I agree with you about the choice, and how some may see it as the better option, but at the same I was never refused what I thought was a full service on couple of F and J flights when I showed up late.

OTOH, I'm not much of airline foodie even in F, with few exceptions, (steak on QF and Asian dishes on CX) so perhaps I never realized that the dishes served were limited. It's possible that they don't serve the full menu, yet like I said, I was able to get a 3 course late night dinners on a "sleeper" flights.

<i>Pre-flight Supper replaces the main meal service on board. </i>
We flew BA Business Class 4 years ago (using our award miles) from ORD to LHR (leaving 9:30 pm) and we got both a nice buffet dinner at their lounge, AND were offered a dinner on board.

But, was the dinner a full dinner? Was it served in one wave or multiple waves? If it was served at one time on a single tray, then it was not the normal BA J service.

Really dumb question, but where can you buy eye masks? We leave in a few days for a long flight to NZ and am thinking I probably need to pick one up.

I would think a luggage store should have eye masks, or the travel section of some place like Target. You might also find some sort of fancy, schmancy mask at a place like Bath and Body Works.

But, to be honest, I don't know for certain, as I have a stack of them from various flights.

You can buy a eye masks, ear plugs, at most airport newspaper stands.

Thanks! We leave next week to NZ and want to be able to sleep. Have the Ambien ready to go. Thought that a mask may help block out the light. Probably won't due any ear plugs, since I think they would probably annoy me more than anything else!

I have never been on a flight this long (coming from Chicago), so having to think about things I normally don't worry about when I travel.

LauraT - Frankly, an eye mask is much less important on really longhaul flights to Asia Pacific than those 6-hour red-eyes to Europe.

You will have plenty of time to nap on the longhauls after they turn off the cabin lights.

<i>But, was the dinner a full dinner?</i>
--- Sorry, don't remember the details, just that I was srprised to be served dinner twice......

BTW in its little amenity pac that is given to all coach passengers on its JFK-LHR route, Virgin Atlantic gives you an eye mask among other things.

Thanks all. While I spend considerable time flyng all across the US, I have limited experience flying internationally and have never flown to the Pacific. I am a big planner and trying to anticipate what I need. We are flying business class - I am guessing from xyz's post that we may get a eye mask from UAL...and perhaps I won't even need it.

Does UAL usually give amenity packs on these flights? I was going to bring a throw away toothbrush, but perhaps I won't need it...

You should have said that from the start.

In business you will get a very nice amenity bag with eye shades, socks, toothpaste/brush, skin cream, etc...

Have a great trip!

twina49:

If DVT is a real worry, you really ought to talk to a specialist. For what it's worth, here's the advice my consultant gave me <b> though for anyone else it's absolutely no substitute for advice from someone who knows what she's talking about </b>:

1. On long-haul flights, it's got nothing to do with economy vs business class: extra legroom doesn't really help. If you're sitting down for more than an hour or two at a time, you're increasing the risk, however much legroom you've got. You need to have your legs elevated - and that means business or first class FULLY reclining, lie-flat, seats.

2. Seek specialist advice about taking the appropriate injections with you

3. Wear compression socks.

4. If you really can't manage lie-flat seats, never allow more than 90 minutes continuous sitting. <b> This bit of advice takes priority over getting a good night's sleep </b> Get up, walk round at regular intervals - and do the leg-juggling in the meantime too.

As I understand it, if you've had a TIA, your risk of a DVT is higher than average. I have the good fortune to use doctors in a part of the world where frequent long-haul plane travel is routine for the population and almost mandatory for doctors. Getting advice from doctors with good understanding both of DVT risks and the real practicalities of modern airlines is essential.

Flanneruk - Thanks for your suggestions. Yes, I have been under a doctor's care and gone through a battery of tests since the TIA. Turns out I have a tiny hole in my heart (probably from being a premature twin) that allowed a little bit of debris to break lose and travel to my brain, where it lodged, however briefly. We have discussed numerous ways to keep that from happening again, particularly during a flight, including everything you mentioned. Thanks!