Suggestions for surviving a 16 hour flight in coach?
Apr 14, 2014, 7:01 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: BIL
Programs: Delta FO
Posts: 786
Suggestions for surviving a 16 hour flight in coach?
I'm flying ATL-JNB next week and am already having anxiety. I flew Aeroflot SVO-LAX yesterday and it was a traumatic experience. An additional 4 hours over that flight has me filled with a sense of trepidation. I am in EC, but EC is full, so that means things will be tight. I have no SWUs. Any advice? Should I look into upgrading to BE by using miles? Is that possible? How do I find out how many miles are required?
Apr 14, 2014, 7:08 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: DL DM, HH Gold, SPG Platinum 100, National Executive Elite
Posts: 1,687
a last minute to BE will be VERY expensive using cash. If you have a YBM fare, then you can waitlist a mileage upgrade to BE. It's 25K miles. However, this late in the game, it's got a low chance of clearing.
My advice from having flown this route - sleep as much as you can. It gets REALLY boring otherwise.
My advice from having flown this route - sleep as much as you can. It gets REALLY boring otherwise.
Apr 14, 2014, 7:16 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA EP, DL DM, DL 1M, Marriott Elite, Hilton Gold, SPG Elite
Posts: 140
I fly to NGO which is 14 hrs from DTW about 6 times per year. Here's my approach:
1. Eat well before departing and have the first meal as a snack.
2. No alcohol. I won't sleep well as I dry out and have to get up to go. Water, ginger ale, tea. Boring but it works.
3. Stay awake until about normal bed time. Sleep for awhile.
4. Watch a movie or show.
5. Go back to sleep and if I can't put on a garbage movie, of which DL has many to choose from. Puts me down to sleep.
6. At this point, we are about 4-5 hours away. Try another movie or tv shows for awhile and maybe a cat nap.
7. Breakfast. We will be there in an hour so stay awake.
8. Done.
The keys to a good flight to me are 1, 2, and 5.
1. Eat well before departing and have the first meal as a snack.
2. No alcohol. I won't sleep well as I dry out and have to get up to go. Water, ginger ale, tea. Boring but it works.
3. Stay awake until about normal bed time. Sleep for awhile.
4. Watch a movie or show.
5. Go back to sleep and if I can't put on a garbage movie, of which DL has many to choose from. Puts me down to sleep.
6. At this point, we are about 4-5 hours away. Try another movie or tv shows for awhile and maybe a cat nap.
7. Breakfast. We will be there in an hour so stay awake.
8. Done.
The keys to a good flight to me are 1, 2, and 5.
Apr 14, 2014, 7:33 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: DTW, LAX, MBJ
Programs: AA, Delta Kryptonium (DM) Hyatt Diamond IHG Fake Plat (Ambassador), HH Gold
Posts: 832
1. Prep
Hydrate hydrate hydrate 48 hrs before the flight.
Have good ear plugs, eye mask, noise canceling headset, quality neck pillow
Sleep app for your phone, sleep aid if you know the effects
Your own snacks
2.Flight
Rotate Book (2 hrs), Sleep (3 hrs), Movie (2 hrs) Eat (or look at your signed photo of Richard Anderson)
Two rotations you are just about home free.
Hydrate hydrate hydrate 48 hrs before the flight.
Have good ear plugs, eye mask, noise canceling headset, quality neck pillow
Sleep app for your phone, sleep aid if you know the effects
Your own snacks
2.Flight
Rotate Book (2 hrs), Sleep (3 hrs), Movie (2 hrs) Eat (or look at your signed photo of Richard Anderson)
Two rotations you are just about home free.
Apr 14, 2014, 7:55 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: DL PM, AA Gold, UA Silver, EI Silver
Posts: 2,036
Apr 14, 2014, 8:20 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Nawlins, LA
Programs: Nada!
Posts: 419
I just flew DXB-ATL in coach in a middle seat in EC. It's always full and full of guys coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan who are all huge. Definitely don't need to worry about being hijacked on that flight.
There is no way I could do it without a few drinks and a sleeping aid. Ativan for sleeping is good. It doesn't leave you with a hangover. I have a few drinks and I watch movies and sleep and wake up and watch movies and sleep and read my book and sleep. I saw 70% of 5 movies.
There is no way I could do it without a few drinks and a sleeping aid. Ativan for sleeping is good. It doesn't leave you with a hangover. I have a few drinks and I watch movies and sleep and wake up and watch movies and sleep and read my book and sleep. I saw 70% of 5 movies.
Apr 14, 2014, 8:23 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: LAS HNL
Programs: DL DM, 5.7 MM, UA 3.1 MM, MARRIOTT PLATINUM, AVIS FIRST, Amex Black Card
Posts: 4,479
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
an alcohol or drug abuse problem
bipolar disorder, depression, psychosis or other mental health conditions
glaucoma
kidney or liver disease
lung or breathing disease
myasthenia gravis
Parkinson's disease
porphyria
seizures or a history of seizures
suicidal thoughts
an unusual or allergic reaction to alprazolam, other benzodiazepines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
Take a boat, train, bus - anything but Y. Or hope that Xanax works with no conditions mentioned above. Good luck. If I'm on your flt I'll peak from behind the curtain, as I'll be "up front".
(kidding).Talk to the FA when you board the AC, he/she will be professional and calm any fears. If on DL, I'm sure they will give you good service. Enjoy the flt. Just relax - it will be OK.
Apr 14, 2014, 8:27 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
Seriously, to the OP... get up periodically for a good walk. Had a friend who ended up spending an extra month in OZ due to DVTs (no, not DTs
).Avoid the blood clots.
Apr 14, 2014, 9:30 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2012
Location: NY
Programs: AA Plat Pro, KrisFlyer Elite Gold
Posts: 578
My advice to you....
Seriously, to the OP... get up periodically for a good walk. Had a friend who ended up spending an extra month in OZ due to DVTs (no, not DTs).
Avoid the blood clots.
Seriously, to the OP... get up periodically for a good walk. Had a friend who ended up spending an extra month in OZ due to DVTs (no, not DTs
).Avoid the blood clots.
Apr 14, 2014, 9:35 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
Apr 14, 2014, 10:21 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Back to Florida...... bye London
Programs: Hilton, AA,, Delta
Posts: 5,152
Compression shorts will act like a girdle and slow the blood return from the legs. Compression socks/hose help the feet and lower legs to keep the blood from pooling and help it move back up the legs.