Julie

We just returned from Europe a few days ago, the trip going there wasn't as bad, partly because of the excitement factor, but the trip coming back was horrid. I'm only thankful it wasn't as long as some of the other postings. <BR>We took magazines, cards, looked out the window as it kept getting lighter outside returning was really cool,we flew over Greenland and the topography was fascinating!), watched the movie or whatever came on, but even after the 2 hour movie, it seemed forever before landing. I don't know if much really helps, but I would suggest an aisle seat to make it easier to get up & down if you need to. <BR>Also, has anyone experienced swollen feet and ankles on these flights? I don't know if walking so much in Europe compounded it, but my ankles were huge after the flight. I was cramped against the window wall and only got up maybe 3 times in 7 1/2 hours, is this a normal thing? I had socks and shoes on going, but wore sandals coming back and the swelling was worse. It came down in a couple days, but after the flight, they looked ready to burst!

s.fowler

Well I've used combinations of the previous posts. What I would add is to drink PLENTY of liquids, either those the cabin staff serves [water and orange juice] or bring a water bottle yourself [it's nice to have on a trip anyway], especially if you do drink alcohol en route[which I do... a drink before and wine with dinner.] <BR>The amount of swelling experienced by the previous poster isn't normal, although some swelling usually does occur. You need to get up and walk about often, perhaps flexing and circling your ankles and doing a few knee bends. I find that if I do take my shoes off for a long flight... getting them back on proves that the feet DO swell The walking around can serve a second function too. You can get water and/or juice from the cabin crew more often than by sitting and waiting for them to come around.

mark

Not an MD either but I last flew to Europe in Dec. for my honeymoon and took Melatonin. It is a naturally occurring substance in the body that is heightened when you sleep so taking the pill is like telling your body it's time to sleep. I usually do not sleep well on planes but I took one right after dinner, had 4 great hrs of rest (on a 7.5 hour flight to Paris) and was fine the rest of the week. Otherwise, guide books and travel magazines to get you excited about arriving are great. I also make a habit of getting a massage the day I leave (since I usually depart from ATL in the evenings). This will keep your body relaxed for the flight. Good luck <BR>

Denise

Glad to see some people from Australia in this posting. My flight in September takes me from Brisbane Australia to Hong Kong (2 hours stop) onto Rome (6 hour stop) and then to Istanbul. In all we will be on the go for 34 hours. How does one overcome the boredom, jet lag etc.. and keep up one's good humour. Our return flight is only marginally shorter, flying from Rome via HK to Brisbane. Next day........work...10 hours per day. How long will it take me to know what I am doing at work again? I hope I will do it again tho. Just wish I could afford at least Business Class. <BR>Denise <BR>

Bee

I usually bring a notebook with me and write ... either personal letters to friends (catch up time), drafts of business letters, poems, ideas for work. etc. I also write my impressions about the flight - what I see outside the window, the people on the flight (description and impressions), the food, the movies, anything and everything! I find that it whiles away the time quickly. <BR> <BR>A deck of cards also helps -- I make up new card games and play the standard games. I have trouble reading novels in flight (I don't know why I can't concentrate on them in the air. On the ground, I read at least 1 novel a week). I usually pick up an entertainment/movie magazine or USA Today.

Bee

I usually bring a notebook with me and write ... either personal letters to friends (catch up time), drafts of business letters, poems, ideas for work. etc. I also write my impressions about the flight - what I see outside the window, the people on the flight (description and impressions), the food, the movies, anything and everything! I find that it whiles away the time quickly. <BR> <BR>A deck of cards also helps -- I make up new card games and play the standard games. I have trouble reading novels in flight (I don't know why I can't concentrate on them in the air. On the ground, I read at least 1 novel a week). I usually pick up an entertainment/movie magazine or USA Today.

Samantha Hughes

Lynda, <BR> <BR>Try asking when you are booking in if you can have a spare seat next to you, that way you can put your legs up a lay back against the window. <BR> <BR>Recently on our trip back from New York to Sydney, Australia (a wonderful 18 hour trip!) we did just that - had a seat spare between us - it was a fight who got to lie down - but it was worth asking! <BR> <BR>PS - A trip from Australia to Europe is about 24 hours....so maybe if you think of that it might not be too bad!!!! And besides it's better than being at work!

Maria

Virgin Atlantic airlines has Ninendo Games and small t.v. sets at every seat. They were awarded the Best Inflight Entertainment for the last 3 years. <BR> <BR>don't drink alcohol. The airplane cabin is a very dry atmoshphere. Alcohol will make you feel worse and really dry up your sinuses. <BR> <BR>Tylonol P.M is ok and Melatonin is excellent. No after affects. <BR> <BR>On Virgin you can upgrade to Prem Economy at the airport. Dress nice and ask if any available seats. For a few $20's I've heard you can upgrade pretty cheap. Seats are better etc. <BR> <BR>Next time I fly I will first fly coast to coast and stay one or two nights in Neward and then maybe a night in Iceland and then on over. <BR> <BR>Iceland Air has free flights to Iceland on your return trip. www.icelandair.is <BR> <BR>www.fly.virgin.com/atlantic <BR>

sandra engley

Have done many of the above. Eye mask with ear plugs after reading for a while, helps me. In addition to above list, plan a project, if the season is right, bring a box of christmas cards, fill them out on board and mail them from your destination.

Raeona

Mark (Marc?)....Since your mentioned being a honeymooner, I CANNOT resist: WHO is doing the packing/worrying, while you are having that great flight-day massage? All these posts from truly long-flight passengers makes me humble, indeed. I CANNOT stand the flight from Chicago to London (7 hours tops??) My legs get the...????what...some kind of unbearable spielkes....and claustrophobia just about annihilates me...Who on earth could quibble with Tyloenol?? I badgered the doc into a low-density tranq...(he gave me an Rx for a whole 6 tablets)...but it helped me over the hump....Enabled me to get on the plane with more ease than usual, and to grab at least a short snooze en route....And to you more-than-=12-hour travelers...endless Kudos!

R. Honigman

Doesn't anyone realize that the effective altitude of a plane in flight is about 5,500 - 7,000 feet. In addition, planes recirculate half their air, so that the reason you can't read novels or concentrate on long flights is lack of oxygen. Awhile back recovering from a head injury I ordered oxygen for a transatlantic flight. On some airlines its $100 each way and you need a doctor's prescription, but it is really great to be able to breathe and think. I dread long air flights. Sometimes the air is okay, but sometimes it's not. The poor flight attendants are fighting the powerful airline lobbies to try to get better air on their flights. If more consumers were aware of this problem, maybe conditions would improve. It makes a big difference whether you have good air or not, and anyone with a physical condition like bad circulation should seriously consider ordering oxygen aboard their flight. The airlines will say you will be just as comfortable as in your living room. I wish I could have a dollar for every lie they tell.

andrea

I am flying to Europe in September for my honeymoon. I plan to take all my thank you notes after the wedding and write them on the plane. <BR>I AM in Medicine...there is a sleeping pill called Ambien which is prescription only...you will fall asleep within 30 minutes and should be able to sleep a full 5 hours. It is non-addicting and will not leave you with the hang-over feeling that Benadryl will (or Alcohol). <BR>Talk to your Doctor or P.A about this. <BR>The trip over is horrible...but it's not bad coming back!

Jen

Andrea, I also wrote all my wedding thank you notes on the plane trip to Hawaii for our honeymoon. It was very efficient (everything was still fresh in my mind), and felt great to put them all in the mailbox when we arrived. BUT, I did get very claustrophobic near the end of the trip because I rarely took a break from writing, had my head and upper body turned down towards the tray table and by the end of the trip I was going bonkers! I've never felt that way before, even on other long flights. My advice is to take frequent breaks, get up and walk around and do a lot of stretching! Congratulations on your wedding and have a great honeymoon! <BR>

Marco

I flew only once across the ocean: I went to central america. <BR>During the journey back I had a diarrhoea with high fever and so I was occupied all the time. <BR>Of course this is not the best way of spenting your time on a plane...

Catherine

Melatonin works well without the side effect (i.e. drowsiness) that accompany medicaines like Tylenol PM. I have also heard that Melatonin is good for avoiding jet lag. <BR>

Sue G.

Where does one find Melatonin?

Cheryl Z.

<BR>Sue - any drugstore, or healthfood store, and many groceries will have it. I use it at home sometimes and it works.

Don

I went to buy some melatonin at GNC before my flight to Denmark this July. The salesman strongly recommended against it. He said--and this was the guy selling the stuff--one of the side effects is nightmares. Said he personally experienced this and now does not recommend it to customers. I tried to sleep naturally, but next time I think I'll go for a tylenol pm. <BR>

Cheryl Z.

<BR>Don, can personally attest to never having nightmares after taking it or anyother side effect! I wouldn't take it or anything else for that matter if I had the slightest side effect, nightmares, headache, whatever. Interesting to hear this, but will still use it as necessary. One pill is enough for me. Anyone else experience this??

Sue G.

Cheryl et al, I found a pharmacological research type web page w/info on melatonin and it's like anything else, likely to affect one person differently from another. Nightmares were reported by some, "vivid dreams," by others, and some people prone to depression reported more of that when taking melatonin. Dosage was also important and naturally, too much of it is not a good thing. 3 mg. was suggested 1-2 hours before retiring (or wanting to fall asleep on the plane) and some said they cut the 3 mg. pills in 1/2 or 1/4 for less dosage after they had some trouble with the full 3 mg. <BR> <BR>It seems that good sense would dictate, so not to ruin a great trip, trying any of these sleep remedies before you go and see how they work for you. <BR> <BR>