on board the plane

Doesn't hurt to try to be prepared! What airline are you flying? Entertainment options vary by airline. I don't think that you'd ever have to pay to watch a movie (although with the way they're nickel-and-diming things, maybe they've instituted this as well).

If you go to the airline's website, I would think they would have a section that would explain their in-flight entertainment options. Not 100% certain, but worth checking out if they do.

On all the transatlantic flights I've been on over the years, the movies have always been free, like the alcohol. If you have a personal screen, then you should read the in-flight magazine. Near the back of it, they list all the entertainment options and there are directions for how to use the controls. The newer systems (if you're lucky) have lots of movies and tv shows to choose from and work like dvd or tivo - with pause, rewind, fast forward, etc. They also have a few games. There are headphones in the seat pocket, but I've found that my own earbuds are better and more comfortable.

By the way, the airline stewardess (well, they prefer flight attendant these days) won't go over it. All they'll explain are the emergency procedures. Rely on the magazine, the attendants are usually very busy until after they've served drinks, then the meal, then cleared it away.

Well, they have been flight attendants for a couple of decades now and while they will not make an announcement about how to operate the in-flight entertainment system, they will explain to individuals who ask (nicely) during the less busy times during the flight.

cathy,

As someone else mentioned, access to movies may vary between airlines, but on every flight I've taken the movies have been free. The video system won't be accessible until after the flight leaves the ground, and the monitor also often includes a small satellite map that shows the position of the aircraft, altitude, outside temperature, ETA, etc. (these seem to work on some flights, but not all in my experience). The entertainment system is usually in the back of the seat in front of you. In the case of bulkhead seats, the video screen swings out of the armrest (more legroom but the seat is narrower).

The video unit usually has a touch screen so you'll see a variety of menu choices, including music (not all menu choices may be accessible). Some movies are offered in different languages, and once you've selected a movie it will load and begin playing. Tapping the screen brings up controls, allowing you to pause the movie, change the volume or whatever.

The Flight Attendants will come around with headphones if you need them (I prefer to use my own noise cancelling models). Headphones or earphones are usually plugged into a jack in the armrest (usually the left, as I recall). Some older systems have a dual-jack configuration for audio which fits the airline-supplied headphones but may not fit single jack phones (I have an Adaptor for that).

A few other tips.....

• I'd suggest keeping your seat belt loosely buckled, even if the "Seat Belts" light is switched off.
• Flight Attendants usually come through the cabin frequently offering water. Be sure to stay well hydrated.
• You might pack along some Handi-Wipes or whatever, as they're sometimes needed after meals. That saves getting up and using the WC which is sometimes awkward if you have a window seat and the people beside you are sleeping.
• I'd recommend getting up at periodic intervals to stretch your legs to hopefully forestall any DVT (speak with your Physician if you have any issues of that type).
• If you haven't yet chosen your seat, have a look at Seat Guru to get an idea which seats are best and most comfortable.

Happy travels!

There's something about those small screens that makes my eyes hurt after awhile. Have a book, kindle or something else to fill the time. The best thing to do is sleep. Eyeshades and a sweater or wrap for a cool cabin help with that.

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They make announcements on this on most of the flights I am on regarding the use of the inflight systems. I guess my Flight Attendants are just more helpful. ( Not to mention the "we have to reset the system" announcements that always seem to occur halfway through the movie!)

But the selection of movies is often pathetic or the things are broken so always bring your own entertainment as suggested :)

I've never been on an international flight in the last 8 years or so that didn't have a personal entertainment system that was free - lots of different kinds of channels, movies, and music. Although I will say that I did get on a flight from Shanghai to Los Angeles once and when I sat down there was NOTHING...some Chinese airline. Almost lost my mind on that flight...didn't bring a book...15+ hours. Bleh.
The one thing to make sure to do is bring your own earphones, preferably the flat kind that go over your ears, not earbuds. Those always make my ears sore after a while.

Hi Cathy,

You mentioned a debit card. It's good to have some type of credit/debit card handy to purchase any extra food since they won't take cash for transactions. If you have questions about the movies, there's a couple a people seated near you who have plenty of time to walk you through it. : )

Thank you everybody for your input. I am also wondering about cabin pressure. As I've had a little vertigo going on... and have purposely stayed out of the dojo (I'm in martial arts) as to not aggravate it till my trip is over. but did some yoga tonight with head down so think I'll be okay. Anybody have anything to say to taking "no jet lag" pills? I arrive at 8:35 am in Paris... so not sure how LONG I need to stay awake ?? some people say sleep on the plane, others say no... Hmmmm.. ??

cathy,

I've tried those No Jet Lag pills on several trips, and for me they don't really seem to make a difference. I haven't bothered with them on more recent flights.

If you can sleep during the flight, that would be a good idea as it may help to diminish jet lag. As you're arriving so early in the morning, I doubt you'll be able to stay awake until a normal bedtime in Europe, so you may have to take a "power nap" in the afternoon.

my first exposure to the credit card demand for movies was on a recent trip to Hawaii where on a 9 hour flight (11 after we sat on the ground for two hours before departure) there were no 'free meals' and no free movies. On that flight there was a device for using the credit card but I refused to watch a movie on a crummy little screen and be charged for it and so read my books. Whether they are free on an international flight? I suspect it has to do with how soon they can retrofit planes to make the trips just that much more aggravating.

Do try to sleep on the way to Europe, to minimize jet lag. I never bother to sleep on the way home. If your flight over didn't have a good selection of movies, and if you're carrying a tablet computer, you can purchase/download a few videos through sites like Amazon, when you have Wi-Fi, or get another book at the airport.

I've never had to pay for movies or any in-flight entertainment. In some cases the entertainment system has a free movies / TV shows option, and a pay option for more current or on-demand entertainment. I always bring two books and my journal on any major trip, and these serve as a good backup for the flight in case the entertainment system is broken.

As far as jet lag - I'm basically unable to sleep on flights (can't get comfortable) and the closest I come is using earplugs and a sleep mask and sitting quietly for an hour or two. Jet lag is a bit rough for the first couple of days of my trip - weird side effects like slight nausea, and more common side effects like almost falling asleep at mid-morning - but then it disappears. It lasts much longer when I go home and causes me to fall asleep at 9:00 at night and wake up at 5:00 a.m. for a couple weeks.