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Original poster

Surviving a long haul flight in economy

139 replies

Bobsledgirl · 31/10/2023 06:54

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)

OP posts:
SlightlygrumpyBettyswaitress · 31/10/2023 07:55

Don't try and sleep is always my answer

Kucinghitam · 31/10/2023 07:57

13 hours is the normal flight time for me to go "home".

Comfortable clothing, layers.
Slip-on shoes.
Compression socks.
Noise-cancelling earphones.
TURTL neck pillow.
Eye mask.
Audio book or podcast of soothing sort.
Tooth brush.
Lip balm.

Forget about trying to make yourself sleep, just use a combination of these supplies to get yourself into a sort of liminal zone. I find this is very restful even if I don't fall asleep - and then if I do sleep, that's a bonus.

On Asian long haul, everybody reclines outside meal service. Even on day flights, they dim the cabin lights and ask you to close the blinds.

TookTheBook · 31/10/2023 07:58

A glass of red wine soon after take off always works for me.

Original poster
Bobsledgirl · 31/10/2023 07:58

I really didn’t know it was ok to recline. No one did on my last flight, I’m not an experienced traveller at all as you can see. I don’t really like flying at all. This isn’t a holiday to be clear. It’s a necessary flight for family reasons. If I didn’t have to go I wouldn’t.

thanks everyone.

OP posts:
PARunnerGirl · 31/10/2023 08:01

It’s 8 hours, not 13! Honestly, I think you are building this up to something it’s not. I have to travel a lot for work and sometimes premium or business either isn’t available or the cost is prohibitive. And I fly to China, South Korea, West coast US etc from the UK, so longer flights.

Let go of the notion you HAVE to sleep, because you probably won’t or at least not as much and not as well as in your bed. It’s not ideal, especially when I know I have a busy schedule when I arrive, but I just accept that now because the stress and aggravation of trying to sleep is worse than the actual not sleeping!

the length of the flight is really not that bad. By the time they do the food and drink service and tidy-up, a couple of hours will have passed. Download movies, series, music, meditations and podcasts onto your phone/ tablet in case you don’t fancy anything on the in-flight entertainment. Take small products for a simple skincare regime. Do some work (I go through all the emails I have been meaning to reply to and start to write slides for future meetings). Read your book.

About 90min prior to landing they’ll be coming around again with another meal/ snack service so you’re really only having to “entertain yourself” for 4-5 hours, if you can let go of the notion of absolutely requiring to sleep. Then if you do, it’s a bonus.

RecycleMePlease · 31/10/2023 08:01

I plug in my headphones and depending on where I'm sat, I wad up something against the window, or curve round the little headrest doodads, and go to sleep.

Personally I prefer a window seat and just not drinking much so I don't have to get up to wee, but as I can just drift off to a half-sleep listening to an audio book for the 8 hours I don't tend to have a problem with dehydration.

PARunnerGirl · 31/10/2023 08:03

And if it is an overnight flight, you can absolutely recline your seat after meal service and once the lights have been dimmed. It’s being respectful to the person behind you during meal service that is most important.

notahappybunny7 · 31/10/2023 08:03

Bobsledgirl · 31/10/2023 07:58

I really didn’t know it was ok to recline. No one did on my last flight, I’m not an experienced traveller at all as you can see. I don’t really like flying at all. This isn’t a holiday to be clear. It’s a necessary flight for family reasons. If I didn’t have to go I wouldn’t.

thanks everyone.

If it was a holiday there’s no need to apologise.

CornishClott · 31/10/2023 08:03

Just pray you don't get a seat kicker !

HermioneWeasley · 31/10/2023 08:04

@Bobsledgirl hopefully you’ve been reassured by everyone saying you will be fine to recline

I’d also recommend the turtl pillow
take something that will make your drowsy. My GP prescribes diazepam but most won’t (but might be worth asking)
eye mask
ear plugs
layers so you’re warm enough

Mrsjayy · 31/10/2023 08:09

There is no solution stick the TV on put your blanket round you and settle in. Most people just "endure" economy long haul. We flew last year over night they just kept us topped up with food it was great 😃

Passepartoute · 31/10/2023 08:11

I wouldn't try to sleep on a flight of that length, but that's mostly because DH claims I snore😔. I'd try and get a good long sleep the previous night. Do they serve meals? That'll presumably occupy a couple of hours. Otherwise I'd take a good book and some crochet, and download a film and/or audiobook on an iPad to listen to with earphones.

Mrsjayy · 31/10/2023 08:13

I'm also a snorer! I try and stay awake.

Chardonnay73 · 31/10/2023 08:19

A tip I was given by flight crew once was to take some painkillers before you take off. They stop you feeling so achy and uncomfortable. It really works! Something like nurofen plus is good as it contains codeine which makes you a bit drowsy too.

Ilovelurchers · 31/10/2023 08:20

OP, I think some posters were being funny with you because it seemed like you were taking an exotic holiday and then complaining about it, when loads of people would love to be able to afford a long haul holiday and will never realistically be able to....

Now you have explained this is a flight you have to take for family reasons your post makes a lot more sense. I too would hate to have to fly long haul - I have found the short flights I have taken bad enough - so I wish you every sympathy and hope it is not as bad as you fear. X

TeenLifeMum · 31/10/2023 08:23

Er, take some snacks, headphones and a neck pillow, and sit in the chair 🤷🏻‍♀️ I don’t think anyone thinks it’s very comfy but it’s not that bad unless your 6’2 or more.

Notamum12345577 · 31/10/2023 08:23

Bobsledgirl · 31/10/2023 07:04

This is funny because…….

Because you are showing your privilege. Moaning about the fact you have to fly economy for 8 hours. A lot of people would love to be able to fly 8 hours away at all.

TreesInTheMorning · 31/10/2023 08:24

I 2nd the trtl travel pillow, it’s a game changer. I never used to be able to sleep on planes but I used one last month overnight long haul and got a solid 4 hours sleep.

Caspianberg · 31/10/2023 08:24

What time is your flight?
Try and take a nap after lunch if it’s an evening flight so you have a little boost.

Passepartoute · 31/10/2023 08:26

Notamum12345577 · 31/10/2023 08:23

Because you are showing your privilege. Moaning about the fact you have to fly economy for 8 hours. A lot of people would love to be able to fly 8 hours away at all.

Show quote history

ODFOD. It's not as if this is a holiday for OP.

Silkiefloof · 31/10/2023 08:26

I have travelled on a few longhaul flights in economy and only one I found difficult which was an Air Mauritius flight on way back where I had chosen middle seat and the plane seats were smaller than average and the woman who had booked the window seat with extra legroom was bigger than her seat and taking part of mine plus she had no pocket in seat in front so was putting her rubbish in mine.

Tips - avoid the middle seat if you can, on overnight longhaul my preference is aisle seat so can get up and walk to bathroom without disturbing others, walk a bit if too crampt / need a drink from back of aircraft. If I am travelling in a 2 will get seats in a 2 where possible. Did this on flight out and that was fine. On an 8 hour overnight flight I wouldn't expect that much sleep as there will be takeoff/ landing/ drinks trolley and 2 meals and so would try and work round say 4 hours sleep. If can sleep more before flight or after that will help with that plus its less frustrating if you expect little. Also can be very cold on there though always given a blanket but comfortable warm clothes and shoes. If you need extra drinks can get from back of aircraft. Have seatbelt on all flight so they don't disturb you if turbulence and have it above blanket so can see. Watch the movies or music, I associate the flights with movies and music. Can be worth pre ordering special meals if at back as they come first. Generally people do recline after meals and stop the recline before meals on overnight. Don't recline during meals.

Caspianberg · 31/10/2023 08:27

@Notamum12345577 - it’s not a holiday. Op has said its last minute family reasons.

amylou8 · 31/10/2023 08:27

Noise cancelling headphones, neck pillow (trtl are great, you can get dupes on eBay for under £10), a light blanket and comfy clothes and shoes.
Then just accept that you're gonna feel crap the next day.
I pay the extra for day flights now as I find crappy flight times write off the first day of the holiday.

Scalottia · 31/10/2023 08:28

Good lord, it's not as if you are going into the trenches. I am sure that you will survive it.

JustWhatWeDontNeed · 31/10/2023 08:30

I fly fairly frequently and always overnight on my outbound from the Middle East. I have never experienced one of these MN/Daily Mail complainer flights where reclining is a sin. In my experience 90% of passengers recline and sleep.

Just wait until the drink/snack service is finished and you should be able to get a good 5 hours in. Make sure you wear warm enough clothes, use a good neck pillow, get a decent eye mask, take an extra scarf/blanket thing. Recline and recline fully.

I never drink alcohol when flying as it makes me feel shrivelled up inside.