What Have I Done....Regret Booking

[Kate101]

So trying to condition myself, because at this point for me its too late to back out, not technically but self esteem wise.

I have faith that you will be fine, don't think about the flight too much, think about the amazing time you are going to have...Enjoy your trip. let us know how you go

 

[funkymama56]

I have flown that route many times at that time of year with my family and I have not thought it was any worse or better than any other. On another note and I'm no doctor but a family member experienced a bout of nervourness about flying for a period of time and needed some anti anxiety pills from the GP. Still able to walk around the plane but not be so anxious about the flight.

 

[Pat2065]

Hi Happy Travellers.

Hope this isn't too long. I booked and paid for a Qantas flight to NYC, leaving in December returning in late Jan. now I have massive regrets. Maybe easier if I list them

1 long flight from Sydney in econo....never had such a long flight.
2 plane seems to be full only flexi fares left and we are stuck down the back.......very nervous about this claustrobic feeling, only ever done 3 hrs.
3 apparently Sydney to la is very very bumpy and turbulent.
4 then after 3 days in la I have to face 6 hours to NYC.

I am a dedicated business class traveller but as a Canadian living in Oz, have many visitors from North America. I offer the following:

1. Everyone seems to survive economy and, like childbirth, the trauma seems to be quickly forgotten.
2. I do the Syd-LA trip a lot and can't say turbulence has ever been much of an issue.
3. Take sleeping pills and a neck pillow to supplement seat head rest.
4. If you have a good bladder, take a window seat as it gives you something to lean against and no one crawls over you.
5. On the other hand, you may feel less claustrophobic in an aisle seat.
6. Yes, it is cold in NYC in Jan but it is also magical. Dress warmly and enjoy it. You can get out of the cold to warm up in a shop or other public space very easily. I assume you meant 6 days in NYC and 6 hours was wishful thinking on your part.
7. The worst part of the trip is likely to be customs and immigration at LAX airport and that makes little difference what class you are in.

 

[Scout]

I have flown Melb or Sydney to LA in 747 or 777 aircraft, and onwards several times mostly in economy. I got bumped up to business class twice and that made the longest flight a bit more tolerable. However you travel it is a long flight and you do need patience and ability to relax. I read a book or more, worked on my computer (until battery ran out) and watch movies (best trip was anniversary of Elvis ' death and I got to see lots of good old Elvis movies again! Do enjoy your trip.

 

[PLANT]

Bose QC20i or Bose QC20 noise cancelling is a must! buy...claim the TRS at the airport.
Just hope/ask for your seat not to be in the middle section of row of seats 4 across....
Load up laptop/tablet with a TV Series and at least 4 movies you have not seen.
Grab extra bottles of water before you land as the LAX immigration can take FOREVER 1hr, 2hrs to clear(Done it in 15minutes and also taken over an 1 hr)
Walk the length of the plane and all aisles....take it as treasure hunt ie. look for the good things, the escape plan, the things could be improved.
Always be polite to the crew and make social chit chat as helps at meal times!
Expect to be jet lagged at the end.
Take Windproof jacket, thermals and a beaine for NYC been twice that time of year and it's bloody cold out...sauna in the shops!
It will be the best experience and with friends will be even better...enjoy!

 

[Nanday]

I've flown this route and also BNE-LAX too many times to count, sometimes in Economy, sometimes in Business Class. How to make the time seem to pass faster? Well, you can't. But you can accessorise to help make it a nicer trip. Noise cancelling earphones, so you can actually hear the movies, for one thing. A kit of nice extras in your carry-on - some skin cream, lip balm, an eye mask, ear plugs, also a few pharmaceutical necessities like paracetamol, anti-nausea pills etc. I often travel it alone. You are lucky, you have friends with you so you don't have to take the risk of sitting next to 'Shrek', as a friend of mine did. I don't drink alcohol, but lots of water and juices. This is to both keep me hydrated and make me have to get up to make my way to the toilets several times. This helps the circulation greatly. And while lining up at the toilets, I use the time to stretch. Nobody will stare or think you are odd - everybody is just trying to cope with the same things you are.

Mostly I just keep my mind focussed on the end game, which is arriving and starting my holiday and visits with friends. It really does make it all worthwhile. Have you considered taking an overnight break in LA? There are lots of reasonably priced hotels near LAX and I usually overnight there either coming or going on longer trips. I pick my hotel based on the comfort of the beds and there is nothing more wonderful than stretching out on a comfy bed after a 13 hour flight (or before starting one).

One last tip. Eat something before you get on the plane, or take it with you and eat it when you get on. They won't be starting meal service for about 2 to 3 hours after takeoff. Somebody told me about travelling with her brother, who was too excited to eat before getting on the plane, then passed out an hour after the plane took off. Also if the meal selection is awful, at least you will have had something of your choice and won't be eating airplane food out of desperation.

 

[farmboy]

I have faith that you will be fine, don't think about the flight too much, think about the amazing time you are going to have...Enjoy your trip. let us know how you go

If you think that economy in an A380 for 14 hours is bad, consider this true story of mine.

I booked a business class fare (2) to London from Sydney with a very well known and still operating online travel agent. It was near the end of the paper ticket days. Everything was fine, the agent said in writing that no further confirmation was needed.
When I checked in the clerk said that the ticket was fine, but because the agent thad not complied with some detail, there were no seats available. And so from looking forward to nice business class flights, we were put right down the back of economy, for the whole journey to London. Compensation offered later? $700.

Check, double check, and then check again, - twice.

 

[coco50]

Having a son who lives in LAX and a daughter living in SAF I fly to LAX regularly. I don't do 13 - 14 hour trips to the LOTFAP. Instead my wife and I fly Star Class on JQ to HNL and chill out for a few days on one of the Hawaiian Islands ans then take a 5 hour flight in Y to LAX - you can manage for 5 hours. The trip home is the reverse. At least the Star Class on JQ gives you more room and better service. The best part of the trip is chilling out in Hawaii which is really beautiful away from Waikiki.

 

[Shan ia]

I know exactly what you are feeling and I have been flying for over 50years. The positives of your trip greatly outweigh the negatives. As far as my experiences go it is no more bumpy flying to the USA as it is going to Asia or Europe. The A380 is the smoothest aircraft I have ever flown on and even when coming back from Europe with Emirates last year, everyone was told to sit down including the crew, the sky was black ahead and yet there was not one bump. What could be better than flying on holiday with mates, let alone long distance to the USA. Your only negative is flying with Qantas. I put them on my Do Not Fly List as I got fed up with their totally abissmal service, even in Business Class. Have a couple of drinks, turn on the movies and enjoy.

 

[TSVflyer]

Hi, I have flown SYD to LHR some 20 times in the last 30 years as well as SYD to LAX a couple of times on either QF, JL, AY and BA. For the first 20 odd years it was always in Y. It was not exactly a wonderful experience, but I always had an aisle seat so I could get up for a walk to stretch my legs/lavatory visit. After a few years I started breaking the flight for a day or two in SIN. I found that that made the trip a bit easier.
If you are relatively young (less than 60 years) you really won't have any trouble surviving 14+ plus hours in the back of the bus. You will arrive jet lagged but a couple of days in LAX will fix that. I'm now travelling in business as I'm 70 and I would find Y too hard for more than 8 hours. (to my embarrassment I see people older than me in Y).
All I can say DO IT, it is not that hard and is definitely worth it.

 

[megmcw]

Hi Happy Travellers.

Hope this isn't too long. I booked and paid for a Qantas flight to NYC, leaving in December returning in late Jan. now I have massive regrets. Maybe easier if I list them

1 long flight from Sydney in econo....never had such a long flight.
2 plane seems to be full only flexi fares left and we are stuck down the back.......very nervous about this claustrobic feeling, only ever done 3 hrs.
3 apparently Sydney to la is very very bumpy and turbulent.
4 then after 3 days in la I have to face 6 hours to NYC.
5 the weather in NYC is brutal apparently in winter.

i could cancel and let 3 friends down. For the past month I have been belting my self up about booking with them at the travel expo. I mean don't even really want to go to the USA I prefer Europe, haven't been but they all have.

just the thought of this trip and I'm pouring another scotch and coke. Keep thinking what have I done ?

please any experiences like mine or advice I would be very thankful.

Business class would cost around $7000. Economy $2,300. If someone gave you in cash $4,300 to sit in an economy seat for 14 hours would you do,it.??

 

[wombatpatties]

Sleeping pills
Alcohol
Phenergan
Melatonin
Modafinil

Oh dearie me! change your job and never go on holidays.

Did this trip 12 years ago, not a A380 I can tell you. Friend and I talked, drank, joked about and annoyed passengers so much we were told off severly by the air-hostess (yes, she was that old), she ruined our holiday mode, BUT New York was great, even the steam coming out of the roads was for real. I thought that was cinema hype!
Food is cheap, people love our accent, but dont forget to tip, otherwise they get shirty, and never forget you. But I would go back yes surree!!!

 

[Bali Belly]

I have two words to say to you:

Sleeping Pills.

and of course noise cancelling headphones

 

[DC3]

.. because at this point for me its too late to back out, not technically but self esteem wise.

It's never too late to back out, although we are all trying to provide you with some encouragement to take the flight. After all, you did come here seeking advice.

Not meaning to be harsh, but you need to decide if this is something that you really want to do, rather than have a bunch of frequent flyers pushing you on.


Edit:

... leaving in December returning in late Jan. now I have massive regrets.

Just noticed that you haven't posted for 5 days, unless I missed it. Maybe you are in the USA already?

 

[maxwelljames]

Everyone has made good comments. Ataj should just go and stop procrastinating. Thousands are flying these sectors every day. But be sure to enjoy the Qantas Hot Chocolate before he goes to sleep.

 

[Flying Uke]

Oh no what have you done! Poured coke in your scotch!!! You deserve economy class. Never do this in Scotland or around any serious whisky drinkers. My advice is to get some good scotch duty free and start drinking it as nature intended.

 

[aaflyer]

Oh no what have you done! Poured coke in your scotch!!! You deserve economy class. Never do this in Scotland or around any serious whisky drinkers. My advice is to get some good scotch duty free and start drinking it as nature intended.

Noting that you cannot consume Duty Free alcohol on board a flight.

 

[markis10]

Noting that you cannot consume Duty Free alcohol on board a flight.

Depends who you fly with.

 

[aaflyer]

Depends who you fly with.

Valid Point. I know some dry airlines are happy to serve your BYO'd booze (not the airline in this thread though).

 

[ozbeachbabe]

For a good team bonding exercise, check out Katz's Deli for their famous pastrami sandwich as seen on Man vs Food.

If you find that for some strange reason the Big Apple isn't for you, just buy a cheap return ticket ex JFK to whatever your favourite European city is allowing plenty of time to get back to NY to hook up with your return flight as booked.