Is the flight really that bad?
 

Well, it's just under 3 weeks until we validate our visas.

None of our family have ever flown to Australia before, and the thought of the flight is turning me into a nervous wreck. :eek:

All I seem to hear at the moment is "it's a long way you know", and I'm really beginning to dread the thought of sitting on a plane for 20+ hours.

Do any of you who have already done the flight have any good advice or experiences to share to put my mind at rest? Or should I just get rat arsed in the departure lounge. :D

thanks everyone

Tracey xx

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

Relax. Yes it can be boring at times but you sleep, you eat, you read, you watch rubbish on the TV, you argue with the other half and the kids and you get off and it's all over :D

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

I am not saying the flight is great but to be honest I started to feel like you are feeling yet the first time I ever flew to Australia on landing we were like blimey that was ok, if we had know it wasn't that bad we would have done it before. Dont get rat assed I think that is about the worst thing you can do and you will feel like absolute shit half way into the journey, take it from someone that knows :D

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

lol, so we are not the only family that argue for almost half of the journey then :D

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

Yes, the mile high club ;)

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

no we're the same and shoot daggers at each other every hour or so.

best thing is to try and sleep - believe me I never sleep on a plane - only get pretend shut eye, but last year I was ill - first time ever I was sick on a plane and I eventually fell asleep for nearly 6 hours, felt great once we arrived in Perth

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

It is nowhere near as bad as people would have you believe. I always dread it and am pleasantly surprised. Take a book and ideally some music with you

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

Don't get rat-arsed, alcohol will make the flight worse. It's not so bad anyway I don't think. Make sure you get up and walk along the plane a bit. I spent a fair bit of time stood by the galley or the emergency door literally stretching my legs. Drink lots of water.

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

It's an absolute doddle - you get a lot more leg room than short haul flights.
Going there is fun and seems to go quite quickly, Coming back is an absolute nightmare. Theres plenty to keep you occupied - although it feels like they are trying to fatten you up with the number of times they feed you.

If you haven't flown 10+ hours at a time - it's probably best to do a stopoff either in Singapore or Bangkok and have a night at a hotel. You can get your luggage flown on to Aus and collect it the following day.
Regards

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

Or fly with Emirates for 3 x 7-ish hour hops instead of 2 x 10-ish hour hops.

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

I am like you totally dreading it, not for the length of the trip or anything like that, flying really doesnt bother me, just the fact I am travelling with my 6 & 2 year old, 6 year old will be totally fine, as she is an angel, but the child of the devil is a different story!!

Cant imagine him sitting still and being good for that length of time!! Sure we will get through it, already got loads of tips from here about trying to keep him occupied so will be trying those!!

To be honest my husband said if he is that bad we will just leave him in Singapore and carry on the rest of the flight without him and then just pick him up on the way back, (well maybe!!)!! :D :D

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

ahh, thanks guys, feeling a bit better.

when I say "rat arsed", my rat arsed consists of 2 glasses of lager and I'm anybodies!! :D

will definitely take all your suggestions on board.

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

P.S - I smoke and managed the full trip without even thinking about it - worst thing was when I got to sydney you have to clear customs (took about 90 minutes), before I could have a cigarette.

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

Just tranquilise them with cough medicine or vallium lol :D

Most Parents with kids seemed to have some kind of medication thing going on with there kids - brilliant Idea for us with none :)

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

funny that, I too have a child of the devil, :D

I know that when we get on board, I'll be sat trying to implement the Geneva war convention when my 11 year old decides to take on the 8 year old, and my other half will be sat nice and comfy with his headphones on, checking out the stewardesses.

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

Me, hubby & 9 year old daughter all love it ! & always think its the beginning of the holiday, nothing better than drinking a few glasses of wine while watching some good films & playing the video games ! Also love the food, & even better dont have to cook it ! :D . Also great watching where you are on the map & which country you are flying over at the time ! just relax & enjoy
:)

Nicky

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

Hi Tracey,

Just a thought but who is telling you "its a long way?" and getting you so worked up? sure it is a long way but the modern jet is no family saloon and if it was any closer would there be any point moving? or investing in so much stress?

Dont touch the alcohol if you can help it. I must admit I do like a few shots but my body does pay for it. Have just looked through my passports and see that in the last 5 years I have done the return journey over 30 times. (Both economy and business class). It is literally just like a bus journey. Points for your consideration:
#Airlines
#Stopovers
#Break the time down into small chunks

The airlines make it their business to keep you calm and collected during the flight. The time is taken up with drinks, lunch, dinner, breakfast, movies, bathroom trips. Let them do their job and pamper you. Tell them you are nervous and would appreciate some reassurance.

Would you not rather be on a long flight going to somewhere you want to go to rather than sitting on a train/tube going to work somewhere you hate?

You will hear alot of people discussing stopovers - this is great advice and do not try and go direct ie with only a fuelling stop. Take the time out for min of 2 nights - believe me it will help. The stop over also gives you a chance to have a small holiday and unwind from all those months/years of stress - you deserve it so treat yourself - most airlines offer some great stop over deals. During Sars we got upgraded to a suite in the Mandarin in Singapore for £40 per night (including B&D).

The biggest part is UK too Asia so you really are only looking at a 12 - 14 hour stint. If you do a night flight your body will be more than willing to partake in some sleep - Some lucky people fall asleep as we reach cruising altitude and arise when we start the landing approach.

You didnt say which part of Australia but would imagine if you fly Singapore to Melbourne that is only 7 hours, so
Perhaps you could breakdown the time into smaller junks - the times are not exact but are a start to making the journey seem more ppalatable- I would break down the 7 hours:
2 movies (240 mins @ 120 mins each)
Take off reaching of cruising altitude (60 mins) - basically you allocate the first hour to reading a book or just getting yourself comfortable.
Landing procedure (60 mins). Getting yourself focused for passport control, last toilet stop, powder your nose etc.
Meal (60 mins)
7 hours = 420 mins
Others may have some similar suggestions????

Good luck - you should be excited more than anxious.

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

Have to say, 3 of my elderly rellies (all in their 70s) arrived sprightly and well, all saying how they thought it was easier than they thought.

The last hour or 2 are a pain, but then you're almost there. I did mine none stop.

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

I know what you mean. I'll be flying with a 12 month old and a six year old and no doubt be the one doing all the looking after, while hubby puts his headphones on and watches films before falling asleep. :rolleyes: Once the two kids fall asleep I'm the one sitting in abject discomfort, twiddling my thumbs, unable to concentrate on the films they're showing, and unable to get to sleep. I'm not scared of flying but I don't like it very much and if you're a bad sleeper like me it's not fun. Not that I'm trying to put the OP off of course, everyone's different and generally most people seem to get through it OK, particularly if there's a stopover involved.

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

don't envy you one bit with 12 month old.

have flown to Florida few times when the kids where under 2 and sat on my lap, and it was bloody awful.

good luck to you. :)

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

Almost half? What, in the sense that 74% is nearer half than 1? :D

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

Why do men always do that? Without fail...? If little person wants to go to the loo, it's always mum that has to stop what she's doing and take them. They get so grumpy if you so much as dare suggest that they escort the little person. Well, they're watching the film, aren't they? :rolleyes:

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

it must be that only men carry a certain genetic chromosome that kicks in at 35,000 feet, which instantaneously makes them moribund. I was beginning to think it was only my other half that was affected. :D

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

Do you know reading these threads is making me feel so much better!! I thought it was just my husband that was the one that did that!!

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

No medication! Do not do it! Some people think that giving them an antihistimine will make them tired but actually, it can have a frightening effect of making children completely and utterly wired.
All children go through a difficult patch on the plane but that's when you start pulling little interesting things out of your bag that you've thoughtfully raided the shops for before you fly.
I take children's magazines, little pots of play dough, small 'travel' games, crayons, a walkman for older children, etc etc.
I've travelled with children of 3 weeks, 2 years, 3 years, 5years and 8 years and I never had a problem. They all realise after a while that there's nowhere to go and just get on with it.

They're not awake all the time too, and the meals keep them busy... especially as they put lots of nice sweet things on them (although by the end ofo the flight, they've suddenly gone off food!)

I've got on planes with children and seen the look on other passenger's faces... their fear is obvious. When we get off, we always get complimented on how well the chidlren have behaved.

You may not get much rest yourself as you're in entertainment mode, but we have just accepted that it's a long flight and we have to be considerate to other people too.

The flight is horrible about 3/4 of the way through. I always feel when we get to Australia that we're there, but in fact we have another 5 hours of flying to get into Sydney. It's painful watching that little plane on the map of Aus inching its way to the destination.

Drink lots and lots of water =- take a big bottle with you on the flight and fill it up if they have a drinking water tap by the toilets. Get up and wiggle at the back of the plane to keep your ankles from swellling.

Yes it's faily long, but it's only 24 hours (or less with other routes) ... you're going to Aus for life. A day is nothing in the scale of things.

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

It will be fine. In my experience, the most stressful part of the whole trip is in actually getting to Heathrow. After that it's all plane (do you see what I did there :rolleyes: ) sailing.

The first time I went, I arrived and thought, just like chatty shazz, that was really easy, and why hadn't I made the trip before? Just sit back and relax. Make sure you have the MP3 player loaded up with as much quality music as you can - that will help you to aclimatise to the plane quicker as it will suggest to your mind that all is well.

Personally, I also recommend taking a dose of night nurse once you get going, as it helps you rest because you feel drowsy, and you will keep nodding off. I know others here don't condone the use of medications, but I personally find it works really well. I last went in 2003 for a job interview and validate, when I flew out and back, all in a week. The night nurse really helped me to stabilise and control my sleeping patterns in both directions.

I hope that helps.

S

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

My first flight to Australia was in December last year. Hubby was working in Perth so I went on my own to join him for a couple of weeks. Everyone had advice to give me (none of whom had flown long-haul before :rolleyes: ) and I have to admit that it wasn't half as bad as I was made to believe. True, it got a bit boring at times, but that was the worst of it. :D, although only having to think about myself made it much simpler. I leave again for Perth (for good this time) in 2 weeks time, but this time will have my girls with me (8 & 5) so maybe after that I'll be telling a different story :D . I'm sure you'll be absolutely fine when it's your turn.
Tracey

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

Its easy ive done it twice straight thru in the last 4 months ,had xmas in australia and new year in england

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

This is SO true.

When we first went with our three week old, everyone said 'You must be mad!' ... but of course they'd never done it. The only person who had done it said 'Best time to go when they're tiny - It'll be a breeze.'
She was right, they were wrong.

Enjoy your flight. It's the start of a new life. I love the take off.... big adreniline shot! :D

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

[QUOTE=toon williams]I am like you totally dreading it, not for the length of the trip or anything like that, flying really doesnt bother me, just the fact I am travelling with my 6 & 2 year old, 6 year old will be totally fine, as she is an angel, but the child of the devil is a different story!!

We fly out for our rekkie on the 23rd - with another devlish 19month old, although I am looking forward to it am absolutely dreading the tantrums, tears etc from my little angel! (NOT). I will apologise in advance to anyone on the flight cos it will be hell!

Good tip I saw on here was take some string to tie their toys onto the seat in front otherwise if they drop them they roll under the seats. Might be a good idea - keep throwing them and sending him to fetch!

Lindsey

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

[QUOTE=nurselindsey]
Lindsey, maybe some Fenegen (sp?) would be good for her then and knock her out a bit?

Ask your doc.

If you are going to give the stuff, make sure that you have a trial run a couple of weeks before. You need to know you can use it if you need to.... Some children go hyper on it, but if it makes her sleepy, go for it.
It's nice to have it in your flight bag and then at least you have a safety net.

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

[QUOTE=iPom]I've actually bought some but its not suitable for under two's - can cause respiratory depression (asked the paediatrician at work). Might try piriton though - hes had that before!


Lindsey

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

Why worry about it. You have spent enough time worrying about getting it all organised and getting your passport etc ready.

I flew here in 95 with BA. it was OK. i mostly ate andwatched movies on the big screen

In 98 I did a return flight from here to oz,with a four month old. It was absolutely fine.

In 04 I did a return from here to there with a six year old, it was fine, I ate, I watched movies and played games on the screen on the back of the chair in front ofme. I read a book some of the time.

You will be fine, as long as you stay positive. Don't forget to get up and stand in the middle of the plane. I often went for walks up and down ( to check out the talent) in order stretch my legs. Alot of people end up congregating in the middle of the plane where there are windows.

Don't drink too much otherwise you will get dehydrated. I did drink a lot on the last flight, it made the movies so much funnier....

I was with Singapore Airlines

All the best in your flight.

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

thanks guys for all the replies.

feeling a lot better, and some really useful tips.

cheers everyone

Tracey xx :D

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

Im one of those awful people who fall asleep as soon as my seatbelt is done up... Oliver knows beter than to wake me for the grub, he just says to leave it, takes out the rolls etc for me and eats the rest. When i wake up always have an immediate need for food, have the bread rolls, sweets, go to the loo, sit down and fall asleep again...
People always say how boring it muxt be for oliver but to be honest he enjoys the peace and quiet! Never onceseen the start of an in flight movie! :D

Lisa.x

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

we had a fantastic flight even with 2 kids in tow.......theres all the movies and telly to watch, food was fantastic and so was the free booze lol, my advice is to walk around as much as you can...my son used to go for a walk every hour and go and gab to everybody....he wants to go back to the UK so he can fly again

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

We went to Brisbane via Singapore when our little girl was 2 1/2 and she was absolutely fine. To be honest I was dreading the flight but its really not that bad and goes pretty quickly. The Manchester to Singapore part was the worst (around 14 hours) then a short hop to Brisbane (around 6 hours I think, it my memory serves me correctly). The crew on Singapore Airlines were great with kids and tried to occupy them for the journey, plus you have kids movies and I think it was a built in playstation (but that occupied my husband more than anybody else). The crew encourage you to get up and walk around the plane and they feed you constantly. It was great. No worries about the next journey (hopefully one way to Perth in September).

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

Hi

We flew to aus when our son was 18months old and before we left i went to the docs and told them that he couldnt travel 3 hours never mind 20+ hours and have a sleep and the doc said he will sleep and gave me some medicine for him and it was great. We gave it to him just before we boarded cause he was getting ratty, by the time the plane was pushed back from the gate he was asleep and slept all the way until about half hour before landing in KL which we thought was great. We had 4 hours there got back on plane he slept almost all way thru to bris, we landed at 7.30 am he was up all day we dosed him again at 6pm and he slept thru to 5.30am. Best stuff we ever had lol.

Tracey

Re: Is the flight really that bad?
 

lol, yeah :D