Really long flights in coach?

[richnota]

I just got back from a biz trip to Korea (from NY). The flight was 14 hours but I got to go first class. I'm fortunate enough fly business class on anything over 4 or 5 hours; so I've not done a long haul in coach in years.

But this flight got me thinking: How do you manage a ten, twelve or even fourteen hour flight in a coach seat?

For personal travel, I either spend the money or just don't go. I'd like to go to asia and australia without spending $10 grand plus on seats. How do you manage such a run?

 

[Visirale]

On my 10ish hour flight to Paris, I just utilized the complimentary champagne... over and over and over.

 

[Poop-Loops]

Most I did was 9 hours from Washington to London or Copenhagen. Usually I just sleep. Not much else to do. Glad I've never done more, although I suspect I might have to some day. By then they should have good hand-held systems, though, so I think I'll be fine.

 

[richnota]

On my 10ish hour flight to Paris, I just utilized the complimentary champagne... over and over and over.

aah...the chemical approach. very good strategy.

 

[Marcus]

I flew coach roundtrip NYC to Japan coach. Its not agonizing but its also not a good time. I "manage" by blowing the extra money I saved on cheap tickets at the bars.

 

[ROON]

I'm 6'3" and economy class is good enough for me. Sit back, watch tv or listen to radio, stare out the window, drink loads of free soda and enjoy the flight. Going for a walk up and down the isles is a good idea every hour or so just to keep your legs circulation okay.

 

[Jazzin']

It's not that bad once it's over.

 

[MakiSupaStar]

Ambien or valium with a beer or two.

 

[ADbassman]

I did a 12 hour flight from Los Angeles to Auckland and found the economy class on Qantas to be quite acceptable.

 

[JimmyM]

Definitely a mind-numbing sleep-inducing drug of some sort is called for. My choice is either Tylenol PM or Benadryl. When you're awake, drink a LOT of water and move around the cabin a little now and then.

 

[Visirale]

Tylenol PM is weak sauce. At least down a shot or three of nyquil!

 

[DigMe]

I've flown to China and back twice in economy class. It's uncomfortable for sure but I just tried to sleep (uncomfortably) read or watch the movie to keep my mind off it. Last month, on my third trip to CHina, the wife and I flew EVA which offers a class between coach and business called "Evergreen Deluxe". It's roomier and has nicer ammenities such as video on demand but it's only a few hundred bucks more.

bc

 

[MakiSupaStar]

Fly Singapore Air if you're going to Asia.

 

[Rodent]

I've flown Atlanta to Seoul before in a middle set where coach had a 2-5-2 configuration. ugh! we had enough fuel that there was no need to take a pit stop in Portland, but with the headwinds it was still a nearly 16 hour flight take off to touchdown.

I don't sleep on planes. I usually start work the first morning after my arrival. the first couple of days are pretty tough.

in my former position (when I lived in New England) I used to be in Asia one week, home on Sat, in Europe the next, home on Sat, back in Asia for a week or two, home on Sat, out to the West Coast, home on Sat, in Europe for a week, home on Sat, back to Asia .... you get the picture. I averaged around 130K 'butt-in-seat' miles per year for many, many years.

Thankfully all the work paid off and I now travel within the US an average of just one or two weeks per month. with my prior long haul experiences in mind, a five hour SEA to ATL flight seems like a short hop. my flight from BDL to LAX last night was over before I even had time to break out my laptop and get some work completed.

all the best,

R

 

[Baryonyx]

Some very good tunes on an MP3 player with a big battery.

 

[MJ5150]

I wouldn't go anywhere that took that long to get to.

-Mike

 

[Baryonyx]

Oh, you could be missing out on so much!

 

[MJ5150]

Oh, you could be missing out on so much!

Yeah, I know I totally am. There are some parts of the world I would love to see that are far away from me. My loss.

-Mike

 

[the_fonz]

i deal with 10 gallons of PCP

 

[jsbass]

I have never flown.