Long haul flight. Give me your tips.

[ThreeblackCats]

As per title, I absolutely hate flying, so any tips to ease a long haul flight for an anxious flier will be terrific.
Im flying 8+ hours transatlantic soon and I’m already having stress dreams. My sensible side knows it’s the safest form of transport, I’m just not a great flier.
I have faith in the mumsnet hive mentality. Get me through this horror.

I always try and get a night flight, 2 x large gins, a phenergan sleeping pill and then wake up for breakfast and landing!

I love wine, it doesn't like me on planes so I avoid it before and during flying, I drink plenty of water and just watch the screen mostly

I love reading but can't seem to concentrate on planes

I think Diazepam is Valium. You can get it prescribed in different strengths, I've always had a very low dose so the effects are not that strong at all.

Ah ok, I didn't know that. I once tried to buy valium in a U.S. pharmacy and they looked horrified.

I'm not a nervous flyer, but my best tip is to get a cheap eye mask - having one changed my life as I could now sleep reasonably well even in cattle class because they block out the light so effectively.

Dear Mumsnet, I am currently on a long haul flight and the woman in the next seat keeps talking to me and it's doing my head in. We have another ten hours to go. AIBU to tell her to shut up?

A doctor recommend Bach rescue remedy , from H&B or boots. Comes in a small spray, drops or tongue melts.

Find a tv series that you really really want to watch and save it for the flight
Buy really good noise cancelling headphones
Tell the air crew that you are a nervous flier and do they have any tips..mostly they will be really nice and check in with you.

I would pay any amount of money to not be talked at on a flight. Why on earth would you recommend this? Might help time go quicker for you but I guarantee the other person will be praying for a quiet death for either of you. Just to stop the talking.

Hypnotherapy has been amazing for me.

I've given up flying due to bad phobia (and climate change!)
Used to cross the Atlantic loads.

Tried everything, cognitive therapy, hypnosis etc

Alcohol/drugs only thing reliable that worked - several units in departure, more on flight plus 20-30mg temazepam and beta blockers. Asleep for most of the flight (with Gypsy Kings on repeat on headphones).

Getting PTSD just typing this!

Try and get an aisle seat if you can. You’ll feel much less hemmed in and it’s easier to get up and go to the toilet or walk around if you want to.

Zopiclone, alcohol, diazepam, melatonin, propranolol

I just got back from Florida, took propranolol and zopiclone, few beers and was asleep before take off 👍🏻

Ask your doc for a diazepam and you won't care.

BA do a great Flying With Confidence video on their flights but you can find it on YouTube.

I’m a regular transatlantic flyer and I don’t love it either. For me, it’s a glass of wine and a not non-drowsy antihistamine, then I make sure I’ve downloaded a load of episodes of one of my comfort programmes (for me, it’s Downton Abbey and Only Fools and Horses!) to my phone and noise cancelling headphones. I watch/listen to the programmes and doze.

I love a long haul!! Aisle seat, eye mask, noise cancelling headphones, earplugs for sleeping, trash magazines, couple of movies and wine plus - top tip - 2-3 litres of water while you’re in the air. Keeps you hydrated so you get off feeling refreshed. Cosy jumper/ sweatshirt in your hand luggage in case it’s cold (usually used on return leg overnight transatlantic). Oh - and some light snacks too - haribo and a packet of crisps are my go to!

Which class?

If your airline offers in-flight entertainment,

Isn't this standard nowadays ?
I've not flown long haul for nigh on 30 years, but it used to be.

I'm going on a much longer flight however next year. Last time I flew long haul was before we had any devices (lap top, phone, etc). Are there chargers on planes, like on the train ? Or do you just use the battery, use a power pack perhaps and then go without ? Can you charge in the airports ?

Thanks for thread OP.

Place marking as going long haul soon!

When I was a young adult I loved a bit of a chat but yeah I agree with you, plus not good for the people around you

Take a change of stretchy clothing with you to get into on the plane once the seat belt sign is off. You need to be comfortable and your boarding clothes will feel fresher if you can change back into them before descending, rather than wear all the flight.

Also allow for the weather on the arrival side. I stopped over in Singapore and just didn't think about my boarding clothes being suited to a colder climate. Ended up buying 2 cotton shirts at the airport. Felt quite eek later on, and much in need of a shower.

Most people have their head phones on these days so generally don't notice. I sat next to a lovely Lady a couple of flights ago, and wish now I had asked if she would have liked to have kept in touch.

Often wonder how she is doing and if she ever flew back home (was going to stay with family and left Hubby at home with the dogs, didn't have a return ticket but he was going to join her briefly).

Also get a trtl pillow, they're game changers for getting some sleep.

was the same as you, I read SOAR and I am now able to relax on flights. When I do get anxious the book gives you ways to cope with that. I now rarely get anxious at all. Best money i ever spent!

I agree. I only managed to read a few chapters before my flight and it made an enormous difference.

Still hated the landing back at Heathrow.

Look into solution focused hypnotherapy if you can. I've recently started and while we've not yet moved onto the phobia section (for me this is driving) I already feel a lo more positive :)