Advice needed from frequent flyers

[rolty]

Beer has always been a great companion on any long haul flight I've been on. Flew to Miami in October last year and probably spent a third of the flight in the galley at the back of the plane chatting to my friends/randoms and the cabin crew over several beers. The worst part was where the beer ran out As Gareth says, an aisle seat is the one to go for, certainly for me as it means I can actually straighten my legs by putting them in the aisle and then just moving them as/when someone comes past.

I can definately vouch for getting up and having a stretch/walk every hour or so. On an overnight flight from Orlando last year I slept for pretty much the whole flight. This sounds great, but I had a real struggle to get my feet back in my shoes as they had swollen up loads! A really weird feeling but eased up after an hour or so after landing.

Once you've booked your ticket and know what airline you'll be flying with, you can work out what aircraft type will be used, and ask for a particular seat. See here for an example of a Virgin 744 configuration: http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Virgin ... -400_1.php

Generally, once on 'the cruise' I tend to alternate between reading/iPod for a bit, then watching some TV/films, it's great if the plane has got AVOD (Audio Video On Demand), but even the older aircraft types give you a good choice of something to watch. Whatever you do, don't bring up the display which shows the progress of the aircraft on the route and the predicted arrival time - it's a soul destroying thing to see you've still got another 7 hours to go!

[maff]

I've done oz a couple of times over the years, got family out there. First time I was 19 and flew http://www.garuda-indonesia.com/ Heathrow -> Abu Dhabi -> Jakarta -> Brisbane with little brother in tow. It was the cheapest flight, but the most fun, got to see lots of stuff i wouldn't have on the more boring (and more expensive) Heathrow->Singapore->Brisbane (which I've also used). Not to mention the food was better than the Quantas flights. Don't just hide in the airport at the stop over, treat it as holiday rather than travelling and get out to see the sights. For instance, we went to the local water park in Indonesia and got some local food, really brakes up the journey.

I've found the best way is to sleep through the flights, do get the headphones, but don't watch TV 24/7 when everything is new and different you don't want to have bombarded your brain for the last 10 hours with dross movies and books. Watch a bit, sleep a bit, eat a bit, rehearse a mental check-list of jobs to do on landing about 30 mins before touch down.

nothing to it.

also, get a hire car, hire cars make a holiday, your thing, at your pace.

[Maxx]

Concur with the aisle seat advice personally, not so much a problem on short-haul but long-haul where you often get 'sleepers' it's a real pain to have to disturb your neighbour.

On the meal situation, every long haul airline i've been with offer you (usually have to book in advance) meal alternatives.

If I remember I will always book a lo-cal meal as i've found them much better than the usual mass produced stodge they serve up. Keep hydrated but preferable not with fizzy drinks, personally I make a point of buying a bottle of water (after security!) to take on the plane.

One thing you will experience which can be a bit worrying if you don't expect it is 'hearing loss" (ear blockage) due to altitude. You actually get it going up and coming down. Either just swallow every so often to try and clear it or chew some gum, suck a sweet.

I quite like the fact that they have films on the flight as I rarely watch films 'on the ground' and probably would never watch some that I have watched and enjoyed.

I do always pack my iphone with video stuff (via VLC). I just did a return trip to Saudi and watched about 6-8 Star Treks

It may seem tempting to get an emergency exit seat which has more legroom but I have always found these to be about twice as noisy as a 'normal' seat.

Flying can be kinda fun .. but would prefer a Star Trek Transporter .... beam me up Scotty

Maxx

[Daniel]

Thanks for all the replies on this guys the doubt is subsiding very nicely. been subjecting myself to take off and landing videos for over a week now and i know what to expect visually when i look out the windows, but i think what will be a surprise is the g-force on take off but like stu says if it's like a car with reasonable torque bring it on

As for the seating, now again as much as an arse it can be i still like the thought of sitting next the the window so i can film outside and have some daylight but the leg room is tempting. (but the airbus has 50% more leg room anyway) then the other option is 'premium economy' where the seating is in 1+1 arrangement with much more leg room. all tempting stuff

[Monster]

I fly quite a bit, going to dallas weds, Pheonix friday, spain, next thursday and Cape town the sunday after I'm back, and although I agree with all of the above my fave ways to pass a long flight are beers and sleep!!

basically, decent car mag/driving book for the boring bit while they load the plane, then tuck into the wine/beers/spirits and food, get yourself nicely mellow (i'm not talking air rage drinking here, i mean chilled) and then sleep

Premium economy is better if you want to spend the cash, if not definately isle seats, and also worth checking the seating before you fly as if it's not booked out you can chose a seat next to an unoccupied one and spread out.

But as already pointed out, loads of good films and music on board, you can spend 2 hours making your play lists!! But most of all chap, enjoy it, you've got a great trip in front of you and just think of the plane journey as part of the adventure, not as a chore that you have to get through. And as your a BPer and love cars, if you;ve not been on a plane before that will be excitement enough

[Stuart]

I fly quite a bit, going to dallas weds, Pheonix friday, spain, next thursday and Cape town the sunday after I'm back, and although I agree with all of the above my fave ways to pass a long flight are beers and sleep!!

Too many trips abroad and I bet most of them are having a laugh Have fun in between sleeping, drinking beer and women

[Monster]

Too many trips abroad and I bet most of them are having a laugh Have fun in between sleeping, drinking beer and women

Drinking beer AND women!? Not tried that yet but thanks for the tip Stu

Actually the spain trip is a jolly, will report back if there's anything worth telling. My mob sponsor the Williams F1 team so I'm taking some clients to hospitality day at the Jerez Practice day on the 11th. Get access to the pits, pit wall, team, drivers etc so for me it's actually better than just going to the GP cos you actually get up close and talk to the guys while they're doing their stuff.

On the other hand it might be just a load of corporate schmooze

[Stuart]

On the other hand it might be just a load of corporate schmooze

Oh fuck right off!!!!!
You and I both know that it will be immense. Have fun...........totally jealous

[Monster]

Hoping so fella, will report back....