15 Hour flight
Nov 21, 2009 | 12:41 pm
#16
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: DEN/DUB/SYD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold, VA plat
Posts: 191
I'm a regular SFO-SYD flyer (3 round trips since September 1st) which is about ~14 hours (plus my connection).
I have traveled E- and E+ and without question, E+ is the way to go (I'll be careful not to say you won't make it without E+, that can be taken literally
).
With that, my strategy:
1. Ipod/iphone (with movies).
2. Laptop (my battery gives me ~4.5 hours with a dim screen and I watch movies or play a game).
3. Books. (usually I bring two, one being a lighter read - concentration levels change depending on how tired you are).
4. Magazine/Paper
5. Inflight Entertainment (I've survived without this, may last round trip showed movies I'd seen between my previous two round trips so I watched nothing, but usually you can eat away 4 hours, best around mealtimes).
6. Sleep - usually I get 4 hours.
It's not great but another option is to get a strong sleep aide and use that. I'm against this myself, but some colleagues swear by it.
I have traveled E- and E+ and without question, E+ is the way to go (I'll be careful not to say you won't make it without E+, that can be taken literally
).With that, my strategy:
1. Ipod/iphone (with movies).
2. Laptop (my battery gives me ~4.5 hours with a dim screen and I watch movies or play a game).
3. Books. (usually I bring two, one being a lighter read - concentration levels change depending on how tired you are).
4. Magazine/Paper
5. Inflight Entertainment (I've survived without this, may last round trip showed movies I'd seen between my previous two round trips so I watched nothing, but usually you can eat away 4 hours, best around mealtimes).
6. Sleep - usually I get 4 hours.
It's not great but another option is to get a strong sleep aide and use that. I'm against this myself, but some colleagues swear by it.
Nov 21, 2009 | 12:48 pm
#17
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YYZ, BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K, SPG Platinum, PC Gold
Posts: 211
I'm sure you can handle it just fine, I just finished my MR fron BUF-BOS-LAX-NRT-SIN-NRT-SEA-ORD-BTV-BUF, my flight was actually much longer than 15 hours. I think as long as you can find something to think , or to sleep, to watch the PTV, things will turn out fine, get some books you want to read.
^
^
Nov 21, 2009 | 1:06 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 13,349
When I flew DXB-IAD earlier this month they were offering upgrades for E300. 777s still have the old business class, but it's still a huge improvement over coach.
Nov 22, 2009 | 10:57 am
#19
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: LAX
Programs: AA ExPlat, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 1,132
I'm a regular SFO-SYD flyer (3 round trips since September 1st) which is about ~14 hours (plus my connection).
I have traveled E- and E+ and without question, E+ is the way to go (I'll be careful not to say you won't make it without E+, that can be taken literally ).
With that, my strategy:
1. Ipod/iphone (with movies).
2. Laptop (my battery gives me ~4.5 hours with a dim screen and I watch movies or play a game).
3. Books. (usually I bring two, one being a lighter read - concentration levels change depending on how tired you are).
4. Magazine/Paper
5. Inflight Entertainment (I've survived without this, may last round trip showed movies I'd seen between my previous two round trips so I watched nothing, but usually you can eat away 4 hours, best around mealtimes).
6. Sleep - usually I get 4 hours.
It's not great but another option is to get a strong sleep aide and use that. I'm against this myself, but some colleagues swear by it.
I have traveled E- and E+ and without question, E+ is the way to go (I'll be careful not to say you won't make it without E+, that can be taken literally
).With that, my strategy:
1. Ipod/iphone (with movies).
2. Laptop (my battery gives me ~4.5 hours with a dim screen and I watch movies or play a game).
3. Books. (usually I bring two, one being a lighter read - concentration levels change depending on how tired you are).
4. Magazine/Paper
5. Inflight Entertainment (I've survived without this, may last round trip showed movies I'd seen between my previous two round trips so I watched nothing, but usually you can eat away 4 hours, best around mealtimes).
6. Sleep - usually I get 4 hours.
It's not great but another option is to get a strong sleep aide and use that. I'm against this myself, but some colleagues swear by it.
I've flown LAX-SYD r/t twice. Once on Qantas and once on V Australia. On QF, I flew back on a broken seat (it wouldn't recline and the cushion was messed up and at an angle that was quite uncomfortable). The flight was 100% full and they couldn't move me anywhere. I survived OK. Watched 3-4 movies (2 for the first four hours, another one or two a few hours before arrival). I napped as well as I could manage. I walked around a bit. Talked to an FA a couple of times. Listened to my iPod. Ate when there was food. Stayed hydrated.
I can't remember being overly angry after we landed. But I can't imagine a situation that would be much worse than this (outside of turbulence and other rare factors).
The best was flying on V Australia and getting three seats to stretch out on and sleep the entire time. Who knows, you may be lucky or, as other have pointed out, snag an exit row or a better than average seat. Bottom line, you'll be fine. Even on United.
Nov 22, 2009 | 11:43 am
#21
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: London
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, IHG Plat Ambassador, Qatar Gold, Etihad Gold, TK Gold, BA Silver, Emirates Silver
Posts: 1,458
Yea wait till you do the LAX-SIN 18:30 hr nonstop...I have done (as many have here) that 5 or 6x and after getting 7 or 8 hours of sleep, just movies, reading, staring at seatback infront of you, etc. So 15 hrs isn't so bad after that.
I really wish Boeing would pick up the Sonic Cruiser program again...
I really wish Boeing would pick up the Sonic Cruiser program again...
Nov 22, 2009 | 2:23 pm
#22
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,856
When I was 14 I flew JFK-JNB on South African in Y. There were no PTVs and as I was 14 I had what I would imagine to be a much shorter attention span than you do now. Did I mention that we had a 2 hour ground delay at JFK making it over 16 hours on the aircraft?
Therefore, as I survived to tell the tale (and to join FT) I'm certain you can do. Enjoy your trip.
Therefore, as I survived to tell the tale (and to join FT) I'm certain you can do. Enjoy your trip.
Nov 22, 2009 | 3:15 pm
#23
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 247
Hi everybody, I am new on this forum and I am writing to have an opinion on a ticket I am about to buy.
I am based in Rome, FCO.
For Christmas I will be in the Maldives , but on the way back ( dec.28th ) I will have to go to Canada to see my relatives. So, the ticket I already have is Rome-Male, Male-Dubai dec 28th, Dubai-FCO dec.28th.
Then from Rome, I was thinking to go to London Heatrow, and then the next day catch the direct flight to Halifax, wich is my destination.
Now the problem is that the flights from Rome to London are extremely full on the night of Dec 28th (it costs about 350 Euro), and the flight LHR-YHZ the next day costs 1000 Euro. I cant do that.
Then I have found a multi city ticket Dubai-Halifax, then Halifax Rome, on United Airlines, for less than 700 Euro (return). Would also save a night in London, and a number of different flights.
The only problem here is that the itinerary includes a 15 hour flight that I dont know if I can manage
. It is a DXB-IAD flight with United.
The longest flight I have been on is a 11 hours flight.
What do people do to pass the time in such a small place like an economy seat for 15 hours ?
I know I sound naive, but I have no experience.
I know there are movies, and the plane is also a B777, so probably new and comfort.
Any suggestion is very welcome.
Thanks!
I am based in Rome, FCO.
For Christmas I will be in the Maldives , but on the way back ( dec.28th ) I will have to go to Canada to see my relatives. So, the ticket I already have is Rome-Male, Male-Dubai dec 28th, Dubai-FCO dec.28th.
Then from Rome, I was thinking to go to London Heatrow, and then the next day catch the direct flight to Halifax, wich is my destination.
Now the problem is that the flights from Rome to London are extremely full on the night of Dec 28th (it costs about 350 Euro), and the flight LHR-YHZ the next day costs 1000 Euro. I cant do that.
Then I have found a multi city ticket Dubai-Halifax, then Halifax Rome, on United Airlines, for less than 700 Euro (return). Would also save a night in London, and a number of different flights.
The only problem here is that the itinerary includes a 15 hour flight that I dont know if I can manage
. It is a DXB-IAD flight with United.The longest flight I have been on is a 11 hours flight.
What do people do to pass the time in such a small place like an economy seat for 15 hours ?
I know I sound naive, but I have no experience.
I know there are movies, and the plane is also a B777, so probably new and comfort.
Any suggestion is very welcome.
Thanks!
Nov 22, 2009 | 11:17 pm
#24
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Programs: AC*E
Posts: 26
I fly quite regularly from New Zealand to Canada, which usually includes one 13-15 hour flight depending on the circumstances of the day.
Flying with United SYD-SFO was probably the most painfully boring flight I've ever been on. No IFE and a rude FA (I'd asked for a wine and she said they don't serve people under 21...proved to her I was older than that and then she exclaimed "honey, you don't look older than 16"...she then ignored me the rest of the flight). It was terribly boring....so now I make sure I fly Air Canada since all the Y seats have IFE and a plug for my laptop.
I rarely sleep on planes, so ipod, sudoku and my laptop get me through. I'll Mostly watch tv shows (stop watching for a couple of weeks before my trip and then have a House or CSI marathon) or I'll find a photoshop tutorial and learn how to do something new with my photos. I usually bring a book too, but never get around to actually reading it on the plane...save it for waiting around in airports.
Flying with United SYD-SFO was probably the most painfully boring flight I've ever been on. No IFE and a rude FA (I'd asked for a wine and she said they don't serve people under 21...proved to her I was older than that and then she exclaimed "honey, you don't look older than 16"...she then ignored me the rest of the flight). It was terribly boring....so now I make sure I fly Air Canada since all the Y seats have IFE and a plug for my laptop.
I rarely sleep on planes, so ipod, sudoku and my laptop get me through. I'll Mostly watch tv shows (stop watching for a couple of weeks before my trip and then have a House or CSI marathon) or I'll find a photoshop tutorial and learn how to do something new with my photos. I usually bring a book too, but never get around to actually reading it on the plane...save it for waiting around in airports.
Nov 22, 2009 | 11:29 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: ORD, HKG
Programs: UA*G, AA Emerald, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt globalist
Posts: 10,555
UA ORD-HKG, it is 14.5 hours to 16 hours depend on the wind, from the beginning of this flight in mid-90s, to even now, it is still using a 744, no PTV in Y, I had survived many times, no ambien, and there are many old chinese people take this flight as well, as older folks don't like connections also they can hardly speak english.
Nov 23, 2009 | 6:38 am
#27
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
15 hours about matches the duration of flights from California to Australia, and there are few newspaper headlines about people actually dying from boredom or coming straight off the plane to a mental hospital from those flights. They are long, boring, and confining in economy, but can be survived. Sleep if you can (sleeping pill?). Watch movies. Read books. Quietly place pocket lint on the head of the person in the seat next to you while they are sleeping.
I've done the 15 hour flight from the USA to Oz in coach about ten times now (twice on United), and while I can think of other things I'd rather do I have managed to live to tell the tale.
I've done the 15 hour flight from the USA to Oz in coach about ten times now (twice on United), and while I can think of other things I'd rather do I have managed to live to tell the tale.
Nov 23, 2009 | 1:16 pm
#28
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: DEN/DUB/SYD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold, VA plat
Posts: 191
Nov 23, 2009 | 2:00 pm
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: ORD, HKG
Programs: UA*G, AA Emerald, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt globalist
Posts: 10,555
Nov 23, 2009 | 4:15 pm
#30
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: US Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,331