How to make long flight enjoyable?

[melody-s]

We are flying from the west coast of the U.S. to Barcelona, Spain the day before our cruise. It will be my older teenage son and myself on the flight.

 

I have not flown that distance before and I would love to hear suggestions about how to make the very long travel time seem like a nice start to the vacation.

 

Also, I could use some tips for helping with jetlag. We are leaving in the evening and arriving in the evening of the next day. I am concerned about arriving in a country where I don't know the language and customs bleary eyed and not feeling 100%.

[Jacky01]

Melody, the first flight hrs it is still your evening.

Bring earplugs if you wanna sleep, the plane/passengers can be very loud.

Maybe a sleeping aid.

A book/nintendo/something to do.

Watch the movies

Set your watch on European time while getting on the plane.

Talk to your neighbours :)

Travelsocks! works wonders on not swelling ankles on long flights, got them myself last year!

Dont worry about Barcelona airport, they speak english too. :D

 

Have a great cruise!

[Keith1010]

A couple of items.

 

Try to get some sleep on the plan so that when you arrive to Barcelona try to get on their time zone as quickly as you can.

 

If your son has an iPod with music, etc. bring it and as noted watching movies makes the time go by.

 

Drink a lot of water. It is very easy to get dehydrated on a plane. So push to have water.

 

Walk around from time to time or just stand up for a few minutes every so often.

 

If you go out and walk around in Barcelona the first day be very cautious of your surroundings. We love Barcelona but it definitely has a good deal of pickpocketing. You will stick out as tourists plus if you are tired people tend not to be observant. After you get to the hotel, lock your passports in the safe along with valuables. When you walk around Barcelona take very little with you. Maybe take a little cash, one credit card, a camera, water and a few other items. If you have one of those travel wallets that you can conceal take it for the money and the credit card. Just be observant. Again, it's a great city but this is one of those cities to be observant of all that is around you.

 

Keith

[UKBayern]

Same suggestion: adjust to Spanish time as soon as possible, even if it is an odd time. I think you have a great flight: you leave in the evening, so your body will want to sleep on the plane, and when you arrive, you can have a nice meal and go to bed in the evening.

[wcook]

Think of the flight as uninterrupted time to read, relax, wach a movie, etc. with no resonsibilities (inform your son ahead of time that he's old enough to be responsible for his own time.) Or maybe must the oppostie, forced mother/son time. But make that time work for you. Do try to get sleep as well.

 

Arrange a car service for Barcelona. It's probably a 20-30 EUR upgrade over getting a cab, and makes for a nicer transition to a foreign country. One of the cheapest luxury upgrades you can get on your trip.

 

As for jet leg, everyone probably has a different opinion on what works (or not) for them. What works for me is sunlight. If I can spend that first day in the new timezone outside getting direct sunlight, I'm fine. Maybe a bit tired, but no problems resetting my body's sleep clock. If I am stuck indoors under artificial light, I have a much harder time.

[silentbob007]

I found that an iPad is great for long flights, but that might be an expensive diversion. The keys have really already been mentioned ... take something occupy yourself for long periods (book, games, puzzles, whatever). Wear comfortable clothes you could grab some sleep in. Get up and walk a few times. Drink lots and lots of water. For me, staying hydrated really helps with getting my body to adjust.

 

When I flew to Australia, I asked the doctor about sleeping on the plane and mentioned how I hate sleeping in public spaces. I was prescribed Xanax ... took a half-tab and got about 5-6 hours of sleep and didn't feel drugged the next day.

[lobster129]

Some other comforts that you could consider are your own travel pillow and blanket or throw. Travel magazines/catalogues (google for ideas) have a whole section of additional aides you can view. You may find some appealing to you. Definitely bring ear plus, eye covers (that avoid pressure directly over the eye)....a convex bump out area, travel/support socks and most comfy clothing.

 

Certainly, taking 1/2 an Ambien is an idea of you can get a prescription (don't take it until you are all "arranged" and ready to sleep...works quickly for most people). Suggest you TRY if pre-travel to make sure it agrees with you also.

 

If you don't want a prescripton med, you can try an over the counter antihistamine like Benadryl (What is in Tylenol PM in addiiton to tylenol). It does make your mouth dry....but otherwise the desired side effect is drowsiness.

 

You might feel like you want to go to bed when you arrive in Barcelona, but push yourself to get out in the fresh air and sunshine. Have an early dinner, then try to sleep the hours in your new time zone.

 

Definitely agree with some type of "under clothing wallet". I use the kind with the neck string...but tie that string to the middle front of my bra. It is very inexpensive peace of mind. I keep a little $$ in my day bag/purse so I have cash for admissions and transportation. My DH carries valuables in a nifty pocket that he got from Magellans. It loops through his pants belt and goes inside his pocket. Is pinned to the inside of the pocket also (before he puts his pants on.) Better than a $$ belt and one size fits all! We both carry "over the shoulder" and "across the body" day bags. I use mine as a purse and he uses his as a camera case and to store things like an extra pair of glasses, gum, etc.

 

Hope you have a safe and restful trip!

[wcook]

Certainly, taking 1/2 an Ambien is an idea of you can get a prescription (don't take it until you are all "arranged" and ready to sleep...works quickly for most people). Suggest you TRY if pre-travel to make sure it agrees with you also.

Double that suggestion. A small number of people exhibit bizarre side effects from Ambien. You don't want to find out you are one of them when on an airplane.

[Traveling Library]

Barcelona is like every other large airport and the taxi cab drivers know enough English to get you to your hotel.

The Spanish eat late (10PM) but instead of trying stay up that late (I can't) look for places that sell tapas. Most have English language menus. A fun way to try many different dishes.

[melody-s]

Lots of great suggestions. Thanks. I will definately use some of them.

[lobster129]

Another thing we did when we flew into Barcelona is to pre-arrange a transfer to our hotel. Angie had all our flight data, hotel location etc and was waiting for us outside of the customs and immigration area, It certainly was nice to have someone to "take care of us" and not have to make decisions or be concerned about language barriers etc ...when we were already sleep deprived. We have made similar types of arrangements in other non-USA cities and have always felt it was very much worth the $$ (to us). Just one less thing to worry about!

 

PS You should be able to find recommendations for transfer companies on the Med CC boards. We used Angie's taxis.

[Got2Cruise]

We found getting a taxi very simple at the Barcelona airport. Write the name and address of your hotel on an index card. All you need to do is show it to the driver and he will get you where you need to go, even if there is a language barrier. We found the taxi drivers in Barcelona very helpful, and the taxis are regulated.

[Bill S]

For long flights we bring noise-cancelling headphones-they really do help to quiet things down and aid sleeping. They also can be used for listening to movies and iPods, mp3 players, etc. They can be pricey, but to us they are well worth it.

Also, a good neck pillow helps. I agree with all the above suggestions, especially to stay hydrated and occasionally get up and walk around.

Also, in Barcelona, if you are carrying a purse of another type of day bag, use one with a long enough strap to put over your head and tuck the bag under your opposite arm. Put any money and credit cards in an interior zipper pocket if you have a vest. I like to wear cargo pants with velcro flaps on the leg pockets and keep my money and credit cards in those pockets. If someone tries to distract you, like saying a bird just pooped on you, or saying they are a plain clothed policeman, keep walking.

Barcelona is an interesting city, but it is also known for its pickpockets. Having said that and having visited there two times, we never had a problem.

Have a comfortable flight and a great cruise! :)

[kenish]

Everyone reacts differently but when we fly to Europe from California, we hit the city immediately and force myself to keep going as long as possible. In bed around 9pm local, then get a good night's sleep. The next morning (maybe sleeping in a bit), we are good to go. Expect an energy slump sometime during the day...it should go away after a few days.

 

My friend is a sleep specialist and does *not* recommend Ambien, Lunesta, etc. to combat jet lag. She says it does not "cycle" you through the deepest stages of sleep and you will arrive with quantity but not quality of sleep- that will make the jet lag worse. She prescribes Amitryptylene (normally used for migraines). I've never used anything for jet lag...fortunately I'm not affected too badly so I just put up with it.

[Martita B.]

When I fly on long flights I always take a package of "NO JET LAG" tablets. You can order these on line and they are natural (from New Zealand) Follow the instructions and you will feel good /rested upon your arrival.

I've given these to my friends and now they all swear by them as well.

Martita B.

[floridatravelersforlife]

I traveled for 30 years and I found sleep on the airplane is the best defense and no alcohol. Abstain from the drinks and food, go to sleep as soon as you can on night flights dont watch movies. You will still be out of sync when you arrive but the stronger your system is the better off you are.

 

The day you arrive stay up late , force yyourself to go to sleep on the local time zone. Use alcohol, drugs whatever to go to sleep force yourself to stay in bed when you wake up on your regular tiime zone.