inflight essentials
 

So I'm traveling Singapore Airlines from CHC to Changi, Singapore. Then on to Hanoi. Just wondering what products are essential for flying and how to keep fresh on a long haul flight, and also during the 10 hour layover we have at Changi. Also any tips to combat jet-lag? Cheers

Staying fresh on a long haul flight is almost impossible, especially if you're flying coach.

SIA is a wonderful airline and Changi is a fantastic place for a layover. As I recall, SIA provides ear plugs and eye shades in all classes of service.

I like to travel with my own noise cancelling headphones and a shawl/coverup just in case I get cold, although SIA will provide blankets and pillows.

If you want to sleep when you arrive at Changi, you can check into the Transit Hotel (available at all terminals) to rest and shower. Rooms are available for a minimum of six hours, additional hours are available at a good rate. I do this all the time and I've found that the sooner you book the better. Rooms do fill up.

If you don't want to sleep, but want a shower, this can be done at the Transit Hotel or at the Transit Lounge for a nominal charge. You can also get a massage, which includes a shower afterwards.

http://athmg.com/


http://athmg.com/services_shower.htm

http://www.changiairport.com/in-tran...it-information

Lip balm/chapstick
A refillable water bottle
Hand cream
Socks, especially if you are flying wearing sandals.
Eyedrops

my kindle
blankie
pillow
cologne
lipstick
a nice person sitting next to me!

please, no cologne if you are sitting next to me. I am a nice person, but I would prefer not to have to smell your cologne, that might make me a not nice person.

For that long a trip, a change of clothes. Also, advil or aspirin in case you get a headache. Ipod or mp3 or something like that along with a laptop or dvd player. Magazines, newspapers, maybe a book or two.

Debit... I'm with you on the NO to cologne please. I hate to enter a room (or elevator or car) where someone has just sprayed themselves with too much. It's a headache coming on for me!!!

NO COLOGNE! I would have to ask a FA to find me another seat if I sat next to someone wearing ANY perfume/cologne/aftershave, etc. etc. etc.

I highly recommend the transit hotel in Changi which rents out by hour segments.

Looks like CHC to SIN is a 10 hour flight, so fairly lengthy. It is hard to stay fresh, but I have found that brushing my teeth, washing my face, and putting on fresh deoderant after a flight can work wonders - a change of socks and undies is good too. Of course as others have mentioned at Changi, you can take a full shower at the transit hotel, which is the best option.

In flight, I just try to be as comfy as possible - comfy, non-binding clothing, inflatable neck pillow, large scarf as a blanket and/or head covering, nook, snacks, bottle of water, chocolate for when I need something esspecially yummy mid-flight. I get really dry skin on long flights, so I make sure I have a good moisturizer.

If your arrival in Changi is at a decent time, I would spend most of the layover in Singapore itself - take a cab or the MRT into town and hang out. Sightsee, eat, wander around. Singapore can be a lot of fun. You'll be jet lagged, but that can't really be helped. Getting some good exercise will help your body regulate itself.

JaneB-I guess you and I won't be sitting next to each other. I don't leave the house w/o just a drop of my favorite perfume. Just don't feel completely dressed w/o it.

Sounds like an excellent strategy for having an empty seat next to you. But if you're wearing Samsara, you are absolutely welcome to sit next to me.

(Why does <i>eau de toilette</i> sound so much better in French than in English?)

If you do leave Changi, make sure you have your onward boarding pass. If CHC won't issue your Hanoi boarding pass, and you still want to leave the airport, do be aware that you won't be able to re-enter the airport without checking in again, and most check-in desks don't open until two hours prior to the flight. I run into this all the time when I fly from Perth to Singapore...I can't get my onward boarding passes until I arrive at Changi, and then only two hours before the flight at an airside transfer desk.I arrive the night before and just stay in the Transit Hotel

There's always the option of the City Tour which you can sign up for at Changi - you can leave the airport w/o a boarding pass as you'll be on a tour. Details here:

http://www.changiairport.com/at-chan...singapore-tour

:)

When in coach it requires: over the counter neck brace with a velcro strap ($16 at Walgreens) to keep my head upright; eye shade; BOSE QC15 noise cancelling earphones; Ambien (the only time I use it). With all this its pretty easy to get at least 6 hours of sleep.

I always bring:

- iPad
- Noise-cancelling headphones
- Travel-size Clorox wipes (God only knows what's on the tray table, armrest, etc. You can get them at Target in the travel-size items aisle)
- Travel-size Wet Ones hand wipes (also @ Target)
- Any prescription medication I may need while traveling
- Snacks (in case there's either no food/bad food offered)
- A couple of magazines
- Power charger (if an in-seat power outlet is available)

If I was taking your journey, I'd also get a solid shampoo bar from Lush (it's all-natural, & you obviously don't have to worry about the 3oz. rule), some soap, toothpaste & toothbrush, & a change of clothes, so I could take advantage of the shower rentals.

FYI - Everything is provided at the showers in Changi. All you need is yourself and a change of clothes.

A saline nasal spray to counteract the dry air; use every hour or so.

Kleenex pocket packs.

Airborne, an OTC product that seems to help with fending off colds.

Moisturizer for the face.

Hand lotion.

Airborne has been found to be useless.