What are the best ways to stay comfortable on an 18 hour flight?

Question

I'm going to be flying with Lufthansa from LAX to Frankfurt, Germany and then from Frankfurt to Iran. I was wondering what YOU do to make the best out of your flight in economy.

Answer 1

sleep

Answer 2

Check www.seatguru.com for seat suggestions.  I usually try to get a window seat on really long flights and gather some extra pillows & blankets to make a "bed" that I can lean against.  Call the airline and request a seat as early as allowed.

Consider getting a sleep mask (ex. www.mindfold.com) and some earplugs, which may help you sleep (they work for me). Luggage stores and airport shops also sell sleep masks.

I-Pods and portable game devices are great on planes, but the batteries won't last 18 hours (try to re-charge while in FRA).  Pack one or more books that you have started, or that are from an author you know.  It's really annoying to realize - too late - the book you brought for the flight isn't a good read.

Pack a complete change of clothes and basic toiletries in your carryon bag.  

Dress in comfortable clothes and shoes that are not too tight (or overly casual).  Your feet will swell during a long flight and tight clothes can make it harder to sleep.

I try to shower just before leaving to go to the airport.  It reduces the grungy feeling you get by the end of a long flight.

Get to the airport 2 full hours before departure so you don't have to stress.  

Tag all of your bags (inside and outside) with your name, e-mail address (but not your home address) and a USA phone number someone will answer.  The free tags from the check-in counter are fine.

You can take something to help you sleep, but try it first.  Many meds can leave you groggy long after you need to be awake.  I just use aspirin.

Drink lots of water and juice:  The air in the cabin is very dry and causes dehydration.  Avoid too many drinks with caffeine (including colas) as they can increase the dehydration.

Get up and stretch every few hours.

Try to awaken just before breakfast is served and use the bathroom to wash up.  You will feel a lot better.

The time change can be a problem, and Iran is about 12 hours ahead of California time. At your destination, try very hard to eat meals at local times and stay awake until local bedtime.  If you MUST take a nap then sleep for no more than 3 hours.  Falling asleep at 3:00pm may result in you waking up at Midnight - wide awake and unable to go back to sleep.

Hope you have a great trip!

Answer 3

Its not at 18 hour flight. You will have at 11 hour flight, and then another 5 hour flight, and yes, I feel sorry for you that you are going to Iran also. Why would you bother?

Answer 4

I'm sorry to hear you are headed to iran.

Flying first class would be more comfortable then flying coach.

If you can't afford that, read, or sleep. bring your own pillow and blanket.

Answer 5

sleep

listen to ur i pod if u have one

eat

if they have a tv then watch it

Answer 6

With my 38'' legs I need an aisle seat, but if I'm not lucky enough for that or someone doesn't want to switch I tend to look out the window to overlook the city or be in lala land as I look at the clouds. I've taken the long 16+ hour plane ride to Europe so I know what you mean. I had fun on my flight as I talked to other flyers about where their going, caught up on some sleep, watched movies provided by the airline, read books/magazines, listened to my IPOD or to the music provided by the airline (this is cool because you get to listen to artists of different genre in Europe), got unlimited wine (ITS FREE!), wrote in my journal of my journey thus far, took pictures, and continued to brush up on learning the foreign language destined for my trip.