TravelBound96

Hi everyone,

I am going on my first long haul flight and was looking for a few tips.

I am flying Emirates from Brisbane to Dubai. It is 14hrs and overnight. Does anyone know if you get a pillow and blanket in economy class?

Can you take a water bottle onboard?

Is it cold on the plane? What should I wear & take on with me? I am planning to just have a large handbag as my carry on, is that enough?

I am very sorry as I realise these are obvious questions to you all, but as I said it is my first long flight.

Thanks in advance

J62

I don't know what Emirates offers in economy class for comforts, including food & water.

I find that large aircraft & overnight flights in general can feel quite cold so I always bring with me a soft long sleeve shirt / sweatshirt that I'd be comfortable sleeping in. Cotton, no zippers or bulky hood.

As for carryon, I always like to have with me enough items to get me through the first 24hrs in case there is an issue with my checked luggage. That means a change or 2 of clothes, toiletries, etc. A small nylon gym bag is usually enough. space for me.

I would try to bring a water bottle, and I would definitely bring snacks. You may or may not like the food they serve, but there is no reason to be 100% dependent on the airline for food. Dried fruit, chocolate, and snack bars all travel well.

Thelittlestkiwi

Hello...Yes you get a blanket and yes you get a pillow!

And yes, I've found that I've been able to take a water bottle on board, as long as it isn't filled when you go through security - I either buy a bottle of water after security (if possible), or take an empty bottle that can be filled after security (at a water fountain).

I find it cold on planes - especially if I am sitting next to a window - but the blanket is a pretty decent size and is large enough to cover me up. My normal tactic is to take a scarf to keep my neck warm (even just a cotton one) and have socks for my feet, and that will do it.

The pillows are just little rectangular ones. I find those blow-up travel pillows are actually quite good - even if they make you look a bit silly.

mrwunrfl

Good questions. Long pants/trousers, long sleeve shirt. Take a pair of socks, cozy ones, to wear over the socks you wear to the airport as you will want to take your shoes off while flying. You could put a sweater in your carry-on along with a change of clothes (and I would probably change shirts at some point, Dubai or sooner). Take eye shades and, if you want, a neck pillow. I've never had much success with ear plugs. And a comb and a pen. Leave your boomerang at home.

annw

To the good advice above I would add a pashmina shawl. Either soft black slacks or a long soft and comfy skirt with a soft comfy long sleeved top; agree about the socks to wear on flight, maybe even some ankle socks you can ditch end of flight.

Large handbag could accommodate small quantities of toiletries, shawl, socks, reading material, snacks, maybe fresh undies and a fresh lightweight top rolled up small.

suze

I wear comfortable knit clothes, like yoga pants, t-shirt, hoodie. I usually am wearing socks & sneakers because I wear my bulkiest shoes, to save room in the suitcase.

I would carry on more than only a pocketbook, because (as someone else mentioned) I like at least a partial change of clothes in case the checked suitcase is delayed. Also remember you want anything valuable or hard to replace WITH you not in checked luggage (this includes all paperwork, cash, credit/debit cards, glasses/contact/sunglasses, prescrption medications, electronics, camera, etc.).

Thelittlestkiwi

PS. Emirates also give you an eye shade and little toothbrush and toothpaste which comes in a little zip up pack with some stickers that you use to indicate whether to you want to be left to sleep or woken up for meals. I think the food is pretty good and worth waking up for Actually, now I think about it, I'm pretty sure you get cotton socks too - but they aren't very thick or warm.

frogoutofwater

I fly a lot (for business and pleasure), both short-haul and long-haul. This is what I usually wear and what I take in my carry-on for comfort.

1) I usually wear leggings and a tunic, and carry either a long cardigan (if it will come in handy at my destination) or a pashmina. (The cardigan is pretty bulky so I don't take it on trips to or from hot climates.) For a long trip, I usually pack a change of undies but don't usually bother packing a change of clothes unless I have a business meeting scheduled within 24 hours of arrival. I try to wear colours that won't look a mess if I accidentally spill something or get covered in blanket lint. For most destinations, my jacket is usually a lightweight raincoat that I can crush or roll to put into my carry-on.

2) I'm careful about my shoes. I used to wear ballet flats or zip boots (easy to put on and take off, especially for security) but I find that my feet swell on the flight and the shoes or boots felt tight. Now I tend to wear a pair of Merrell Barefoot Pace Glove running shoes because I can ease the laces when my feet swell. They're super-comfortable and work as workout and walking around shoes at my destination, eliminating the need to pack running shoes (unless I plan to do long runs).

3) I find that flight attendants are always handing me water (too much water) on flights so I don't bother bringing a water bottle. I do, however, bring a couple of granola bars or something similar (1 for about each 8 hours of travel) so that if the meal options aren't appealing or too expensive at the airport or on the plane, I've got something I like to eat.

4) I pack a light case for my glasses in case I want to sleep, the prescriptions I take (in prescription bottles), some melatonin to help me sleep, Listerine breath strips to freshen my breath, and ibuprofen. If I'm travelling to a warm climate, I usually pack a couple of mosquito repellent wet wipes in individual packets. I (and my colleague) were very grateful for them when we landed in the buggy Mumbai airport and spent 40 minutes surrounded by skeeters as we waited for luggage and to go through customs and immigration.

5) I don't bother packing a travel pillow - even the inflatable ones are bulky and many airline seats on long-haul planes have adjustable headrests that can be curved in so your head doesn't roll around when you fall asleep. I also don't bother with a travel blanket - the pashmina works instead.

6) I also bring a Nexus 7" tablet for reading etc, earphones and a small MP3 player and ear plugs (to block out the sound of the screaming kid or adult near me).

7) From a travel safety perspective (you never know when you might need to evacuate a plane, or when you're going to get stuck in the dark somewhere), I do the following:

1) keep my shoes on until the plane reaches cruising altitude (and put them back on as we start to descend);
2) pack a tiny travel flashlight attached to my key ring;
3) I have a 2-piece wallet. The first piece is a thin card holder that holds 2 credit cards, my corporate photo ID, my health insurance card and about $20 (or about $20 each of my home currency and the local currency if the local currency is different). The second holds the rest of my wallet stuff. The tiny card holder goes in my pocket or my hand (if I don't have a pocket) during take-off and descent. That way, if there were an evacuation, I've got some basic documentation with me.
4) My power monkey - which charges various electronics including cell phones, my tablet, etc.

MickeyB

There are a lot of excellent suggestions. I have one suggestions which has nothing to do with what to take. I always search the internet for exercises I can do sitting. Some time they are in the magazine provided by the airline. This helps with swelling and blood clots which can occur do the pressure in the cabin. I also get up and walk about once we reach altitude, even do a few stretches as I am waiting for a bathroom. Enjoy your long flight!!!

wally34949

Make sure your water bottle is empty when you go through security.

MissGreen

I carry a large handbag. Make sure it has a zip on it for security. I could easily just travel with a handbag that fits my travel documents, book, make up and wallet. I do usually travel with another bag and put a change of clothes in them in case my bags get lost. Don't worry about that though. I have travelled lots and have never lost anything.

What an exciting trip. I remember my first trip. My honeymoon! Everything went well.

Peter_S_Aus

We've flown Emirates Melbourne to Dubai. You will be given a blanket and pillow. Taking a shawl is a good idea. They also give you a flight pack - eye shades, socks and toothbrush.