My first long haul economy flight in 17 years
Aug 23, 17, 5:12 am
#46
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 109
Originally Posted by BerksFlyer
I took the whole family on a Viking fare and they weren't impressed with the whole ex-EU thing. Heathens!
Having never received an upgrade of any sort I'm not expecting my luck to change tomorrow!
Having never received an upgrade of any sort I'm not expecting my luck to change tomorrow!
Wish you a pleasant trip
Aug 23, 17, 5:48 am
#47
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 116
Originally Posted by BerksFlyer
The blow will be softened by having an aisle one side of me and a child the other side so elbow and leg room could be worse. Fortunately the return TATL was booked in W and UUA'd to J when when the flights were booked last year.
Aug 23, 17, 5:57 pm
#51
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Spire Elite
Posts: 1,641
Originally Posted by frenzie01
Umm... I would not say that any blow is softened by having a child next to you but... hope you enjoyed your flight.
Originally Posted by 710 77345
You should be getting the WTP catering.
Aug 23, 17, 8:38 pm
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 16,062
Originally Posted by G-ARVE
Also I've found that removing the temptation to address boredom via the drinks trolley has a significant and positive effect on one's arrival and post-arrival condition.
But I'm with you on this. Confused and emotional or hungover are not the best ways to greet Auckland on a pre-dawn arrival.
Aug 24, 17, 5:18 am
#53
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: london
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 266
Most of my flying is in economy and while I manage, I wouldn't say I come off a long haul flight smiling.
My last was a friday overnight SIN - LHR and I was tired before I began as I had arrived Sunday and worked Mon - Fri with jetlag.
I can't sleep properly unless I lie flat so will doze but not sleep. I had booked a bulkhead seat on the outside but the sound on my IFE was faulty so got moved. Luckily to another bulkhead but mid row.
I had eaten before getting to the airport so food was adequate but drinks were less forthcoming. The crew walked down a couple of times with trays of water/juice but I wasn't able to get their attention. My neighbours were soundly sleeping with legs stretched out and belongings everywhere so that getting out wasn't as easy as it should be. It was possible but that extra difficulty meant I didn't get up to get a drink (yes partly my fault) and so landed feeling dehydrated, nauseaou and completely shattered. I ended up having to have a sit down at heathrow and some drinks/coffee before I could face the final bit of the journey.
It's a necessity of work and don't work with clients who are prepared to pay for business but it can be a bit of an endurance.
Not just a BA thing, I had a terrible flight with MAH where I didn't have a bulkhead/exit row and the pitch was so tight I couldn't fit my legs without slanting them sideways and had to ask the person in front not to recline as there wasn't physically room for my legs if he did.
My last was a friday overnight SIN - LHR and I was tired before I began as I had arrived Sunday and worked Mon - Fri with jetlag.
I can't sleep properly unless I lie flat so will doze but not sleep. I had booked a bulkhead seat on the outside but the sound on my IFE was faulty so got moved. Luckily to another bulkhead but mid row.
I had eaten before getting to the airport so food was adequate but drinks were less forthcoming. The crew walked down a couple of times with trays of water/juice but I wasn't able to get their attention. My neighbours were soundly sleeping with legs stretched out and belongings everywhere so that getting out wasn't as easy as it should be. It was possible but that extra difficulty meant I didn't get up to get a drink (yes partly my fault) and so landed feeling dehydrated, nauseaou and completely shattered. I ended up having to have a sit down at heathrow and some drinks/coffee before I could face the final bit of the journey.
It's a necessity of work and don't work with clients who are prepared to pay for business but it can be a bit of an endurance.
Not just a BA thing, I had a terrible flight with MAH where I didn't have a bulkhead/exit row and the pitch was so tight I couldn't fit my legs without slanting them sideways and had to ask the person in front not to recline as there wasn't physically room for my legs if he did.
Aug 24, 17, 6:45 am
#55
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: London
Programs: Mucci Blue, BAEC Gold, Blockbuster Video card
Posts: 1,366
I haven't had to to it long haul for a while now (and short haul I don't care - if I fall asleep naturally great, not that bothered if not).
But when last I did on a regular basis I found a method that worked for me;
1) Optimal amount of food and drink. Definitely a couple of glasses of red, but try and avoid too much more than that.
2) Optimal clothing. Light layers and nothing too difficult to add / remove so that the amount you wake yourself if you need to tweak it mid flight is minimised
3) Use the blanket or a hooded sweatshirt to completely cover the head. If a hoody, use the drawstring too.
4) Inside this little cocoon I have my ipod, with in ear buds (in lieu of ear plugs) and a selected quiet playlist. I find this better than no sound.
I didn't always get fully asleep that way, but I did find that it allowed my mind to disengage and at least get to that half sleeping state pretty consistently.
But it's a totally personal approach.
My $0.02
But when last I did on a regular basis I found a method that worked for me;
1) Optimal amount of food and drink. Definitely a couple of glasses of red, but try and avoid too much more than that.
2) Optimal clothing. Light layers and nothing too difficult to add / remove so that the amount you wake yourself if you need to tweak it mid flight is minimised
3) Use the blanket or a hooded sweatshirt to completely cover the head. If a hoody, use the drawstring too.
4) Inside this little cocoon I have my ipod, with in ear buds (in lieu of ear plugs) and a selected quiet playlist. I find this better than no sound.
I didn't always get fully asleep that way, but I did find that it allowed my mind to disengage and at least get to that half sleeping state pretty consistently.
But it's a totally personal approach.
My $0.02
Jan 29, 20, 7:55 am
#56
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Spire Elite
Posts: 1,641
After failing to achieve this long haul flight in Economy in 2017 I will ale most certainly get the pleasure tomorrow.
Should I survive the experience I’ll feed back on how my first long haul economy flight in almost 20 years went!!
Should I survive the experience I’ll feed back on how my first long haul economy flight in almost 20 years went!!
Jan 29, 20, 8:09 am
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 39,628
Originally Posted by BerksFlyer
After failing to achieve this long haul flight in Economy in 2017 I will ale most certainly get the pleasure tomorrow.
Should I survive the experience I’ll feed back on how my first long haul economy flight in almost 20 years went!!
Should I survive the experience I’ll feed back on how my first long haul economy flight in almost 20 years went!!
Jan 29, 20, 8:15 am
#58
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: BAEC OW Gold/Emerald
Posts: 470
Originally Posted by HIDDY
Just a shame you're a Gold as you won't get to enjoy the full Y longhaul experience. Especially on the ground.
