.

[mikey4444]

A couple of G+T's won't hurt and will help to relax you, but avoid getting drunk as it might very well dehydrate you. For your back ache, just take some paracetamol with you.

A good book and perhaps some crosswords will help to make the journey pass a little bit quicker.

[murraymints]

aisle seat..water..eye mask...and make friends with cabin crew for drinks ..eats etc.

[DTCwordfan]

walk around when you need to.

when you land, live Hong Kong time and not UK time....there are some great Chinese restaurants. The American in Wanchai (cash only) - pretty awful environment but super food. Can recommend the Sichuan Lau as well in that area.....really good spicy food. At the other end of the scale, the main Chinese in the Mandarin, the Man Wah, is an experience, as used to be No1 Wanchai in the Gr. Hyatt. The Lok Yu teahouse on Queens Road, Central, is fun too - that's for dim sum.

[TWR]

Hi, we went out 2 years ago & yes, the flight is a long one, I would not go on the "Pop" that will make you worse on arrival, regards Back ache / DVT, do some walks around the plane, if a day time flight, look at the World Map on the screen & see if you can plan you route, we went from Heathrow in the direction of Yarmouth>> Holland, H,K, Airport is something else regards been Busy & the final approach over the flats, the City is faire game regards the Sites, take a tour bus around the City for little money, If possible, go up the cable car, but make sure it's clear, they do get foggy days, have a safe one & enjoy.

[waterboatman]

Try and get an aisle seat by an emergency exit, more leg room. By all means have a drink or six, but don't overdo it. You know your own limits. Have a walk about occasionally. Take a book with you. Most of all. Relax and enjoy the flight.

[rajbury]

Also, take one of those soft, crescent-shaped neck cushions. Great for sleeping sitting up.

[Prudie]

Interesting that everyone advises an aisle seat. I'd go the exact opposite. I always ask for a window seat. When the drink, in-flight entertainment and the cramped seats have all failed to let you drift off there is nothing more enthralling (for me) than having my nose pressed up against the window looking out over the world.

[ummmm]

It all depends what type of plane it is as well. When I went long haul it was one of those big jumbo jet thingys. Plenty of leg room and the seat reclined enough to make dozing off fairly easy.

[pusskin]

Me too Prudie, I always go for a window seat on long haul flights!
Got my neck cushion and rest against the window and soon nodding off to sleep. Have a good flight bond.

[zebo]

Window seat every time, then you're not disturbed by others getting in and out. The crew will probably be round regularly with water, maybe fruit and there will be the seat back console to keep you amused.
It really isn't as bad as people make out, we flew to NZ with just a two hour break at Singapore and had no jet lag at all.
Enjoy it, don't spend the next few weeks worrying about it.

[DTCwordfan]

I go window for night, no one to trample over you and you'll have this on both out and back....day time flights I tend to go for aisle so I can meander....

[237SJ]

Window`s OK if you are not tall. Tall men are better off on the aisle because they can twist their knees into the aisle rather than being cramped up.

[DTCwordfan]

If you have the readies, try going Business Class, esp. if Cathay, though BA isn't bad.....much more comfortable and a better experience all around, inc limos at both ends.....and the jet lag impact is far less.

[237SJ]

"try going Business Class" I would imagine that it this late stage the ticket is booked and paid for. Even getting an exit row would be out of the question as there is a charge for that.

[DTCwordfan]

Personally, I'd go first.

[DTCwordfan]

C and F seats on BA to Hong Kong available most days over the next two weeks 237, I've just checked.....

[237SJ]

It sounds like the ticket is already booked DT