Flying from LA -- SYD . . . What can I expect???
 

We are NOT flying first class. . . so what can I expect as far as food, sleeping accomodations, pillows, blankets, eye patches, ear plugs. . . the list goes on!

I have Ambien -- We leave LA at 10:30 PT but are coming from Philadelphia, PA (EST ) so we'll be really tired to begin with!

Any and all helpful hints for this trip and what to bring on the flight to make it more enjoyable and comfortable -- send them my way!

What's complimentary on Quantas?

We flew coach class from JFK to LAX to Melbourne last Xmas on Qantas. I was very pleased with the service as I need a special diabetic meal and the crew...mostly male...were very attentive. On the LAX to Oz segment you are given a travel pack with eyeshade, toothbrush, sox booties. Lots of pillows and blankets placed on each seat. Lots of beverages...especially water...constantly available. Loved the individual tv's.

MOST IMPORTANT: get up quite often and walk around to avoid any bloodclots. It is a very very long fligt over the Pacific Ocean. Bring lots of reading material.

Country is great. The trip to the Great Barier Reef was worth evety minute on the plane. Enjoy!

Long trip 13-14 hours.
The Ambien will do you well. Sleep as much as you can. Drink water regularly, and do walk around as often as possible.
Most people like you will be sleeping or trying to, but there's always movies or reading.

We were fine when arrived next morning (plus 1-day). Best when you get to hotel, shower and change clothing then get out into the daylight. There is plenty to do and see down at the Quay.

Try to stay up as long as possible that first day, get to sleep as close to bedtime, and you should be okay the next day.

When I went, got caught with reduced schedule (it was Thanksgiving Day) and flew from JFK at 12N, arriving on west coast and had layover more than 6-hrs till our 10pm flight and I survived it better that I though I could.

You should be fine. And you'll enjoy OZ.

Qantas generally give out icecreams and chocolate as snacks during the flight. You will have flight crew walking up and down the aisles regularly with jugs of water so you can keep yourself topped up even during the night. The meals are regular and pretty good. The drinks cart will accompany the meals cart but you are welcome to get a drink at anytime from the flight attendant station or by ringing your buzzer.

As said before they give out eyemasks, toothbrushes/toothpaste, and little sockettes. You won't get earplugs. Your chair will tilt back to sleep but economy is not the roomiest. Business class is better, first has those bed things that you can lie down flat and we all aspire to that. Alot of Qantas planes now have the screens in the back of the seats so you can choose from a selection of movies, television programs and games and this passes the time considerably and is a real bonus.

I really love flying Qantas. I think they have great service, the planes are all well equipped from a passengers point of view, and the staff are always friendly.

Buy ear plugs just in case you need them. I always have them in case of screaming childrens/sick people. Also, in case you are sleeping so people/flight attendents won't disturb you.

Try to stay awake for as long as you can on the LA > Syd flight. Then take the Ambien. Most likely won't need it going. Probably more so coming home.

Like other poster's said...drink plenty of WATER. If you don't get up to walk every hour, do exercises at your seat. Qantas has a pamphlet at your seat to tell you what to do.

Have fun...the flight isn't the best, but it's bearable considering you get to go visit a wonderful country.

I agree with the above messages.
Qantas has excellent attendants.

Qantas is very strict on the weight of carry ons, ours were greater then 7 kg (15#) and we had to check then at LAX.

I was ble to sleep in economy since the 10 pm flight was about midnight my body time.

We always fly qantas - they never crash!

I like the Aussie accents of the staff. I enjoy the Australian beers and wines, all free! Most people say not to drink too much, but I find a few drinks help me relax and rest.

The seatback TV's are way better than the old screen at the front of the plane. I think we had 8 movies to choose from and several TV stations as well. The games were somewhat entertaining for a break from time to time.

The staff were very helpful, especially with the immigration forms and customs. They also showed a movie on what to expect at the airport.

The check in desk at LAX is quite the zoo, leave plenty of time and patience. Try to check luggage all the way thru from Philly. At Sydney we had to tranfer to the domestic terminal for our next flight, and the system they use is horrible. We had to collect all our luggage, find our way to a bus, stand up on the bus as the crazy driver swerves his way thru the dumsters and back lots of the airport. Hopefully one day they will build a tunnel or walkway or something.

But as for qantas, 2 thumbs up.

Is it okay to sleep 7 hours or do I need to make sure we get up and walk around and drink water ?? Should I only sleep little bits ? I'll be tired and we are "hoping" to get a nights worth of sleep on the plane.

Let me know?!?! Thanks for all the tips thus far -- they are GREAT!

Getting married in 3 days and Honeymooning in 5 -- Oz here we come!!
Dawn

I don't think anyone could really advise you whether it is ok to sleep 7 hours and not get up and walk around or drink water. DVT can affect anyone.

I think your body will let you know when it needs to stretch if you have been sleeping. I couldn't sleep 7 straight hours on the plane anyways. I think the most I sleep was 4 hours at a time. Then dosed off here and there. Whenever I was awake I would do the stretching and drink the water.

The water/stretching is just something you need to be aware of but don't get freaked out over. I think there have been instances when people didn't move for 10+ hours and had trouble.

Also, if you need a drink at any time, don't hestitate to go over to the flight attendants. They will gladly give it to you.

What about Pacific Air? What are their amenities like?

Thanks

Do you mean CATHAY Pacific Airlines? Nice airline, efficient Asian service. Flew them to Bangkok, Singapore and Hong Kong. No complaints.

Actually, I meant Air Pacific. Any info?

Thanks!

I've flown Air Pacific a bunch of times, but from LA to Fiji. Check that they have direct flights to Syd, but I would expect you'll have to stopover in Fiji first, which would lengthen your trip.

Air Pacific is fine. Their planes are serviced by Qantas, and I found the planes and service to be comfortable. When I last flew them (3 years ago) they had no first class section, only business class in the first class seats. Not bad!