Any tips for a long flight?

nuffingman

We have the mother of all flights on December 5. 27 hours to Auckland which includes a 4 hour stopover in Hong Kong. I really struggle sleeping on planes and I think I'm going to be wrecked by the time we get there. Anyone know anything legal I can take that will knock me out for a few hours?

Alcohol is not an option as I hardly drink.

Anyone that comments I will be arriving just after the PJ shows will be sin binned. :evil:

Beatlebum

Just head over to your GP and tell him the problem and he'll prescibe you some good knockout stuff, my firend had a similar problem recently and said i worked a treat ( sorry, I can't remember the name of the drug). Or just sit back and watch hour after hour of movies til you land.

Beatlebum

It was called Stilnoct apparently.

nuffingman

Beatlebum wrote:

It was called Stilnoct apparently.

Wow! jast seen some of the possible side effects.

* drowsiness
* dizziness
* lightheadedness
* difficulty with coordination
* diarrhoea
* nausea
* vomiting
* vertigo
* headache
* asthenia

A 27 hour flight with the shits is not a pleasant thought.

DeLukin

Benadryl?

rival.

ambien.

nuffingman

Anyone tried Melatonin? Seems to be a natural product.

81

tylenol pm




i always set my watch to the time zone i'm landing in just after take off. it seems to help a little

pandora

I don't know about taking something other than maybe dramamine which just makes you drowsy cause being knocked out isn't gonna make you feel rested anyways.
I would just take a good book or too- maybe my real pillow and drink some decafe tea
and you will probably doze ok.
Thinking about it too much makes sleep impossible.

Claireack

I would try something with Valerian/hops in from the health food shop. I've used a product called Valerina before at home and found it quite effective, although the tablets tasted pretty disgusting.

nuffingman wrote:

Anyone tried Melatonin? Seems to be a natural product.

My friends daughter did and thought it was good.

I've also used phenergen (have no idea how you spell it), it's available over the counter, I think it's commonly used for travel sickness, but does aid sleep. A lot of anti-histamines help make you drousy too.

You could always try a few different things from the health food shop at home before you go and see what agrees with you.

Ms. Haiku

Could you not sleep for over 24 hours before your flight? You may be a cranky passager . . . just until you slide into sleep.

nuffingman

Thanks for all the tips. I'll make notes and let you know the results.

nuffingman

Ms. Haiku wrote:

Could you not sleep for over 24 hours before your flight? You may be a cranky passager . . . just until you slide into sleep.

Good idea but as the flight is at 9pm I'd be awake for about 36 hours. I wouldn't want be near me let alone inflict myself on others.

What's in your bag sir? Smack!!

HeavyHands

singularity wrote:

ambien.

Take two and you'll be down for about 8 hrs depending on the specific dosage and your metabolism. Then, no matter what, don't sleep at your destination until the "local" bed time.

Repeat when coming back.

JaneNY

Dramamine makes you drowsy (its an airsickness medication). Just in case you don't think of it, have your toothbrush in your carry on so you can brush every now and again - and bring some extra underclothes and a shirt and maybe a washcloth so you can wash your face. You're going to feel disgusting after being in the same clothes for so long esp. if you have no means to brush your teeth or wash your face. (I've traveled to Bangladesh 6x, 3x with little kids. About 20 hours from NYC including a couple of stops) Bring an eye mask and ear plugs to block out sound/noise somewhat. I've used these on the redeye from Cali when its your only chance to sleep before the new day. Have a hoodie so you're warm enough. It can get chilly on planes. Have some socks. If you just go in flip flops your feet may get cold. All these things can contribute to not sleepin.

polaris_x

i've flown to auckland twice ... and this is pretty much how i see it ...

unless you can somehow upgrade yourself to business class - sleeping is gonna be sporadic and not very good ... my approach was simple - sleep when i could otherwise watch movies and lots of em ... assuming you have the on-demand system ... you watch movie after movie until you feel like you can sleep - then you do it ...

and my cure for jetlag is to survive the first day without napping and within 2 days your body should adjust

comebackgirl

I've had a few 27 hour flights to Adelaide...regular Dramamine worked wonders for me. I slept like a baby...felt fully rested and ready to go when I landed. I always request the window seat because I can tuck my little pillow against the side, curl up and have a nice peaceful sleep without people trying to get by me.

katellis

i dont think ive had a flight that long, though i did have about 12 hours (w/2 layovers) to go to slovenia last year. honestly, i was so excited about the trip that the flights went by really quickly. looking back, they seem like a blur. just focus on how much fun you'll have at the destination, and bring a book or two.

if you're a nervous flier, ativan works wonders ..

Lizardjam

nuffingman wrote:

Anyone tried Melatonin? Seems to be a natural product.

One of my friends was using it for a little while to help her sleep. It helped but horrible dreams...


If you wear contacts don't forget a case and solution...I did on my 15hr flight and i couldn't sleep...it was at night. in the dark. it was horrible.

mca47

Yeah, just go to your doc and tell him you have anxiety when it comes to flying. He'll prescribe you up some stuff and those 24 hours will fly by like nothing!

Oh and as a frequent flier (couple times a week usually) I have a sure fire way to guarantee you an international first class ticket at the price of coach.

PM me as this isn't something you and I want lots of people knowing about...

Thoughts_Arrive

If you will be arriving at night time do not sleep on your last leg, sleep when you get to your accommodation.
I did this recently and didn't have jetlag as I was tired at nighttime here and slept easy.

youngster

Nyquil.

Who Princess

JaneNY wrote:

Dramamine makes you drowsy (its an airsickness medication). Just in case you don't think of it, have your toothbrush in your carry on so you can brush every now and again - and bring some extra underclothes and a shirt and maybe a washcloth so you can wash your face. You're going to feel disgusting after being in the same clothes for so long esp. if you have no means to brush your teeth or wash your face. (I've traveled to Bangladesh 6x, 3x with little kids. About 20 hours from NYC including a couple of stops) Bring an eye mask and ear plugs to block out sound/noise somewhat. I've used these on the redeye from Cali when its your only chance to sleep before the new day. Have a hoodie so you're warm enough. It can get chilly on planes. Have some socks. If you just go in flip flops your feet may get cold. All these things can contribute to not sleepin.

These are all good points. The eye mask is an especially good idea because I've found it's one of the few sure fire ways to keep people from talking to you if you don't want to be disturbed.

Other than that, what puts you to sleep? Reading? Watching TV? Can you borrow one of those little DVD players and take a bunch of movies?

dimitrispearljam

i-pod..pearl jam all albums..again and again and again..

DeLukin

*cough* mile high club *cough*

covered in bliss

5 things are absolutely necessary---a window seat, an Ipod or ear plugs, an eye mask, a warm yet breathable blanket or wrap and one of those U shaped neck pillows stuffed with pellets, NOT the harder pillow. The pillow is too stiff behind your neck and with your seat reclined, you will still feel like you're sitting up. You get the side support with the beans.

Optional: drugs or alcohol. With alcohol, you risk waking up mid flight with a hangover. Not fun. With drugs, you might get loopy or they might backfire. Tylenol PM makes me feel wired.

Since your flight is at 9pm you can't totally stay up the night before but you CAN stay up late and get up really early... Like 4am.

Don't forget to make sure your fastened seat belt is always visible. They might wake you up if it isn't.

mca47

covered in bliss wrote:

5 things are absolutely necessary---a window seat, an Ipod or ear plugs, an eye mask, a warm yet breathable blanket or wrap and one of those U shaped neck pillows stuffed with pellets, NOT the harder pillow. The pillow is too stiff behind your neck and with your seat reclined, you will still feel like you're sitting up. You get the side support with the beans.

Optional: drugs or alcohol. With alcohol, you risk waking up mid flight with a hangover. Not fun. With drugs, you might get loopy or they might backfire. Tylenol PM makes me feel wired.

Since your flight is at 9pm you can't totally stay up the night before but you CAN stay up late and get up really early... Like 4am.

Don't forget to make sure your fastened seat belt is always visible. They might wake you up if it isn't.

Good post.
If you can't get a prescription, I personally go the booze route. I don't like any over the counter sleep aids (melatonin works pretty good for me, but not outside of home...for whatever reason).

If you have some drinks, don't overdo it as you could wake up feeling worse, and stick to liquor. If you drink beer, you will be waking up and going to the bathroom...and that's no fun.

lukin2006

I've never taken a flight that long, longest for me 6 hrs, 1 stop to California, I can not sleep on planes, even when I've taken the red eye. Just wanted to say good luck and let us know how it went and what methods worked. Happy and safe travels.

Thoughts_Arrive

My friend felt sick from the cold on our recent flight overseas,
He went missing for a good 2-3 hours.
He was sleeping in the toilet.
:?

Poncier

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R5mVF6jeTU&NR=1

mca47

I'm flying from Atlanta to Phoenix as I type this...(not really "long" but whatever).


I LOVE technology!!

I just watched the Iowa-Michigan State game on my laptop via the plane's WIFI and channelsurfing.net.


Awesome!!