Trans Atlantic flight coming up. How to get comfy on the plane?

[DonDavis]

Originally Posted by Tervuren

Lay down on the floor.

eeewwwww....

[abisel]

Depending on the airline, but for Delta, get business class and the Delta One seating and a window seat. You will not regret it.

https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/traveling-with-us/onboard-experience/delta-one-business-class.html

[Kraftwerk]

I used to fly all the time all over the world. Two things .. never watch TV on the ground, only in the air where it is actually very compelling, kills time if you can't sleep.Speaking of which: since you don't choose who you sit next to on a plane, a really frightening potentiality.. but usually nothing too worry about. Except for these instances: Screaming 2 yer old? for 8 hours? Yes, I have been there.. 400 lbs dude who said to me, "Gee, I have never flown before !" Then put up the armrest so he could also use my seat to add to his 'sit place-space ' then proceeded to fall asleep on my shoulder. YES! this really happened. Luckily that fight was a mere 8 hours. Battery wore out on iPod? Yes ! with only 4 hours left on a 14 hr flight to Japan... All this stuff has me searching for a Xanax (or half a Xanax) to stash away before each flight but since I also don't take that stuff on the ground and know fewer and fewer people who take it, I end up just watching the tv in the headrest, reading a book or sleeping. Luckily I don't have 6' to stuff in one of those tiny seats.. only 5'10 1/2 " Though I do relish the few times I have travelled business ..sometimes it is worth it. Sometimes airlines have DEALS on the premium seats, rarely but it does happen. Remember : The Journey is the destination! (except maybe when flying on commercial airlines.)

[Tervuren]

There was this one long flight.

The last passenger aboard was a hottie.

There were several empty seats.

Maybe the one next to me was her assigned seat, maybe not.

That was where she sat down.

She had a Mustang.

[Gogar]

"cue" the bullitt conversation


See how I got both topics in one sentence there?

[95avblm3]

Originally Posted by TimT

Ambien

Yes... and if you don’t have a prescription, Benadryl in combination with whatever whisky is available can be an okay substitute...

I forgot to mention... long movies take up big blocks of time on a long flight...

[vash]

Originally Posted by Gogar

"cue" the bullitt conversation


See how I got both topics in one sentence there?

hahah.

skilz!

[Tobra]

Take an aspirin the day before you travel.

Wear support stockings on the plane.

Try switching to Irish time before you go, stay up late, get up early, whichever it works out better.

[Jims5543]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Take an aspirin the day before you travel.

Wear support stockings on the plane.

Try switching to Irish time before you go, stay up late, get up early, whichever it works out better.

Good point!

Not sure what time zone OP is in I am guessing Central?

When we flew over we left Orlando at 8PM and were in Dublin at 9 the Next morning.

It was imperative we all slept on the plane as the plan was to hit the ground running and not try to sleep until local bed time.

The first day was a monster. We landed, rented a car and started driving to Belfast, everyone was sleeping on the way, except for me, even though my body and brain were telling me to as well. Thank god it was so harrowing driving on the left side of the road, that kept me on my toes.

We purposefully planned to hit the Titanic Museum in Belfast and I remember well, feeling like I was the walking dead. I purposefully avoided my first Guinness until it was later in the evening. Speaking of which we were there in June and the sun was very far North, it was light there from 2 in the morning to 11 at night and even at night it was sort of light out. That really messed with my head too.

Coming back I do not remember it being a big deal to get back on my local schedule, it was weird that trip was one of the easiest for me to get on the local time and back to mine upon return. 1 day in each place and I was in sync.

[Jims5543]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

I’ll be flying to Cork Ireland at the end of October. As this is my first flight longer than about 6 hours I’m trying to figure out how I’m going to get comfy as a 6’+ tall guy with back problems. One pillow I’ve seen that looks good is like this. Any feedback on these? Or any other solution to help in getting comfy on a long flight?

Travel Pillow, Portable Head Neck Rest Inflatable Pillow from HOMCA, Design for Airplanes, Cars, Buses, Trains, Office Napping, Camping - Includes FREE Eye mask (Gray) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071NZ8VNT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_iVoHBbR9K0519

Just a heads up in case no one has drilled you on this.

It is Saint Patricks day abbreviating is rude there.

There is no such thing as a drink called an Irish Car bomb same goes for a black and tan, it is sacrilege to mix their sacred Guinness.

It is not a rest room, it is called a toilet.

Jameson Whiskey is kept on hand for American tourists, order Powers, that is their Jack. If you get a chance try to Johns Lane reserve Powers, well worth the extra scratch. Also look for Quiet Man and Bushmills both are from the North but are usually offered. Also if you want to be the cliche American ask for it on the rocks. If you want respect as for it straight and look for a pitcher of water on the bar for cutting it slightly. If no water ask for it, each time I did there was a nod of approval and a comment such as you know your whiskey.

Tipping is not necessary there, if someone has given you great service, money left on the table it can be considered rude. I have seen locals hand some folded Euro's to the server and personally thank them for the fine time they had. In a few instances I did the same. I did notice most establishments are typically understaffed compared to America so relax and take your time as things will not happen fast. I just drank a lot since I made sure to be done driving by the time we were in a sit down type of establishment.


Do not talk politics, I did a ton of reading up on the troubles (mostly because I was going to visit the Bloody Sunday memorial in LondonDerry) and was warned by some Irish friends to not offer any opinions on their local politics.

If you are driving, learn how to properly navigate a multi lane round about. I learned a lot and use what I learned here in the states now.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Gogar

"cue" the bullitt conversation

See how I got both topics in one sentence there?

With Ambien and noise cancelling headphones - I got all three.

If your are in steerage, not much comfort advice other than the tips provided: noise cancelling headphone times ∞.

I used to fly quite a bit and recommend extra battery devices, Apple specific: https://www.imore.com/best-battery-banks-iphone

I have the old cheap stuff. Still, extra 15 hours of juice under a 1/4 of a pound.

Also, get whatever specific electronic stuff you'll need to charge your phone/etc. in Ireland.

Find out if the airline has an entertainment AP and download it. GoGo is great, btw. I have changed my primary carrier because of GoGo.

Don't drink anything other that a glass of wine with dinner and lots of water.

Lastly, find out the pilots names - text me: If they are a few bubbas I know, get off the plane.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Booze and good noise-cancelling headphones. Btw if you can sleep well on an airplane,

If it hasn't been said yet I used noise cancelling headphone with a input jack and a MP3 player loaded up with a bunch of mellow sleep inducing tunes. Booze also worked well however it also induces trips to the bathroom which can be somewhat problematic.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Tervuren

Buy a row of seats.

Lay down on the floor.

Many moons ago I flew to Hawaii regularly on 747's... it was not unusual to find 3 or 4 vacant seats, flip up the armrests and lay down for a nap... those were the days!

[GH85Carrera]

Some of my friends went to Germany as a group. Left left out of NYC and flew straight to Germany. One of the traveling group was physician. He prescribed what they all called the large green pill. They took it after they boarded and got settled in. My friend said the next thing he remembers is a large Fraulein yelling in a loud German accent, YOU VILL GET OFF THE PLANE NOW! The airplane was empty. The crew was gone, everyone was gone.

He said by the time they got gathered up, the customs line was empty, the luggage was stacked up and there was no one else around. They were all refreshed and felt great, ready to drink some beer.

Headphones, and the aisle seat is my suggestion. There is little to look at over the ocean but waves. Take a nap, and get as much rest as possible.

[JavaBrewer]

This really depends on your Cork arrival time and trip purpose (vacation or business)?

Do set your clock to Cork time a day or two in advance.
Early AM arrival try to get some rest on the flight
PM arrival stay awake on the flight, watch movies, etc.

I have many LAX-NRT (Tokyo) flights under my belt. Normal arrival time is 4-6 pm Japan time so I stay up for the entire flight, get to hotel (bus ride), have a couple beers, warm shower, and off to bed. Return flights typically arrive mid AM so I try to sleep a bit on the flight so I can survive the day back home.

Neck pillows are a literal pain in the neck for me. I have better luck using the fold down tray with a jacket as pillow to lay my head on.

Upgrades can be worth it. All of my air miles usually got me a class bump but I would not pay for it unless very reasonable. The difference between business class and coach can be enough to pay for a very nice hotel upgrade and/or some good meals.

[Jims5543]

I have this music track, it induces deep rem sleep in a short period of time, it is an engineered track the works on your brain waves to induce a deep sleep, if I am looking at a short nights sleep I will put on my headphones and fire up this tract in my phone. When I wake up 4 hours later I honestly feel like I slept 8+ hours. Its pretty neat.

When we got on the plane I had 2 sets of phones, one over the ear noise cancelling the other in the ear buds for working out, running etc..

My son broke his headphones right as we were settling into our seats, I felt bad for him and tossed him my fancy phones, not anticipating all the crying and coughing kids... Hence my not getting much sleep, that music tract is probably responsible for the 3 hours I got, all broken up.


If anyone wants the track I think I can share it here.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1tS_LVyOm8JAY0Zpy1t06G7PKnphkI8uI?usp=sharing

[Tervuren]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Many moons ago I flew to Hawaii regularly on 747's... it was not unusual to find 3 or 4 vacant seats, flip up the armrests and lay down for a nap... those were the days!

At my size I preferred the floor.

The thing is, if someone is like you, and I am like me, then both can be happy even if two of the three seats are taken by the two involved.

I have not done the bought three seats thing, but I have found empty floor space for over night trans-atlantics.

As for hygiene, the floor, seats, and seat back of what is in front of you are pretty much all on the same "ew" factor.

I am not sure how some one would be grossed out by one of those items, but not the others.

[cairns]

Having flown to the UK from the East Coast regularly- try to sleep as much as you can on the plane. When you get there check into a hotel and get two hours of sleep. FORCE yourself to get up- it will be hard- then get some exercise, walk around etc. and go to sleep as late you can that night. By the next day your jet lag is over.

[mgatepi]

Million mile flyer here;
Best lower cost option is Delta Premium Select. Good seat and better food. This is the only way I will fly now. It is usually anywhere between 600 and $1000 more as compared to Economy.
I think they only offer it on select flights where they fly the A350.
Good luck and remember DRINK heavily!

[Deschodt]

Airplane seats on transatlantic flights are modern torture devices. I don't understand how one can design something that fits anatomy so poorly.. I understand the point is to maximize seating but those thing fit nobody. After a couple hours I cannot feel my a$$..

+1 on the above: "Economy plus" for knee room. TSA-pre for TSA, or Global entry if you have time to avoid the 1hr queue upon return... An inflatable or foam neck pillow for pretending to sleep.... Last month I flew back from Paris on United and the seats didn't even recline without a giant effort of simultaneous butt and back push and would slowly revert to straight up over 5 minutes. Torture... And now they wanna make toilets even smaller ;-)

Honestly I wish air travel would double or triple in price... We'd solve a lot of prolem, less pollution, less transmission of disease, less pointless travel, and we'd go back to flying being "special" instead of RyanAir style cattle-cramming. I'd happily fly a lot less...