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.

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).

Yes I do have to have a few drinks and can only listen to certain music on repeat too! There is no way I can concentrate on a film.

Take passionflower supplements, Kalms and/or and Bach's rescue remedy for anxiety. Drowsy antihistamines or Night Nurse will help you sleep. Melatonin too if you can get hold of it.

For overall comfort wear soft fabrics in layers as some cabins are too hot or too cold. Add a big soft throw, wrap or outsize cosy jumper.
Wear yoga pants.

Top tip: drink an entire litre of water just before boarding the plane and plenty of water on board. Stops constipation when you arrive.

Take your own good quality earphones and watch movies all the movies you haven't seen.

Get some Valium off the doctor. And use self hypnosis tapes. A combination of both of these enables my husband tobfjy now happily without any additional help

Try CBT, there are quite a few private courses for fear of flying around.

I order it online from a US Site, but its available over the counter in many countries anyway so buy it whilst you’re out there.
I flew back from the US in December. Got on the flight in LA and immediately went to uk time, took a melatonin and slept almost all the way back to London. By that point it was morning in the uk and I was pretty much back in my sleep pattern straight away.

Most of the F1 drivers use it to regulate their patterns so they can go from race to race jet lag.

as someone that flied back and forth between Europe and Asia a lot since I was a baby. If you do not want to risk the airplane food. you can buy instant ramen noodles and ask for some hot water and have them as your meal instead. it is what me and my mother often did.

Remember the plane is built to cope with turbulence. It's no different to jerky trains. Think of it as an 8 hour break with no demands whatsoever being made of you and being offered occasional drinks and snacks.

I honestly have no idea whether all airlines offer IFE long-haul.

I would think that long-haul IFE should be standard, but I generally travel UK-Asia and on Asian/ME airlines which have excellent IFE and (in my opinion) are a more enjoyable flight experience overall - so I didn't want to just blithely assume that US/European airlines are the same and get told off by other posters

Same with in-flight charging. Definitely available on Asian/ME airlines. Recent flights I've been on have had an underseat socket for laptop charging and a seatback USB socket for charging devices. I can't say what it is like on US/European airlines.

Aiports, in my experience, all offer various means of charging devices.

Just flew Quantas and they had USB ports.

I'm echoing the alcohol + drugs strategy. And wearing the softest stretchiest most cosy things you own (while being prepared for temperatures at either extreme). Noise cancelling earbuds. Window seat if you have a strong bladder (bring a pillow so you can sleep against the wall) and aisle if you don't.

Oh and if you are at all prone to hip/back/neck problems I suggest including strong painkillers in your alcohol/drug cocktail as everything will be aching after a few hours otherwise.

Found this on Australia’s sbs news site.

“it puts the odds of dying as a plane passenger at 1 in 205,552. That compares with odds of 1 in 4,050 for dying as a cyclist; 1 in 1,086 for drowning, and 1 in 102 for a car crash” .31 July 2018

www.sbs.com.au › knzczab06
How safe is flying? Here's what the statistics say | SBS News

As I haven’t read past the first few posts on this thread, admittedly, I may be repeating info already given to you, but thought the stats might help you.

flying is absolutely far far less dangerous than our imaginations would have it.

if it’s claustrophobia that’s worrying you, progressive relaxation exercises will help a lot. Do them once a day before your flight. And when you are belted up in the plane. And isometric exercises which you can do sitting in your seat are good in my opinion too.

Booze can be a problem because of rebound anxiety a few hours after drinking. And sedating antihistamines can have a paradoxical effect on some people. I get very sleepy when I’ve taken them, but half an hour later I’m jumping out of my skin with nerves (I only use them with particularly bad allergic episodes) . If you are going to medicate, get a doctor to prescribe a medication, and depending on which country you are flying to make sure it is legal there: countries vary in this regard.

I used to organise to have an exit row seat so I could stretch my legs and move around more freely (to use up nervous energy and also prevent blood clots from sitting still for hours) but I was very strong then. chronic illness now means I could not probably deal with opening an emergency exit - as highly unlikely as this would be to happen. I feel a sense of responsibility to others. Someone healthy and strong should sit in that row. I’d probably wear long compression socks now on a long flight to prevent blood clots.

if someone is travelling with you hold their hand and engage in conversation - it’s a great comfort and distraction.

I do better on a plane when I have a window seat so I can see out and marvel at land, sea & clouds etc (not as claustrophobic) but some people might hate this.

And I’d wear a mask as much as possible. It would be nice to arrive without covid or flu etc.

Noise cancelling headphones - worth every penny. If you are really anxious I’d probably avoid too much alcohol as it could make it worse and flights are very dehydrating. I often use Nytol or Sleepeze from boots - a couple just help me drift off

I've flown countless times and get totally stressed every time. Partly as I'm the one in charge (two kids). And the stress of the passports, luggage, getting there on time, let alone the actual flight - ugh I'm a mess.
I have a ritual once the engines start to roar. In involves saying a few Hail Marys and Our Fathers (I'm not religious but grew up a Catholic). Once airborne I feel it's out of my control anyway so do relax a bit, but keep a keen eye on the flight attendants - I think if they look stressed I know something is up!
I knew a pilot. He said turbulence is not going to bring down a plane. But he was a terrible car driver so I always thought 'hmmmm...'
I say a quick thank you to God once landed.

You can generally discover what aircraft you're flying on through your online booking info, once you know this the specification will often tell you whether there are charging facilities on board etc. There are even sites which rate the seats so you can pick out the best places to sit on the aircraft.
You'll also find, certainly for BA and Virgin, a kind of Sky Radio Times online, which will tell you everything thats currently shown for the In Flight Entertainment, so you can pick what to watch in advance.

Seat Guru

My tips:
Be the last passenger to board the plane, on a long haul there will still be plenty of locker space as people take less on than short haul flights

Let the cabin crew know, their primary job is to look after the safety of the aircraft and those on it

You don't have to eat their food, take your own on or fast, I often have a large meal at the airport and then fast for the flight

Ordering a special meal will often mean it's cooked specifically for you and you'll be served first, which might distract you for longer or give you a check-in opportunity with the cabin crew

Noise cancelling headphones, or take some foam ear plugs

Wear sunglasses if you want to sleep, I find lowering the amount of light I get helps me sleep regardless of time of day

I avoid alcohol when flying

I understand what you mean Op but my awe takes over from my thinking about it going wrong.
When I fly I can’t help but think how bloody lucky we are to be be able to get around by plane. You can literally see the earth from the air and it’s totally stunning. Literally impossible 100 years ago poor people. Seeing the lights below of towns and roads and the mountains, so fantastic. Once I flew through the northern lights! Amazing experience fir the price.

Thanks everyone, for all this information.
Really helpful to a worrier like me

"Be the last passenger to board the plane, on a long haul there will still be plenty of locker space as people take less on than short haul flights."

From experience of frequently going back and forth across the Atlantic, especially now that the flights are rammed again, I wouldn't do that - seeing people fighting for locker space is unlikely to improve stress levels.

Have to say that’s been my most recent experience as well. Poor staff were playing locker jenga desperately trying to find space. There had been a tannoy announcement as well prior to boarding for anyone willing to stow hand luggage.

I agree, I really don't see that most people take less carry-on luggage on long haul. If anything, some passengers try to bring the maximum possible, perhaps because it's their one trip "home" for months or years (UK-Asian long haul). And buy as much duty-free as they can, as well.

To @WinterFoxes thank you, some great tips. I’d forgotten about Rescue Remedy but I shall pick on up.
And to @Arrrrrrragghhh I totally get what you’re saying, it is fascinating to see planes taking off, very impressive to defy gravity.

Thank you to everyone for your help.

If you want to go the medication route try them out before you fly so you know how you'll react. YMMV but US strength melatonin gives me extremely vivid dreams that occasionally turn into nightmares, and this is not an uncommon reaction, not what you want if you are trying to de-stress on a flight.

Good luck!

Business class as a minimum