brookums71

Fodorites-I need your help. Hubby found good airfare for Hong Kong. Very well seasoned travelers with over 25 trips to Europe.
I have never flown farther than St Petersburg Russia. The flight is 16 hrs from Chicago. I have 12 hrs to cancel.
Can I do it with just Valium??
I have major airplane anxiety.
Must add, its a 3 seat across configuration.
How bad is it and is it worth it???
Please do not recommend First Class.
Thanks!!!!!!

Kathie

I don't recommend First Class, but if you can spring for Business or a Premium Economy seat you will be more comfortable.

Do you normally take valium to fly? If so, I would expect it would work for you on this flight.

Is the flight hideous? No, just long.

lcuy

Hideous? Not in my experience, but then, I have to fly six to eight hours to go anywhere out of my home state.

I take Ativan and flying anxiety disappears. It also relaxes me enough that I can sleep away the journey!

northie

It's not the distance it's obviously the fear for you. Do what you do for the European flights . Is it direct ? Would a break help?

jacketwatch

Quickly if you have not yet booked can you handle another about 5-7 hrs. past the SPB flight?

Also is it a NS or is there a connection?

Good luck.

colduphere

Our daughter just did it, with a delay on the ground before they left (ouch). Over 16 hours in the plane. She would normally hate it but said it was okay. She is 5'7" and the seat pitch was 32 inches. Economy class. No valium.

internetwiz

The flight to HK is a lot easier than many other places in Asia. I usually take two xanax and sleep for five hours, somewhere mid-flight. If you found a good fare, go for it! I paid a fortune when I went, but have no regrets.

brookums71

Thanks everyone for your comments. I am a plus size gal so along with massive anxiety is total discomfort. I will heed all your advice.
Yes I always take valium but may up the dose.
The itinerary is Chicago to HongKong direct. 16 hrs. Business class was $$$$$.
Thanks everybody. Appreciate it.

jacketwatch

I don't know where you looked for biz class. If it was thru the airline website it's high but last fall be got biz on Air Canada ORD to Tokyo for about $3500.00 each thru a consolidator our TA works with. Just a thought. Enjoy HK. We loved it.,

Larry. .

brookums71

I got a great deal on tickets.
Its booked and I believe with 10 mg Valium I may be ok.
If anybody has any hotel suggestions, give me a holla!
And, first class and business was UNREAL, like $6000!

Kathie

Hotels in Hong Kong are quite expensive. If you are looking for something in a moderate price range the Salisbury Y is you best bet. It is similar in standard to a domestic US Holiday Inn.

Did you check on upgrading to Economy Plus or whatever premium economy product your airline has? Often, airlines will be willing to upgrade you for a reasonable charge, maybe $200-300.

brookums71

Just an update as I have returned from this trip.
The 16 hour flight from Chicago to Hong Kong direct was very pleasant. I sat in the middle for 16 hrs, but truly it is a mindset thing and I somehow lived to tell the story.
A cautionary tale, I did on the way back take Chinese Tylenol and had an allergic reaction. Not what you want 6 hrs into a 16 hr flight.
Thank god for a caring flight attendant who slipped me a benedryl.

Please refer to my enjoyable TR for all the juicy details of this awesome trip...

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...ember-2015.cfm

CounterClifton

The first time we went from the US to Australia (16 hours from LAX plus another 3.5 from St. Louis) I thought I'd never make it. Also not a good flyer, but had been to Europe.

It's exactly the same experience with a little more sitting around. Don't keep looking at your watch and you do lose track of how long it's been. I wouldn't recommend a higher price category unless you can afford it easily, However, but in the years since that first trans-pacific, I've come to feel the airline you choose can help reduce the misery. Once you start thinking how warm it is or or how you can't seem to get a drink or how uncomfortable the seat feels on your lower back, those things bring focus to the flight experience and egg anxiety on.

If you can get less focused on what's not right and enjoy the amenities, then you're less focused on the flight itself. But you need one that's giving you some positives to focus on other than that they're still moving forward. Cathay Pacific is a pretty good choice for HK. I'd avoid United (personally). And yes, a big old sedative works a charm too.

annhig

we flew CP from London to OZ via HK; 12 hours for the London to HK leg, 9 for the HK to OZ. going out was ok - even the longer stretch, but coming back the 12 hour leg was sheer hell for me - I kept needing to go to the loo [I think that the angle of the seat affected my bladder] and I never slept at all. The worst bit was seeing that we were over somewhere unpronounceable in Russia and had 9 hours to go.

I don't think that the fact that it was CP made a lot of difference.

CounterClifton

I am not as wowed by CP as some are. But after having picked the wrong airline for a very long flight a couple of times, I know that I can respond to a situation like being much less further along than hoped even worse. For me, it's much better to not also be thirsty with no one to hail, be overly warm due to no ventilation (BA), stuck to my seat for hours by a constantly on seatbelt sign (AA) or have a spring poking me through a threadbare seat at the same time (United and Aer Lingus)!

Kathie

I would not take any drug made in China - even Tylenol, as you discovered. China is the biggest counterfeiter of drugs in the world.

Glad to hear you have discovered to can visit another part of the world!