To never fly long haul again

[wondering7777]

I recently went on holiday for a week. The flight was eight hours long and so uncomfortable - economy class seats have very little leg room/space and it’s almost impossible to get any kip.

I’m now back home and the time difference is killing me - I had two hours sleep on the plane and have been in bed all afternoon drifting in and out of sleep and feeling very achey, sneezy and generally crap. I’m also 12 weeks pregnant, which I’m sure has made it 10 times worse (has anyone else found that it does?)

AIBU to just stick to UK holidays and short haul from now on? There are so many amazing destinations in Europe just a 2-3 hour flight away, not to mention the reduced (admittedly still bad) impact on the environment of only flying short haul. As it is, I feel like I’ve come back from holiday more exhausted than when I left!

We have two kids, the youngest one (7) has only been out of the UK twice. we love UK holidays!

If you don’t want to do it then don’t.

I didn’t realise it was compulsory

Don't do it if you don't want to, but I think flying long haul for a week is a bit silly anyway. Multiple short haul flights are arguably worse for the environment than one long haul (take off and landing are the worse bits) so don't pretend you're doing in for the environment - although i'm not sure why you'd have to justify it

Sounds fair enough to me. I don't mind flying but I hate flying longhaul for all the reasons you mention. I have only been on European/UK holidays for the past 5 years and feel I've had better value holidays as I am not spending £££ on flights. And it is definitely more relaxing, which is what holidays are all about!

I’ve never flown long haul before so didn’t really grasp how draining/exhausting it is. It just doesn’t seem worth it!

Why are you even asking? No-one made you do it.

The trick is not to sleep on the plane!

I wouldn't really call 8 hours long haul, 16 hours is grim. I can handle 8.

Agree that one long haul flight every 4 years say is far better than numerous short haul - not that any are ideal but ykwim

I don't think I could bear a long haul flight in economy for a week, so I'm with you there!

I just did business class for an 11 day holiday (air miles, no way could I have afforded to pay!) which was utter bliss though.

Why would you be unreasonable not to choose a holiday you don't want to do?

so don't pretend you're doing in for the environment

Well reducing environmental impact isn’t actually my reason for doing it (but just so happens to be a good by-product!) DH and I only go on holiday once every couple of years anyway as money is tight, so we won’t be taking multiple short-haul flights either.

If you want to stick to short haul do it.
Do you really to ask on MN?

Yeah man it's not worth it, especially with small kids in tow

I just did business class for an 11 day holiday (air miles, no way could I have afforded to pay!) which was utter bliss though.

Now that would change my mind, but sadly it’s not an option financially!

Yeah man it's not worth it, especially with small kids in tow

I think so too - it really isn’t!

The trick is not to sleep on the plane!

Agree. I've done quite a lot of long haul flights over the years and staying awake is the only solution in my view.

However, if you don't want to do them, just don't do them. It isn't compulsory, and it's much better for the environment if you don't. As you've said, there are lots of fabulous destinations closer to home.

I have a four hour rule when it comes to flying. I will do 4 hours 15mins at a push.

Flying, for me, is uncomfortable ( not enough room, and I'm only five foot bugger all) smelly (much as they try to disguise the.smell of the lavatory and a couple of hundred people farting). I have sat closer to strangers than to people I've been married to on planes.

If quite like to see a little more of the world, but the thought of spending so long in a plane? For me it's just not worth it.

I say that after every long haul flight I make. Then a few weeks later I am planning another one.

Jet lag is awful and I can never ever sleep on a plane. I wish I could afford premium or business.

I never took my two long haul until my youngest was 11, couldn't face taking them before.

Business class is your friend. Better drinks, food and you get to sleep in a flat bed.

Don’t get me wrong Op I get the lag, but an 8 hour flight’s a walk in the park. I’m not surprised you couldn’t sleep, I’m just warming up at that point. I love long haul. Perhaps it’s due to your condition. Where did you go & who did you fly with?

We always fly long haul and almost always in economy. I've done it pregnant (inc 30 weeks) and with babies/toddlers on laps.

Doesn't bother me in the slightest and I refuse to allow the words 'jet lag' in our house unless the flight was over 12 hours. I don't even think 8 hours is really long haul.

God I thought YANBU, flights to Aus and NZ are the pits especially with long stop overs. Then I read 8 hours and thought wtf she moaning at tbh.

I find that day-time long-haul is OK, & quite easy to adjust to whatever time zone I'm in, but I can never sleep on a 'plane so night flights are a nightmare. e.g. flying to China night-flight was awful, but coming back during the day was fine.

BTW, I wouldn't class 8 hours as long-haul

If you don't like it then don't. I think longhaul for one week is tough. We usually go for 2-3weeks when we go to Canada or the USA. We've travelled with dc since they were babies as we love it and dc are fab travellers. At 11 and dtds are 8 they have been to 7 states plus Canada twice. We're off to a new state in August. It works for us but it's expensive and tiring so if you don't find it fun then don't do it.

much as they try to disguise the.smell of the lavatory and a couple of hundred people farting

So foul!

Business class is your friend. Better drinks, food and you get to sleep in a flat bed.

Yeah but you need £££! Does business class have better food then? I brought on a sandwich from the airport so didn’t eat it myself, but DH’s looked grim and the smell was nauseating. I can’t imagine anything prepared for a plane being decent!