Lighthousefan, what airline will you be flying on? We flew on Aer Lingus from LAX to Dublin in July 2006 and it took 10 hours. The seats were much more cramped than we expected. (Lufthansa to Rome in 2004 had much roomier seats in 2004.) The Aer Lingus seats were also worn and didn't provide adequate back and neck support.

Solutions to be more comfortable? I was amazed how much difference it made when I bought a small neck pillow in the Dublin airport for our return flight. By placing the little pillow provided by Aer Lingus behind my back for back support, and by placing the blow-up neck pillow behind my neck, I didn't get a backache. (On the flight over, same seats, without the neck pillow, I had a backache for 3 days!) The neck pillow was a very simple one, curved, and blow-up style, so you could control the amount of air...it came with a soft cover similar to a pillow case. (I have previously tried complicated neck pillows which actually made things worse. You want a small basic neck pillow.)

Also if you can get an aisle seat it helps because then you have more elbow and shoulder room on one side of your body. On the other hand if you get a window seat you can take your pillow and lean your head against the window for a bit of sleep. The middle seats are the worst for comfort.

Get up a lot and take a walk down the aisle when you aren't sleeping. That helps keep you from feeling so cramped.

Take a sandwich with you...even when the airlines provide food it often isn't adequate. Our 10-hour Aer Lingus flight had 2 meals, but one of them had about 2 bites of chicken and was mostly sugar and simple carbohydrates...I sure wished I had brought a nice fat turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread!

I always take dramamine or bonine for every flight. Best when taken at least 30 minutes BEFORE your flight. When there is turbulence I notice other passengers groaning but I feel fine because the dramamine really works (and I am prone to motion sickness usually.)

If you have any trouble with your ears take decongestant before your flight and be sure to take it every 4 hours on the flight...helps your ears. (I get ear pain even in the mountains so I learned that decongestant really helps.)

Airlines no longer serve you enough drinks on the flight to keep you hydrated. Either bring your own water bottle to supplement this, or else just go back to where the crew is working and ask for water, they will be glad to give you an extra glass. If you dont' drink enough it increases your jet lag due to dehydration.

Enjoy the flight if you can!!!

Wow! Thanks everyone! We are flying Aer Lingus from Chicago to Shannon. It will be a night flight so we are hoping to sleep some. Everyone's feedback was very helpful. We do have neck pillows. I appreciated teh info about the decongestant-would not have thought of that. Seems like Aer lIngus may not be teh most comfortable, but will plan to make the best of it. This is our first trip to Ireland, so maybe we will not notice the cramped quarters as we will be so excited! Heidi

I take that flight every year.

Aer Lingus agents open the check-in desk at about 3:30 at O'Hare. I usually get there just after 3 and I'm one of the first three in line. The line can get long at around 4:00, but they keep it moving.

If you're planning to get a bite to eat, do it before you go through security...there are only premade sandwiches and snacks on the other side.

The neck pillow is a good suggestion...some Aer Lingus planes have the headrests that fold around your head and others do not.

Once you reach your cruising altitude, the flight attendants will provide a drink service (soda, water, juice, pretzels...alcohol is available for a few dollars...if you want alcohol with dinner, you should buy it now...it will make things easier on the crew, and you won't have to wait for them to get it when the meal is served). There are usually TV shows and music videos playing at this time.

Then they will serve dinner. "Chicken or beef?"

After dinner the movies start...they show two. Now's your chance to get a few hours of sleep. If you're thirsty, you can stop by the galley and ask the flight attendant for water or soda.

An hour or so before landing, they will serve a small breakfast with tea and scones.

Bon Voyage!

I too appreciated all the good information!  Thanks a lot for submitting it.

Youngka

Good Advice, Corey.  I fly once or twice a year LAX to DUB.  Does anyone know what time the Aer Lingus counter at LAX opens?  I always get there by 1:30 or 2 for the 5:00 flight.  By then, there is usually a line of about 20 or 30 people.  How do you find out the counter opening times?

Thanks,

Maureen