Long Flight Coming Up!!!
 

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.

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Bring some headphones too listen to your music on your phone or laptop. Or watch a movie on your laptop.

Merino wool under garments. Definitely not cotton.

The only thing I can tell you since I don't fly anymore is get up, go back to the bathroom and do some quick stretches before you cause a lot of attention. At least every couple hours. Unless you are a known snorer I'd take something to sleep. You may find that at some point the plane cabin is fairly quiet. And I hope your seat isn't in the cattle section. Kia should be better to you.

The time change will mess with you. You can prepare by altering your day schedule, but that can be difficult under some circumstances. I don't evny you. I would have opted out.

I am generally a very warm person so cold doesn't bother me much, but most folks find planes cool. Wear something comfy, and I'd go with long sleeves and pants.

Take head phones, even better if you've got something with active noise cancellation.

On planes I generally eat and drink as little as possible so I don't have to deal with using the facilities, but you're going to be on a long flight so you'll likely need to eventually. Still, I'd do what I could to minimize the need.

Get a charger thing for the phone. You know the extra batt extender.

Keep your seatbelt on incase a hidden door opens. :D
My son was there teaching ESL for 3 years and enjoyed the country.
I believe you go back in time by a couple of days one way.
Put lots of stuff in your carry on to keep you amused.
Personally I would be in track pants or shorts and a T. Break out the nice stuff. :D

Good thinking. I've been on some planes/flights that have USB ports to keep phones charged, but not all planes have that feature.

Catch up on maps, subway names, exchange banks with the best rates, international SIM cards, international chargers, local things to see, customs and language (thanks/where is/etc).

Don't stick chopsticks in the rice bowl. Bad ju ju. Same as death memorial incense.

Your sleep schedule is going to be flipped upside down a few times.

Compression socks compression socks compression socks.

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

Yeah the air is dry so stay hydrated, but don't drink a bottle of water before boarding.
BTW, on the compression socks, water makes blood thinner.

I just got back from Hawaii. This was my first flight since 2015 or so.
Is it me, or have planes gotten louder? I would definitely spring for the noise cancelling headphones.
I did wear a sweatshirt.
Hopefully you're not stuck in economy seats. Even if you're not, get up and move around every couple of hours or so.

Going for a walk in the early morning, in the sunlight, helps you adjust to the new timezone. The sun seems to make a big difference.

Don't eat Taco Bell right before you get on the plane.

I always try to get on the destination time zone when I get on the plane. Get as much sleep on the plane as possible. I'd rather miss the airline meal and get the sleep.

Make absolutely sure you have a change of pants, shirt and underpants in your carry on....and I always carry nightclothes and of course your toothbrush/toothpaste/razor kind of things...just so if the flight gets stopped somewhere you have enough without having to get your checked luggage to get through a night in a hotel. No more than that....

If I had a euro for every time someone spilled something on me and being able to change pants/shirt in flight was a real blessing...well, I'd be rich.

D.

PS - hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate...stay off the coffee, watch your booze levels and eyeshades are a good thing as well.

PPS - been on several similar flights and I do my usual routine - get onboard, two drinks, eat my dinner and try to sleep for a bit....and then wake up and there is still 7 hours to go, so I spend the rest of the flight mulling over what two times eternity is...

PPPS - some airlines are better than others, and keep in mind that the total flight time going the other way through Europe is not much different and you can take a couple of days in Europe before going onward - breaks it up

Dress presentably, but comfortably. You'll probably get a little zipper bag of things like an eye mask, thin socks, toothpaste, etc. I dislike wearing shoes on long flights and take them off as soon possible. You'll want to manage jet lag - I'd recommend reading up on that (The NYT had something good on it recently.) I flew to Malawi last October and somehow powered through 30 hours of being awake (I don't sleep well on planes), went to sleep the night of the day we arrived, slept 12-13 hours and woke up perfectly acclimated for the rest of the two weeks I was there. Went to London for a few days two weeks ago and didn't even try, I was there for so little time. You'll want to look at better advice than I can give you and consider whether your flight is an overnight or not. Getting at least some sleep will be desirable.

You won't lack for entertainment - movies, etc. I always bring a book. Noise-canceling headphones and an eye mask will help you sleep. So will an OTC sleep aid like melatonin or sleeping pills or whatever, depending on what your body takes well. Get up and stretch, at the least, every so often. I do calf, hamstring and quad stretches.

Get a seat upgrade (LOL). When I flew to London I went over in economy and managed to get an upgrade to Premium Plus (just missed business class) on the way back and boy was there a difference in comfort and that wasn't even business class.

Don't get into a fight.

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.

When I flew to Tahiti over Christmas I was lucky enough to meet a family from Cal who vacation together every year at that time. They had made this flight before so gave me some tips.

One was to scout out any vacant seats that you could "grab" once the seat belt light went out where you could lay down on and sleep/nap. These would be in the center row(s) of the seats.

I would also bring along a book or magazine(s) to read and headphones of course.

^^^That had to be rough. Certain was not The Only Way to Fly.

https://airlineemployeeshop.com/cdn/...g?v=1691180192

Boy, if that was me, I'd be filling up my kindle with books and magazines and downloading podcasts by the score. Plus putting some fresh music on my phone as well, and I'd go to a real bookstore that has a well-stocked magazine rack and get a half a dozen magazines on subjects I knew little about but looked interesting that I could just idly flip through. I probably wouldn't get any porn, but who knows! ha ha)

And I've never used one but one of those neck pillows and a sleep mask would be part of the wish list.

Healthy snacks might be handy too. Maybe some really good chocolate to share in case my seat mate happened to be a fun, attractive woman..

Like mentioned above, I'd be tempted to opt out of a flight like that.