Surviving a 15-Hour Flight: Tips and Tales

Long-haul flights can be both exciting and exhausting, especially when you're embarking on a journey that spans over 15 hours. In this blog post, I'll share my personal experience of a lengthy flight from LAX to Australia and some tips on how to make the best of it.

My preparation started with what kind of carry ons I needed to take. For me, I had to consider the best way to travel with my Nikon camera and my telephoto lens. I don't trust it being thrown around in my big luggage, not sure anyone would trust this. Recently, my daughters had gotten me a medium sized camera book bag. I decided to take that with me. This allowed for some space to put some travel items in.

My next bag is a laptop backpack that I acquired for my last international trip to Switzerland. It had a lot of space for all of my electronics, a book, scarf, snacks and other miscellaneous items. Even though it has the space for all of this in different pockets, it is not heavy to carry. It is one of my must haves for traveling.

1. Packing for Comfort:

One of the keys to surviving a marathon flight is to pack wisely. In my case, I decided to bring pajamas and a change of clothes for when we landed in Australia. It may seem like a small detail, but changing into comfortable attire can make a significant difference in your overall comfort during the flight.

In my camera bag, i packed the

- comfy pajamas, that included a t-shirt that i could wear when we landed

- light pair of pants (like joggers)

- fuzzy socks with grip

This worked because the weather was spring-like and I did not need something thicker. I also packed a little makeup bag that included :

- toothbrush

- toothpaste

- mouth wash

- chapsticks

- lotion

- vaseline (for me a must have every time I travel), and my eye mask.

- baby wipes (i had those on hand, but any kind of wipes would work)

In my laptop bag, I packed the following:

- laptop, of course (I normally work a bit on my trips, a bit of a workaholic)

- iPad

- Protein snacks (I never know when I will get hungry)

- A book (I always think I am going to read on my travels, I only read the books in my iPad Kindle app)

- Small Notebook (also like to think I will be making notes, rarely happens :/ )

- Scarf (this is useful if you start coughing, get too cold, etc)

The most important part of my travel is a memory foam travel pillow. This neck pillow can be twisted to fit into the areas that make the most sense for you. For me, it can range from my lower back to one side of my back. I take this with me on all of my trips. I have even lost it on some trips and purchased the same one again.

2. Setting the Mood:

Transforming your immediate environment during a long flight can help you cope with the hours ahead. Changing into pajamas, adjusting your seat, and preparing your in-flight entertainment can set the mood for a more relaxed and enjoyable experience.

As most of you probably know, within an hour of being on the flight, they start serving a full meal. I waited until after I ate my meal and the first rush of people going to the bathroom passed.

After this, I got my camera bag from the overhead, found the nearest bathroom, and set my bookbag on the baby changing table. Then proceeded to the change into my pajamas. Of course, I folded and packed my existing clothes into my bookbag. Once I was back at my seat, I took my normal socks off and put on my fuzzy socks. I made sure to wear sneakers that would easily come off.

Then I put my hair up and slipped on my eye mask like a headband. Now the mood was set. I went through the entertainment options on the screen and picked a few movies that I would watch during this flight.

3. The Elusive Sleep:

Ah, sleep on a long-haul flight – a dream for many, but a challenging reality. Despite my best efforts, I managed to catch only about 2 hours of sleep during the entire 15-hour journey. It's a common struggle on such extended flights, and I wasn't alone in this predicament.

Since I know I will only sleep a couple of hours, I set myself up for a movie marathon. I so rarely get to watch this many movies in one sitting, like actually watch.

This time I watched,

- This Man Called Otto

- Marry Me, again (if you know me, you know I am a big fan of Jennifer Lopez)

- John Wick

4. Aisle Seat Advantage:

One of the silver linings of my flight was that I had chosen an aisle seat. Having easy access to the aisle allowed me to stretch my legs and move around every couple of hours. This little luxury made a significant difference in my comfort level.

The older I get, the more I appreciate a good aisle seat. Normally, after the movie ends, I would go to the bathroom, walk around a bit, have a snack. Then get back to my seat.

5. The Mystery of Alex:

Traveling companions can vary greatly when it comes to sleep patterns. In my case, my husband Alex was a sleep champion. He opted for (forced into) a middle seat and snoozed for a whopping 12 hours straight! It's a reminder that everyone's experience can be quite unique on a long-haul flight.

He is so good at not really moving or even waking up that I treat him like a big teddy bear. I lay my head on him, put my pillow on him, like I literally can do anything and he will not wake up.

The other nice thing was sitting behind my sister and mom. We seemed to take breaks around the same time so we would have quick chats.

During this flight, by sheer coincidence, we found ourselves in the same vicinity as my mother and Beth, seated just one aisle behind them. This wasn't a prearranged seating arrangement; instead, it was a fortunate twist of fate that brought us into close proximity with Beth and my mom.

An hour before we landed, right after the breakfast service, I went to the bathroom and switched to my morning wear. I ensured to take my make up bag with the small toiletries I have brought to freshen up. It really made a difference as we went through passport control and customs.

A 15-hour flight can be both a challenge and an adventure. While it's rare to get a full night's sleep on board, there are ways to enhance your comfort and make the journey more enjoyable. Whether it's packing cozy pajamas, selecting the right seat, or simply embracing the uniqueness of your travel companion's habits, remember that the experience is all part of the adventure. So, the next time you find yourself on a marathon flight, use these tips to make the most of it and arrive at your destination with a smile on your face. Safe travels!