First long haul flight

[imdonefor]

I'm going on my first long haul flight in ten weeks, and can't say I'm looking forward to it. I can be a little anxious about flying at the best of times.

Any advice? I've never flown for more than 4.5 hours and this will be nearer 10 hours.

What should I take with me for the flight?

Earplugs, neck support and warm clothes (it often gets chilly and their blankets aren't always great) Other than that, don't over think it :) a 10 hour flight isn't awful... doze a bit, watch a couple of films )

I usually make sure I have hand cream and water (my hands seem to get dry) and a pashmina or similar as sometimes I get chilly. And some sweets to suck. The I just have my kindle to read. If you've got your own headphones take those as the plane supplied ones are generally a bit rubbish. Lots of airlines now have WiFi on the plane so you can use your phone or laptop.

I see a lot of people with those neck pillows - I've never been able to get on with them, but it might be worth bringing one with you if you think it would be comfortable.

I find the time goes by quicker than you'd imagine. By the time take off is over, cabin crew usually come round with drinks. Then a meal. Then you maybe watch a film, perhaps have a doze. Maybe a TV program or two. Read for a bit. Before you know it, you're a few hours from landing and they're coming round with more drinks and food and then it's time to land...

Ooh, gosh. Are you a good sleeper?

Hydrate well beforehand, support socks, snuggly cushion/blanket, possibly earplugs and comfortable mask. Take breaks to walk up and down the aisle.

Take your own water with you, it really depends on the airline how good they are offering drinks.
I always take handcream and lip balm
I have my own pashmina style wrap instead of layers of clothing
Neck pillows - it depends, I find them too restrictive but I know people who swear on them.
Take some snacks
I read a lot, not a big fan of TV/movies in general and while I may watch one, it's not high on my list.

Thanks for these.

I get cold quite easily, so will take a blanket!

I'll hopefully be able to doze a little, although it's a late morning flight, so maybe not until much later.

I was already considered buying some noise cancelling headphones, so this might be just time.

Take antibac wipes to wipe down your tray, screen etc. Nothing is properly clean. Anti bac hand gel too as the toilets get a bit rank.
Take some cream to use on your hands and face as the air is so dry. Take eye drops too and maybe face wipes to freshen your face. I find this stuff really helps. Toothbrush and mini paste helps too.
Take plenty of snacks as the food is usually awful. If you have food intolerances don't assume they'll have the meal you need. I once ordered a Vegan meal because the meat is always so awful but they didn't have it recorded so didn't have one for me. They cobbled together a few bits including a chocolate cake bar (not vegan so it's a good job I'm not actually vegan).

Take a change of clothes to get changed into 10 hours in, especially underwear and socks. It's amazing what a difference it makes.

Take a few things to do as it's BORING even with the films. A magazine, book, soduku, tidy up the photos on your phone etc. Take your phone charger as there's usually USB ports to charge.

I also tend to take an aspirin just before boarding and 1 mid flight as I don't like the compression socks. I walk up and down the aisle every hour.

check if they've got in flight entertainment. We bought budget flights to the States last year and there were no screens. We did know this in advance so I just used my Kindle. There wasn't any food or drink included either so we bought sandwiches and drinks in the airport before we flew.

I wear layers on planes as you never know how warm its going to be. And I wear compression socks because I'm paranoid about DVTs.

Noise cancelling headphones make a huge difference for me so much nicer and easier to relax. Make sure you have an adapter so you can plug into the airline entertainment if using your own headphones. As others said check inflight entertainment. I download something to listen to on audible if I want to relax. If you want to sleep an eye mask is great. As others have said clothing layers, own water bottle (can refill after security at airport), sweets, tissues, flight socks. Book. Enjoy!

I've done long haul for years, but 25hrs of flying! 😩 10hrs will actually go very quickly! Once you've watched a film or 2, tried to nap, eat 2 meals, watch a TV show, go to the loo and wander about- it really does pass the time. Which airline and which class of travel? Even in economy you used to get a comfort pack which often had slippers, toothbrush/paste, eye mask etc but since covid, majority have cut these out, unless business/first etc.

Some of my tips have already been mentioned.

• Take an empty water bottle with you to the airport and fill it up airside before the flight. There are often free water fill stations outside the toilets or in the terminal, and it tastes better than the water on the plane
• Take some thin, hotel type slippers and thick socks. On board, I take my shoes/socks off, put the thick socks and slippers on. The toilets always have drips of who knows what all over the floor, so no way would I walk around in my regular socks or barefoot! 😱
• I recently bought this bag which is SO light! https://www.argos.co.uk/product/2654454
• Prior to boarding, I moved things to a small bag/handbag which will sit under the seat infront, but the wheelybag goes overhead. In the handbag I keep the water, snacks, lipgloss, eye mask and all the things I'll likely need. Nothing worse than having to get up and down and try to get things in and out of the overhead locker. On my recent long haul, there was no space in economy, so my overhead bag was stored above a random seat in business class!
• Lipgloss and small travel moisturiser because the air con makes your lips and skin dry
• Wet wipes and/or make up removal wipes
• Eye mask and ear plugs
• Pashmina. Over your shoulders as an extra blanket or rolled up as a pillow.
• Mini toothbrush and paste will freshen you up
• Mini foldaway brush

1. Get some Bose noise cancelling headphones - over-ear full headphones not the earbuds. They are expensive but man they are worth it. It's the best investment for long haul travel. even if you aren't watching or listening to anything, you can turn them on for peace and quiet. I often sleep with mine on.
2. Take lots of your own entertainment. It's likely there will be films on board but it does happen that the entertainment goes down - so look for documentaries/films etc you want to watch and download some to a tablet before hand. Same for some podcasts and if its your thing a few games that you can play on a phone without internet. There are some good puzzle games that will keep you occupied. Books and a few magazines.
3. comfortable clothes in cotton and a large scarf/pashmina for use as an extra layer or rolled up as a back support or
4. a good head support pillow. I like the J-pillow but there are lots of different styles now.
5. fully charge devices before flying and take power supplies and cords on the plane with you. depending on what class you are flying there maybe power outlets by your seat but again, plan on there not being any available.
6. snacks - especially chocolate.
7. large bottle of water - if you can buy it airside and take it on the plane.
8. Agree about antibac- google Naomi Campbell cleaning her plane seat. do that especially the table and touch points.
9. A solid and large travel bag which will slide onto the handles of a wheely suitcase - I like this one

https://knomo.com/collections/traveling/products/grosvenor-place-l-15-laptop-tote-black-119-211-bsn
10.if you have any from previous hotel stays, a pair of those disposable slippers and a pair of socks. It much nicer taking your shoes off but you DO NOT want to walk about in socks especially into the toilet which will have mens piss sprayed all over the floor. Then you can leave them on the plane for disposal. Some airlines will give you a pair if you are in business +++ class but don't count on it. If you are staying in hotels that have these when you are there, take a pair for the way back.
11.change of underwear, toothbrush and toothpaste, spare t-shirt/top and a swimsuit in your hand luggage in case your suitcase gets delayed

As someone else has said, 10 hours isn't that long. Most of my tips above learnt from trips down under and nearly 24 hrs on the move.

Thanks so much for these.

Would never have thought about the slippers!