Australia and long haul flight, what to know before I go

[SunshineSurf]

Long story short I’m headed to the Northern Rivers area of NSW (Eastern Australia) for a month in January. I’ve never done anything like this before! The furthest I’ve been is Italy and that was a decade ago.

Does anyone have any advice/tips for long haul plane travel and/or travel to Australia?

So far I have flights booked, purchased travel insurance, booked accommodation (AirBnB), and my passport arrived this week.

How do you keep phones charged on board? Many airlines are now banning power banks as a fire hazard, so are there outlets on the seat back etc.?

Many airlines now do have power outlets at the seats.

The rules about powerbanks vary (a lot), both in terms of where exactly they should be carried and whether they can be used in flight or not, so it's a case of reading individual airline T&Cs FAQs etc carefully.

Thanks, I recognise your name as a knowledgeable person regarding all things aviation!

I don't do long hauls, but recent inter Europe flights I've been on have banned the USE of power banks on board. You could have them but not allowed to use them.

I always think in the back of my mind, what if someone packed hazardous stuff in their hold luggage. OMG, better not to think about that!

Compression flight socks
slippers with the sticky bits on the bottom
eye mask
ear plugs
lip balm
moisturiser
toothbrush and toothpaste usually available on board
change of underwear, wet wipes, top etc for your layover.
long, pashmina style scarf
change into soft tracksuit bottoms and top before boarding
water…. Crew do come round but best to buy at least a litre before you board.
I didn’t buy extra food as was quite happy with what Singapore airlines provided…. You can view the menu for your flight 2 weeks before I think.
I treat myself to a glass of wine with the dinner, then no more alcohol.

Thanks for the comment and yep, the power bank rules have become a fast changing game (with good reason).

I don't fly much these days but everytime I do I have to check-out the relevant airline's website on this subject because it's almost inevitable there will have been a change since the last time.

@genuineflexor

Wow, that is a long flight, frequently! Not sure I could do that (unless I had to).

Not specific to Australia, but I always take the following on a long haul flight:
Moisturiser, hand cream, anti bac gel, face wipes, painkillers, heartburn medication (and any other medication).
Wired and wireless earphones, power bank, iPad with programmes downloaded, phone with audiobooks/podcasts downloaded. Kindle.
Eye mask, ear plugs, extra jumper and compression socks.
A pen.
I do take snacks and take water with me.
Toothbrush and toothpaste would be nice on a long haul flight too and maybe a change of undies/top.
I always book an aisle seat as I like being able to get up, even if it means you often get nudged by the trolley or people walking past.

Oh yes, I’ll definitely do this - I’ve watched Border Control!

Me too, I went to Aus 2 years ago and that programme scared the living daylights out of me. I mean, I knew about declaring food because I've visited before, but needing a prescription for medication meant I badgered the GP about a letter to carry.

And then they never looked at it.

We are flying Gatwick to Brisbane via Qatar on Qatar Airways in economy.

I’m travelling with DS(18) who is autistic. He’s got the window seat and I’ll be sat next to him in the middle 😩 Fortunately, sitting very still and quiet in one spot for hours on end is his specialty!

So my next priority looks like sorting out the Visa/ETA thing.

I’ve got noise cancelling headphones and an eye mask. I’ll definitely need flight socks as my ankles tend to swell on a long car journey.

Regarding prescription medications does that need to go in my carry on bag on in my checked in luggage?

Can you only take food that you’ve purchased at the airport or can you take like sandwiches from Tesco?

Keep your prescription medicines in your hand luggage in case your checked baggage gets delayed or lost.

You can take any non-liquid food through airport security in the UK and onto the plane, but you can’t take it through Australian customs. I don’t know what the rules are through Qatar, but I think you probably stay airside during your flight transfer, so there should be no issues there (although sandwiches would be in a pretty unpleasant state by that point of the journey!).

Yes to everything suggested
Fresh cotton knickers
Moisturise you face
Drink loads of H2o
Sleep …. Either pharmaceutical induced or natural

Flew to Oz recently vi Singapore (5 hour transfer) and managed to avoid major jet lag. What helped: a couple of 3/4 hour sleeps on the two legs, arrived in morning and made myself stay wake until Oz nighttime. Took a Sleeping tablet and slept for 8 hours. On the flight I had a proper neck support and earplugs which helped sleep. Had an aisle seat so when not sleeping could get up every 90min or so. In Singapore airport paid for lounge, it was a bit of a cattle market but was able to have a shower and charge phones. Also did long walk through terminal to stretch legs. On return leg I will use the pool as have worked out our gates will not be too far away. Getting on to local time asap and not having a daytime nap are key!

bring whatever food you want on the plane but Australia doesn’t let fresh produce in, so leave whatever you don’t need. It’s miserable digging things out of your bags when jetlagged to hell and half asleep. I find the last bit from Asia to Australia quite bumpy so have never slept well on that leg. It’s just a long flight, but wonderful when there. Enjoy!

Sleeping tablets. I slept for about 6 hrs. It was bliss. It is horrendous for me tbh, being stuck in a seat for hours on end . I felt so restricted and panicky for part of the journeys. And the countdown clock they have makes it even worse!

Lots of snacks, sweet and salty and a good book.
I recommend When the going was good by Graydon Carter.

I don’t think I’ll be able to take sleeping tablets incase DS needs me. He regularly stays awake for 24hours+ and is already on Australia time. We’ll be arriving at 17:30pm then it’s a couple of hours drive. Fortunately I’m also very good at functioning on no sleep!

If you are travelling via Singapore then pack your swim suit in your hand luggage, there is a pool at the airport and after 12 hours it is the most wonderful warm bath you will ever experience.

On the food in to Australia you can take in pre-packaged food eg the haul of caramac my cousin requested. You do have to declare it.

You can't take in any fresh food including anything given to you on the plane.

You also can't take in any seeds / plants and anything wood has to be declared and tested.

Unless you're on an incredibly shit airline I can't imagine why you'd need snacks, they feed you huge amounts and often.