Flying Internationally in Coach - Tips for Surviving
 

We will be traveling to Sydney on Qantas airlines from Los Angeles and will be in coach. We tried to get business class, however it was just too cost prohibitive for us at this time. Does anyone have any travel tips for surviving the long flight while flying in coach? I've heard the seats don't recline as much, there aren't leg rests, etc., so sleeping can be a bit of a challenge. I appreciate any hints and tips! Thanks.

We flew coach from Tampa - Dallas- stopover in LA, then LA to Sydney next day. 1 great tip that we picked up, reserve the very back of the plane either left or right side. Most likely the seats are 3-5-3, except in the very last 2 or 3 rows where they are 2-5-2. This way you will not have to fight the 3rd person, and the legroom seemed to be better and you can stretch better. Choose the 1st row that is 2 seats right behind the last 3 seater. The other advantage or disadvantage depending on your personality, is you are close to the restroom (about 4 rows away) but it tends to be the social area to talk to others. Right off the bat, be very friendly to your flight attendant and they will really take care of you for the long haul. You dont need the neck pillows because they are built into the seats. Bring cards, walkman, etc.. Tough it out, it is really worth it!! You will have a great time in Australia.

Rick, <BR> <BR>Thanks for the advice. Although I mentioned in my post that we are flying from LAX, we are actually originating in Tampa, through Dallas, and then into LAX. We're also going to stay in LA for 1 day before taking the long trip to Sydney. You must have flown American on the domestic portion, like we are. Again, thanks for the helpful hints!

Christine: <BR> <BR>Make friends with the person in front of you in coach. Their seat can recline as far as your lap making it difficult to use your tray for eating, reading, whatever. We sat in 71a and 71b in coach on Qantas from LA. They're 2 with no third seat. Much more room. There's really no solution to passing the time. Watch the movies, read a good book, get up and walk around occasionally etc. Next time (November) we're going to bring a lap top computer with us. <BR>You will love Australia. <BR>John <BR>

Hi Christine. <BR> <BR>You will love travelling on Qantas. This airline really knows how to treat <BR>its customers (even in coach class). <BR> <BR>We flew out of LA also to Sydney and <BR>then on to Melbourne. It was exhausting <BR>but well worth it. Drink a lot of <BR>water (which they serve you constantly) <BR>on the plane. Also I thought it was <BR>geat that on Qantas each seat gets a <BR>pillow and blanket so you won't have to <BR>fight for them. <BR> <BR>They do shut the overhead lights off <BR>about 1AM or so and the 3 movies help <BR>pass time. <BR> <BR>Don't forget to qualify for frequent <BR>flyer miles . We took US airways out <BR>of pit to la and then Quantas and we <BR>managed to acquire almost 20,000 <BR>total airmiles for our Australian <BR>trip. <BR> <BR>Have a great time. <BR>

First off, I absolutely dislike flying anywhere, but I won a free vacation so I had to do it. I flew from Newark-LA (American), LA-Sydney, then Sydney to Cairns with about 3 hour layover in LA and Sydney. Newark -LA was the worst, I think AA is very cheap, lounges are bad, and movie didn't work. Plane was completely full. LA -Sydney (about 14 1/2 hours). Fortunately, before the flight started, the two ladies next to me must have found the only other two unoccupied seats near the bulkhead and moved there so I had the entire row to myself! Took one Ambien sleeping pill for 5-6 hours, then watched movies for the rest of the flight, not too bad at all. By the time for Sydney - Cairns, about a 3 hour flight, I was quite ready to go, and it was one of the easiest and nicest flights I was ever on. I also flew Cairns-Melbourne-Sydney-Christchurch-Queenstown, and back from Auckland w/out too much problem. It was well worth it, and I would definitely do it again.

Just returned from Aussie. Our Qantas flight from LA to Melbourne (via Auckland) was one of the best flights I have ever been on. We sat in seats 72A and 72B on the 747...back of the plane but more leg room (as per previous posts)Person in front of me had their seat fully reclined and I didn't find it a hardship...seeing as my seat was also fully reclined. During meal service, passengers are asked to move their seats into an upright position. Service was excellent. Because it was an overnight flight, we slept practically the whole way to Auckland (as did everyone else on board it seemed)The lights were dimmed after the meal and all passengers were given a little packet with socks (to keep your feet warm) and one of those eye-covers that block out lights. The down side to those particular seats is that you don't get the best view of the video screen. On the way back we sat in seats 61A and B...an excellent view of the screens but near the galley so sleep was nearly impossible. The good thing is that they played 4 EXCELLENT movies (Qantas calls it the movie marathon) which really helped pass the time..along with a good book and the knowledge that the long flight will definately be worth it!!!