Long haul flight tips please! - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Off Topic

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Long haul flight tips please!

Helena

Veteran

Hi friends, we're T - 10 days to our Australian adventure and I'd love for those with experience on long haul flight to weigh in with your best tips! The longest flight I've done was 8 hours I believe and the kids have done maybe 6 or 7 hours max, so we're looking at well more than double that for total flight time, with one leg being 14+ hours (the first leg to Vancouver is about 5 I believe).

Still trying to wrap my head around the weirdness of "two day" to get there, but coming back by the clock we land before we left lol

I'll take anything you've got - anxiety tips (me and my son are nervous fliers), getting some sleep (Dramamine keeps coming up in research??), keeping teens sane, carry on essentials, jet lag recovery tips ... thank you so much! xoxo

For fun: my travel outfit (needs a tumble to get the wrinkles out)

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Off Topic

29 replies

Latest reply was from UmmLila (Lisa)

RobinF

Veteran

Love your travel outfit!

I'm not much help since the longest for me has been about 9 hours, but I have found I like to have a book on tape to listen to. I can close my eyes and don't have to focus very hard. We also like to sit near the back so we have easy access to the bathrooms and not as much noise behind us.

Have fun!

Helena

Veteran

Thank you Robin; I'm going to encourage the kids to do that actually ... since they won't detach from their phones, at least that way they might drift off vs. if they were doing something more active on them. Thank you!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Make sure you are rested and hydrated before the flight!

On our longest ever (Malaysia -LAX), my son was 3. I don’t remember much about the flight itself, other than it took him forever to fall asleep, and then the flight attendant woke him up! We had an 11 hour layover, so we took a cab to the beach, swam, slept, and ate in a cafe.

Pretty sure yours are much older. Might want to give them a general list of in-flight needs to think of (dry skin, being bored, tired, hungry, cold, overstimulated by lights & sound, etc) and have them take ownership of their own flight bag.

Helena

Veteran

Great approach SF, thank you!

Christina F.

Veteran

I've flown very long haul a few times--up to about 17 hours.

I am terrible at sleeping on planes, so I usually give up. I am no help there. I can sleep a little now, but the neck pillows don't work for me--my head keeps falling to the side and waking me up anyway.

I have to rest my head on the tray table, using an eye mask and also some kind of white noise in my ears. Now that face masking is a thing, this system often makes me too warm to sleep.

I don't take sleep aids on a plane because that has backfired for me, but I am a person who needs conditions to be just right to sleep at all, so your mileage may vary there.

I am very susceptible to jet lag--what they say about being outdoors as much as possible the first day is true.Melatonin is my best friend once on the ground. It's the only way I can sleep a full night once I arrive. Make sure you research the dosage, as the pills that are usually sold in the US at least are more than is needed for one night. I usually cut them in half or something. You can also get gummies.

(I can't go on a tour boat ride or anything a dark theater my first couple of days in a new time zone--that's how bad my jet lag is. I just nod off. Less learned!)

Helena

Veteran

Great ideas Christina thank you so much! Adding sleep masks to my list. I'll try not to stress to much if sleep is scant .. even a few cat naps will probably be better than nothing. I feel for my tall DH and DS as they are likely to be pretty cramped and have a hard time getting comfy!

White noise is a great idea. I'll look into melatonin for when we arrive - great idea!

I hear you on how medication can back-fire ... I've taken Ativan for flights to curb anxiety but it has such a strong effect, even the lowest dosage, I try to avoid it unless I'm really on the edge.

Thank you so much!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I know how to do this well! And in the pandemic. It takes 48 hrs to get to Cape Town from Seattle. Two loooooooooong flights and a layover. I have done this many, many times. You will be fine

The only tough part is the masking. Sore ears. But we found ways to take them off during the layovers. Bring spares. (If you mask up at airports and planes, that is. We will forever more).

I wear soft, wide and floppy dressy pants. (See Find). Undies. Camisole. Soft sweater. Denim jacket. Fashion sneakers. Knee-highs. A Furla crossbody. Pearls, watch and ring. Non-crease fabrics are as important to me as soft comfort. I also do my hair and make-up. I want to look as polished as I can. I do not change my outfit. That is it for 48 hrs.

I bring all the medication - JUST in case. Eye drops for red eyes. Dramamine for motion sickness is a must.

Noise cancelling head phones.

I bring lots of our snacks. I prefer those.

If your layover is 6 hours plus - try to get out and be active!

Tory Burch Crepe Cargo Pants

View Info

Top Pick

8

Sal

Veteran

Your kids will be fine - technology!! Mine have always just slept and watched films.

For me I like podcasts at times- I am but a great sleeper but do get some zzz. I try not to stress about it. A few snacks might be good for the teens.

My main thing is to drink a fair amount of water. Clean my teeth close to landing and brush my hair. On arrival try and do outdoor activities- walk in the sun for example. And if you need to nap set an alarm and keep it short. I do get jet lag but just box on - it’s so exciting to be overseas that you will adjust quickly.

Irina

Veteran

Great advices here. I haven't done more than 12 hours non-stop flight but here are mine: iPad with downloaded books; a scarf (I always get cold on a plane); prefer slip on shows if possible; extra socks; moisturizer (air on a plane makes my skin dry).

Helena

Veteran

Angie, Sal, Irina, thank you so much! Got a great list of items to check off this weekend when we pack. Thank you so much! xx

rachylou

Veteran

I tried those jet lag airplane pills once and my legs swelled up. Don’t know if that’s related, but I won’t try to test it again.

I bought a foot stool to elevate my legs and had a plane sleeping bag and a travel pillow. I have an extender for masks to avoid the ear pain problem. I like to read magazines on planes. I also get sucked into the airplane shop and do things like buy the travel makeup kits because that’s fun, shopping on a plane.

Mind, I’m trying my best to never get on a plane again, lol.

Oh bring snacks and drinks for sure. This can be an issue if you get stuck on the tarmac. And get up and move around! That’s really important.

AJ

Veteran

I have trouble sleeping on long flights so when most of the passengers are asleep and the cabin lights are dimmed, I like to put on a sheet mask. The cooling sensation, skin hydration, and light scent helps to relax me mentally and physically. It does make me giggle and feel slightly embarrassed when anyone notices me, but the benefits outweigh that.
I also like to bring a large winter scarf to use either as a blanket or lumbar support.
Also breath mints for myself and to offer to those next to me.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

This isn’t about long hauls per se, but might be helpful
https://thetotebag.wordpress.c.....the-plane/

Chris987

Veteran

I haven't done very many long-haul trips and can't add to most of the great suggestions here. However, I flew from Boston to New Zealand maybe 25 years ago, and I remember, like you, trying to get my head around crossing the int'l dateline and what "time it would feel like" upon arrival and upon arriving back home. For example when I fly to Europe it's easy, get on a flight in the evening and arrive the next morning but with about half of a good night's sleep. I could not figure it out for NZ so I went in "zen" mode ... just take it as it comes and enjoy the ride. There has been a lot more research since then on how to deal with the sleep disruption situation although I don't know the details; Christina F's melatonin ideas are among them. Might be worth googling "how to deal with jet lag". Unfortunately you won't know what works for you until you try it, and as others have said have a very limited set of plans for the first couple of days so you can adjust.

texasgal

I’ve flown lots of long hauls. Two tips:
Compression socks- keep your feet from swelling
Just follow the time of day where you are. Don’t fall into the trap of it’s [ ] o’clock back home. And if you do nap, keep it to a 15-20 minute cat nap.

L'Abeille

Veteran

Compression socks yes! I found smartwool and bamboo ones at the local pharmacy, they are super comfy and also wick away sweat. Any time I have flown without them I've been so sorry.

Take paper books, puzzles etc. Devices can run out of power quicker than you expect, and places to recharge, on the plane or in the airport, can be hard to find and not always work when they should.
Dramamine is the same thing as Gravol by the way.

I take something like a pashmina: it can double as blanket, pillow, third piece, or scarf.

Actually, I am a big wuss. I take a mini version of my beloved buckwheat husk pillow, even if it fills my entire carry-on space, and have never regretted it.

As soon as you board, turn that little jet of air above you on max, aimed right at you. That will help shoot all the germ-laden air from other people's exhalations away from you, even if pre-takeoff without the full air cleaning ends up being prolonged.

Make sure your bank and credit cards know you are travelling so they don't mark you as a fraud alert. Be prepared for that to happen anyway, as it did for my sister in New Zealand just now.

Let the sunlight reprogram your body clock. The kids will probably adjust easiest as they are less driven by "should"s.

And have a fantastic trip!

Runcarla

Veteran

DH and I book aisle seats across from each other, if we can’t get the emergency exit seats - for extra leg room, when flying economy. Easier for bathroom breaks, too!

For long flights, Gravol after take-off can help with getting some zzz’s. (Long flights only.) Drink water, and bring some of your own snacks.

Not always possible, but I try to get in a hard/long cardio workout (run/bike) early in the day before travel.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Such great tips so far. I do many of these things also -- especially exercise the day before, water, water, water, audio books/ noise cancelling headphones, regular books, too. A scarf or other soft layers. Get outside in the air (and light) as soon as you can after landing. Make sure the kids have snacks, electronics, chargers, books, music.

Like Christina, I don't sleep much, if at all, on planes and I suffer badly from jet lag so have also learned no dark theatres the first day (fell asleep at an AMAZING performance in London in 2012...), no lingering around the smells of diesel fuel (I feel sick on disembarking...)

I don't do well with melatonin so I rely on outdoors/ natural light. You can also try to prep for the flight a bit using Jet Lag Rooster: https://sleepopolis.com/calculators/jet-lag/ I have used this when travelling to Europe and to China. Some of the advice can be tricky to follow but it has been helpful to me at times.

Gail

Veteran

I have flown quite a few long haul flights as I used to live in Tokyo. Change your watch to the time zone you are traveling to this even helps on a shorter flight to London. Hydrate , bring your own snacks, headphones and books. Compression socks. I usually bring my own wrap of some sort as I get very cold when flying and especially when I'm tired. I try to eat , catch a movie , listen to my own stuff and then hopefully nod off for a bit lol.

Ginkgo

Veteran

I've made about a dozen flights from California to Australia and New Zealand. Reading mysteries and watching a movie or two helps with my flying anxiety, and I also love looking at the map that shows our location -- I get excited as we pass near Fiji and our destinations draws near. I love Australia and hope you have a fantastic holiday!

Anonymous

Take a good travel pillow to support your neck while napping. I like the Turtle Pillow and the J-Pillow (both available on Amazon). And you might want to bring your own travel blanket (because airline blankets, ew). And a sleep mask is very nice to have. Happy travels!

Bijou

Veteran

Make sure you are not too warm once you hit the tropics and/or Australia. The airport will have aircon, but daytime temps will be warm. Your travel outfit is great, but if you hit Australia in the day, you may prefer to be wearing a short sleeved t-shirt rather than the long sleeved top. All my overseas trips tend to be 14+ hours. Not fun, but essential as I live in a remote city on the west coast of Australia. A good book helps pass the time as well as a list of movies that you think you will enjoy watching. I often look up movies from the destination to get me excited about arriving. The original Matrix movies were set in Sydney and The Dressmaker starring Kate Winslet is highly recommended just for the gorgeous fashion alone!

kkards

Veteran

I have no tips to add, I just wanted to say how excited I am for you!

Helena

Veteran

Thank you so much everyone! Shopping for small travel blankets now Got a great list going - this weekend is going to be devoted to prep which is great. Bijou, this sweatsuit is quite lightweight but I will definitely have a tank to change into for when we arrive. Feeling so much more confident about this trek; thank you all so much xx

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Dramamine for sure. Makes you sleepy, nicely takes the edge off. I’ll come back for more reading after I “wake up.” Our long haul was yesterday getting from central Illinois to OHare to Denver. Flight delays resulted in 1:00 a.m. arrival, with another hour getting luggage and drive to final destination.

Sal

Veteran

Yes Bijou the Dressmaker is fab! It will be so good Helena- Australia is a brilliant place to visit.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Just dropped back in to say I’ve read all the comments and conversation is very helpful. Lots of tips and ideas which are great for many kinds of travel. And fun to read.

And to very strongly recommend Dramamine. It is, for me, both good at reducing nerves and helping to relax and usually sleep. To me, there are no weird effects, jitters or hangover feeling later, simply a gentle drowsiness, a physical and mental calmness. I haven’t flown much, overseas to Germany once, and a few times to Texas and Colorado, but in general was a freaked out mess until I learned about Dramamine.

Anonymous

Came back to add that I’m a devoted user of No Jet Lag, a homeopathic remedy that you take just before your flight and every few hours during the flight. I was amazed how well it worked for jet lag. Also, Rescue Remedy (another homeopathic) is great for all forms of anxiety.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

If anyone has contact lenses, do not wear them on the plane. Wear glasses. Use eyedrops.

Never go in the bathroom without shoes.

Hand sanitizer wipes are your friend.

Have a good stock of phone cords and chargers for each destination.

If you bring an empty water bottle a lot of airports have “filling stations” inside of security so you can stay hydrated.

Figure 4 yoga stretch on your lap and eagle arms and seated twists help with the sitting.