What Steps to make long haul travel more comfortable?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Hey Cove, I know that feeling. I also cannot resist the champagne and red wine. And port. Oh dear. But I swear that taking Melatonin properly (you only need it for a few nights at most), along with plenty of water, movies at the beginning of the flight, setting your watch/clocks/phone to the landing time, not sleeping during the day you arrive, getting sunlight and some post midday walking outside where at all possible) will do the trick. After 25 years of international travel and a LOT of actual miles flown each year, I found Melatonin being the single biggest improvement to my jetlag fighting regime. BTW, recommended to me initially by a cancer specialist then okayed (for me) by my cariodologist!
 
I dont like this thread ! 'Only drink water' ...... ' dont drink wine ' ....... 'dont eat anything' ..........'stay awake' ....

When our son lived in NYC for 5 years, I was flying BNE-NRT-JFK twice, sometimes 3 times a year, all in J ( occasionally F :D ) I always ate everything in sight, drank copious glasses of wine, had some sleep, and arrived in NYC at 8pm, straight to bed on arrival at the hotel, and the next morning up, breakfast, and ready to hit the shops at 10am. There is nothing like a serious shopping day and starbucks coffee to clear jetlag IMO. :D

Chuckle! I'll pass on the serious shopping, but the rest sounds fine. Having flown to New York even more than you have, I don't mind a drink or three to ease the pain.

Last trip was Sep 2010, on a V Australia 777, in premium economy. We purchased 9 months ahead, at a huge discount. By the time our departure date arrived, economy fares were only a couple of hundred dollars short of what we paid.

On the return leg, the V Australia aircraft had a mishap on the tarmac at LAX. We were put up at the LA Hilton for three nights, all meals paid for, and put on a Qantas flight home. If anyone reading this is considering a premium economy fare to the US on Qantas, make sure you're not on a 747B unless you can get the flight at a substantial discount. V Australia's 777s are much, much more comfortable in premium economy.

To top it off, when we got home V Australia sent us two $500 vouchers good for a year. The vouchers were transferable, so we were able to assist a couple of colleagues with their air fares to the US.
 
I actually swear on disregarding all well-meant advice and sleep when ever I feel like -even if it's in the middle of a boring business meeting ;) "Adjusting my inner clock" never works for me so better not even try it.

Eating lots and boozing it up as much as possible also helps immensely and I find Stilnox to be great in combination with alcohol even though there is a warning sticker on the pack telling you not to do it. Melatonin is pretty much the only non Rx supplement that helps me to a degree, ideally in doses 2-3 times above what's listed on the bottle. NozOil usually makes my nose get sniffy for days after so definitely not for me, good old chemical nose sprays though are perfect if used only on the flight and not for days after. An eye mask and good moisturizing cream (the stuff from ALDI is good enough in my eyes) also helps but I can do without it provided I get onto an A380.

Flying anything but Why has been mentioned already but is absolutely essential especially on business trips as it allows one to get completely drunk and still be fit for business upon arrival because you actually get some decent sleep on the plane.
 
Agree, I've been travelling long haul for over 20 years and used to suffer jet-lag very badly. I started taking Melatonin 6-7 years ago and I've suffered very little jag since! I now go back to work next day following a flight from Europe without too many worries. The important thing however is to to take the Melatonin at the right time. Travelling from East to West is simple. Take 3mg at 10 pm (destination time) following arrival for 3 -4 nights. Travelling back is somewhat more complicated. Take a tablet (3mg) the day before travel at 7pm local time. From then on it is important to take 3mg at 7pm local time wherever you may be. Local time here means that if you are flying over Turkey and the time there at that point is 7pm, then that is the time to take the Melatonin. Repeat this until you get to Australia. On arrival take Melatonin at 10pm for 3-4 days. The point of the exercise here is to attempt to bring your body clock (bed time!) forward. My wife and I have followed this regime religiously, and it has always worked for us. By the way make sure you get hold of standard Melatonin and not the homeopathic preparation.
 
snip
Melatonin is pretty much the only non Rx supplement that helps me to a degree, ideally in doses 2-3 times above what's listed on the bottle.

snip

In Australia Melatonin (the full strength one e.g. Circadin (2mg prolonged release)) is on doctors prescription only i.e. S4.

I know all us frequent flyers are buying our Melatonin from the US and bring it home but I just had to clarify that in Australia Melatonin is on Doctors prescription only.

If anyone is interested there is a short article in "Australian Prescriber" Melatonin - what's all the fuss about? - Australian Prescriber

hths

ck
 
This may have changed recently because my pharmacist now offers the 5mg version over the counter. Perhaps it is not proper strength? BTW, you can buy Melatonin cheaply in most countries, not just the USA. I need to find out what my (Melbourne) guy is now selling!
 
In Australia Melatonin (the full strength one e.g. Circadin (2mg prolonged release)) is on doctors prescription only i.e. S4.

I know all us frequent flyers are buying our Melatonin from the US and bring it home but I just had to clarify that in Australia Melatonin is on Doctors prescription only.

If anyone is interested there is a short article in "Australian Prescriber" Melatonin - what's all the fuss about? - Australian Prescriber

hths

ck

Yes, and luckily for some we can write our own scripts ;)
 
This may have changed recently because my pharmacist now offers the 5mg version over the counter. Perhaps it is not proper strength? BTW, you can buy Melatonin cheaply in most countries, not just the USA. I need to find out what my (Melbourne) guy is now selling!

Are you sure that it is not the 5x or 6x homoeopathic strength? He is not supposed to sell the 5mg over the counter. Having said that there are some health food shops that sell 3mg, however the labelling is deceptive so you think that you are getting the homoeopathic strength.
 
I agree with those who are saying that a lot of (non-alcoholic) fluids are very helpful.

"Tasting Menus" are great.... Especially if F is not a usual cabin for you. IMHO.... I'd prefer to eat in the lounge prior to flying, especially on night flights.

For me personally.

A massage.

Some alcohol. (Champagne or Scotch)

A late arrival to the aircraft.

Advising the CSM upon boarding that I do not wish to be disturbed for meals.

Listening to my favourite music.

That is what makes Long-Haul easier.

To be fair.... It is NEVER an experience to relish. (I've done Europe 30+ times in a private plane and it is still not brilliant)

Enjoy the journey...... AND..... ALWAYS be kind to your Mother. (You will miss her when she is gone)

Boss.
 
choose an airline that will get you to your destination in the afternoon or early evening. Avoid early morning arrivals whenever possible. Lots of evidence to back this as a good way to minimise the effects of jetlag. That must be why Joyce stopped QF29/30 between MEL & LHR.

From PER why not fly emirates etc via middle east. Have been told this is much better than via Eastern Aus
 
Personally, I have always done the following:
- Set my watch to the timezone I am going to as soon as I board the plane
- As soon after take-off as possible, get out of travel clothes and don grungy tracky-dacs and t-shirt
- Observe meals and drinks as if I was in the new timezone, that is if they offer beer and it is "5am", I refuse
- Stay up and power through until bedtime in new timezone while on the flight (watch lots of movies), you can always force yourself to stay awake, but it is near impossible to force yourself to sleep
- Get up and do a lap or two of the plane after each movie, also do serious stretching at the back of the plane (you get funny looks, but you get off fresh as a daisy)
- Before landing take a half-hour in the toilets for a pommie shower & change of clothes (including undies), you will be surprised what fresh clothing does to your psyche
- When you get to your desitnation force as full and active day as possible and try to stay up until at least 10pm, then by the morning your body clock is reset & no jet-lag!

I used to travel to the UK from SYD in Cattle class twice a year and never suffered from jetlag in either direction using the above "rules".
 
Maybe I should have been a tad more explicit - if its 5am in my target timezone I would refuse a beer, 6am is fine, but 5am is beyond the pale ;)
 
Try searching "British Airways jet lag calculator" in google, follow the steps and be free of jet lag for ever. :D
 
The Frequent Flyer Concierge team takes the hard work out of finding reward seat availability. Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, they'll help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

Its always 5pm somewhere is my thought on the subject.And then i found this place-
november%2520trip%2520411.JPG
 
Sponsored Post

Struggling to use your Frequent Flyer Points?

Frequent Flyer Concierge takes the hard work out of finding award availability and redeeming your frequent flyer or credit card points for flights.

Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, the Frequent Flyer Concierge team at Frequent Flyer Concierge will help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

Status
Not open for further replies.

Enhance your AFF viewing experience!!

From just $6 we'll remove all advertisements so that you can enjoy a cleaner and uninterupted viewing experience.

And you'll be supporting us so that we can continue to provide this valuable resource :)


Sample AFF with no advertisements? More..
Back
Top