Long Haul Flights

[UsingChangeofName]

I've not flown long haul since they used to offer you a choice of smoking / non-smoking seats and I'm quite a nervous flyer and haven't even been on a plane for about 7 years.
I'm wondering if any of you kind folk would fill me in on what to expect, in order to calm my nerves a bit please, as we will be going out to New Zealand next year for a one off visit to relations out there.

Just wondering if there is anything you would recommend to make life a bit more comfortable...... down to simple things like should I take an inflatable neck pillow?

Someone suggested earphones - don't they issue them to watch films anymore ?

Last time I flew any distance was before internet and mobile phones. Is there a way of charging a mobile between leaving home and arriving at destination some 36 hours or so later ?

Sorry if this is a silly question, but can you use your phone on a flight (I don't mean make calls, but to faff around on to pass the time) ?

Anything else you can tell me please, that I haven't thought of. Thanks.

You can use your phone in airplane mode. Lots of flights have the option to buy wifi these days, but not all so can’t count on it Own earphones are good if you want to listen to music or watch your own stuff on an ipad, downloaded in advance in case no wifi, but you can also use the plane’s headphones for their entertainment screen. Take a mobile charger in your hand luggage, which is not a bad general item to own anyway in case of power cuts at home! Neck pillow would be nice if you’re flying economy but is not necessary in business class.

Every airport I have been to recently had places to charge your phone (a local mains socket and/or USB sockets). Some airlines also offer USB charging facilities on the plane itself. I would definitely take my own wired headphones for long haul.

Take neck pillow. Cosy socks. And a hoody.

Pay for a seat reservation so you can have one you like, I omitted this on my last long haul and it was awful. I can do a middle seat for three hours but sixteen is too long.
you’ll get free headphones. You should be able to charge your phone on flight.
let the airline know about any dietary needs (gluten free, vegetarian etc)
use melatonin to cope with jet lag.
enjoy your trip!

Noise cancelling headphones will make the long flight so much more comfortable. You’ll be able to charge your mobile using a USB socket at your seat. I recommend a “J pillow” (have a look on Amazon) and some flight socks for comfort. I also find that wearing a variety of layered clothing helps due to temperature changes mid flight.

That is a long journey - I’ve done it several times. My only advice would be fly business If you can afford it (easy to say I know…)

Thanks everyone. That's really helpful.

My essentials for a long flight..

• Neck pillow (I have a memory foam one from Primark, it doesn't deflate!)
• Nose cancelling headphones, with the wire to connect them to onboard entertainment system
• Soft cosy socks
• a big pashmina to use as a blanket / extra pillow / wrap for warmth
• An eye mask
• Snacks
• Fresh t-shirt and knickers in hand luggage to change either on arrival or during a lay-over.
• Toothbrush and paste in hand luggage
• Downloaded podcasts / books

Have a great trip OP!

I flew to LA 3 years ago with virgin.

My must haves on long haul-
over the ear head phones
charger
lip balm
heavy duty face cream and hand cream
wear trainers hush hareem pants and a thin stretchy top, then a sweatshirt on top. Clean pants, socks and top to change into.
cosy socks
eye masks
downloaded podcasts
downloaded meditation/relaxation playlist
book
magazines
basic toiletries
dry shampoo
ear plugs
vitamin c

Big scarf!
essential oil for relaxation roller thing. I had a Neom one I used. Lovely.

Oh forgot to say, fully charged portable charger with charger leads for headphones and phone!

I take my slippers! Always makes me feel more comfortable

i always take disposable “hotel slippers” to move about the cabin and the toilets. You can get them off Amazon or in ikea if you don’t already have some. A tablet with games and books loaded passes the time too. Eye mask and earphones essential.

Pick and pay for the seat you want. Don't scrimp and leave it to the airline.
long haul there will be plenty of choice of films, but you might want your own headphones.
book your food in advance, and plan for them not to provide it, so take snacks.
with powering your phone, probably it can be done with usb charger at your seat, but you can buy power banks and pre charge them and charge your phone of it with a usb cable, so take them. They are about the size of a fire stick, or a thicker credit card. You'll get around two full charges out of one. And rechargable so you can reuse it for trip home back. .

Who are you flying with? That makes a difference. E.g. Emirates, SQ, Etihad all have in seat charging on all their planes that I've been on, klm, air France and BA don't always.
Agree with most of the above, except a neck pillow; I find them annoying in the airport and useless on the plane as they give you a little pillow anyway, but my husband loves his. If you van get one or borrow one try it first, see if you can actually sleep with it.

Emirates, SQ, Etihad all have in seat charging on all their planes that I've been on, klm, air France and BA don't always.

^^ This...

"Seat charging" is not universally available/doesn't always work even when fitted.

We fly long haul quite regularly. If you're in standard class it's always going to be a challenge so do your research. I find it best to fly later in the day so your bodies natural rhythm helps you sleep. A meal and drink maybe a movie and hopefully you'll doze off

The Middle Eastern airlines. Emirates. Qatar etc are much better than most of the legacy airlines and their hub airports are super modern and efficient if you have to transit.

Economy can be either overheated or freezing! So layers best and comfy clothes. Most of us bloat on long haul so loose fastenings. No belts etc.

Take snacks , mints water wet wipes etc.

And enjoy the anticipation of your trip

Sleeping pills.
laxatives (if your bowels are like mine and freak out about airline food and a change in routine).
take an empty water bottle and fill it when you pass through security. You get really dry on the plane.

Pay for a seat reservation so you can have one you like

Any tips as to why some seats are better than other please?

An eye mask - thank you, hadn't thought of that

Downloaded podcasts / books

Sorry if this is a silly question but how feasible is it to use a lap top ?
I don't have a kindle or tablet / iPad but I was presuming there wouldn't really be space to get a laptop out on a plane ?

Big scarf - Thank you - that's a great shout, and also something I already have

Who are you flying with? Singapore Airlines

Take snacks , mints, water wet wipes etc. Thanks. Lots now said snacks - I hadn't thought about that in truth. I presume we'd have to buy water once through security still, but can take a load of cereal bars etc with us ? Any things we aren't allowed to take ?
take an empty water bottle and fill it when you pass through security. Are there places to fill them then ? I do tend to drink a fair bit of water.

Have a great trip OP!
Thank you - most of me is trying to just think about being there, which I am SO excited about, but I AM worried about the flights.

I can't thank you all enough for your help.
Really, really appreciate you all taking the time

I’m not sure if things have changed but I remember Singapore handing out ice cream and chunky Kit Kats during one of our flights.

Oooh. Now that is exciting

If you have the longer stopover in Singapore (last time we had 7hrs there) I would recommend the airside hotel that you can book for short stints. It was amazing so nice to have a proper sleep - in silence (and a shower) - before starting the second flight to Auckland. I think we booked 6hrs with breakfast. I will do this every time from now on.

OK with SQ you will have at seat charging. You can use a laptop, depending on how big it is (and to some extent how big you are!). A normal laptop will fit on the tray table, if its big it might dig into your belly a bit though. I quite often work on a flight so it's definitely possible. You'll also get a pillow and blanket, and they'll give you more if needed.
SQ provide snacks but take some of you're own if you're a boredom eater or have preferences. Everywhere has places to fill up a water bottle after security now, so bring an empty bottle and fill up and then you've got your water bottle for your holiday as well.
You can't take liquids over 50ml, and for long haul it's worth taking toothpaste, moisturiser and lipbalm at least so get small ones. Changi in Singapore has showers (not many but there are some) so take a change of clothes (also useful if your luggage gets lost...)
Also worth knowing that SQ are quite generous with handluggage (and never enforce size limits) so you can have a small wheel case otherwise rucksack, and a handbag. I'd recommend Nottingham asking too much though; I'm trying to travel with less hand luggage all the time as I'm bored of lugging it through airports and actually I've found that with the on-board entertainment, a book and my phone, I'm ok for 10 hours or so. I can sleep though!
With seats, on your booking it will tell you the plane make and model (might have to look at the app to see it). Then you can go on a website called flightguru to see which seats are best on that plane, e.g. I like a window to lean against and towards the back of a section so no one is behind me, so I can recline without bothering anyone. But my husband likes an aisle seat not near the toilets, so for us in many planes the ideal place is right at the back where there are pairs of seats, window and aisle. Seats in the front of a section have more room, but a smaller TV screen and tray table.
Sorry, that's an essay. I fly longhaul a lot!

I've flown to NZ with Singapore Airlines twice (and once with Emirates). SA are a fantastic airline and the crew make the journey as positive as it can be. I recall them bringing hot towels for freshening up, as well as regular snacks, meals and drinks. It's all very tempting. They give out a package with various bits in (toothbrush, eye mask, etc.) and blankets. There is a video/console screen with films and you can track the flight too.

I always take slippers and some warm clothing (fleece or pashmina) in my hand luggage as it can get quite cool during the flight, plus a change of underwear and tshirt for the final leg. I try to wear very comfortable clothing - not jeans - and put on compression socks early on. I make a point of getting up pretty frequently (when awake which is most of the time as I don't sleep much) and walking around, doing some leg exercises and stretches. It's useful to have an aisle seat for this reason, though a window seat is lovely if you land in Auckland during daylight (It's amazing from the air).

If you have time in Singapore airport (Chiangi), you're in for a treat. It's been voted the world's best airport, and is about as plush as airports get. I recall the tropical butterfly garden area and free foot massage machines. Some passengers pay a fee to use their lounge which is reported to be good value. I had a look at the terminal map to see what was available.

It's a long long flight (or more accurately flights) to NZ and a bit of an endurance test but it's not unbearable.