HarrisonFamily Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 Hi, I have not been on a plane in 15 years and my children aged 10 & 9 have never been on a plane. Very soon we are on a 22 hour journey to Australia....Has anyone any tips ? Any travel pillow recommendations ? Any advice at all ? Thank you for any help as I am now just starting to panic..... Helen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 I have done this fight many times over the years. Bring some sweets or gum, it will help with the change in air pressure. Drink plenty of water. It is easy to get dehydrated on a long flight. Bring your own headphones, they are much better than the ones provided, and they are more comfortable too (you might need an adapter though). Load up your iPhone etc with your favorite movies/TV shows etc and make sure it is fully charged. There will be in flight movies, but they might not be very good. Keep all your carry on bags in the overhead lockers, there isn't much legroom in economy and if you keep your bags under the seat in front of you, you will lose a lot of it. Try to sleep for most of it. I took some antihistamines to make me sleepy. As for travel pillows - this one is a winner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 I've done this a few times too but never with children I agree with Geoid though. Gadgets (iPads, iPods, kindles - whatever you have) loaded with films,books, music, games. I also would recommend comfy layers and big cosy socks so you can get the temperature just right to be sleepy. Good luck and have an amazing time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 Dress warmly and take lip balm with you. I have found that it's often cold and the air is really dry, hence the lip balm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 Also, see if you can order a special meal (vegetarian, low salt, kosher etc) that way you get served first and it is usually nicer than the rest of the stuff they serve up. Bring some non electronic entertainment, there is time to kill during takeoff and landing, but you cannot use your electronics at those times. Take a change of clothes! If your bag gets lost/delayed (like mine did last year ) you really don't want to be wearing the clothes you have travelled in once you are at your destination. Put your name and contact details (I used phone number and email address) inside your suitcase after you have finished packing, if your suitcase does get lost (because the tags have come off) and they have to open it up, they can easily reunite it with its owner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 Exciting! I did my first long flight at the end of last year to Chicago, so not quite as long as yours but long enough for me on my first long flight alone with my daughter. Have a look at the airline you are travelling with as they sometimes show you what films will be available on your flight (I did this with BA) Puzzle books are a great non gadget thing to have. If your kids are into colouring, then some pens and colouring books are a great time passer by. Boiled sweets or lollies are great for take off and landing. They usually give you a cup of water every hour on long haul flights, so you shouldn't get dehydrated. We took every drink we were offered make sure your kids have their own carry on bag so you don't have to keep getting them things out of your bag. I would dress in layers, so you can take things off, put things on as and when you need to. Don't forget you will be going to Australia during their winter, so don't arrive in flip flops (as our ozzies friends did earlier this year when they visited us here in the UK the day before the snow hit!) Lip balm is a must, and I recommend Vaselines Aloe Vera one as you can use it on dry skin and lips. Take an eye mask and ear plugs so you can have some sleep. I didn't and could not sleep on our flight home which was an overnight one. Oh, and don't forget to take photos when you are above the clouds as it's such an awesome sight And enjoy your holidays away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarrisonFamily Posted August 2, 2015 Author Share Posted August 2, 2015 Thank you -lots of great tips...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 Get a saline spray from the chemist and use use regularly, you squirt it up your nose to keep your passages moist which in turn helps with not picking up viruses. Was recommended this by my consultant as I have an auto immune disease, also helps in air conditioning. Have a great time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 Oh I hadn't heard of that Mollyripkin my daughter also has auto immune disease and is immuno suppressed and is often I'll on the first few days of holidays will give that a go. Agree with all above when I travelled with kids I often bought sandwiches after security and crackers and cheese so they weren't cranky with hunger.Mine weren't overly fussy but airline food is usually awful.Good tip about special diets though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 Hi Grandmalizzie, I think it really helps as I always used to pick up colds on flights and haven't done for several years now. It used to only come in a large bottle so had to buy it after customs but now I use a pressurised spray that only has 100 ml in so they have never taken it off me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 Which airline are you flying with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarrisonFamily Posted August 2, 2015 Author Share Posted August 2, 2015 Singapore Airlines .... but my daughter has just fallen ill with high temperature \chest infection \ cough she has a few days to recover and the rest of us must stay healthy..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 please wear flight socks...... protect yourself as much a possible... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 They are a good airline, I've always found the staff very helpful Fingers crossed for your daughter. I can't emphasise having layers of clothing enough; air con is chilly, plus wear comfy non restrictive clothes, particularly on your legs. I am also a big believer in flight socks as soon as I board, plus a book, water and nibbles like nuts or something else with protein. Can't think of anything worse than not having some food/water to hand. That's a good tip about saline spray, thank you, it will help my family members Which bit of Oz are you going to? I know Victoria is cold at the moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarrisonFamily Posted August 2, 2015 Author Share Posted August 2, 2015 Flight socks ??? I have no idea what they are - should all family members wear them and where can I pick them up ??? I am off to Brisbane to see my niece who is actually my age and more like a sister - I can't wait to see here... Thanks everyone again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 You can get them most places, Boots, Tescos... They are support socks/stockings. They help to prevent DVT (deep vein thrombosis) the risk is increased with flying, more so long haul as you tend to be more static which is why being mobile and ankle exercises are always advised during the flight along with hydration and no alchol.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 To help prevent DVT,not sure for children. Boots sell them. Hope your daughter gets well soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 I agree with all of the above, including the saline nose spray; you can buy them over the counter in most pharmacies. I used to do lots of long haul flights, and it is really important to keep moving around, keep hydrated, wear loose clothing and wear flight socks. You will be able to buy bottled water after you have been through security, do not ask for a glass of water on the plane as their water isn't fresh, and don't drink anything fizzy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarrisonFamily Posted August 5, 2015 Author Share Posted August 5, 2015 I have the flight socks, the travel pillow, the saline spray...an almost well daughter.....not sure if I can carry on enough water for all of us for a journey that long..... Thank you for all the great tips if I survive I will let you know how we get on.....now just to pack and chase the taxi, and the accommodation that have just realised it will be bank holiday the day we arrive so will be closed so picking up the keys may not be so easy.... Camping is so much easier !!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Have great time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 You'll have a ball, enjoy it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 I would add - really, really prepare for going through security. It doesn't hurt to do your research and be certain what counts as a liquid and what doesn't. Have all your carry on bags well-organised and under your control. Wear easy shoes to save hassle and decide what metals everyone really needs to wear on the flight. You'd be surprised how many women don't consider their gold and silver jewellery to be metal. Measures like these will help taking your family through security a good experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 not sure if I can carry on enough water for all of us for a journey that long Buy it after security. Or take empty bottles and fill them up at a water fountain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarrisonFamily Posted September 4, 2015 Author Share Posted September 4, 2015 Well I am back from a wonderful holiday in Australia where we saw humpback whales, dolphins, kangaroos, koalas, lovely beaches.... All your wonderful tips for the plane were great on the way back but on the way out I started being sick within 30 minutes and then spent the next 13 hours being sick about every 20 minutes !!!! So if anyone looks back at this for any tips please don't forget sickness tablets and locate that sick bag just in case.....(I have never been sick on a plane before) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 Oh, poor you Was it flight-related or had you got a bug of some sort? Must admit I've never had to use one of those bags and not sure how I'd get on with one. Hope you're feeling better now, and hope it didn't take the edge off your holiday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
