Any tips for long haul flights

A lot of good advice that I too would suggest. As you are nonstop, a very lightweight change of clothes would be good and does seem to make you feel refreshed. The time you will be taking to actually get on the plane added to the flight will be considerable hence the change of clothes. Lovely time ahead for you.

Thanks for all the tips my Christmas list is now long very excited as not long now to fulfil my childhood dream

My only tip is don’t take a ten-month-old baby with you. I did, London to Sydney, and it was a nightmare. A long time ago, though.

As PamelaJ1 says, look on Seatguru to get an idea of the most suitable seats.
Oh, and don’t worry if you get wind, it’s one of the hazards of long haul! 🫢

Ditto to an aisle seat. I want an aisle seat on any flight but especially long ones - nothing worse than needing the loo when the large person in the aisle seat is fast asleep and you’re no longer agile enough to climb over them - as I once used to.

lots of good tips here.... I would add take some aspirin before flight to protect against blood clots. Some light shoes to slip on for aisle walking frequently. Be mindful that lot of food stuffs are not allowed into Australia so eat up or dispose before security if in hand luggage.

If your airline allows an inflatable footrest, do take one. Having your legs nearly the same level as your seat will make sleeping easier. You will have to inflate after take off and deflate before landing, but you only need it for night hours. If they won't let you use an inflatable one, take one that hangs from the tray table.

Take your own fleece blanket for extra comfort, you never know where the airline ones have been before. They don'take up much room and can provide padding for a tablet or laptop in your flight bag.

Another essential is a J pillow, so much more support than an inflatable one. www.amazon.co.uk/J-Pillow-Travel-Pillow-Carry-Sleep/dp/B0BPMY5J4C/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=j+pillow&tag=gransnetforum-21&qid=1699712425&sr=8-4

Even with all these I really need to lie flat in the small hours, so travel during daylight and stopover for the night hours. Some airlines will give you a free hotel, so you can take a couple of nights and explore somewhere new.

If there is any chance of using airmiles for an upgrade to business class, seize it, well worth it!

I have returned from long haul a couple of weeks ago. The best thing to pack is Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride which is available over the counter to ensure you sleep.

I will add my favourite for long journeys which is audio books on my phone. Mainly free from library but some paid for too. Some books are 14 hours or more so I can indulge myself in binge listening.

I’m considering buying a blow up foot/leg rest. We have booked seats with extra legroom with Malaysia air ( they don’t do premium economy) , anyone else tried them?
We are going to Sydney so have to change planes somewhere so this time we are having a stop over now we aren’t restricted by time.
Have you booked your seats? Look on Seatguru and you will find a seat map for your flight. It doesn’t always work. Last time we had lots of room but two women thought it was a handy passage from one aisle to the other on their perambulations round and round!

I have an RBR Legflow foot exerciser to prevent DVT. It was shown and taken on by Dragon's Den. I haven't used it on a plane, but it lives under my dining table where I sit for long periods of time doing crafts, jigsaws or crosswords. I have spray painted it to match the carpet so that it doesn't look like a bra on the floor!
RBR Legflow

I used to fly long hail a lot more than I do now, NZ 3 or 4 times a year and Abu Dhabi most months (only an 8 hour flight)

So all of the above advice is good.

I prefer compression socks without toes in and separate short socks but mostly flip flops as I get hot feet.

I find if I can wriggle my toes as well as doing exercises and walking where possible I'm more comfortable.

I have also found compression leggings/sock combination to be useful because as I've got older the compression socks stop on my varicose veins and I didn't fancy compression tights on a long flight.

Taking a change of clothes is a good idea and as has been said layering and scarves works well.

I take a largish silk square and a pashmina stole as both are light weight and work for me but it's a personal choice.

I also take some boiled sweets, nasal and eye spray as I find I get a blocked nose and dry eyes. I buy these at the airport airside - as in after all the security.

I take a small spray bottle of water and essential oils to spray myself and or my area with. If you get a amenities bag you may get such a spray bottle in it - the one I use is from an Etihad bag :-)

This spray helps with the hydration as well as moisturising cream - I use my face cream on my hands too as it means I'm carrying one less product.

Antibac wet wipes are a boon too. I clean all round my seat area as soon as I get there and after I've walked as I've most likely handles other seat backs. I've always done this as DH was a pilot for 34 years and used to say what little time the cleaners had to turn the aircraft around.

I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time, read up on long haul travel tips as there is some great information out there about things like what vitamins help and how to deal with jet lag and so on. I'm sure you will be very well prepared before you go and will have done all you can to make you journey comfortable. Enjoy

All of the above and I firmly second Marmight in recommending the Trtl neck scarf. It stops your head flopping forward if you sleep and you then waking with a painful crick in the neck. It’s warm and comfortable too.

You'll have your own individual TV with lots of recent films, TV programmes, documentaries and games. Lots to occupy your mind if you can't concentrate on reading. You might be lucky and drop off to sleep too. I remember waking up and finding we were landing in Kuala Lumpur! Brilliant.

Forgot to say, before airfares rose to the eye watering level they are today, I did once fly Thai airlines business class and it was superb! Unfortunately, if I want to continue to go as regularly as I do, it is no longer an option. I did upgrade to Premium Economy on the direct route once and was very, very disappointed. My seat was faulty, my leg rest was broken and the seat did not recline properly and there was no alternative seat. I complained to Qantas to no vail! As I am only small in stature i don’t need a lot of room, so the only benefit for me was the upgraded meals (same as served in business class on my flight), but they worked out very, very expensive! Definitely would not waste my money again. These days, my economy direct flight costs about the same as business class did a few years ago!

I took a large shawl/pashmina on the flight on a recent trip to Australia. When I wanted to sleep I covered my entire head and body with it to create my own “capsule” to block out light, distractions and muffle noises. Also didn’t have to worry that I may be drooling or snoring as other passengers couldn’t see me! It helped enormously as it felt very zen 🛌😌

I have done the direct Heathrow- Perth flight several times now and go again in February (can’t wait!). I would not consider any other flight to Australia now, hate the transit bit so much! I do wish other airlines would consider operating this direct route as at the moment Qantas are the only ones and gave a monopoly! They are not my favourite airline, especially since the lockdown, there service leaves much to be desired! Having said that, I really enjoy the flight and recommend casual loose fitting clothing, at least one layer of which you can easily discard on arrival! For the journey itself, I can’t watch movies as I can’t wear headphones but they are very popular and there is always a good up to date selection, so I usually read on and off, enjoy the meals, have a couple of drinks, go for walks up and down the aisles to help with circulation, then try to nap mostly unsuccessfully! I find the time flies by. Good luck and happy travels xxx

Panty liners are useful as you can change them easily rather than knickers.

A kindle also helps pass the time.

Otherwise as others have said. If you can afford to upgrade better still.

I have flown long flight several times.
Earplugs or something very similar are very useful. Some parents let their children play together, the children scream with joy while the parents, oblivious sleep.
A good neck support try beforehand on a long car journey if you can.
Look up your plane seating on seatguru, I did pick a seat once and checked to find out it was a cold place on the plane I was traveling on, I saw the people there during the flight with extra covers the steward had given.
I wear medical compression tights with cotton socks and trainers.
Bon voyage !

loose clothes
thick socks that you can walk around in
do exercises
plenty of water
plenty of champagne
sleeping pill
smoked salmon sandwiches
good book
blow up pillow
pashmina

Noise canceling earphone make a world of difference on looooong haul flights
Bose ones are so good
Also Dr Bach travel drops always help me & a bit of Vit C powder to take in water every few hours to boost immunity.

Calendargirl

If you can afford it, upgrade. (I assume it’s an economy flight).

Premium Economy is worth the extra money, IMHO, and ‘if and when’ we go to Oz again to see DD, I would seriously consider business class. We’ve reached the age we intend to make things more comfortable for ourselves, and blow the cost.

I 100% echo this, get the best seats you can afford. All the other advice is good but pales into insignificance compared to a comfortable seat.

Second I'd say is good quality compression stockings, try to get properly measured for them.

Hydration, entertainment and layers nothing too tight.

Safe trip.

Def upgrade to prem economy if possible !
Flight socks a must! Drink water move around when possible and do leg exercises
Get an aisle seat !!!
Read a bit, eat a bit, sleep a bit , drink a bit!
Done this trip many times due to brother living there 42 years! Had a pulmonary embolism once so am extra cautious now
Have a great time

I remembered reading an article that warned against wearing yoga pants on flights and I’ve just found this
www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/dont-wear-leggings-plane-safety-8305768

I did this in March (with a couple of hours in Kuala Lumpur). It was a 28 hour journey going out and 30 hours coming back in total. In cattle class. Definitely wear comfortable clothes and footwear, layers are better. At times I felt chilly. I’d say jogging bottoms are good and slip on footwear that you can kick off easily. Make sure you regularly get up and walk around, and do leg and feet exercises such as rotating your feet. Take a neck pillow and eye mask. Keep hydrated and read a good book. The effort is worth it, I loved it there. Hope you have a great time!