How do you survive 10 hours or more flying in economy class? Other than taking a sleeping pill and hoping to wake up in Europe, does anyone have any suggestions that help them? Thanks

I try to sleep very little the night before so I am exhausted--the only thing that makes flying quick for me is to sleep through it. Check out seatguru.com to make sure you have gotten the best possible seat in economy.

I always go to the airline website and check out what movies are playing on my route, bring a book that I have just gotten really into (12 hour flight--I can just about finish a book), exercise in the back of the planes with the mature women circuit and talk to them (i.e., where they are from, where they are going, etc.). None of this necessarily makes the flight go faster, just more enjoyable. I have flown multiple L O N G flights and all have been in economy. Obviously the best ones were the ones where I either slept or had additional space so I could take up a row (happened during the SARS times) which makes me sleep better.

Besides drugs..i agree with theprevious poster about trying to exhaust yourself the night before.

I had a neck pillow that helped me sleep really well on all my long flights. It's not one of those blow up things, but a real pillow. I got it at Bed Bath and Beyond and it was the best $20 I spent. You can easily squish it together and put it in your carryon.

Also Cd's or an MP3 player helped pass the time. I even had a portable Yahtzee game which was fun because my hubby & i tried to out play eachother the whole flight.

Have fun in Europe!

I always get an aisle seat so that I can get up and walk around. If there are movies, I watch them. It distracts me and the flight seems to go pretty quickly.

I take the 15-inch tote bag that comes with many luggage sets, and use it in place of a purse. When stuffed with your carry-on necessities -- money, IDs, makeup, cameras, travelguides, snacks -- it makes a perfect pillow. It is the same size as the fold-down tray, so I just place it there, lean forward, and go to sleep. I have found no more comfortable way to sleep on a plane.

I also second the suggestion to request an aisle seat. Makes it so much easier to get up, and it helps immensely to be able to stretch your legs out into the aisle.

On the return trip, I use the time to write lots of postcards. No, they won't have the postmark from where you've been, but who has time to write cards when you're having fun? Everything is still fresh in your mind, and your friends and family will get to see where you've been.

Hope you have a great time in Europe!

Donna

An absorbing book that you've just started; an electronic handheld game, with new batteries, that really absorbs you..... I can play The Millionaire game endlessly; crossword puzzle book; drink LOTS of water to hydrate you and keep you running to the bathroom, which will exercise you and keep you from getting a blood clot or getting too bored! Close your eyes and dream about all the fun you're going to have.........

When we flew to Alaska last year, it was an 11+ hour flight for us.
I split my time up into portions and brought stuff to do. Example: one hour I'd read a new paperback I'd brought, hours two and three: I'd watch the movie, next hour: plan guest list and menu for an upcoming party, next hour: go back to my book, next hour: sleep, etc. etc. This made the time go so much faster and kept me busy.

dwoodliff, you are BRILLIANT! What a good idea with the tote bag/pillow. I can never get comfy with a little neck pillow....... I will try that tip! THANKS!

If you think you'll be able to sleep, get a window seat (great for leaning against and you won't be disturbed by others wanting to get out of their seats). But, if you think you'll want to move around, get an aisle seat.

If you think you'll be able to sleep, I'am another who stays up late the night before, then gets up early that day. I always pack sandwiches, etc., and bottled water. We eat after clearing security and before boarding the plane if there's time. Otherwise, we eat right after takeoff. It can be several hours between takeoff and when beverage/food service has been completed, if you want to wait until after the meal to try to sleep. With your own meal, you have a couple more hours sleeping opportunity.

If I'm not sleepy, I might order one drink. If I really want to sleep, there's Ambien, but it's best to have 6-7 hours before landing left before taking this. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't (for me). You have to be careful to get comfortable before falling asleep, though. If you sleep with anything in an odd position, you could wake up very uncomfortable have have to wait for stiffness, swelling, etc., to subside.

Also good to bring something to read, and your printed itinerary and one slim tour guide to plan your seeing and doing if you're unable to sleep. Sometimes you're just too keyed up or there's too much noise on the plane to do any sleeping.

Just went to/from London and this time I was in coach so I could sit with family who could not get an upgrade.
We went to Bed bath and Beyond and got these really squishy travel pillows for 9.99 (on sale). They are awesome. I also have a portable DVD player and I took about 10 movies. We had great seats. I booked row 31 on our 777 and my daughter and I sat on the 2 seat row together. This is an exit row and has like a 6 foot space in front where the exit row is. We brought out our carry ons during the flight to create a ottoman. I actually would have preferred the aisle seat on row 30 because it is so much easier for me to get comfortable and sleep if I can prop my feet up on the bulkhead wall (wearing fresh, clean socks of course).
Also, take a couple of bottles of water. That way you do not have to deal with a stupid. spill prone cup on an open tray. I never take drinks from the flight attendants. I carry 2 24oz bottles of my favorite water. I hate dealing with open cans and too full cups.
Even if you bring a pillow, make sure you get a pillow and blanket when you board. I use the airline pillow as a lumbar support.
I do not exhaust myself the night before because if you can't sleep on the flight you are absolutely miserable for the first 2 days.
To me the seat assignment is the most critical thing. If you are more comfortable with your legs elevated, see if you can switch to an aisle bulkhead seat at check in.

Do the flight attendants allow you to use your carry-on as an ottoman?

How about a really hard crossword puzzle and lots of chewing gum.

Yes, on AA they do.
It's a big space and as long as you are not blocking the aisle and have it stored for take off and landing it's cool.