OK, all the people who are having a bad day, a headache, or just long-time Forum readers irritated by dumb inquiries, please SKIP this message.

Here goes (risking verbal abuse):

I am taking my first overseas flight - Atlanta to London via British Airlines. I leave at 6:00PM EDT and arrive in London at 7:15AM the next day.

Could someone (who is not among those listed above) help me with the followg:

What is usual iternary for such flights? Specifically, will they serve supper and/or breakfast? (i.e should I bring some food?)

Will there be an in-flight movie? (i.e. How much personal entertainment - audio tapes, books, etc. - should I bring)?

Anything else I should expect?

Thanks to all who take the time to reply.

Ron

all of the above - yes. but, bring your own anyway - nothing complicated, just something to nosh on. fruit, nuts, power bar, even a sandwich. you'll be in the air at least an hour before you eat and if for any reason you sit at the gate for longer than usual - it will be hell. a water bottle wouldn't hurt either.

I always bring my own entertainment, too. a book or two, newspaper, CD player. you'll have a movie and some TV shows to watch, but if you don't like the choices...

Yes Ron..you will get a snack with your drinks, supper and a light breakfast..BA's food is not too bad but bring something if you like.

There will be at least 1 inflight movie and a variety of music and news channels on your headset

Hi Ron,

BA can tell you what meals you will get.

There will be inflight movies. As for personal entertainment: they have multi channel audio at each seat.

You should expect that you will be crowded and reasonably uncomfortable if you are traveling in coach. Put some Vaseline in our nose to prevent drying out. Drink plenty of water.

I generally have a beer and a couple of drinks and go to sleep.

Hi Dietdoctor

RE: Anything else I should expect?

Yes, to not to be able to sleep much, to feel cramped, to be bored, to think the flight will never end, to wonder if you packed everything and if you turned off the iron at your place, to be be mildly disapointed by the in-flight meals, to be amused at the antics of some of your fellow passengers, to get fatigued from the constant engine noise, to feel stuffy from the stale cabin air, to be disgusted by the condition of the tiny toilets near the end of the flight, and last, but not least - to feel an intense and sudden burst of happiness and energy when your little sardine can finally lands in London.

There will certainly be at least a supper and breakfast - possibly some other snack too if BA are feeling generaous (so on balance, probably not!)

The entertainment might depend on the plane you get. All BA's 777s have seat back TVs with a number of channels and films on them, so you'll probably be a bit spoilt for choice. I think all the 747s do too, but they were phasing this in and may have slowed it. Check the BA website for more details. That said, I usually have my CD player and a book handy if the films are really boring or nothing catches my attention.

Be prepared for a wait at customs in London. Whilst we EU passport holders get to wave our passports at the customs guy, there's a seperate line for "others" who have to fill out the visitor's form. Don't worry, though - the same happens to us going to the US too.

Try and sleep on the plane, though. It might be difficult, but it does help for when you arrive.

Remember you're on holiday. That should keep you going whatever....

TO: Keith, fly_girl, Ira, Jody...

Thanks for the information. I have no idea what size plane it will be - by the way BA is dropping fares, I might be the only one aboard! (NOT!) - but at least I have a mental picture of what to expect.

Having read all the horror stories of "My worst flight experience..." I have prepared for the worse and will hope for the best. (grin)

You have all gone out of your way to answer my inquiry and I appreciate your time and interest. AGAIN, I am blown away by the generosity and sense of comraderie on this Forum. When I do return from my holiday, perhaps I will be able to actually CONTRIBUTE something!

Thanks to all,

Ron

Don't worry about food. Your major concern will be the cattle car seating conditions, assuming you are flying lowest class. None of the B777 seating configurations that I have endured are good. Miserable is a more accurate adjective in my experience. Air France and Delta seats are the pits as far as I am concerned.
I don't see BA being any better.
You should also check with BA about the degree of enforcement on the size and weight of carry-on baggage. Last I heard the limits were restrictive.

I am also from Atlanta and have taken the flight you are taking (same plane I am sure). My first time overseas was last year (also London), and we are returning in November. Here is what to expect unless you are traveling in business class. Our first trip over we got upgraded and it was great. Coming back, no upgrade, so this is what to expect:

1. Take 1-2 bottles. They provide this in business class, but you get only cupfuls in the cheap seats. So take plenty with you.
2. Food is OK and unless you need a lot to eat during the day, what they serve should be adequate. I was too excited to eat that much my first trip.
3. Ear plugs - You get these in business class, otherwise take a pair with you. They filter out the noise and help you to sleep.
4. Socks or house shoes - once again, they will usually provide these, but I like my own. You will definitely be more comfortable.
5. Mask - Keeps out the light to sleep. I think they give you one of these in both classes, but make sure you have one just in case.
6. Entertainment - it is a long flight so take a variety of distractions. You will have a choice of several first run movies -and you can flip from station to station if you want to. They have a wide variety of music and this too can filter out the noise.
7. Arrival - Customs - at that time of morning it should be no trouble at all. We breezed right through. But we traveled with carry on luggage on the way over, so it was really easy for us. In and out.
Last, but not least, patients - especially on the return trip. People can get cranky (including you) towards the end of the flight. And in Atlanta you go through 3-4 check points (we had souvenirs so we checked baggage), so expect a couple of hours at ATL on your return and plan accordingly.
You are going to have a great time! London is an exciting city.

hey! flygirl = one word. ;-)

Bob brings up a good point. don't overpack - the airlines have become a BEAR about excess baggage. plus why carry all that around anyway - you will find you won't use everything you pack anyway.

you will likely be on a big plane, if you are not a big person you will be comfortable enough but if you are over 5'10" - ouch.

forgot to mention - you should get eye masks, ear plugs, etc. from BA - but if you have something to roll up under your neck you will be much more comfy. it's worth it to buy one of those inflatable neck pillows.

also, get a flat canvas bag (with a zipper if you can find it) to lie flat in your luggage. it's nice to have an extra bag to bring goodies back in, or at least stow your dirty laundry away from the clean stuff. make sure the extra bag is flat flat though - no ribs or spine, otherwise it's a pain.

have fun! you will simply looooooove London.

Donna: Great suggestions! I would have never thought of the eye mask! I guess they would leave the lights on wouldn't they? (grin) I have planned to have some "time to go to sleep music" on an MP3 player, so the ear plugs will be my headphones.

Your (and everyone's!) suggestions have been a wonderful help. I am looking forward to ambling about London and - strangely enough - even the trip over. Now, the trip back, I am sure, will be a different matter!

Gratefully,

Ron

Although I have never flown BA from Atlanta specifically, let me prepare you for their STRICT enforcement of their ELEVEN pounds carry-on limit.

As for "entertainment", the flight is AT NIGHT. You need something that will help you get to sleep quickly, not encourage you to stay awake.

For many of trips to Europe, I have tried to follow this plan - - quoting from the "Forsyth plan" ( for minimizing jet lag) - -

"On the day of the flight, avoid all food, snacks, coffee, tea, nonprescription drugs, and liquor. Instead, increase your intake of fluids in the form of water and/or vegetable or fruit juice. You may want to pack some in your carry-on bag. Maintain this diet until the cabin crew offers you a light snack just before your flight ends."

I take this one step further and ask the flight attendants to bring my supper at the same time as the "light breakfast". I acknowledge that this is a special request, that I will take whatever they have left over, and that I will not expect it to be reheated.

I do believe that together with setting your watch ahead, as soon as you arrive at the departure airport, you will endure that first sleep-deprived day in Europe all the better.

Best wishes,

Rex Bickers
Floyds Knobs, Indiana

I will second what Rex says about the Forsyth plan. I drink a TON of water starting the night before I leave and all day the day of departure. I slow down a bit once I get to the airport, but keep drinking constantly during the flight. I find that it keeps me sharper when I land, because I firmly believe that a lot of jetlag is dehydration. Since I started doing this, I hit the ground running and don't stop until about 9 p.m. local time the day I arrive. I also catch about 2-3 hours of sleep on the flight.

I also don't eat the meal onboard, but will eat the breakfast. Waiting to eat at 9-9:30 p.m. when the flight takes off at 7 is too hard, so I eat something healthy at the airport while waiting to board. (Read: nothing fatty or heavy that will just sit like a stone for the next 8 hours).

Also, you might want to check the BA website for your entertainment options. Usually they'll tell you the movie/tv options available. Try: http://www.britishairways.com/travel...s/public/en_us

On my last flight home, however, I had a great book (Dan Brown's Angels and Demons) which I read from takeoff to landing. I find it harder to entertain myself coming back to the US because sleep generally isn't an option.

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

On my last overseas flight (Air France), they announced at the beginning that the video was broken, so no movies. I didn't mind as I never watch the movie, but there were lots of disappointed people who counted on the video to help pass the time.

Additionally, some flight crews set up a drink station near the galley for those who get thirsty in the middle of the night. In any case, you should be able to ask the FA on duty for extra water or drinks. Some new fliers think they have to bring 10 hrs worth of water with them, but don't worry, this is not the case.

One thing that I couldn't imagine traveling without is gum! The changes in air pressure play havoc on my eardrums, so I'm usually chomping on a piece of gum the entire time I'm in the air, no matter what the distance. Another thing you might want to consider is Dramamine or other 'motion sickness' medication, you never know if a flight is going to be bumpy!

About four months ago I flew back to London from New York with BA at about the same time of day as you, although we landed at about 6AM. My seat was about 2 rows from the back of the B747 and legroom was fairly good (I am about 5'7&quot although I would always try to get an aisle seat. We had seat back TV's with a choice of about 6 movie channels and some other stuff, and about 15 audio channels.

Regarding food and drink, my usual strategy with these flights is to take the pasta option for supper if there is one (I'm not a vegetarian but it's a safer bet with airline food), try to eat anything else they give out, have a couple of beers after the meal and try to get some sleep. However this strategy might not be for everyone. Make sure you buy some bottled water before you leave - they will give you water on the plane but it tastes pretty bad.

When I flew they weren't being particularly strict about carry-on luggage - I had my usual 7kg backpack plus a plastic bag containing a couple of large bottles of water and nobody said anything, even though the flight was totally full.

When we landed, the immigration hall at Heathrow was quite busy, and it looked like non-EU passport holders might have a long wait. However - Heathrow is not known for its baggage handling efficiency, so this might not make a difference overall.

Good luck and welcome to the UK.

Ron here is one thing I thought of...
Call BA and ask if they charge for alcoholic beverages in Coach. Some airlines now charge for alcoholic beverages in Coach for International flights. If they do, I would bring some small denomination bills so that you can give them exact change...as sometimes the FA's run out of change since they get many larger denomination bills....just a thought.
Also BA does have VERY strict carry on limits...check with them so that they don't make you check your bags.
Other than that have a wonderful trip and let us know how it went.
If I think of anything I will post again.

BA don't charge for drinks (alcholic or soft). Water is plentiful even through the night, though you won't be woken if the steward(ess )is coming up the aisle and sees your asleep. Food is not bad in Coach and the movies are usually just hit the cinemas. There are also information videos on news in US and Uk and staying healthy in the air. Have a great time in London, the weather is gorgeous at the moment!!!

Interesting stuff!!!!

Most interesting is the actual flight from Ga. to London takes less time than most of us exert when flying coast to coast in the U.S. It's just another flight!! 6-7 hrs....do it on your head!!!hehe.....Just be thankful you are not changing planes somewhere....and that your luggage makes it there.....be prepared...take a shirt and pants in your carry-on!!!!

Of course I am being a bit sarcastic.....good info in above posts....have fun....London is wonderful....try the sandwiches at the "Upper Crust" usually at the train and/or tube stations....they have good coffee there too!!!

You've been given great advice here! I suggest you get as much sleep (or rest with your eyes closed) during the flight. I bring a small (2x3 inch) deck of cards; the repetitive nature of solitare usually makes me sleepier than a possibly stimulating book or movie.

The day you arrive, STAY UP until at least 9 pm; no napping, or you will not adjust to local time for days! I usually check into my hotel and then do some local easy sightseeing, or at least sit at an outdoor cafe and people watch.