survival guide to 10 hour flights
There has not been much international travelling in 2020 and I do hope it will returnin 2021.
I have been traveling internationally for the past 35 years. First 15 years as the son of an airline captain and for 20 years as a business traveller.
Surely a few things have changes from the glamour lifestyle of the airline industry in the 70ties and 80ties and till today.
There are a few lesson learned, that I would like to share with fellow travelers, not having an expense account that will allow for business or first class travels.
Do collect your milages and buy the upgrade when possible - this is in my mind by far the best way to benefit from the distances covered. Do not use them to buy a cup of bad coffee on board, but brilliant for upgrade on long haul flights.
Check in online and do it early to ensure "the perfect seat" often available 23h in advance and I mean 23 hours, but not 22 hours and 58 minutes. First pick for the first one to react.
My perfect seat during day flights is an aisle seat, so I can walk around, not having to bother anyone getting in and out. Do walk around, do stretch to avoid stiff back, legs, arms and neck.
My perfect seat during night is a window seat to be left in peace, when you want to sleep. Having a 200 pound Russian guy trying to climb out over you while sleeping, is not how I dream to wake up at 30.000 feet, wearing earplugs and a mask.
It is COLD at night at 30.000 feet (even when you fly to exotic distinctions) so you might laugh, but I ALWAYS brings an extra pair of socks, soft slippers, turtleneck sweater, my own pillow(s) and often even a soft ski hat and very thin sleeping bag. When you think about it, then these items is just what they supply at 1st class. I have just made my own selection and bought the very best. What feels best? Your own slippers or hotel slippers? Remember that the aisle is not a catwalk, so go for comfort, not looks. The 1.000 euro italian suit is just a wrinkled suit after sitting in it for 10h or more.
In recent journeys a pair of H8 B&O PLAY super advanced headphones have blocked out the noise of engines, kids, laud talkers and people with cheap headphone, who loves laud music. Heavy price tag , but value of money. I also leave with a mixed bag of fully charged apple hardware and bring an old iPhone 4S just for hours of music that was just laying in a drawer at home. It will act as a back up phone with local sim card when overseas.
I bring a "hamster sack". I have a small selection of nuts, sweets, dried fruits small bottles of still and sparkling water (often available in the airline lounges). In modern time you DO NOT GET a trolly passing by every 30 min, so this can be a lifesaver. But be aware that you might get very jealous looks from the people around you.
When they pass with the drinks trolly the first time, I order, like I have never done before. 2 soft drinks, 1 glass of water, 1 beer and perhaps a small bottle of wine. 99% of the other guests will take 1 drink, which is gone long before the meal will arrive and then guess who is laughing…….sorry drinking.
Should you not wish to enjoy your own privacy, then great your fellow travelers sitting closest ASAP. Often I have done this to late in the journey, to find out that we would have been able to make the 16 hour flight feel like a walk in park, by getting a new insight to why he/she is leaving or looking forward to arrive. Should it be a miss hit and now what you had hoped for, then go back to the H8 headphones.
Upon arrival stay seated till the plane is empty - why rush to stay in line at the luggage belt and again why stand neck to neck with someone not having showered for 24h when you can avoid it.
If you want warm food as the first guest onboard, then order a special meal. These are special and the crew wants they to get out first, so at an overnight flight where you want to eat and go to sleep immediately this is key.
But any 16 hour experience of being trapped into a tight tube with wings, can be long should you not wish to show respect to your fellow travelers and the staff on board.
Keep a positive attitude and it will be rewarded over and over again. I have personally seen upgrades and much more from staff meeting a friendly face and respect for their profession - remember they are there to make your life easy, so do the same for them.
Fly safely……and see you out there.
