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How I survive 12 hour flights

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Re: How I survive 12 hour flights

#31

Post by estsauver »

I travel on the Amsterdam to Kenya flight (about 8 hours) every two months... when there isn't a global pandemic. Here are my tips that I didn't see here:

* Use seatguru to pick a good seat. Some seats look great but are very cramped or have no window at all.

* Eat way less than they serve you, I find dramatically less jetlag with having less food.

* Drink carefully, alcohol can really effect you at altitude/travel and disrupt sleep.

* I adjust my seat angle progressively over the flight. I find different parts of my back are stressed by different angles.

* Wear layers that let you adjust to very different temperatures. On the same route, KLM is going to keep the plane a very different temperature from Kenya Airways.

* Consider: Wearing a comfortable version of business casual. If you look like you travel more, you are generally treated better.

* Consider: Using a credit card with good travel insurance.

* Consider: Buying/finding lounge access if you have a > 2 hour layover at an airport.

* Consider: Taking a Benadryl/other gentle sleep medicine

* Consider: Talking to a Dr. about getting anti anxiety medicine for flight if you're a nervous flyer.

* Consider: Dash or another similar tool for offline docs if you need to do work on the plane.

* I'd enroll in AirHelp to automate getting cash back from delayed flights.

* Consider: An iPad is much easier to use because of the form factor than laptops in economy seats, it might be worth it.

* Decide early if you're going carry on only or will carry a checked bag. If you have a checked bag, try and make your carry on bag as light as possible.

* If you have sleep problems, very low doses of melatonin are helpful for resetting sleep patterns. If you have a prescription and local laws allow, Ritalin/Adderall help some people.

* Get a good power adapter for wherever you're traveling with no moving parts.

* If you're going somewhere with electronics availability challenges, bring a second adapter.

* Anker makes incredible battery packs that will reduce your stress. If you're trying to take an Uber without a phone, that's hard.

* Consider: Try to wear comfortable yet professional/nicer shoes. Loafers are a good choice.

Re: How I survive 12 hour flights

#33

Post by desmap »

jawilson wrote: post #12

Noise canceling headphone make my ears feel like they want to bleed if I wear them too long. I use foam ear plugs when I'm sleeping. Xanex is awesome though only for really long flights. We've all heard of Ambien on planes stories though this is another option for most people. Keep hydrated with water, planes really dry you out. Peeing is good because blood cots from long flights are a real thing. Please wear socks i…

> Noise canceling headphone make my ears feel like they want to bleed if I wear them too long.

Maybe you don't have good ones. I can wear mine 24/7 with ANC on.

Re: How I survive 12 hour flights

#34

Post by desmap »

gruez wrote: post #6

>Bring snacks >Buy a Big Mac before boarding the plane, and eat it whenever you want How long do big macs stay "fresh"? I'd imagine after a few hours they'll be cold and soggy from the sauces/veggies. You'd have to eat it in one or two hours before it degrades to a state that's worse than the food that they provide. The first hour or so after take off is also the time they serve the first in-flight meal (at least on…

> two hours before it degrades to a state that's worse than the food that they provide.

IDK I'd even take a cold Big Mac over any non-business/first-class airline food.

Re: How I survive 12 hour flights

#35

Post by thinkingemote »

holografix wrote: post #26
yeahnah22 wrote: post #7

(I see I’m not the only one triggered by the Big Mac comment. PLEASE do not do this.) Anyway, as the veteran of a bunch of 15hr flights, many of them part of longer 25-30hr hauls, here is my one tip.... 1. Accept that you are on a plane for a lengthy period of time. That’s it. Most of the unpleasantness comes from resisting the reality. Stop resisting it. You will be in a plane for a length of time. Accept it.

I’ve done this so many times I can’t count it. Most domestic flights I’m on that go longer than 2 hours I’ll have a Big Mac with me. Can someone explain why this is so bothersome to other people? Is it cuz you’re hungry and want to have one too but can’t?

The burger and fries are quite smelly, compared to say a cold beef sandwich. It's a bit anti social therefore I think.

I once ate a warm tuna salad thing on a train on the UK and heard a few people make comments about the smell. I ate it quickly and went to the vestibule to dispose of the packaging.

Re: How I survive 12 hour flights

#36

Post by fooddood »

niftich wrote: post #11
gruez wrote: post #6

>Bring snacks >Buy a Big Mac before boarding the plane, and eat it whenever you want How long do big macs stay "fresh"? I'd imagine after a few hours they'll be cold and soggy from the sauces/veggies. You'd have to eat it in one or two hours before it degrades to a state that's worse than the food that they provide. The first hour or so after take off is also the time they serve the first in-flight meal (at least on…

Big Macs don't hold up well, because the sauce goes best with a warm burger and is no longer palatable when it's been sitting on top of a cold patty. The shredded lettuce is already sad when fresh, and will inevitably get everywhere. Big Macs are not the item to buy. Instead, their basic cheeseburgers and their double versions are far cheaper and more versatile, and provided you can peel them apart, they can be parti…

You've got some deep McD's knowledge going here. What other hacks or tips do you have?

Re: How I survive 12 hour flights

#37

Post by gruez »

desmap wrote: post #34
gruez wrote: post #6

>Bring snacks >Buy a Big Mac before boarding the plane, and eat it whenever you want How long do big macs stay "fresh"? I'd imagine after a few hours they'll be cold and soggy from the sauces/veggies. You'd have to eat it in one or two hours before it degrades to a state that's worse than the food that they provide. The first hour or so after take off is also the time they serve the first in-flight meal (at least on…

> two hours before it degrades to a state that's worse than the food that they provide. IDK I'd even take a cold Big Mac over any non-business/first-class airline food.

Are we talking domestic or international flights? On international the food is at least re-heated.

Re: How I survive 12 hour flights

#38

Post by holografix »

thinkingemote wrote: post #35
holografix wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’ve done this so many times I can’t count it. Most domestic flights I’m on that go longer than 2 hours I’ll have a Big Mac with me. Can someone explain why this is so bothersome to other people? Is it cuz you’re hungry and want to have one too but can’t?

The burger and fries are quite smelly, compared to say a cold beef sandwich. It's a bit anti social therefore I think. I once ate a warm tuna salad thing on a train on the UK and heard a few people make comments about the smell. I ate it quickly and went to the vestibule to dispose of the packaging.

Strange I don’t think a BigMac is smelly at all and would never have guessed that’s the issue!

Sardines? Sure. Blue cheese, yep. Big Mac...?

Re: How I survive 12 hour flights

#40

Post by yeahnah22 »

holografix wrote: post #38
thinkingemote wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The burger and fries are quite smelly, compared to say a cold beef sandwich. It's a bit anti social therefore I think. I once ate a warm tuna salad thing on a train on the UK and heard a few people make comments about the smell. I ate it quickly and went to the vestibule to dispose of the packaging.

Strange I don’t think a BigMac is smelly at all and would never have guessed that’s the issue! Sardines? Sure. Blue cheese, yep. Big Mac...?

I’m so surprised to read this. My only interpretation is that your sense of smell might be diminished. Your Big Mac can be smelt from around 3-4 rows away in both directions. It’s really unpleasant to sit there for a period of time smelling that, but people aren’t going to say that to a complete stranger.
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