flying economy to thailand, with teens, how was it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've done it many times. Hopefully you are spending at least 3 weeks there? Week 1 is terrible, terrible jet lag.

I stop before continuing on. So I do some jetlag recovery in Tokyo (which is a city I know very well so don't need a fast-paced schedule).

I actually find the jet lag when I get to Asia isn't that bad. You are waking up very early but otherwise manageable. It was the return home that was painful and took a long time to recover from.

[Anonymous]

Emirates economy is nice! We’ve flown many times with kids to India.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:do stopovers really ease the pain? ofc if you want to see the place fine but I feel like it is better to just get where you are going and start trying to adjust. For bangkok I think from DC you have to decide if you land in bangkok in evening and try to go to bed or early morning. Counterintuitively I like the early morning arrival as it helps you get on time zone more.

I don't think stopovers help. You end up spending more time in airports and security lines, plus packing and unpacking. No thanks. Just get me there ASAP.

We did a stopover in Doha and the first flight from DC you ate a meal, watched a movie or two, slept, had breakfast and you were there. Then we walked a bunch in the airport to stretch out legs. On the next flight we had another meal, slept and woke up to breakfast with a movie. Then we were there. It wasn't that bad. With the morning arrival make sure you can get into a hotel room to shower, change and repack your day bag.

I recommend the Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai in Bangkok. It's right on the metro line so super easy to get to from the airport. And it has several amazing swimming pools that feel even more amazing after a long flight.

For me, layovers do help. I have arthritis and I want to be up and walking around. Hours and hours in the same position are torture.

[Anonymous]

We have not flown to Thailand but we have done a 15 hour flight and then another shorter one to India on Emirates economy class multiple times. They have very good entertainment options and the food is not bad. If you get aisle seats for any taller people, it’s helpful. My kids are happy to just binge whatever and Emirates service is very good, even on economy. If money were no object, I would upgrade but if not, it’s not worth it. Just schedule for one day of down time once you get there, or a really nice hotel, which will still be much cheaper than what you’re thinking about.

[Anonymous]

It’s fine. Just did it a couple months ago. It’s mindset. Take melatonin, Tylenol pm, bring neck pillow and eye mask. You just surrender to it.

If you can afford business I’m sure that’s a nicer experience but when you get down to it it’s a long trip in a tiny space and tbh by the end of the trip the people in business didn’t seem like they’d had a great time. It’s long regardless.

[Anonymous]

Get compression socks. They help.

[Anonymous]

Jet lag recovery time varies widely from one person to another.

[Anonymous]

Could you get two business class seats and two economy then alternate back-and-forth so everybody gets to lay down flat for a period of time. I have never seen anyone do this, but I have thought about doing it for my family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've done it many times. Hopefully you are spending at least 3 weeks there? Week 1 is terrible, terrible jet lag.

I stop before continuing on. So I do some jetlag recovery in Tokyo (which is a city I know very well so don't need a fast-paced schedule).

I actually find the jet lag when I get to Asia isn't that bad. You are waking up very early but otherwise manageable. It was the return home that was painful and took a long time to recover from.

I guess that's true, it's frustrating for me because it means no nightlife or dinner time adventures because you're asleep by 4pm. Also waking up at 4am can suck when everything is closed at that hour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jet lag recovery time varies widely from one person to another.

Have you been to Asia? It's not the same as Europe or the Middle East in terms of recovery time. The number of times you've done it also doesn't make it better either. Supposedly you lose years of your life to it...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've done it many times. Hopefully you are spending at least 3 weeks there? Week 1 is terrible, terrible jet lag.

I stop before continuing on. So I do some jetlag recovery in Tokyo (which is a city I know very well so don't need a fast-paced schedule).

I actually find the jet lag when I get to Asia isn't that bad. You are waking up very early but otherwise manageable. It was the return home that was painful and took a long time to recover from.

I guess that's true, it's frustrating for me because it means no nightlife or dinner time adventures because you're asleep by 4pm. Also waking up at 4am can suck when everything is closed at that hour.

We're not big night-time adventure people or very adventurous for dinner, so that didn't bother us. We would rather get up and go early and beat the heat of the day.