Check what you get for free on the flight as well - stuff like sleep masks, neck pillows etc may be available on the plane rather than having to buy them in advance.

If you get the option to upgrade to economy seats with additional legroom or by the emergency exits, take it. I know you've not got the longest of legs, but it really does make a difference.

its not the first flight on split long hauls that kills you its the second one. I've often found this travelling to the west coast of the US. The first flight to Philly or O'hare is not so bad but after a couple of hours transfer the second 4-6 hours flight is knackering. An ipad is the ideal in flight companion but you will need noise cancelling earphones if you want to hear anything. I also use my kindle on most flights.

It would be very selfish of the Hobbit to take up one of those additional legroom seats, especially when his legs won't even touch the floor.

PS Loz, When you get to Vietnam don't go out into the country side, not even on organised tours, there is a good chance that when uneducated peasants see your hair they'll take you for a god and not let you return.

Go into it with the right attitude. I really enjoy long haul flights nowadays and actually look forward to them. I know I can watch loads of movies (new releases but also loads of films from the far east not generally shown over here - I am normally flying to Bangkok or Singapore) and catch up with reading books and magazines I haven't had time for as in that 12 hours I will not be disturbed by work, family etc. No point in worrying about everyday life when you are up in the sky as you can't do anything about any problems. It is like being in a cocoon from reality and I enjoy that. If you go into the flight thinking it will be long and boring, it will be. Instead be organised and don't keep checking your watch!

Having done a few trips to Australia on my own, and I hate flying, my own personal strategy is to take advantage of the free booze, always helps the time go for me.

1. See if they offer extra legroom seats in economy. I upgraded for 20 quid coming back from China last week on Virgin - it's well worth it.

2. Get an Aisle seat - far less claustrophobic and there are sometimes clips under the seat arm that allow you to lift the arm up on the aisle side - loads more room.

3. Don't drink any alcohol at all. Seriously, this is the biggest tip I can give you. The tempatation (Christopher ) is to have a few and think this will send you off to sleep and you'll wake up at your destination with nothing more than a bit of a dry mouth. Wrong. You'll sleep for 2 hours and then wake up mid flight with a stiff neck, and a hangover. You will then travel the bulk of you journey unable to sleep feeling pooh. If I wanted to torture someone I'd get them pished and then put them on a flight to China in economy. You should only dirnk when you know you can go to bed and sleep it off for 10 hours. I have seen so many guys on long haul flights puking and moaning with hangovers mid journey (I may have done it myself as well I admit).

4. Noise cancelling headphones. Best 50 quid I've ever spent. The ones on the plane let all the aircraft noise through so you have to crank the volume up on the film you are watching up to 11 to hear anything. Try putting a power drill at full tilt next to ears for 11 hours and imagine the headache (combine this with a hangover and you really are in Hell). Noise cancelling headphones will kiil all the engine noise and sometimes I just sit with them on not even listening to anything for the quiet.

5. Forget trying to adjust to destination time. Takes your body a week to do that, it won't happen on a plane flight.

6. Sleeping pills. I got some off my missus and even if they don't knock you out they will relax you and you end up less stiff.

7. ALWAYS ask for an upgrade when you check in (don't check in online - do it when you get to the airlport). You never, ever know when they might just say...YES!

Where are you flying from?

They charge a fortune for those now, but Virgin have banks of seats with extra legroom - unless you're 6'6" they are great. Also, the seats by the bulkhead partitions which have free leg space infront put you right next to the "Baby" seats. The central seats by the bulkhead where they put families with babies. Babies do only one thing on long haul - cry. Even noise cancelling headphones are useless against a baby wailing. You need to be at least 4-5 rows back.

Alwayts get the aisle seat on the middle row of 4, this has always been great for me. My last return flight from Aus I had the whole row of 4 to myself for both legs of the flight.

Also dont pick a seat near a 'bulk head' as that is usually where they have the sky cots, sky cots means noisy sprogs - not good on a long flight

1 (a). If nothing else, get the best noise-cancelling earphones you can. I have some in-ear Sennheiser ones. The nearest to the model i have that i can see is the CX500. Comes with a volume control on the cord, different size earplus and if it still has one, an on-off switch for the noise reduction.

I haven't tried any of the over-ear ones, but they can be £200-250 so presume they must be as good or better; but the sheer luxury of sticking the rubber earpiece in your ear and that drone disappearing takes a hell of a lot of stress away. The number one tip. Bar none.

(b) A snazzy sweatband/headband/buff thingy, if choosing in-ear earphones, to stop them slowly working their way out - or being pulled out when you nod off!

(c) Obviously, you chosen music device!! the point with the noise cancelling earphones is, use them all the time, even when NOt listening to music, as you don't realise how stressing the constant drone is until after it has stopped. But if you forget your ipod you'll be sick!

2. (a) A good, long book that you have always meant to read.
(b) don't forget your bookmark!

3. A fleece jacket, for when it gets cold on the plane.

Did I mention noise-cancelling earphones?

I always opt for a window seat in economy, for the simple fact you get something to look at occasionally and more importantly you can rest your head against the cabin interior (I always take a jacket as a cushion). Far easier and comfier than that awkward moment when you nod off, your head drops sharply and you crick your neck. Did myself some neck damage on a Heathrow-Manchester flight last month falling asleep like that on the looooooong taxi out at Heathrow.


Getting bladdered is a stupid idea, agreed, but I find a glass of wine or two or three before departure helps, and it shouldn't make you desperate to wee. As I said earlier, in business class the crew tend to plough you with booze to get you off to sleep anyway. Works for me.