Tell me how were you able to survive 14-hour flight from Los Angeles to Sydney on Qantas?
 

We already have tickets so this is not a question whether Qantas is a good airlines to fly with or not.<BR><BR>I would appreciate if you can share your expereinces of dealing with such a long flight.

Hi,<BR>Ambien! Great sleeping pill! <BR><BR>I was already exhausted when I got on the flight but took 10mg so I could stay asleep. It worked like a charm. I slept well, woke up w/out a 'hangover' and honestly, had no jetlag. I was amazed!<BR><BR>It was the first time I had ever taken a prescription sleeping med and I plan to use it whenever I go on a long flight.<BR><BR>Debbie<BR><BR>PS Think twice about requesting an exit row WINDOW seat. The door juts out and you're w/o a footrest like the rest of your cabinmates....that was my seat in steerage going over :-(

Hi, Nancy!<BR>How about this: the day before you leave, do a search for "Sydney" posts on this forum, and then print out about seventy of them. Reading them and the many different points of view expressed ahould make light work of your flight, and by the time you arrive, there won't be much you don't know about Sydney. Alternatively, you can listen to the accents of the Australians on board and try to work out what they are saying. Have a good flight!

Upgrade to business or first. otherwise take drugs or you will go stir crazy

No question, that upgrading to first makes the trip almost enjoyable....but it is expensive. Depends on who is paying for the upgrade. <BR><BR>We were fortunate in being able to use frequent flyer miles to get first class tickets.

That is so true about the Ambien although I never used it on a plane.<BR>

Hi Again. You know I have not done 14 hour flights but I have done 10 hour direct flights well I have done 13 with a stop over. What works best for me is they have those individual TV's with several stations on them in the seat facing you. Otherwise not such a problem. I just remember all of the road trips I was on when I was younger. Seem to remember Florida for 24hours(!!) from NYC it did not bother me then because that was the furthest south I have ever been. Oh yes friends, food and drinks were also in the van but I don't remember getting sloshed.<BR><BR><BR>I also like having a plane with more than one isle so you can walk around and talk to people. I like planes with locations with window where people can congregate. But if you don't have this option try to do as I suggested before remember very long road trips you did not think twice about enduring.

We flew from Toronto to Sydney via Cleveland and LA - about 34 hours with the change of planes. This is my theory. The flight is lousy but there are a whole lot of people who would give anything for the discomfort of the flight to have a holiday in Oz. So I remind myself how lucky I am, and when my husband laments that he wishes we were in business class I remind him too!!!

Last year I flew from LAX to MEL having an unexpected 8 hour layover. It was 1AM LA time (4AM my time) and I was exhausted. I believe I slept for 6 hours straight but still had 8 to go. I played with my Gameboy, read, talked to the lady next to me, watched the movies, etc. and took a lot of naps. I could feel my legs swelling so I got up for about an hour & walked around the cabin. I did some leg exercises in the back of the cabin near the emergency exit and could see Fiji very nicely (what a view).<BR><BR>I'm going again in December but this time I have to fly from Atlanta to Seoul to Sydney to Melbourne (it's free and the only way to work it out). I'm planning on taking Benedryl as soon as I can. I'm flying business class this time so I should have my own little TV to keep me occupied.<BR><BR>I don't think you will have any problems finding something to do for 14 hours (don't forget a deck of cards). I had a bit of dizziness when I landed (for several hours) but maybe it was because I was upside down. ;.)

We traveled to Australia in Feb. and returned in March. On the trip over I slept quite a bit. My ankles got swollen. I was more careful on the return trip to stand, walk around, and exercise my legs, ankles and feet when I was awake. I did not have nearly as much swelling. There are long periods when they keep the plane dark for sleeping. Talking to people is not much of an option then, but there is nearly always a movie going. Good luck, and yes, keep reminding yourself how lucky you are to be traveling to such an interesting place!

I always take my own bottled water- as they never give you enough, ear plugs and magazines (as I find it hard to get into a book on a plane). I also just tell myself that it's worth it when I get there!

When are you flying? I read that Qantas is currently adding those individual screens to the back of every coach seat. Porject should be completed by March.

Nancy, I wrote an article on this subject, so feel free to e-mail me if you want a copy.<BR><BR>It is a very long and horrible flight in coach! Do not get in the exit row by the bathrooms because for 14 hours you will hear people slamming doors, and they like to stand in front of you and visit. It was a horrible flight.....but getting there and enjoying Australia was great.

Think about your trip the night before. Be so excited that you don't get much sleep.<BR><BR>When you get on the airplane be alert for rows that aren't filled up. When it seems that the plane is nearly finished boarding, MOVE. Don't be shy. You can always go back to your own seat if the occupant arrives. The extra room is a godsend.<BR><BR>Stay up through dinner. Don't drink a lot of booze, but a glass of wine may help you sleep.<BR><BR>Bring a eyemask and earplugs. Who cares if you look stupid. Also a good quality neck pillow is a godsend, but will also add to the stupid looking factor (but again, pah to that.)<BR><BR>Don't watch the entertainment...just try to sleep soon after dinner, or about 4 hours after the flight takes off. <BR><BR>That's my advice, in addition to all the other good points above. I especially agree with staying far away from the loo as possible, and exit rows may or may not recline.<BR><BR>"enjoy" your flight...

We took Qantas for the best price, I wish I had paid a bit more and booked a carrier that has the seat configuration where the window row has only 2 seats. A 2-5-2 config. Qantas has a 3-4-3 config. If you travel as a couple, no one gets the middle seat and there is more room to use side of plane wall or lean only on each other. Enough of that.<BR><BR>The absolutely best way to survive the flight is to take an Ambien 10mg just after take-off and put on the eye mask. Everyone leaves you alone. Also, do anything you can to avoid a middle seat.<BR><BR>Last, the cost to upgrade to business/first is unbelievable from the US, but on the return flight, we requested an upgrade and it was only $600 NZ, which is less than $300 US. The deals down under are awesome.

I have flown London to Sydney 6 times, 3 times in economy, twice in business and once in first. Lon-Syd takes 22-24 hours including the refuelling stop. One of the economy trips was in Qantas.<BR><BR>It isn't pleasant in economy - but I got through it OK and that was as a smoker!<BR><BR>For me it was just about getting the correct mindset - ie you just deal with it - Sydney is well worth the flight time IMHO. I always preferred to have an aisle seat as I find it easier to walk around. Take a few books as well, just in case the entertainment isn't very good.<BR><BR>I also find it easier to set my watch to Sydney time as soon as a board.<BR><BR>On the plus side - it makes every other flight you take seem like short-haul. For me now, a 14 hour flight seems like nothing!

This may seem obvious, but wear comfortable clothes. No tight jeans, no tight anything in fact. Try something like cotton knit pants with an elastic waistband and some kind of soft cotton knit top and try to pretend you're all comfy in your jammies.<BR><BR>On long flights I also like to remember the words of a friend who had two kids under age 6 at the time: "Lucky you to have such a long flight. Do you know what I'd give to have 12 unbroken hours in which to read and sleep?"

Thank you all for sharing your great ideas with me. I printed them out and will make a list of things that I think will work for us.<BR>Lin, I like your, and other Posters, theory to appreciate this opportunity and forget about discomfort. <BR>I know once we get there we will forget about this very long flight. Everyone seems to love Australia. I hope we will too.

never herd of ambien--my drug of choice is tylenol pm--worked great for me

Tom---you really haven't had a great "sleep" untill you have used Ambien. I plan to use it on our 14 hr. flight to OZ in Dec. after reading all the good postings. Thanks to all of you for the great info. We have 3 days in Sydney befor our cruise to Auk., New Z. I too am looking for things to do in Sydney.

We flew Miami - LA - Sydney (29 hrs) and then Cairns - Sydney - LA - Miami (40 hours)<BR><BR>Get your shoes off immediately after boarding. Your feet WILL swell during the flight and (as my 12 year old son can tell you) it can get quite uncomfortable by the end of the flight. Get up and walk around every 2 or 3 hours. There is usually a little area in the back that you can use to stretch without bothering other passengers. <BR><BR>Qantas gives you a little baggie with socks, toothbrush/paste and an eye mask - use them. Previous posters have mentioned setting your watch to Sydney time as soon as you board - that is excellent advice. <BR><BR>Try to get an aisle seat if at all possible. The seats lean back about twice as far as domestic flights here in the US and if the person in front of you is leaned back, it can be difficult to get out of your seat without disturbing others.<BR><BR>The service was absolutely wonderful. The food was decent (with real silverware!) and the attendants were top notch. Even at the end of the flight, they were genuinely friendly and cheerful.<BR><BR>Things to take with you:<BR>- inflatable neck pillow. This was the most valuable thing I took on our trip! Don't blow it up until you've reached crusing altitude or it might pop!<BR>- wet wipes always come in handy. I use them to wipe down the food tray before using it.<BR>- a good book or two<BR>- a pen. Before landing, you will have to fill out the immigration form.<BR>- medicines and contact case/glasses (if needed)<BR>- of course your cash, credit cards, passport & visa.<BR><BR>Enjoy your journey to Oz!<BR><BR>John in Miami

Dear Nancy,<BR>We live in New Zealand, so every time we go out into the rest of the world, so to speak, unless we are going to Australia, we have a very long flight!!<BR>Because we love travel,we have had a lot of long flights.<BR>My husband's theory-eat and drink all that is offered and enjoy a party in the sky. <BR>I am much more circumspect and drink water eat carefully, walk round the plane etc.<BR>Usual result: he arrives at the destination feeling great and I feel tired but exhilerated.<BR>Moral: It's only a short time out of your life, with wonderful rewards!<BR>Happy travelling!<BR>MARY

Ah yes...the joys of travelling. Frankly, I'd rather have a straight shot 14 hr. flight than I would having to change planes and spend down time in an airport between.<BR><BR>All the other posters had great advice about wearing comfy clothes (if only we could wear pjs); drinking lots of water, getting up and moving around (believe it or not it's recommended that you get up and move around every 20 minutes to avoid blood clots...but let's be realistic..that's not gonna happen; hopefully you'll be sleeping for a good portion). I haven't tried Ambien, but may have to look into that. I just pick up some Melatonin, wait until the meal service, take a few of those, have a glass of wine and by the time they clear, I'm feeling sleepy enough to doze off. As with any medication, though, you should try it before your trip just to make sure you don't have any adverse reaction.<BR><BR>In between reading, watching the movies I also do some yoga, which seems to help.<BR><BR>Regards,<BR><BR>Melodie

Hi everyone - I've been reading all your comments and will be taking lots of your advice. We leave in two weeks. 6 hrs. from NY - L.A. and then the 14 hr. trip to NZ. No matter what...it will be worth it when we get there. Going home, it will be 17 hrs. from OZ before we head back to NY from LA. I think it'll take a week to get back to normal!!! Can't wait.

Sandy:<BR>Now that's the proper attitude!!