Surviving a long haul flight in economy

[Bobsledgirl]

How? We have a 8 hour overnight flight next month. Can’t afford an upgrade and the last time I had a flight like that it nearly killed me!

The seats are so uncomfortable, you can’t recline unless everyone does. I recall being desperate for sleep but couldn’t find the right position. A neck support cushion didn’t help because the seats are too upright.

Any tips? It’s putting me off the trip tbh. ( Can’t change the flight)

I always take the aisle seat, but window seat is also good for resting your head against the side. Extra leg room seats are worth the money too, much cheaper than premium economy but you get loads of extra room. In terms of sleeping the only way I can do it us to rest my head on the fold down tray, with a pillow whilst listening to calming music on headphones, I probably only manage a max of an hour but it's better than nothing. Otherwise I just chill and watch films and reckon that although it's not sleep my body is getting a rest.

I hate flying but I prefer overnight flights to sleep through some of it - even if it's bad sleep, it makes the flight seem shorter. I put a film on, doze off, wake up and realised I missed most of it. 2h done, yay! then put another one on. If I can't sleep then watching makes the time go faster. You can't watch more than 5 or 6 films in total.

Take melatonin or anti histamines to make you feel sleepy. Bring nice snacks as a treat to enjoy. I also bring a lavender scent as I hate the smell of airplanes.

A good quality neck pillow does make a difference. Ditto a good proper eye mask with the contours etc. Earplugs. Noise cancelling headphones. A chilled out podcast. Watch a movie or two, and don’t try to go to “sleep” before your normal bedtime.

I put the blanket over my head too after all that, and make a little cocoon.

I've had dozens and dozens of long haul economy flights. Anything up to 8 hours is actually okay, once I get to around 11 hours I'm dying to get off. I don't really have any tips, it's just something that you get through and try to sleep as much as possible. I like the window seat so I can curl up against it with my pillow.

It's good to just keep in mind that a long flight is such a small part of an incredible holiday and completely worth it to go somewhere amazing.

I have a toddler now who has flown long haul with us a few times. The days of doing 8 hour flights alone feel like a luxury now to be honest!

Thanks some good ideas. I love the smell of lavender so will definitely do that.

I realise 8 hours is probably nothing but I barely fly and feels long to me. I just remember last time aching to sleep and just couldn’t get any comfortable position. I know it’s not the end of the works and I’ll survive obviously.

thanks to those who posted the useful tips.

I’ve just flew long haul with Aer lingus and it was a lovely airline. I hate flying long haul but it is necessary to see fabulous parts of the world! Ignore the sarky comments, it’s jealousy.

It will be fine

i have done it a fair few times, and won’t do it again, but it’s doable

just start off with the expectation that you will not sleep and just plan to rest a bit. Any sleep us a bonus

put nice music on your playlist, wear comfy clothes , bring nice snacks, and think about how much fun it will be once you get to your destination

and be grateful that you (probably?!) are not 6ft tall like me 😁

@Bobsledgirl

" you can’t recline unless everyone does."

Groan (because there's another thread myth laden thread running on this very topic).

Yes you can very definitely can generally recline regardless of what anybody else does, though be aware the airline might have a policy of asking for seats to be upright during meal services.

You've made a choice. You knew how much you struggled last time and booked another long flight in economy. You don't have to go. You really don't.

Maybe you need to adjust your mind set to the journey, for a start you could try to stop thinking of your last journey as nearly killing you and instead think of it as merely uncomfortable.

No one enjoys long haul economy. I just use it as an opportunity to binge watch films and tv series. I don’t even bother with attempting to sleep. If sleep happens then that’s a nice bonus.

Depending on when you’re flying, you might have a quiet flight. DH flew JFK to Shannon recently, and the flight was quite empty, so he had three seats to himself and could actually lie down for much of it till starting descent.

On long-haul night flights everyone reclines IME.

It’s never going to be the best night’s sleep you’ve had, but a good eye shade, headphones/earplugs and a cosy shawl or blanket and I can normally get a fair chunk of sleep.

8 hours will be fine.

For neck support, get a turtl. Best solution I've ever found.

I buy a cheap (rolled up economy £5ish) pillow and take it in my hand luggage. I leave it on the plane at the other end. Gives me something to lean into, especially if you get the window seat. Works between me and my partner too. It’s not much but it helps. And I make sure I have comfy clothes (change in airport before flight) jogging pants and a long sleeve t shirt (always find planes too hot)

I’m also in Aus where long haul has a different meaning but we go to Bali a lot and I hate the 6 1/2 hour overnight flight back. It is generally totally acceptable to recline your seat on a night flight after dinner has been served. We always fly Qantas so they will happily give you as much wine as you want even in economy so a couple of glasses helps you relax, not sure where Aer Lingus fits these days in terms of full service/cheapie airline. DH has discovered those neck supports that wrap around your neck and look really odd rather than the usual neck pillow but he swears by them - I find them claustrophobic. If you can’t get extra leg room seats try aisle, we usually do adjacent aisles so you can chat to each other but nobody has to suffer the middle. I took 2mg melatonin last time which gave me a few hours sleep but I have a prescription, it sure if you can get the proper stuff over the counter. Nobody gets on an overnight economy flight going “yay” but you will get through it.

As an experienced flier - adding to the overwhelming consensus here that everyone reclines on an evening flight, just not in the middle of dinner service.

Im used to 24-32 hours of travel time to Nz so 8 hours is a dream: don’t have more than one alcoholic drink, take a warm shawl (cashmere travel wrap if you can spring for it) , best headphones You can afford and adapter. Unless you have a weak bladder and need to get ip lots, window seat is good as you can lean against window and don’t get disturbed by other passengers getting up. Wax earplugs and very good eyeshade. Take a small rectangular pillow rather than a neck shaped one: more flexible for finding a comfy position.

if youre really desperate, enquire about the cost of a gate upgrade at the sales desk before you check in. I’ve picked up a few business class bargains, but more often than not been disappointed.

I am flying 22 hours in economy next week 😪It's awful. There is simply no way around it, it's bloody awful.

get up often and walk around. if you drink then a few of those mini bottles of wine can be relaxing. Watch all the movies. I also agree with a PP I don't bother trying to sleep. I let sleep come if it does. But basically you have to just settle into it. get into a mental zone where you are not thinking about 'how much longer' but you just take it as it comes. Also take a little care package on board with mini toothbrush set and moisturiser and all that so you can freshen up.

I hate flying intensely. So i sympathise.

I’ve done many long haul flights in economy over the years, here is my checklist

• if there are 2 of you a pair of seats is the best
• dress for comfort not style
• wear layers planes can be hot or cold especially during the sleep period
• a neck pillow that works is necessary, never an inflatable one
• eye mask
• noise cancelling headphones
• playlist of spa music or whatever you would use for relaxation and chill out
• toothbrush, can’t sleep if I haven’t cleaned my teeth
• socks as I also have to remove my shoes
• bottle of water so I know I’m hydrated
• wrap, lightweight which I use for my upper body, alongside the supplied blanket for my legs.
• good book.

After the meal service, I clean my teeth, prepare for bed, including reclining, put in my playlist and relax. I don’t always sleep by I am resting. If for any reason I can’t I quietly read.

I have never not been able to recline on a longhaul flight

Long haul flights are hideous. I've got a couple coming up and I'm dreading them, one will be over night. I've got three paperback books, audiobooks downloaded, games on my phone, healthy snacks i enjoy as opposed to the potluck offerings, I'll buy a large bottle of water at the airport, hopefully there'll be a film i like. I've got my own eye mask, thick socks and comfortable clothes. When the lights go out I recline, never fully though as the person behind you has to use your seat for leverage to get in and out of their own which i find unsettling.

I agree the neck pillows are crap.

If I want to treat the flight as my overnight I operate so that I can go to sleep as soon as possible.

So, comfy clothes - when you are on and in your seat and have been to the loo removes shoes and put on socks. Leggings or skirt, shawl or hoodie/shawl. Layers.

Remove jewellery, makeup and moisturise. Brush teeth. Go to loo.

Put on seat belt, eye mask and earplugs/noise cancelling earphones. Neck pillow which clips on. Or use flaps on headrest to support head. Hoddiealso good for supporting neck.

Lavender balm or sleepeaze or night nurse. Not booze.

Don't bother with the in-flight dinner. If you wait for that to be served and cleared away you won't get much time to sleep.

Start doing yoga now!

Always better I find to reset your watch to destination time when you arrive at the airport (or at the gate if you're worried about that confusing you being on time for flight).

I think of 8 hours as a day at work! I have to sit at my desk for 8 hours, doing stuff I don't enjoy with people I don't want to spend time with!

The bonus is I can watch films & have a drink! I always find a day flight much easier too.

I couldn't do much more than 8 hours though, I've already decided that I won't be going to Australia or NZ!

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or similar, there are many makes

but I agree, missing a nights sleep is no biggie, as the price you pay for long distance travel.

Compression socks to stop leg pain/swelling