Hand luggage for long flights/journeys

Ok, so I'm getting excited and having already packed my suitcase for my upcoming holiday in 74 days I am now packing my handbag (think massive!)

I am going to be travelling for ages! I'm not sure how many hours exactly due to changes in time zones but I leave on Tuesday evening and arrive at 1am on Friday morning!! This includes one ferry and three flights and generally between 1 hour and 3 hours between flights stuck in departure lounges and about 8 hours of shopping between the ferry and first flight!

The question is what do I pack? (Only the middle 13hr flight has power sockets at the seat despite carefully choosing flights, they simply changed my booking!) How do I keep myself busy during this captivity? How do I stop myself from going mad!

 

Books. Things that require batteries, not plugs.* I typically pack at least 1 book, maybe two, my iPod and some snacks. That said, I don't fly your sort of distances very often.

*Of course that class of devices does include vibrators, but that's your call, not mine.

 

Vibrators - not something I have ever even considered owning, I have never seen a need. Books - now there is a wish - I wish I could stick at reading a book for long enough to finish it, I have never read an entire novel in my life! Snacks is something I hadn't thought of - mmmmm sweeties!!

 

Here's another thing to consider with long flights. Pack some foam ear plugs, a neck pillow and a mask. You'd be amazed how much easier it is to sleep, even in steerage, if you cut sound and light from the equation. Most of the flights I take are long haul.

As for layovers... my best friends are books, but I see that that is out for you. Cyn's suggestion of using the lounge is a good one. They aren't *that* expensive and can add a lot of comfort to a long layover (food, TV, computers, comfortable chairs, clean toilets and, in some cases, a shower). Speaking of showers, I don't know where you are flying but many airports in have them. Sometimes just having a quick shower and a change of socks and underwear can give new life after a long flight.

If you don't go the route of the lounge don't worry. If you look around, you will find a power outlet somewhere. It might be that it's on a wall with no seats, it might be in a bar... it might be right next to the most comfortable seats in the airport. Just look around. Actually, I bet if you Google it, there is a website for this sort of thing.

I will also second cyn's advice on having wheels on your carry on. I carried a backpack for years but when I started using a rolling bag, I never looked back. I don't care what it looks like (and I think it looks stupid) it's a *very* practical solution. My back thanks me every time.

 

Considering the amount of time you will be relatively inactive, force to get up and walk the aisles every hour or so. Deep vein thrombosis can occur and can be deadly. More seen in older people but it happened to my brother in law when he was in his 40s and was in great health. Ended up in the hospital for several days.

http://www.acefitness.org/fitfacts/fitfacts_display.aspx?itemid=290

 

If you don't mind me asking, where are you traveling?

I have not traveled but more than 8 hours so my suggestions are limited but I second the neck pillow/blanket suggestion. I have made an effort when I travel for hours on end to spend time writing (pen and paper; not typing on computer) to be enjoyable and beneficial since I rarely do that when I am at home.

 

Wow, thanks for all the tips. I am heading to Australia and I am flying with BA and Qantus. Its going to be a fun flight because I can only sit still for about 20 mins before becoming uncomfortable and about 40 mins to an hour before serious sciatica. Last time I flew (local flight ) I was in tears because I was so sore and they wouldn't take the seatbelt sign off because of turbulence.

Anyhow things I'm taking so far include my phone (has all my music on and lots of games), my touch screen netbook, headphones & splitter (not decided which ones as I would love to take my noise cancelling sennheiser but they are huge!), pens and paper, sweeties, painkillers, blanket (good one I'm always cold), earplugs, not sure about an eyemask.

 

Here's my pro-tip: bring some cut up veggies if you're allowed. Stick to the more robust ones, like carrots, broccoli, cauliflower (since you can't refrigerate them). Fresh raw veg will make you feel better on the flight... unlikely you'll be able to get them on the plane. I just feel like so much of the food on planes is salty carbs, and veggies help balance it out.

Also check with your airline about what sort of meals you can get. I was shocked and impressed to find out last time I flew, that I could get vegan meals, but there was like 20 other kinds as well, like kosher, vegetarian, halaal... sure beats the same old choice of chicken or fish!

 

Good luck with the sciatica Innocentmiss. I hope it doesn't bother you. I had one bout with it a few years ago just before I flew to Vienna. Fortunately I was able to get up and move around as needed. Hope you can as well.

 

A tennis ball!

I know, sounds odd, but I too am forced to fly frequently with long-standing back problems. I will use a tennis ball between my back and the seat to push down on pressure points, and to roll out some knots that form when I'm sitting/twisted for hours on end.

 

I usually use the pillow they give you as lumbar support.

Regarding power... you might also find that the planes have power in the seats, to charge your devices. The last two trips I took to Europe (12 hours) had a plug for a laptop and a USB port for my iPod. And that was in economy.

 

Gosh, I haven't been on here for so long, not having internet after my return from my hols. I ended up taking a bright pink mini roller suitcase which was perfect idea! I took so many bits and bobs the most useful were colouring in patterns - I dished these out to a brother and sister who had been making a lot of noise on the 8 hr flight! I challenged them to colour in the pattern page as neatly as they could and said the winner could have a sweetie - Kept them quiet for about 3 hrs! Next most useful was the extra clothes - I got so cold after a while, I think it was a combination of the air conditioning and tiredness. Unfortunately the pain killer I took did nothing for me and I wasn't allowed boiling water for the hot water bottle I took with me fortunately though one of the flight attendants could see how much pain I was in and let me lay out flat on the floor next to the door (which has really toasty under floor heating). I decided to try the kindle app for my netbook and whilst I didn't read any on the plane I did start reading a book in the evenings during my holiday! I now have the app on my android phone and have in the past month or so read about 6 books! Thanx for all you help and suggestions x

 

where did u visit in australia Innocentmiss?

im planning a visit from sydney to sth and nth america soon. how do u rate the flights?

 

Perth, I loved it but only had a three month visa so couldn't stay any longer (apart from having no monies!) It was the best holiday I've had, I preferred Perth to Sydney. Perth had a more cosy country feel to it, Sydney (to me) was a huge unfriendly place, but some of the sights were amazing.

I flew Qantas both in 2007 and this past trip and I have to say I didn't think such good customer service existed! A lot of people complain about the meals but despite me being the fussiest person on the planet I managed to eat them just fine - I did opt for vegetarian because the only meat I eat is chicken! The staff were very friendly and helpful especially when they did all they could to help me when I had severe sciatica. At one point it was so bad all I wanted was a hot water bottle to ease the pain but they weren't allowed to give me boiling water, but the flight attendant came up with an ingenious idea. He went to first class and got a handful of the little face cloths and soaked them in boiling water then placed them dripping wet into a sick bag, doubled it up inside a couple of sick bags and hey presto a hot pad! It was the most wonderful thing in the world at that point.

 

a full change (undies, socks,maybe 2 pairs, pants, shirt, sweater if not warm enough), you never know if a killer guy with a starbucks cup is going to bash you at the first corner after the first landing.
Awful lot of books (but you seems don't need them) and batteries...
Camera.
Eyemask if you are uncomfy with sleeping with light.
Last version of Angry Birds, Temple Run and all the game goodies.

 

My reaction to your statement: