Any tips for a long haul flight?

[caroline7758]

OH and I are going to New Zealand for 3 weeks at the end of this month. I'm getting very excited but not looking forward to the flight at all. I'm not worried about flying, but I don't want to waste the first few days when we get there feeling exhausted and jet-lagged. We are spending the first night in a hotel but are then renting a motorhome.  I don't sleep well, even in my own bed. So if anyone has any tips for sleeping on a plane and/or avoiding jetlag, I'd be very grateful!

[caroline7758]

[Capt Pugwash]

I used to regularly fly long haul with work, and found that it was best to wear light but warm clothes, and keep hydrated.  Also take earplugs and an eyemask to help you sleep.

[Digeroo]

 I think you need lots of different activities to do so you have things to look forward to.   A couple of good books, a puzzle book, a book about NZ, a magazine about allotments.  ;D   A hat that you can pull down over your eyes.  Music device.

I would say try and learn a language, it always sends me straight to sleep.

[Chrispy]

Do you know what the local time will be when you arrive?

[antipodes]

Hmmm done THAT a few times :)
A lot depends on what time you arrive. A tip that was given to me and which has always been a success is that no matter what time you arrive, don't go to bed until it's local bedtime (or as late as you can stand). Even if you arrive early, struggle through the day and don't nap. This will sort of reset the body clock and you will get much less jetlag. It's worse when you arrive in Oz or NZ than when you get back.
Eye mask is good - if you are travelling with someone, it's better as you can snuggle up together in the seats and get a better sleep than sitting straight up.
I do try and have the meals as they regulate your body clock too. Some airlines are  better  than others!
Take things to freshen up when you are nearly arrived. I always try and make a loo trip about 40minutes before arrival, wash my face, brush my teeth, put on make up, stops you looking like the living dead on arrival.

I am sure you will have a great time, I am a nervous flyer but once you are well up on a long haul, you feel much better.  Which airline are you taking and where are your stops?

[banksy]

I also fly very reguarly (like weekly and I am In fact typing this in Schipol airport!) for work both long and short haul, and I have been told, but never managed to follow  ;D to avoid drinking alcohol during the flight!

Agree with antipodes about staying awake as long as possible on arrival to get straight into the local time zone.

[Chrispy]

As others have sad, do not sleep till the local evening time.

If you arrive in the afternoon, wear dark glasses until nearly sunset.
If you can get up before sunrise, get up and go watch the sunrise, or leave the curtains open open to a east facing window so you get naturally woken by the sunrise.

Hopefully that should get your body clock reset quick enough.

[caroline7758]

Thanks for the replies and tips. We leave Heathrow at 10:30 on Sat evening, fly 13hrs to Singapore then 7 hrs to Sydney (fairly short stopovers) and 3 hrs to Christchurch, arriving 12:25 midday on Monday. We don't get the campervan until Tuesday morning so guess if we can get a decent night's sleep in the hotel that should help.

i have a Kindle so won't run out of things to read!

[shirlton]

Whichever advice you decide on. Have a lovely holiday 8)

[jesssands]

When I went to Oz, I found it fine leaving heathrow at 10am and got to Perth at 4pm the next day. Had a couple of beers as soon as we got to Hotel, then went out for dinner with family. Slept like a baby in the hotel that night.
Coming back was far worse cos I kept waking at 3 or 4am, wide awake.

As for the flight, I cannot watch films, too busy nosing about. But I did read a book in a few hits. Played a few games of tetris.
I would take a small thin fleece blanket. They give you a blanket but its rubbish. I did have a little sleep on the plane, but could not get comfy, I would have liked something soft to kind of roll up and stuff down the side of the seat to put my head on.
Take it your off with Singapore airlines, they'll keep bring stuff round to eat and drink.
Dont forget your dvt socks and have a great time x

[Alimo]

As soon as you get on the plane, set your watch to the time where you will be arriving and try to be in that time ASAP.  Deffo stay hydrated ( not too much alcohol).

Have a wonderful holiday

Alison x

[SamLouise]

When I flew to Canada a couple of years back, I really enjoyed the flight (9hrs) but that's probably because it was the first time I'd flown. We landed early evening their time and kept ourselves busy mooching about and then going out for dinner (eating in our sleep, lol) Same advice as everyone else has given, stay awake as long as possible after arrival. Unfortunately for me, the jet lag caught up with me about three days later! I don't know why it took that long.