Long haul essentials: hit me

[Medicimama]

We have a mammoth flight coming up in economy (hooray…)

Thanks to your massively helpful suggestions on an earlier thread, I already have some noise cancelling Bose headphones (reduced in the sale).

I’ve also bought the basic Turtl pillow as my neck is always sore and the foam cushions don’t support it properly.

I’m thinking: comfortable trousers and long line top and hoodie (sadly size 18-20, chic won’t be possible!).

What shoes do you wear? Trainers? Sketchers slip on type things? It will be warm at the other end.

Do I need an inflatable foot rest bearing in mind I already take up a lot of the ‘leg room’ at a plus size and 5 ft 7/8….

Cabin bag: I’m forever bringing too much crap on board so I can never find anything. Sometimes I use a large Aspinal leather hold-all weekend bag (men’s but it’s roomy and stylish enough. Downside is it does weigh on my shoulders). Should I simplify this and bring a backpack?

What do you have in your cabin bag? I’m going to need a change of clothes as it’s a 30 hour plus trip. Book. Kindle.

What else do I need in terms of products or organisation? Any tips for how to make this bearable?

Any supplements you take?

When I was pregnant and flying, the doctor prescribed Klexane. I felt amazing and no jet lag! Imagine my dismay when I asked for it the next time when I was not pregnant and was told no!

Clexane has zero effect on jet lag

i use an Inflateable foot rest if im seated in front row of economy

i dont change, even in economy as i feel grubby, id rather shower at my destinarion

take wipes for your body, small travel toothbrush & toothpaste, deoderant & moisturiser

sleeping tablets, i wont travel without them

snacks because they provide next to nothing in economy

i wear flight socks & slippers throughout, then change back into whatever footwear I was in

stand for my phone & charger

Thanks @princesspadam. I can’t explain how or why I just felt less sore on the Clexane!

What sort of stand do you bring for your phone and charger?

Depends which airline.

Does it have wifi? If so I bring laptop
Obviously toothbrush and paste. But Singapore airlines for example have these in the loo. I also carry a minty mouth spray.
I wear light clothes if the destination is hot and scrounge extra blankets from cabin crew. A hoodie can always be rolled up and put in a back pack.
Compression socks
Trainers with laces, just in case feet swell up.
A book that I'm really interested in reading.
An eye mask Check out Spacemask.
Download a series that you'd like to binge watch. Can either watch on the phone or laptop.
I always use a backpack, prefer it when transferring and the hike across the terminals is a bit of a distance.
Are you going through the middle east. Sometimes I take advantage of stopover rates in hotels to break up the journey.
Extra legroom seats if possible. I know the extra cost but can be worth it.
Do you have any air miles on CC's?
Always ask for an upgrade at check in and when boarding ask cabin crew if the flight is full. There may be a chance that you can get a seat with no neighbour.

@Medicimamaitll be a placebo effect or something else you did or the direction you flew
clexane is an anti-coagulant

I just bought a metallic iPhone stand which has been a god send even if I’m not watching anything as it keeps it secure and in one place - think mine was Amazon

extra legroom can sometimes be as little as £60 so deffo worth it, particularly with an inflatable

Nice eye mask for sleeping
meal deal
download loads to watch/listen on your phone.
id wear stretchy leggings and a baggy top - I find waist bands uncomfortable
a giant scarf that doubles up as an extra blanket
lip balm
water

I wear a black bamboo set with a black bamboo vest underneath, take a hoodie, a cashmere wrap and some woolly socks - the temperature seems to wildly vary! I wear slip on shoes, Birkenstocks or sliders. Take a scrunchie, earplugs, headphones, an M&S cocktail bought in the airport 😂and a travel pillow. I watch a film, have my drink then ear plugs in and try to sleep. I try to drink at least 250ml an hr as I get dehydrated so I take 2 litres of water. I know I can ask for more but I hate bothering them!

I’ve been flying to Australia almost every year for ten years. Here are my tips!

in carry on

• change of clothes or at the very least spare shirt underwear socks
• baby wipes
• toiletries but esp deodorant toothbrush toothpaste (I wouldn’t rely on the airline having these in economy!) lip balm facial moisturiser and hand cream
• eye mask and ear plugs
• kindle
• good headphones
• phone charger! I used to take a battery pack but some airlines don’t allow these now. If you can take a universal adaptor or at the very least an adaptor for whichever country the stopover is in - I once got stranded in Dubai airport for 24 hours with no phone charger
• reusable water bottle and get the flight attendants to fill it for you. Otherwise they just bring you tiny thimbles of water
• snacks

Economy is brutal. I have health issues and I pay extra for premium now - totally worth it.

The most important thing is that you get up every two hours and walk around a bit to lower risk of DVT.

Flight socks that fit you well,walk around every hour or half hour you are awake, do ankle stretches. Dot is a genuine risk.