Help! Have to do long haul flight for work and haven't flown in 9 years!

[Lucyannieamy]

So work are flying me for a week to our south Africa office yay! But I haven't flown in 9 years now, BC, and am feeling very unprepared :-( Hoping someone here has some work travels experience!

1. I don't own a suitcase!! We camp each summer in the UK with the kids so just hasn't been necessary. What do I buy, what size for a week?
2. We are taking a night flight, landing 7am. What do you wear on the plane? I think we'll be expected to go straight to the office, how do you change, do you change??
3. Any tips for packing for 5 days in the office and 5 days of work socialising? I'm in my pj's by 8pm most days, 5 days on the trot of being out is pretty daunting so if I can just be confident I've got enough clothes...

And any other tips, getting through airports, what to take as hand luggage... I am a total newbie!

Are they flying you business class? If so you should get a lie flat seat, so can at least sleep on the plane.

I'd take a medium sized case with clothes for the week - would probably try to aim for stuff that is office and evening appropriate, with a couple of jazzier things for any extra special nights out.

Take a hand luggage case with pj's for the plane, one spare set of off ie clothes and extra underwear!

Se if there's a welcome lounge, or if you can check in at the hotel to shower before going to the office

Thanks, yes it is business class, but no idea what that means! If you take pj's for the plane where do you change, just in a tiny plane toilet?

The toilets in BC are usually a bit bigger, and it's not unusual for business class passengers to do so (some airlines even give out pajamas!)

Thank you! (add to list, buy new pj's)

When you say hand luggage case, do you mean a 55cm cabin bag - or just a holdall? (I have neither, yet!)

Check if the airport you are flying into has an arrivals lounge, many large airports do for buisness passengers. That would have showers, towels and provide breakfast if you had slept through it on the plane. I dont think I've seen many people change into proper pyjamas to sleep, but tracksuit pants or leggings and loose top is pretty usual. I generally wear something fairly casual (leggings and tunic top with a wrap) on the plane and change when I get off in the airport.

Who are you flying with? Some will give you PJs business class in which case after dinner people tend to get changed into them in the toilet and get to sleep and then get changed before landing in the morning.
If not then agree take tracksuit bottoms and a t shirt for sleeping. Means you can just wear business wear on and off the plane and it will still be fresh OR arrivals lounge option although not everywhere has one.
I personally prefer a big soft bag rather than a suitcase because I think it is easier and lighter and you can use it again (I tend to do lots of crashing around the country and I hate big suitcases apart from for airport travel)

Someone was wearing shortie pyjamas on my last flight - it was rather revealing! Personally i go for soft leggings and a loose tshirt/tunic or soft fleece.

If the airline you're using has an arrivals lounge and you have time to use it then eat before boarding, be in your comfy clothes with smart clothes in carry on bag. As soon as you're allowed, seat into flatbed, eye mask on, ear plugs in and sleep. Ask not to be disturbed for breakfast - you'll be woken about 40 mins before landing rather than 2 hours.

On arrival, head to lounge to shower, change and have breakfast then onto your meetings.

1. I’d do a carry on size bag to go in the overhead locker and tote with everything I need to hand for the flight. Mini toiletries and use hotel stuff where possible.
2. Wear leggings and comfy top on the plane. I’ve never been given PJs in bus class, only 1st. Either use an arrivals lounge after you land to shower/change. Otherwise if your company allows it book your hotel from the night before so you can check straight in, freshen up and then head to the office.
3. Difficult to answer without knowing your work dress code and what you’re doing in the evening. Casual office followed by black tie reception is tricky but if feasible I’d go for day to night outfits e.g. add a statement necklace or dressier shoes to what you’ve worn that day.

If you are taking a suitcase, I would just take a small rucksack or large handbag for the flight, as it's much easier to move around the airport with hardly any luggage. Put all your liquids in your hold luggage to reduce faffing going through security - read the rules on the airline and airport website so you are familiar with what you can't put in your hand luggage.

Plan to shower and change in a lounge on arrival sounds like a good one - they will probably be used to business passengers arriving on overnight flights needing to work straight away so will probably have good provisions.

Can you borrow a suitcase if you don't normally need one? I would take a medium sized suitcase, which should be plenty for 5 days, unless you need lots of ballgowns or something. Or you could just buy a cheap one - they are totally fine.

I bought my first suitcase from Matalan for £13 when I needed one for my first overseas business trip - like you we holidayed in the UK at the time. I used it regularly for at least 10 years and we still have it - I don't see the need to spend a lot on a suitcase.

I would buy some plane socks.
I went to Mauritius, so a 7 hour flight to Dubai first. I was wearing my Toms, and took them off ... when I landed my feet had swelled up so I couldn't get the back on 😂😂. Ended up walking round Dubai airport bare foot