12 hour flight - any tips?

[Marshy]

We're off to San Francisco on Wednesday, staying a few nights then driving the pacific highway to LA, me, DS, DD 16, DS 15.
Any tips for a comfortable flight? We've never been this far before.
So excited, don't really know what to expect. Hope the weather is good, we've heard it heard it can be quite variable

Sorry, I meant to say DH - only 1 DS to take!

Whatever magazines say, don't overpack in your hand luggage. I used to avidly pack 3 books, magazine, moisturiser, water, make up, kitchen sink etc. etc. until one day I realised that I hardly used any of the stuff on the flight and it just made it harder to find stuff. I now limit myself to the following in a medium/large sized handbag: purse, travel documents, iphone/pod, book, pashmina for comfort, bottle of water and maybe one other form of entertainment - magazine/puzzle book etc.

It makes for much less stress.

Have a fab time though - I love California. I've you've got time when you're in the LA area, San Diego 2 hours south of LA is definitely worth a visit.

Oh, and who are you flying with - we always fly with Virgin and there always seems to be meals and snacks abound on the flight. Last time we flew with them I made the mistake of having a snack in the airport which was a complete waste in retrospect!

Thanks MrsL, very helpful. We are with virgin, 1pm flight, so will maybe give lunch a miss in the airport, and handbag it is.
Is there much entertainment on the flight, and does it get chilly? Not sure sure to wear

When we went there were quite a few good films to choose from and radio shows/music to listen to. I think it does get a bit chilly (can't remember completely) so I layer - t shirt/cardigan/jacket type ensamble and then large scarf or pashmina in bag as an extra blanket/pillow if needed.

You can get an idea of what films might be showing here: virgin info

V V envious :) DS is only 20 weeks so we're a long way off going back for a holiday!

I know, we are really looking forward to it, might be one of our last as a 4some, so decided to splash out Thanks for your advice

A big pair of socks... lilke the slipper socks type with the bobbly bottoms. You can take your shoes off and get comfy in the socks and no cold feet... Also if you dont mind braving the aisles you can go for a walk up and down in them.

Dress for comfort on the plane - don't wear tight jeans! For maximum freshness, take a change of underwear in your hand luggage, and get changed before you land. Sounds silly, but it can make you feel so much better. If you don't want to take a change of underwear, use pantyliners.

Definitely layer up - it can get hot and then suddenly cold, so something that you can easily put on/take off is good. And don't wear shoes that are too tight - your feet can swell which will make it really hard to get your shoes back on, if you've taken them off at any point! Something that you can easily slip on and off is the best thing.

The in-flight entertainment on Virgin is usually pretty good, and they have games as well as films/TV shows, but take a good book as well, just for some variety.

But above all, relax and enjoy the flight! It's all part of the holiday IMO - I love it! I hope you have a fabulous time.

(BTW - we were in San Francisco in August a few years ago, and it was cold, windy and foggy - so make sure you've packed some warm layers/clothes!)

I once did that trip pre children. Lovely. I think my favourite stop (apart from San Francicso) was Santa Barbara. We went all the way down to San Diego to stay with relatives.

Wear layers to travel. I've just flown long haul and was fine in a vest top, cropped trousers and linen cardi. I've taken a pashmina in the past though and it's been useful as an extra.

We were surprised by chilly weather in San Francisco too.

Thanks everyone - lots of good tips. I'm last minute shopping today so will look for some slipper socks.

We're going to Yosemite for a couple of nights after SF, then making our way down the coast to LA for flight home, just over 2 weeks in all. We've booked 4 nights in Santa Barbara.

Packing is a bit of a challenge - to cover city, forest and beach and variable weather as well.

My biggest tips would be to drink loads of water and to do some ankle exercises during the flight.

Agree on the water point. I'm taking a cabin suitcase as hand luggage this time and will have a plentiful supply of water and snacks in there. I always buy loads of water airside (we have a 11.5 hour flight to LA in a couple of weeks).

Don't forget you still need to put all your liquids in those silly clear bags to clear passport control (certainly at Gatwick)

Virgin was great when we flew to LA a few years ago. Screens on the back of the seats kept my 2, then 5 & 8, and me occupied all the way. My ankles swelled like mad, so I would buy some of those flight socks if we went again. I really didn't notice the long flight (it was only one of a 2 leg journey) they constantly came round with snacks and meals, I remember choc ices an hour before breakfast. Honestly, I have been more bored on a 5hr flight to Cyprus. I was glad we took toothbrushes and toothpaste so we could freshen up when we got to LA.

We live in LA and I just flew back with DS (3.5) and DD (8months) on my own with virgin.

They're great with regular food and you can ask for more snacks if you want them. They also give you a small pack with warm socks, toothbrush and a pen. They provide blankets but they make everything static so def layer up. Our flight was boiling when we boarded but then got quite chilly.

Take a crap magazine or book - inflight entertainment is pretty good, you don't need much. I managed just one piece of hand luggage for all 3 of us and it was mainly filled with nappies and DC snacks.

Catch up on movies, nap if you can, push through to a reasonable bedtime hour when you arrive to help get rid of jetlag.

Not sure about NorCal but LA is HOT at the moment!!