Long Flight Coming Up!!!

[HobieMarty]

Thanks so much for the replies, suggestions, and great advice. I will know more details about rhe flight, times and all, when we have our meeting. I have been told that at times they want you to keep the shades pulled down and they do something with the lighting in order to minimize the jet lag. Thanks guys.

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk

[Baz]

Have your camera ready......and bring us back some pics!

[MMARSH]

Last time I flew to Korea was in 1989. I was in the military and my unit was flying over for exercises. Flew from California to Korea with a humvee between my legs. This was pre electronics. The in flight meal was an MRE.

I have a feeling, your flight will be significantly better.

[Tobra]

Unless there is a compelling reason not to do so, take an aspirin the day before you travel.

Always wear support stockings when travelling.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

One of my earliest memories was flying to the territory of Hawaii, before statehood in 1959 in a USAF C-54.

It flew at 10,000 feet as it was unpressurized. We were seated in seats facing the tail of the airplane. Cruise speed 190 MPH, going from LA to Honolulu, 2556 miles.

That means travel time as 13 hours, 45 minutes. No in flight movies, no music. Not one electrical gadget, and looking out the windows in either direction was "oh look, more waves" as far as the eye can see. Mom was dressed up like going to a formal ball, and dad was in his dress uniform. My brother and I were bored to death.

The one point I most remember was looking at mom and asking "mommy, is this where we live now" Sitting and doing nothing for 13:45 as a 5 year old was near impossible. I have little doubt mom and dad hated it more than I did.

My first flight was as an 8yo in '78 from FL to Japan. It was several hops but at least one of the flights was a super long one. We were fortunate to be on commercial jets, I think DC10 and 747. We landed in southern Japan and then I'm pretty sure we flew in a C130 to northern Japan. Yep, seats facing the cargo in the back of the plane, no sound deadening (free ear plugs), no heat in the winter (heavy coats). Fortunately, my flight was only about 2 hours, IIRC. And when we landed, the little boy from FL saw snow and ice for the first time in his life. It was pretty darn exciting.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Unless there is a compelling reason not to do so, take an aspirin the day before you travel.

Always wear support stockings when travelling.

^good advice.

an aspirin every day or more. stay hydrated. bananas or coconut water or potassium when possible.
walk around whenever possible.
like it is today.

your time. your body. your existence. anywhere in the world on this small globe in space.
the next strange person might become a friend from a distant place.
be respectful always.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by HobieMarty

I have been told that at times they want you to keep the shades pulled down and they do something with the lighting in order to minimize the jet lag. Thanks guys.

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk

That's been my experience as well. They usually dim the cabin lights and request that you put the shades down.

[pwd72s]

Lots of good advice above. Hope you have a good flight.

This thread makes me grateful that there is nowhere I want or need to be that would entail air travel.

[TimT]

Compression socks compression socks compression socks.

Close Second place = noice cancelling headphones. You'll arrive reasonable instead of exhausted.

This....

I've flown from JFK to Beijing many times... 13-14 hours... after a few trips I started asking my DR for a script for Ambien for the flights..

Take an Ambien after the first meal service... and wake up refreshed and ready in Beijing (Seoul)

Hydrate... and before you pass out do laps of the aisle.. back and forth who cares if someone gives you side-eye

[Scott Douglas]

My daughter and her family have been across the pacific so many times I lost count. She's done it with one kid, two, three and last trip four.
I don't fly and haven't since we got back from Hawaii which was before our kids were born.
How she does it is beyond me but I give her all the credit for getting it done.
I'd be counted in the OPT OUT group, so more power to you if you can handle the flight.
From what I've heard from her, all the above suggestions are good ones.

[p911dad]

Where your seat is has an effect. Back in the cabin where it's a little tight it will be a long trip. It Kia seats you up forward it will be more comfortable. but still a long trip. If I were going I would take a neck pillow for the long night against the cabin wall (if you score a window seat) and wear soft shoes for comfort. There will be movies to watch and flight data to keep you informed. I like to go in with low expectations and a quiet mind to get through the boredom. The food will likely be a surprise (not good) but enough to get you there. I look through to the breakfast rolls and coffee. Have fun!

[A930Rocket]

If you are in the cattle section, will you be able to upgrade your seat, if you pay? I’d look into that.

For those of you that snore, what do you do on a long flight? Asking for a friend …

[LWJ]

Not sure if someone recommended this earlier but my Doc prescribed Valium or similar for me. Made the trip to New Zealand a snap.

100% positive. No downside. Just don’t drink alcohol.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by LWJ

Not sure if someone recommended this earlier but my Doc prescribed Valium or similar for me. Made the trip to New Zealand a snap.

100% positive. No downside. Just don’t drink alcohol.

That family I met mentioned this as well. I didn't include it on my earlier post. Picked up some good tips from them!

(l to r) son, daughter, Mom, and Dad.....

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by TimT

This....

I've flown from JFK to Beijing many times... 13-14 hours... after a few trips I started asking my DR for a script for Ambien for the flights..

Take an Ambien after the first meal service... and wake up refreshed and ready in Beijing (Seoul)

Hydrate... and before you pass out do laps of the aisle.. back and forth who cares if someone gives you side-eye

I'm not a big fan of prescription drugs for this sort of thing but yes solid advice. Of course depends on your physical and mental being. I find it impossible to sleep on a long flight, I just cannot get comfortable and turn off my brain. If you are flying coach the seats do not recline much and if like me your neck will be savaged trying to rest. Get some of the newer neck support devices...research online. The pillows and braces they sell in the airport is exactly worthless.

Like many folks here I have many miles flying, like a million on one airline and lots on another. It was mostly for work but now also in my later years for vacation. I agree with the compression socks suggestion and also getting up every couple hours to walk and stretch. If my long haul flight arrives in the evening I make a point of staying awake the entire flight so I can go to sleep local time. If I arrive in the AM I try to focus on rest (again I don't sleep on airplanes) and limited disturbances. Noise cancelling head phones are great but some simple foam ear plugs from local store work in a pinch.

Now most of this advice is flying steerage (coach) class. If you are in business or first with lay down seats then your task is easier. Have a couple pre-meal drinks and recline with noise protection when the meal is over.

All options include soft clothing, no belts or heavy shoes, and yes a small kit for hygiene maintenance. Also pack some OTC pain killers and some cough/cold medicine just in case.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by URY914

Don't get into a fight.

And if it's Delta make sure you wear a bra.


The other day there was a cute American girl working at the dump shop wearing a semi see through white top, no bra. I was going to say to her "You'd get thrown off a Delta flight with those puppies." but I thought it was a good idea to shut up and just stare.

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by HobieMarty

As mentioned in another post, I am flying to Korea in a few weeks. I am looking forward to the trip as it will be basically a week long paid vacation of sight seeing all provided by Kia, it is referred to as a "Spirit Trip". I can count on one hand just how many flights I have been on in my lifetime and the longest was from Atlanta to Denver. I am told this flight is around 14 or 15 hours long so, to all of those who travel a lot or are regularly on extended flights, what does one wear on a long flight and what should I do or take along with me to make the flight more enjoyable?
The last time I was on a plane was in 2007 so I'm sure things are a bit different now. We are supposed to have a meeting a couple of weeks before the trip to go over things but I figured I'd ask you guys also.

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk

I haven't been on a plane since SEMA 2007. Since Kia is flying you over there, I am guessing business class? If it is Korean Air, you wiill be comfy! The gf is there right now for another 6 weeks. She swears by KAL.

As others have said, compression socks, noise cancelling headphones, and hydrate!

[Seahawk]

Used to do the trans-pacs all the time.

Only thing I can add is pack a small travel toothbrush and toothpaste to freshen up neat the end of the flight. It really makes a difference.

That or some gum

Have fun!

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by LWJ

Not sure if someone recommended this earlier but my Doc prescribed Valium or similar for me. Made the trip to New Zealand a snap.

100% positive. No downside. Just don’t drink alcohol.

Back in the 80s several of my friends flew to Germany. One of the group was a doctor. He gave all of them a pill before takeoff. They all said the next thing they remember is a German lady yelling "You will get of the plane NOW" They woke up and all the other passengers were gone, and had gone through Customs. They were alone with the staff.

They all felt well rested and ready to go.

[Paul_Heery]

I did an 18.5 hour nonstop flight from JFK to Singapore last year. There are a lot of good tips that have already been provided.

But, there is one I would highly recommend if it is possible. Upgrade your seat! On my flight to Singapore, I flew business class. It helps immensely to spend some time with your feet elevated and it provides a much more comfortable sleeping position.

I still got up often to walk around the plane and stretch my legs. When walking through the Economy section it convinced me that I made the right move to upgrade. There is no way I could have gotten comfortable in an economy seat.