Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

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

59 replies

xsquared · 11/04/2025 23:00

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?

OP posts:
notimagain · 14/04/2025 19:56

Careful with foot hammocks, some airlines don't allow them

AlanShore · 14/04/2025 19:59

TizerorFizz · 11/04/2025 23:56

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.

Might also be san Francisco which is 11 hours...

Original poster
xsquared · 14/04/2025 20:13

Thank you for the recommendations and advice.

I really appreciate it.

OP posts:
Original poster
xsquared · 14/04/2025 20:14

Ireallyshouldchangemyusername · 14/04/2025 18:37

Good luck!
Re food...too many options but cafe luna st central does good brunch
Flour bakery has a very special place in my heart and is def worth a try..expanded a lot since we lived there but still v good, Tatte has also expanded massively since we lived there and i really rate their breakfast and cake/pastry /patisserie . Japonaise is also good too. These three do take outs. On my lasr 2 x visits stateside this year i have been very impressed with doordash/grubhub options even from 'good' restaurants . Worth a try to your hotel even if placea are booked for sit in. Clover in harvad also well worth a visit too. There is also a reallly great little.bagel place at harvard. Cant remmeber name but bakes own bagels ans youncannseenthem being made. Well worth a try too.

Hth

Thank you. I shall Google these!

OP posts:
NewMe2024 · 14/04/2025 20:15

iamnotalemon · 11/04/2025 23:18

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.

This is a good list, though I would also add that noise cancelling headphones are a godsend.

Also, plan whether or not / when to sleep around adjusting to the time zone when you land.

Ireallyshouldchangemyusername · 14/04/2025 20:19

Also should add. Ice cream... Jp licks and toscaninis...😋👌

Ener · 14/04/2025 21:09

SpringIntoApril · 14/04/2025 19:11

Oh my I’ve just goggle foot hammock how fab! As a 50s shortie whose always struggled with back pain and can’t put my feet comfortably on the floor as the seats are too high I hope it helps.

I slept for 6 hours straight on a recent very long haul flight. They’re great. I’ve been on most of the major airlines with it and none have ever said it’s not allowed. That’s the inflatable ones I think. Not the little fold up ones.

R053 · 14/04/2025 21:22

Between Australia and UK, I make sure I get an aisle seat, so it’s easy to get up and walk around without clambering over people. Also, flight compression socks, eye mask to block out light when sleeping, a neck pillow, a Kobo or Kindle for when you can’t take flight entertainment anymore.
Also I go to toilet before they serve the food as it’s less busy then - many people go to the toilet after eating and they freshen up etc so it can be a long wait.

Ginmonkeyagain · 15/04/2025 09:19

LHR to Boston is a pretty easy flight we did it last year (Mr Monkey ran the Boston marathon last year).

TBH once they have served you food and hot drinks, you'll watch a couple of films and you'll be there. Take decent headphones as the free ones they give you are terrible. If you haven't flown long haul for a while in flight entertainment has improved a lot - we got a great range of films (I saw Barbie and the Holdovers) as well as TV shows and music.

Well done for getting in to Boston - enjoy it, race day in the city is so much fun. Don't bother with Uber if you are staying in Cambridge - there is a perfectly fine metro line that takes you into the centre of Boston. You van also walk it in about 30 mins (granted you may not want to after the race!)

New posts on this thread. Refresh page