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!

[snowball28]

@Hallloumi

We go for Quing Ming. My fiancé is the first born male of a very traditional family. It’s seen as his duty to go and sweep the graves and set out the offerings. If he didn’t go it would be seen as dishonouring his family/elders and the dead.

[Perunatop]

Is 8 hours actually considered long haul?
Just don't do it if you don't want to.

[wondering7777]

Bc is worth every penny.

Doesn’t it cost thousands though? I just don’t have that kind of money unfortunately!

[FiveShelties]

I suppose it depends what you are used to OP, I would love an 8 hour flight to be honest. 17.5 hours from Akl to Doha or Dubai followed by 7 hour flight to Manchester is, to me , long haul. And the jetlag is tough, very tough.

[adamum]

You are being very, very reasonable to never fly long haul again.

"Author and Nasa climate scientist Peter Kalmus sums up why he has quit flying: “With the world population approaching 8 billion, my reduction obviously can’t solve global warming. But by changing ourselves in more than merely incremental ways, I believe we contribute to opening social and political space for large-scale change. We tell a new story by changing how we live.”" www.theguardian.com/travel/2019/jan/26/why-i-only-take-one-holiday-flight-a-year-climate-change

[Iflyaway]

(loads of films I'd have loved to have seen in the cinema but didn't get the chance because of being a single parent) and the ability to track the flight on it; the dinky little meals;

Yes to all of these! Reading a book, people-watch, enjoying the adventure of being out of my comfort zone....excited about the destination, nervous (which is normal) too of course (I travel solo).

It's about the only time I REALLY get time for myself at a stretch, not rushing around cos there's ALWAYS something to do at home.

[ConFusion360]

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

I wouldn't sleep for fretting over the extra cost. I can put with a numb bum if it means saving a couple of grand. Four grand for the two of us.

[Iflyaway]

"Author and Nasa climate scientist Peter Kalmus sums up why he has quit flying Bet he's got a car though.

Me personally, I quit driving 40 years ago, do everything by public transport or at a stretch if none, taxi or transfer.

[Aridane]

Virgin Atlantic business class

OMG

Proper flat beds with fitted sheet, duvet and proper pillow. And pajamas

High end toiletries, including eye cream

Oh my

[Musicforsnorks]

Ok I might be mad but I would not consider a long haul flight when pregnant because I’d be scared of dvt.
But I’m a fruitcake.

[Titsywoo]

I bloody hate flying. I've been to Australia twice (one for a year and once for 2 weeks - the second time was horrendous). For a week away I'd fly up to 4 hours for two weeks I do up to 8 hours but over that I'd have to be away for a month or so. I'll never go back to Aus or NZ. Just too far for me and 15 hours on a plane nearly sent me insane.

[Titsywoo]

I've flown Virgin Upper to NY and back and it's great but even business wouldn't get me on a 12 hour flight. It's just so bloody boring and I get anxious when flying at night. No idea why but I need to be able to see what is going on!

[midnightmisssuki]

errr.... ok. Great. We regularly travel +13 hours. 8 hours is hardly anything!

[wondering7777]

Ok I might be mad but I would not consider a long haul flight when pregnant because I’d be scared of dvt.

I was worried about it too, but we’d booked the holiday long before I found out I was pregnant. I also wore flight socks, which seemed to work a treat on the dvt front (although they did practically cut off the circulation around my knees!)

[Asta19]

My DS now lives in Japan and has done the 12 hour flights numerous times (economy). He was here just recently for a week and when he arrived back in Japan he was at work the next day, but he was fine. You do get used to it the more you do it. That being said I do splurge on business now when I go. My bones aches too much in economy on a long flight now! The price difference isn’t as much as people think. I’ve been business to Japan a few times and never spent more than £1800 (economy is £800 on average). I personally think premium economy is the big rip off. That’s around £1300 and I think if you’re going to pay an extra £500 for a couple more inches leg room you may as well go for it and spend £500 more to get a proper bed! When you look at the differences in the 3 classes, premium economy is very over priced.

[Aridane]

@Titsywoo - I love it - can see all,the latestmfilms, read, be waited on hand and foot etc

Disclaimer: applies only to high end business class which is an extreme novelty

[Squirrelplay]

8 hours is a doddle? Watch a few films, read a few chapters, have a crappy airplane meal or two...

I imagine it's your pregnancy making you feel dreadful as honestly, I wouldn't even class an 8 hour flight as long haul.

[NigellasGuest]

Diazepam

[LemonPrism]

Why would you longhaul just for a week anyway?

Nobody's making you go long haul...

[expat101]

As you have found out, the economy section is cheap for a very good reason! Discounted business class airfares start going on sale the year before, and then gradually creep up in price with the odd special/limited seat numbers offers.

Different airlines also have different standards regardless if you are housed in the pointy end of the plane or not. There are some I won't fly with at all!

I have clocked up quite a few very long distance trips over the last few years and I stick to my current schedule on the plane. So if I catch an afternoon flight, behave as I would at home (stuck in a room). Read, watch movies, eat dinner, watch another movie, and prepare for bed. I take (previous flown) airline pjs in my carry bag, I might change into the pants as soon as we have departed because baggy pants are so much more comfortable on a plane than daywear such as jeans or unforgiving cargo pants.

It would take me a lot more time to get over flying if I missed out on sleep. Perhaps its just my age bracket but that knocks me around more than anything else.

Don't be put off, just try a different airline or buy the econ seats at the emergency exit point. Usually longer leg room for a few pounds more.

[GoodDogBellaBoo]

8 hrs is not long haul. 16-24 hrs is. We are lucky to be able to use air miles to fly business, not sure I could do it otherwise. The trick is to know what hours or not to sleep in the plane, and use soundproof ear phones, and buy Melatonin tablets for jet lag if you can.

[Greenleaveslaughing]

If you are actually feeling off still, have any swelling or leg pain, go and get checked for DVT

[Hellokittymania]

Long-haul flights are horrible. I have to make the trip to Asia and back if you times a year, but I stay there for a while so I don’t have to turn around and come back. I also have a disability, and traveling is a nightmare anytime I have to do it.

I always say though, the UK is popular as a tourist destination, and we forget that sometimes. We should see what other people see. And there is nothing wrong with doing a nice staycation and going out in the place where you live and discovering it.

[ChickenyChick]

Yeah, I hope the madness of (multiple) holidays long-haul goes out of fashion OP

Easy for me to say though, I hate flying economy so much, I have done it twice in the last 10 years, and never again!

At 6ft I don't fit the seat, I get cramp, can't sit still that long (never understand the MN concept of duvet days either ) cabin Fever! I also get scared AND sick, and it always triggers a two day migraine

It is all just so relentlessly awful, never again