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

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

Nice! My wife has family in Cork.

Being from FL and living in Germany, we travel back and forth because we have to but try to as little as possible. Like you, I am over 6'. Unfortunately, I think Business/First Class is probably the only way to get comfortable. If you're like me, you probably don't have the means/want to spend the money for that.

So... I shoehorn myself in and take advantage of the free booze. A little bourbon for medicinal purposes. I know that may sounds silly, or even unhealthy, but anything to take the edge off or help me sleep.

I also think it is complete BS how the airlines are nickel and diming for everything now... even seat assignments. But on my last flight, I paid for economy plus, or comfort, or whatever it is called. I'm not sure there was any additional room but what it did do is secure my boarding spot with the "Priority" members, which meant I was on early enough to ensure there was a spot in the overhead for my backpack. I think half the battle is not having to put anything under the seat in front of you as that limits your foot/leg room.

Finally, I like to sit as far forward in the aircraft as possible. I feel like the ride is better... in reality, there is probably no difference but hey, anything to improve the mindset.

11 hours 15 minutes is the longest flight I have been on. That was from London Heathrow to San Jose, CA. Stuttgart to ATL is ~9.5 hours. I'm sure there are folks with longer experience, say to the far reaches of Asia, who will have better advice than I, but this is what I do.

Good luck and enjoy. We really liked Ireland.

Depending on the airline, consider Economy Plus. It is the discount business class. Check the airline, since some it is simply the same seat. But most today, bigger seat, separate cabin. Usually, you also get to use all of the business class perks, which can really help at the airport and passport control.

Yeah, pay the extra $ for extended legroom seating. I'm 6'3" and have flown from DC or Atlanta to Heathrow/Zurich a few times. Not only does the extended legroom help, but everybody else seems too cheap to pay the little bit extra, so I often have the row to myself (typically the two outer seats by the window).

The only other thing I can recommend is to get up and walk around every once in a while. That makes a huge difference for me.

To me, the worst flights I've done are Chicago to Tokyo. Brutal.

I think I'd pay extra if I could just be standing for the flight :(
They usually let me hang out in the rear for a while when they're not running the service carts. Going to Munich next month, will see how it goes.

I'm in Baku, Azerbaijan. Yesterday was direct flight Houston to Istanbul.

Air Lingus has a business class, the seats lay flat.

We flew cattle as there were 4 of us and our flight was 9 hours long from Orlando to Dublin.

What I did not count on was the amount of Irish Families coming back from Disneyworld.

When I go back to Ireland, I will fly business class no matter the cost. I needed to sleep on that flight over (not so much coming back) and maybe slept 3 hours all night.

Ambien

Noise cancelling headphones too, good ones.

Been over to Cork many times, brought dozens of clients to Blarney Castle, kiss stone, drink a Beamish, walk downtown, it's beautiful there.
As others have said try to get a seat to lay as flat as you can. Any pillow that holds your head upright just means your head compresses your neck all flight. If I want to sleep in coach I get a window seat (assigned or find one) and lean against the window with a sweatshirt or two for a pillow but don't expect a ton of sleep anyhow.
Wear compression socks for any flight longer than 5 hours and get up and stretch mid flight, it works wonders. Safe flight and have fun

Remember to check in online as soon as possible. For overseas flights I try to find an aisle seat towards the back of the plane in a row of two, not three on the window sides. There is slightly more room in that area. I also pre-order a special meal -- you will get served quickly, and you won't need to worry about only having whatever is left.

I'm mostly spoiled, though. My wife has elite status, and flying with her makes mitigates many of the challenges of travel.

On longer flights Im always torn between the aisle seat with the chance to get up and stretch vs the window with some chance for viewing and leaning against the wall to rest.

The cabin staff have come to not letting you linger in the back for long. Still just getting up and walking around a bit is a big relief from the long sitting spell.

When ever I hear about folks complaining of long flights, it brings back memories of being mid way on a longer ocean sailing passage. Looking up on night watch seeing a flight overhead. Realizing they would be at the destination by the time I got off watch. And we still had a week to go. The sailing trip costs more too.

Cheers Richard

Buy a row of seats.

Lay down on the floor.

Booze and good noise-cancelling headphones. Btw if you can sleep well on an airplane, I hate you.:p Even with a lay flat first class seat I'm lucky to get 2 hours worth of sleep flying from Atlanta to Heathrow.

Economy plus was a waste of money on our last trip to Europe. On way over the extra leg room we got was due to being the first seat inside the door. We boarded early and sat there with our feet tucked under our seats as the entire planeload of people stomped their way past us or fell into our laps. Mrs WD tried to sit with her feet in the seat while everyone loaded, but the stewardess told her not to. Obviously there was no seat in front of us to put anything under. On the way back our seat was in the center rows, right behind a bulkhead. Again, no seat to put anything under, and everyone, including the cabin crew, treated the aisle in front of us like it was I-95 at rush hour. People were constantly either tripping over us or asking us to move our feet so they could get by.
So if you use Economy Plus, make sure you get a seat in a regular row.

Noise cancelling headphones x a million.

I got a set of Sony 1000xm2 a few months ago and it really changed my outlook. Unbelievable how much better you feel when you get off the plane.


Travel neck pillow, not a big poofy one, but a thinner, stiffer one, like a "caldera" or an "ostrich."


And try to get the first cheap legroom upgrade.

Economy Plus and a bulkhead seat so theres nothing in front of you.

i never got the noise cancelling headphones..regret that.

other than that..focus on the fact that you are on a plane headed to a cool destination. screw the rest...i cant even sleep on a plane. pure suffering for me..but whatever. the destination..focus!

I went to Scotland from Phoenix last year.

Outbound was Phx, Philly, Glasgow.
Inbound was Glasgow, Heathrow, Phx. Last leg was 11+ hours.

I prefer window seat. Brought my own smallish pillow ( in my backpack, not a standard bed pillow under my arm, http://forums.pelicanparts.com/suppo...s/pukeface.gif )
Couple of bourbons, https://getdubs.com/ , and some hand wipes. I'm not OCD too much, and hand sanitizer is fine, but sometimes I just want to use a "cloth".
Oh, and I also kept the palstic bag my water bottle came in for holding trash on station till pick up.

Watched "Passenger", "CHiPS". Slept more than I thought I would both ways.

Got up a few times for about 10 min each, felt fine both ways.

You doing vacation? Work?

Santa Rosa to Cusco Peru was something like 28 hours of travel..i havent done the math yet..but it started with a 2.5 hour bus ride to the SF airport.

it was ugly..and i sat next to "miquel" on his first ever flight.

"mister, what does this do?" X1000!! (his older sister..much older- was HOT!! - but i got Miguel. )

eeewwwww....

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

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.)

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.

"cue" the bullitt conversation


See how I got both topics in one sentence there?

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...

hahah.

skilz!

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.

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.

<iframe width="854" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8d5b63GH4Mk" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

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.

:D

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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. SmileWavy

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.

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.

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!

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...