First long haul flight

[DaphneDeLaFontaine]

I'm flying 11 hours soon and it's our first long haul flight. It's only me and DH but I wondered if anyone has any tips to make it more comfortable?

It's one day flight and one night one. Thanks.

I have lots of tips but would help if you gave the class of travel as that really does depend on and tips I have!!!

Sorry, it's the Dreamliner in basic economy class.

Thank you!

Neck pillow, eye mask, noise reduction headphones (although Dreamliner is fairly quiet anyway in terms of engine noise). If it's not a busy flight then try and change seats to an empty row each after takeoff or before but once boarding is complete and door closed. That way you get a "bed" rather than having to try and sleep in a seated position. Take small underseat bag (one of those cheap fold away rucksacks is ideal, Decathlon sell them) for things you need during the flight, saves faffing about with the overhead lockers. Go easy on the alcohol, keep hydrated with soft drinks and water, walk up and down the aisle to stretch legs... Be nice to the cabin crew. 😀

Invest in a really good neck cushion. Mine is so comfy that I don’t take it off for the entire flight! Don’t get a blow up one.
Unlike the ones you may be provided with free on a long-haul flight, you can get luxury eye masks which are almost like a pillow for you face. They mould to the shape of your head so that no light can enter, but remain breathable and comfortable so they don’t dry out your eyes.
I use Nitol tablets.
Ear plugs - get a really decent pair. I like silicon ones.
Seat - aim to sit in a window seat and in a row away from the noise of the toilets and galley. Sit above the wing if possible.
Don’t use the in flight entertainment screens just before you want to sleep. Music is ok. I take my little MP3 player with lots of calming music and some Desert Island Discs podcasts.
The flight attendants are likely to serve you drinks before your meal, then they do down the aisle with tea and coffee after the meal. Don’t drink anything with caffeine if you want to sleep! I take a chamomile teabag or a sachet or Horlicks and ask them to just give me some hot water for it.

Thanks very much, have you got any recommendations for pillows or face masks?

I'm lost in the sea of them on Amazon!

How long is your flight? I just stay awake but havent had a 24h flight ever. I watch 3 films, eat the meals and play computer games to distract myself generally.

Sorry you said 11hours. Id just stay up. Now thinking about buying all this paraphernalia x4 for a trip to Florida!

I can’t recommend a travel pillow for you because I think they’re something you need to try on in the shop to make sure they fit your neck well.
I have a Bedtime Bliss sleep mask.
You may want to look into wearing compression socks.

I've recently flown for the first time on a Dreamliner for 10-11 hours.

Yes to the neck pillow and eye mask.

Buy absolutely LOADS of water and drinks to take on board airside before you board as you'll get very little on the flight. Expect no service from approx hour 3- hour 8. Take snacks, sandwiches if you don't like rubber food.

Don't expect to be able to use loos after eating - try to either use before aisles are blocked or whilst everyone asleep. ( 4 loos between c 280 people).

Don’t drink alcohol. Makes s huge difference. Take a bottle of water and I’d take my own nice lunch from pret with me.

Look at price of upgrading....or energency seat row.

I’ve taken many long haul flights, in my handy bag kept by my feet are:
Neck pillow, eye mask, pashmina, noise cancelling headphones, my phone (for music), my iPad loaded with movies and books, a packet of dry biscuits, lip balm, moisturiser and toothbrush.
I wear comfy clothes in layers as I find planes hot unless they turn the heat down when they become really cold, I change into flip flops at the gate or wear slip on shoes so when I get up to go to the loo it is easy but I can sit bare footed.
You haven’t said which airline or your destination, however the queue for the toilets varies with both, some cultures like to spend ages getting ready before landing taking make up and clothes in others just use the facilities. I am a frequent visitor to the loo and don’t mind a short wait as it is good to stand and stretch.
I always take my water bottle to fill after security so I know I have a drink, but the crew bring round plenty or you can pop to the galley.
Whilst I don’t sleep well on planes I always try to have a few quiet hours after the main meal listening to music with my mask on. I find a glass of wine helps.

Avoid alcohol.
If there is a change of time zones use Boots over the counter sleeping tablets for the first couple of nights at destination and when you return. I don't sleep on flights - even overnight ones - but provided i get a good nights sleep when I return, I've found that I'm ok.

The J pillow is great! Stops you getting neck ache.

I have a black silk eye mask that's v comfy.

Both from amazon!

yy to previous recommendations for dick J pillows and moulded eye masks and whatnot.

For upgrades (which I strongly recommend above all), look on the website to see if there are any upgrade offers or bid systems in place. You can also ask at the airport ("paid upgrades", so they don't think yo;re just like every other chancer asking for a freebie)

But most of all, ENJOY IT! Flying is amazing, so make sure to make the most of it.

The only thing that saved me during 4 return trips to and from New Zealand (3 of them being 17 hour flights ☠️) was an eye mask, my own water, earplugs, herbal sleeping tablets, a jumper or hoody and flight socks (my feet still blew up massive) LIP BALM, toothbrush and toothpaste and some toiletries and a change of clothes so I could get washed and changed in the airport for my connecting flight

I'm getting stocked up with all these things now and actually feel a bit excited about the flight now

Loose comfortable clothes
Shoes you can kick off and get back on easily
A small water bottle so you don't have to have your tray open or worry about spilling a glass. The crew will refill it if you go to the galley
Get up regularly and walk around to stretch out
Take moisturiser, toothbrush and toothpaste
Small bag for essentials to keep by your feet so you don't have to root in the overhead locker
Kindle/book
Earplugs
Eye mask
Neck pillow