Hidden Hacks in Airports and Long Haul Flights

NotAnAudiophile on 20/02/2018 - 08:19
Last edited 20/02/2018 - 08:20

Hi all

Got a 23 hour long haul flight to Europe next month from Melbourne on Qatar economy, I consider myself a savvy traveller but wondering if anyone has any hidden hacks or tips they have for long haul flights or airports?

Yes, I've chosen my aisle seat way in front (don't ask me to pay for business), with an empty seat in between. Yes well equipped with a good travel pillow and I know what to wear. and Yes I know aisle seat armrests can be folded up with the hidden button to get more legroom. Yes got Dragonpass to buy cheap lounge access and a shower while in transit in Doha.

Travel

Comments

  • ToTheMoon on 22/02/2018 - 16:02

    for my experience:

    1. noise-cancellation over-ear headphones + earplugs. Earplugs reduce the volume of music though, but so quiet that makes you forgot you are on a plane!

    2. buy a bottled water after passing the security checkup, ~$2 = 500ml water and you can refill anytime on the plane. keeps you hydrated.

    • factor on 22/02/2018 - 22:38

      Bring empty bottle through security. Fill up for free. You forgot to add "airport tax" water can be over $4 after security!

  • DarthAntz on 22/02/2018 - 16:39

    I wear a jacket or coat, and if the temperature or blankets provide me with enough warmth, i will invert the jacket into one of the jacket arms, creating a comfortable pillow from the clothing.

    definitely keep hydrated and avoid paying for bottled water at airports (you are not ozbargain worthy if you do). Japan has calorieMate and other low calorie, low flavour rations that will replace meals and keep you from feeling hungry.

    bring a clear, zip lock bag. put your phone or tablet into the bag and hang the bag from the clip that holds up the tray. easy and effective tablet/phone holder for when watching movies. easily punch a hole to fit your headphones in.

    get comfortable when you first get in your seat, relax, and try to fall asleep during take off. its the best time to fall asleep and as you adjust to the hum of the engine (with or without ear plugs) slow and balance your breathing, disconnect from where you are and what you are doing and sleep as much as you can.

  • points4life on 22/02/2018 - 17:54

    Airlines load front to back so more chance of having a row to yourself there compared to the front.

  • dufflover on 22/02/2018 - 18:29

    Use all those OzBargain credit card frequent flyer points and upgrade/pay for Business :P

  • sheepdog on 22/02/2018 - 19:19
    +1

    Carry both noise cancelling over ears and a pair of inner ear buds. Noise canceling over ears (if decent) are great for the duration of quiet flights but inner ears will muffle baby cries MUCH better than noise cancelling ones. In fact, my Sennheiser 4.5s cancel everything BUT voices so it sorta emphasises thr crying. Switching to buds will help a tonne and easier to rest on a pillow with them.

    Just remember, crying babies are the worst on their parents so being able to have a solution so that cries dont bother you will help everyone feel a touch better.

  • huertano on 22/02/2018 - 19:38

    I just flew back from Qatar 2 weeks ago and had the aisle seat at the front of economy on the upper deck. I was in the middle section and there were 2 empty seats next to me. Because of the tray table stored in the armrest, it was not possible to lift these up. So the person on the other side of the 2 spare seats and I couldn't really use the spare space in between. Something to take note of. Although, the absence of a seat in front was nice nonetheless.

    • huertano on 22/02/2018 - 19:41

      Also, on other airlines, if you book an alternative meal like vegetarian or halal, etc, they usually bring it to you before the meal carts start which is good when you're sitting right at the end of their run and have to wait for ages for a meal.

      On Qatar, they just label your tray in their carts and give it to you when they arrive.

  • NotAnAudiophile on 22/02/2018 - 21:05

    Well I bought the best neck pillow I can afford - the Cabeau Evolution Cool. Also prefer earbuds as my previous QC35 pressed and hurt the sides of my ears. On Etihad last year, they had pay internet which was really useful - Skype in the sky! Qatar unfortunately don't have as good a connection as Etihad do.

    • muncan on 22/02/2018 - 22:48

      Looking through my childhood photos now of my first trip to Disneyland via Continental Airlines (a spoilt child I was) my in-flight entertainment consisted entirely of my Casio wrist watch and the ashtray in the arm-wrest.
      You kids have it good these days - perhaps sit back, and maybe be nice to your flight attendants?

      • MITM on 22/02/2018 - 23:43

        And colouring in books with crayons. And a visit to the flight deck where you got a metal Captains Club badge. I still have my collection. (A spoilt child also)

        • muncan on 22/02/2018 - 23:47

          Wow I envy you!! Did the captain let you wind down his window?

    • SuperFly 420 on 04/03/2018 - 23:09

      Where did you buy your Cabeau pillow from? And how much did you pay :)

      • NotAnAudiophile on 07/03/2018 - 08:17

        Peters of kensington ebay. About $55.

        • SuperFly 420 on 07/03/2018 - 10:34

          Have you used it already? Do you recommend?

  • CarnivalMonkey on 22/02/2018 - 21:07
    +6

    poop in a bag and hand it to staff collecting rubbish after a meal

    • PleasureMe on 24/02/2018 - 23:44

      I laughed at that a lot more than i should have

  • ahly92 on 22/02/2018 - 23:37
    +3

    If u lucky to have a spare seat next to u, plug in the headphones and open the blanket as if someone is sitting there. When food service arrives tell them ur friend is sitting there and is in the bathroom….get urself another round of food

    • cdaddy on 23/02/2018 - 10:40
      +4

      Because an air flight meal is worth having 2 servings

  • nobarginsarehere on 23/02/2018 - 03:53

    Buttplugs

  • AustriaBargain on 23/02/2018 - 07:27
    +1

    If a fat Arab guy asks you to swap seats with him, say no. In my experience 100% of the time he's asking because he was seated next to another obese Arab guy who is so obese his fat oozes over the economy armrests onto your side of the seat.

    Conversely if you are seated next an obese person, then find the most naive looking person on the plane you can find and ask them to switch seats with you, otherwise your flight will be a nightmare if you value personal space.

  • prhino on 23/02/2018 - 08:49
    +1

    Charter a private jet

  • Lunarboogie on 23/02/2018 - 09:00

    It may be too late in this case but my hack is to avoid the ME by staging through SEA and then staying a night there to break the trip in both directions. 2 lots of 9 hour journeys is much more comfortable then a 15 hour marathon in cattle class. Also apart from Singers, any where in SEA is dirt cheap and with enough on offer to make the most of a whirlwind 24-hours. Doing so will get you 3 holidays for the price of 1.

    • NotAnAudiophile on 23/02/2018 - 09:51

      I'd agree on this. A good option would be Thai airways through bkk. Alas, I don't have enough time for an extra couple of nights in bkk, and i also wanted to try out Qatar as I've never tried it and its the No.1 Skytrax rated airline in 2017.

  • UBE on 23/02/2018 - 09:44

    Any advice on using 170000 QFF points on a return trip for 2 adults to London in September Thanks UBE.

  • raiseyoursteaks on 23/02/2018 - 11:49

    Just remember the passport officer is not too concerned with your etiquette.

    He just needs your air ticket.

    • Cluster on 23/02/2018 - 16:36
      +2

      Always be nice to the person who has the power to detain you for extra questioning or outright refuse entry into the country :-)

  • Munch on 23/02/2018 - 19:54

    Some flight companies offer you food vouchers or some money to spend in their airport if you're staying for ages.

  • Godric on 24/02/2018 - 09:34

    The secret is to swim

  • rack on 24/02/2018 - 10:00
    +1

    Any tips for Singapore airline. Got a 5 hour stopover.

    • Fizzydrink on 24/02/2018 - 13:56

      commenting to follow

    • iSamurai on 24/02/2018 - 14:01

      go out, have a meal, come back in if it's during the day. you might need to shower afterwards though.

      last time I had a 4 hour stopover, i wanted to catch up with friends in singapore. when clearing customs the lady tried to convince me it's not worth it, and that i'll miss my flight. obviously they know this happens all the time. she even made me write "it is my own responsibility if i miss my flight" on the immigration card.

      of course i didn't miss my flight — we had brekky, coffee, had a chat and went back to the airport with time for a shower.

      also, looks like the changi voucher is still on going if you're flying SQ: https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/es/plan-travel/privileges…

      • Malarkey on 28/02/2018 - 16:27

        I fly with them in September :( going to miss the voucher by a few months

  • ego22 on 24/02/2018 - 19:35
    +1

    seats are assigned and they want you to stay in them because if the plane crashes. they can identify your charred/waterlogged body……….

    so thats a travel tip to help your loved ones out :)

  • Momotsuki on 24/02/2018 - 19:44

    Go for frequent walks around the cabin (or at least consciously tense your calves a few times an hour). Long haul flights contribute to deep vein thromboses.

  • Innately Incognito on 24/02/2018 - 20:15

    Always be nice to the air hostesses. Often they'll bring around extra meals and top-ups for your wine (or in my case, G&Ts).

    You can always politely ask them if there's any spare seats if the plane doesn't look completely full. I've lucked out once on a semi-full flight where the hostie came back and asked for my jacket and bag, and plonked my stuff across an empty aisle (4-seats) and told me to head to Row 40 or something to collect my stuff once the seat belt sign was off.

    A solid five hour sleep thanks to that hostie!

  • lainey13 on 25/02/2018 - 19:08

    Keep asking for better seats. When you do your bag drop or check in, ask if there are spare seats and whether they can arrange one next to you. Ask in the lounge, ask at the gate. Doesn't hurt to ask!!! Unless your flight is 100% full then stop asking :)

  • Irate Monk on 03/03/2018 - 12:21
    +1

    Bring along an empty 1 Litre water bottle in your carry-on luggage through the security. Once through them, fill up at the ubiquitous water fountains at the waiting area beyond. Now you are set for the long haul; self sufficient on water. At the next transit/transfer, before security, empty out the bottle and repeat the steps above.

    No more buying expensive water from within the airport. You are also no more at the mercy of the cabin crew (they usually dispense inadequately small cups of water; when not outright asking you to pay for it on budget flights)

    Works every time.

    • cameldownunder on 05/09/2018 - 17:18

      Soetimes you get the water check after the boarding, in the ramp to the aircraft.

  • NotAnAudiophile on 31/08/2018 - 07:56

    Haha, i got the same upcoming trip again in a month! This time in Thai airways. Any tips?

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