Living through the long flights

Do they have a non-stop flight like this already from the DC area? Wow. What a surprise. I thought they would be introducing it in 2018 or so once they purchased the requisite plane. All your ideas sound good. If it were me, I would prefer a connecting flight, even with a day layover in Los Angeles...I'm 44 and have no health worries, but my tolerance for sitting that long would be nil. Best of luck on your flight..not sure what else to add here since you covered everything. I would try to sleep through as much as possible so it doesn't feel as long and obviously wear loose, comfortable clothing. Also, avoid any salt because it increases swelling.

Frankly, I have never followed the oft-quoted advice to avoid alcohol on an overnight flight. It definitely helps me sleep. I am careful to avoid dehydration by drinking lots of water too.

Agnes, we do have a layover in LA but it's only 90 minutes, so we can walk off the coast-to-coast for a bit. I'm hoping there's someone out there who's used a compression sock, or something like that, who can tell me if they work, or if there are any that are particularly to be avoided.

Randi, I've been using compression socks when I fly since 1995, regardless of the length of the flight. Do they work, I'm not sure, but I choose not to chance it. To answer your question of "Are there some better than others" I don't know. I bought my current pair for a trip this past summer. I bought them at Travel Outfitters

I also make it a point of getting up once an hour (when i'm not sleeping) and walk around. I also make it a point of drinking at least 8 - 16 ounces of water every hour.

Regarding compression hose, I need to wear them every day. I have edema in my ankles and legs, and the compression keeps the fluids moving throughout my system and dramatically improves my energy level. I have no idea if they will have such an energy effect for you for a single day's long flight, but they will surely prevent or at least reduce swelling.

If you go to a podiatrist or other doctor for a prescription, it will probably be for Jobst which is top of the line and e-x-p-e-n-s-I-v-e! They are also a bit of a pain to buy because you have to meet with a specialist to be measured and assessed. Without a pre-existing medical condition requiring them, they probably won't be covered by insurance. Over the years, I've bought whatever lower priced competing brand my local durable medical equipment store sells. These days, I'm wearing Sigvaris brand (mentioned elsewhere on these forums) which I'm very happy with because they're machine washable, dryer safe, and very durable. For your occasional use, only a day at a time, you probably won't care if the hose you buy need to be hand washed.

I've used drugstore-bought socks on a few long flights. I guess they work because I've never had a problem. I've also taken long flights without them and had no problem -- but never more than 10 hours or so, and that's with getting up and down, stretching, walking around a bit, etc. I've found them uncomfortable and don't like them taking up space in my luggage when I'm not flying. But for a trip like yours I'd probably dig them out of the drawer and wear them.

I think they cost about $30 a pair in chains like Rite Aid, Walgreens, CVS, etc. I doubt if there's any difference among the brands in that price range. Get whatever's convenient and preferably easy to clean.

My longest flight has been detroit to beijing. did not use compression socks but did get up hourly when awake and drank lots of bottled water. i try to get on long flights very tired and i take dramimine to help me sleep as much as possible.

1. Re "compression socks": I am not a medical professional, and suggest you look to one of those for medical advice rather than asking people on the internet who are probably just as likely to be ignorant or misinformed rather than knowledgable on the subject. That said, I have read advice from purported qualified medical professionals who state categorically that "compression socks" sold to consumers for airline flights are a complete fraud, will provide zero health benefits, and in fact that if your health is so poor that sitting on a long flight is a concern for you, you probably shouldn't be traveling at all without first checking with a physician. There's nothing wrong with comfy socks, and they may make you feel good, but I sincerely doubt they will have any impact on your health or ability to survive even a bunch of long flights to the other side of the world. Just my 2 cents.

2. Some people suggest avoiding alcohol since doing so seems to help them sleep. And some people suggest indulging in alcohol because doing so seems to help them sleep. Flying across the planet does take its toll on anyone, but only you can say whether or not having a glass of wine or two will make you feel better to worse. There does seem to be a consensus that staying hydrated makes a lot of sense.

3. A 90 minute layover in LA could be very, very tight depending on circumstances - in fact, for an outbound connection to NZ, I wouldn't risk such a short connection at LAX. Hope your first flight is on time, and that you don't have to walk from one end of LAX to the other to make that connection (the terminal layouts there can wreak havoc with tight connections). Do yourself a favor and research which terminal(s) your incoming and ongoing flights will be at, figure out how to get between them, and get off the incoming flight as fast as you can to avoid having to run a half-mile to catch that TPAC leg. I assume you are on a single ticket (that is, bought from the same source, your bags checked through to destination) - if you are not (heaven forbid, two different tickets on different airlines) then you could be in for a world of trouble if your first flight is late or you're just slow through the airport. If it were me, I'd worry about making this connection a lot more than what kind of socks you will be wearing.

Good luck.

I purchased a plastic beach ball at the Dollar Store (don't know where you can find one in the winter though) which I blew up half-full, then squished it down to the floor, where I then was able to rest my feet propped up on it. It was great, and I will do it again. It gave my feet and legs an alternate position to go to, although I think I looked kind of silly blowing it up.

Another thing I did, was find a 16" x 24" memory-foam bath mat at Walmart, and I swear it weighed only 4 ounces - this I folded in half and had a very nice pad for my seat. These two things gave me a measure of comfort that was noticeable.

I've been using compression socks when flying since 2007 when on a trip to Turkey my ankles swelled for the first time ever. For the flight home I bought some compression socks at the Frankfurt airport and have been using them since. Do they work? All I know is that if I don't wear them my ankles and feet swell during the flight, and if I do wear them, they don't.

If you don't have problems with ankle swelling and no increased risk of a DVT above the general population, don't bother with compression stockings. They won't provide any benefit and will likely just make you uncomfortable. If either applies, though, talk to your doctor.

Alcohol is a matter of personal preference. Some never drink on a flight, some swear by it. Personally, I never drink on long flights, but that's because I take a prescription sleep medication when I fly.

I am also heading to Auckland beg February from west coast of Canada and recommend compression socks but not compression panty hose (if you are female). I have had vein surgery and the surgeon said compression socks keeps the blood flow going on long flights. Recently flew to Maui and did not wear the socks. Result...."cankles'! yes swollen. On way home put them on and no swelling.
I am fit, 61, female and don't like flying.Have same concerns about the long flight but we will have a short stop in Seattle and 3 hours in LAX to do some power walking!! Good luck.

Have flown with and without compression socks, and not seen a big difference either way, probably can't hurt to use them.Another suggestion is to be sure to use earplugs while flying---you don't feel as tired after the trip, and of course the reduction in noise will help you sleep. I think ear plugs make a positive difference in your level of fatigue after a long flight. Safe travels, and Happy New Year!
Karen

I do wear the commercially sold socks. They are just like the compression socks I wear after running. Compared to flights where I don't wear them my feet swell less. I know a lot of flight attendants who swear by them.

These are not socks designed to treat a medical condition and you really don't need medical advice. They don't work like the medical compression hose. They provide a much gentler compression and are designed for use by healthy people. If you need circulation assistance these are not a good choice.