Originally Posted by
danielswiss
We are travelling from Chicago to Kuala Lumpur (and then the next day to Borneo). We are travelling in business class. I have option of flying via New York-Hong Kong-Kuala Lumpur (leaving NYC at 10:00 AM, which also means leaving Chicago night before to fly to New York where we would spend the night in hotel,and arriving KL at 6:40 PM) or travelling via LA at midnight, i.e. 2 AM Chicago time, and arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 12:30 PM.
My question is which option might be easier on the body and for jet lag. Does it matter? I am eager to enjoy business class and wonder whether it might be more fun starting the long leg at 10 AM versus Midnight).
I don't know this route but have flown similar distances. Either way it is a very long flight, although Business class and lounge access will help somewhat.
What are the connections like in HKG, and LAX? Basically how many hours it takes you from NYC to KUL in the first route (ORD-NYC doesn't count as you'd be sleeping a night)? From ORD to KUL in the second? My instinct would be to minimize this time, when you are traveling without a real bed.
If you do take the NYC route, get there early enough, leave in the afternoon, to get a real full night's sleep. What you absolutely don't want is to reach NYC at 10PM, hotel bed by midnight, and have to get up at 4AM again!