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

[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

[95avblm3]

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.

[red-beard]

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.

[IROC]

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.

[on2wheels52]

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.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by IROC

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

[Jims5543]

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.

[TimT]

Ambien

[Jims5543]

Noise cancelling headphones too, good ones.

[reachme]

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

[ZOO]

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.

[tevake]

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

[Tervuren]

Buy a row of seats.

Lay down on the floor.

[onewhippedpuppy]

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

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by red-beard

Depending on the airline, consider Economy Plus.

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.

[Gogar]

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.

[flatbutt]

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

[vash]

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!

[DonDavis]

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, )
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?

[vash]

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. )