12 hour flight in economy for a week?

[spreadinggirth]

I love the idea of some winter sunshine and we've got a great deal.
But will such a long flight, overnight on the outbound but too awful? No DC, just DH & I.

I promise not to recline until the lights are dimmed

I have a personal limit of 8 hr flight for one week. There are plenty of winter sunshine opportunities within reach but if you really want this holiday you can sleep on the outbound flight and then get yourself sorted out with your body clock by relaxing. You’re then ready to come back again!

Night flight home? If night both ways it’s more doable especially if there is little time zone change, eg South Africa.

For me, no problem. But then I have flown for 22 hours each way in the back of the plane for a 3 hour meeting (2 nights in Perth), and routinely fly to California for 5 days

Nah.

Try Cape Verde if all you want is sunshine.

6 hour flight, no jetlag.

We've frequently flown to South Africa on 12 hour overnight flights. It's been absolutely fine.

I live in the USA and have occasionally flown home for a week for specific occasions like weddings or Christenings.

It’s fine, but pretty tiring. I’m happy to do it to attend something. It’s not a relaxing holiday though, I come back tired.

I have been to Vegas for a week - was 11.5 hours on way out. Was fine. We just didn't readjust our body clocks too much so got up early and went to bed early too.
We have done Florida a few times just a week too - again we use the jet lag to our benefit. Not as long a flight, but long enough - 9 hours on way out. And we have only ever flown economy. Normally day flight out and night flight home.

I would totally go for it if no children.

We regularly do 8 hrs, with a 2 hr connecting flight, 16 hrs door to door with the kids.
It will be fine.

Thanks all. The temptation for winter sun is too great to not go for it.

I think we might feel differently when we've been cramped up for 6 hours with another 6 to go but glad to know most of you wouldn't regret it.

Down or sideways? If no jetlag might be OK.

East special so we might be ok when we're there but might suffer when we come home.

Sleep at the desk...

I would but it isn't ideal. Is there nowhere closer that works for you?

We did. Was a luxury flying without kids

We do that distance regularly but with a stop over. With Kids generally for two weeks though.

What matters is aircraft type, your ability to sleep and resting. Oh and whether you are flying first class or not! The better aircraft are not so noisy and higher humidity and pressure. A350 is my personal favourite , then A380, then Dreamliner. Anything else is just rubbish by comparison. Oh and the airline matters. BA for 12 hours means limited food options and you can't afford to sleep through meal service as there won't be anything else for hours and hours.

Rest is essential as well. Flying with kids is trouble until they are able to tackle it without adult intervention. About seven or eight in my family is good. Ten is much better as they take pride in tackling it solo, provided this isn't their first time.

I did UK-Japan for a ten day trip with my six year old. Am taking two kids to thailand for Feb half term. Am going to Brazil for ten days in March (with my wife only!) using avios to fly at the front though.

Yes - fine if you are don't mind flying.

We flew to California in summer for a 6 night trip. One of the journeys was with a connection in another airport too - so made it about 18 hours.

Sit back and enjoy the flight.

It depends where. If the time difference is minimal then it's no big deal. So for example a 12 hour flight to Brazil or South Africa in December with only 0-2 hours time difference would be easier than a 12 hour flight to somewhere like the USA or Mexico with a 7 hour difference.

Would have to be a bit special to be worth it but have done it several times and with kids. Was worth it.

It depends on how much you want to go.

I hate flying but did a 27 hour trip for a weeks holiday earlier this year as I really wanted to go. If I ever felt grumpy I just needed to remind myself how blessed I felt to be able to go there.

I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

If you do go, have a fab time. Just remind yourself how lucky you are to be going somewhere lovely if you get the flight blues.

Absolutely yes

I've flown to Hong Kong for 4 days and 5 days (12 hours)
New York for 3 days (7 hours)
Vegas for 3 days (12 hours)

And I'm taking the dcs to Hong Kong in may for 6 days