Originally Posted by
Flyerwalk2
Best steps are
1. Take daylight flight to LHR
2. In a week or two before the flight, mimic the new time zone as much as possible. That would mean people in North America going to bed early and getting up early.
3. If you can fall asleep easier in business class, consider business class.
The rest, like diet and pills, are way down the list as far as effectiveness.
Once you arrive, nap if tired but make it a short nap if it is daytime. Try to sleep during the night. If the trip is short, try to mimic the time zone in the US, which means getting up late in the morning, as late as possible on the morning.
Jet lag has been discussed on this forum many times before. It's different for everyone. I personally agree with
BearX220's post, requoted below. Except for booze. A decent amount of booze makes me very sleepy, and I just pass out. I do still drink plenty of water though.
I don't like the daytime flight. The flight leaves early in the morning and arrives late at night, as if a whole day has passed, but really only half a day passes. I then have trouble falling asleep.
A week is way too early to start adjusting to the new time zone; it would completely mess up my schedule at the local time.
I much prefer leaving late in the evening (so it's about bedtime), sleeping at least 3-4 hours, and then waking up late morning or early afternoon in Europe. This is equivalent to very early morning from origin time, so it's not bad. And then I only have to get through about half the day before I can sleep again, which also isn't bad. I don't nap. Then I wake up the next day at a regular time, and I'm already adjusted. This option also saves a hotel night. For me, business class helps a lot here because I can get a decent 3-4 hours of sleep in a lie flat, instead of a really crappy 3-4 hours of sleep in a tight recliner. That's the key for me to be functional the next day.
Originally Posted by
BearX220
Business class is not a miracle preventer of jet lag. It only makes you more comfortable while you are getting jet lag.
Just what the poster above states: drink water instead of booze en route, and stay up until 900p or 1000p your first night in Paris no matter what. Do not succumb to the urge for an afternoon nap or you'll be screwed up for days.
These steps counter jet leg regardless of what cabin you fly in.