Long haul flight in over 20 years - what do I need?

[xsquared]

This time next week, I will be flying to America and it will be an evening flight, so I may well fall asleep on it!

On the other hand, I can't see myself staying seated for the whole duration of the flight and I may well get up a few times to stretch my legs as well as go to the loo.

What do people tend to bring to make the journey comfortable? Will I need flight socks? I'm running the marathon if that is relevant. What about those inflatable neck pillows, are they still a thing?

Noise cancelling headphones. Thank me later.

I flew to vegas last year, first long haul in 30 years. You don't need much, a kindle or a book, l was happy with inflight films, a
neck pillow maybe, but l didnt use mine. Wear layers, everyone told me plane would be freezing it was not.
Maybe some snacks. The food on our BA flight was truly vile. Mind you the free drinks were nice.
Upgrade if you can l wish we had paid for premium economy really. I was very uncomfortable by the end, it's definitely harder in middle age than it was in my 20's🤣

Oh and water, l was so dehydrated and they give you tiny cups if you ask for water, get a big bottle when you clear security or take an empty water bottle and fill it at the airport.

Lip balm. A pashmina/shawl thing. An inflating neck pillow. A book (london to singapore with a broken screen).

This is what I usually have: eye mask, ear plugs, hand cream, lip balm, painkillers, kindle or tablet with stuff downloaded, jumper, water and snacks.

Just back from a long haul trip.

My essentials in the cabin are Bose noise cancelling headphones, lip balm, eye drops (I leave my lenses in so this stops them sticking to my eyeballs), Summer Fridays jet lag skin spray, kindle. Night Nurse tablets for night flights.

If this is to NY it’s only 7 hours! Less to Boston. It’s no big deal. Don’t take more than a small rucksack as well as a carry on bag. Food is ok but we eat before we fly and don’t rely on flight food. Buy water or refill your container air side. Take a book. If you don’t get swollen ankles you don’t really need flight socks and I assume you are fit! Wear them if you want.

They might dim the lights but might not. Eye mask helps some people sleep. If you want to wander around do NOT choose a window seat. You will be a total nuisance. Get an aisle seat and you can stretch your legs. These days the slightest hint of turbulence will see you being required to sit with the seat belt on though. I check weather at the other end and on the plane I wear a t shirt with pullover. Planes are rarely cold. Wrap can be useful. Take toiletries etc if you aren’t business. Clean your teeth before landing and keep booze and coffee consumption to a minimum.

If this is to NY it’s only 7 hours! Less to Boston. It’s no big deal.

Agree with that.

@xsquared

If by any chance at all it's Boston from the UK that's almost Long Short haul/ short Long haul - lots of good tips above but no need to pack the kitchen sink in your carry on.

Edit to add: having said that make sure anything essential for the run is in your carry on just in case your checked bag, if you are planning in taking one goes astray.

Good luck with the marathon.

My long haul flights (15 hrs) have been with Emirates who have excellent in-flight entertainment. So, step 1, check what's available.

I seem to go into suspended animation when I travel so it all passes really quickly 😅

I always take flight socks, an eye mask and noise cancelling headphones.
I also take a good moisturiser as my skin gets very dry.
definitely take some hydration sachets like liquid IV. Keeps you nicely hydrated.
I always avoid alcohol on flights

Valium

Definitely a large bottle of water. Virgin now give you a small can that is fiddly and annoying, especially overnight.

Thank you all for the tips. I'll definitely make sure I'm well hydrated!

Yes, it is Boston I'm going to and I'm very nervous about everything!

Ok, best wishes for that.

As far as the flight goes just a further FWIW that might or might not be relevant: airborne (take-off->landing) time UK/western Europe >Boston is often sub 7 hours.

First couple of hours the cabin will probably be busy with the meal service, last hour busy with whatever the deal is pre arrival so if you want to maximise sleep you might want to consider eating in the terminal, then getting on board and going straight into sleep mode with eyeshades, etc.

@xsquared If you aren’t doing hold luggage, you have everything in the cabin anyway. If hold luggage I would definitely have your running gear with you in the cabin. Especially your running shoes. You will have a great time. Boston is a friendly city.

If you have ever expressed any remotely negative opinion about the US on social media, either go through and delete those posts, or remove the apps in question from your phone. The border staff are picking out people "at random" and going through their phones, and some have been deported.

On long haul flights I take a yoga block to put my feet on, it takes the strain off my back. I change into hotel slippers at the gate.

If it's Heathrow, you will need walking shoes. And if BA, you'll need an intensive fitness training program before you go.

After check-in, you walk for about an hour at Heathrow. And the BA flights make you go to another special gate, which you need to take a train to get to. Then they bus you about 15 mins, during which you have to stand, having already walked for an hour and taken a train. Then, you have to climb from the ground into the jet, holding your carry-on case and big handbag. Last time I did this, I felt like I'd done a super-hard exercise class by the time I eventually sank into my seat.

Seriously, Heathrow is really, really rough. I'm not joking about the hiking shoes.

Oh! I live in Boston! Moved here from the UK in 2007. What ya wanna know?

Just seen that you're running the marathon! Well done you! The Boston marathon is not easy to qualify for. BTW, people tend to carb-load in the North End - the Italian part - the night before. It will be a great atmosphere. The bar at Artu is one of my faves. It's woman-owned and very well run by her and her adult sons. Whereabouts are you staying?

https://artuboston.com/

I second this; there is virtually no water given out to drink. Useless tiny cups.

good luck for the marathon!

really comfy clothes such a thin jersey joggers, loose t shirt and a zip up top ( so you can regulate heat) I wore crocs! Super comfortable and easy to slip on and off

avoid long or wide legs to avoid dragging on the toilet floor. Food is generally ok - usually the bread cheese salad and cracker and fruit are edible

sleep as much as you can then when you get there stay awake to at least 10pm.

litre of water and noise cancelling AirPods and a thick face cream.

PPs have already listed my must-haves, so I just want to wish you lots of luck for the marathon!

Enjoy the atmosphere and plentiful support.

I always get cold on flights and prefer to wear my uniqlo packable coat than use a blanket. I bring an eye mask and a usb cable for my phone, I just use the earphones provided and watch films for as long as I can, or do admin on my phone. I wear my normal clothes, I can't bring myself to wear joggers or PJs in public. I don't drink that much water on a flight and I'm fine with that (and I often aim not to use the plane loo at all but sometimes I can't avoid it).
I never get much sleep on an overnight flight though, I fly annually to the US and have to take a night flight back and just return feeling tired and grumpy, then DH makes me stay awake until the evening and I can reset.

I guess that might happen but I think that's slightly exagerating the normal BA LHR T5 experience (except maybe on days the transit train breaks down..)

None of what follows may have any relevance to the OPs journey but yes most but not all T5 long haul departures leave from one of the two satellite terminals, not off the main A terminal so you often take a little train ride.

That said it's not that common to have to use a combination of the transit train and then also have to bus out to a remote stand and climb the steps, but I agree it's a PITA when it happens.

TBH there plenty of terminals around the world that can be worse that T5 for hiking..including one of the others at Heathrow.

Anyone running a marathon won’t be phased by T5! I have always found it easy to navigate. The outermost aircraft stands are used by the double/ decker larger planes. Obviously not used on most flights. We’ve been out to C gates for these but it’s hardly a big issue. At least the plane is fairly new!