Travel: the flight fantastic

AT 15 hours, Qantas boasts the world’s longest non-stop flight. Heaven or hell? Make it the former with these survival tips.

WITH a Stetson and cowboy kerchief on the flying kangaroo tail logo, Qantas launched its Airbus A380 services to Dallas from Sydney a fortnight ago, replacing the less efficient Boeing 747-400 aircraft it had been operating on the route since 2011. At 14 hours and 50 minutes, it is the world’s longest non-stop flight — something that anyone, aside from the most committed of aircraft buffs, would find daunting. In our ­21st-century universe of quick fixes and instant access, we are all multi-tasking and on the hop, ­impatient with delays and looking for the most time-efficient ­solutions.

I was aboard the inaugural trip, excited at the prospect of ­visiting Texas but anxious about the immensity of the flight. Could I actually sit for that long? What if I’d already seen the movies and inevitable episodes of Modern Family on the entertainment system? I had two paperbacks and three novels downloaded on my iPad, but what if they were all boring? Would I sleep or, as is my usual fate, develop a headache and squirm uncomfortably while all around me fellow passengers dozed like blameless babies?

I decided to stop fussing and work out a coping strategy. I would plan ahead, pack a proper survival kit and be a savvy passenger. Here’s how.

SET OFF IN STYLE

Royale Limousines offers Sydney airport transfers (from $91.68 one-way; no added tolls; 5 per cent discount if booked online), which is good value if you live some distance from the city, and its saloons are much more comfortable than taxis. A return trip means no airport taxi queues and less stress.

CLASS ACTION

Qantas economy class has Marc Newson-designed Recaro seats in a 3-4-3 layout; snacks are offered between meals plus a personal refillable water bottle and ice creams. The A380 has three self-service drink and snack bars for its 371 economy passengers. Need extra neck support if seated at the back of the Airbus? Carry a Cabeau Evolution Pillow in a bag that squashes to a quarter its size (about $32; traveluniverse.com. au); the memory-foam function makes it super-comfortable, there’s firm neck and chin support and a “media pouch” for hands-free MP3 player use.

Premium economy features 35 seats and this cabin sells out quickly; seats are configured 2-3-2 with a generous recline. Business class holds 64 passengers seated 2-2-2 on lie-flat Skybeds on the A380 upper deck; there’s also a dedicated lounge area. In first class, 14 pampered passengers sit pretty in pod suites.

THE AIR UP THERE

Planes can be veritable germ ­factories full of coughing, sneezing and sniffling. Japan Air Lines offers surgical masks and, while it can feel like being an extra in an episode of Scrubs, it’s an excellent preventive measure. I always carry a light pashmina shawl on board and twist it lightly around my lower face if I have a cold or to protect from circulating ­nasties. I have also been known to repurpose eyeshades to wear as a mask across my mouth.

DIY DOCTOR

FESS Frequent Flyer (30ml, $12.95) is a saline solution infused with tea tree oil to relieve nasal and sinus congestion. The manufacturer suggests two or three sprays per nostril before boarding, every two hours in-flight and at your final destination. If you’re feeling really rundown, consider Frequent Flyer Health Boost (15 orange-flavoured tablets, $10.95), a multivitamin soluble mix taken once daily for two or three days before flying and up to three tabs every 24 hours thereafter.

WASH & WEAR

Carry sanitiser gel and use it on your hands before and after meals and toilet visits. Many varieties smell too antiseptic but Banks & Co’s Botanicals sanitisers (40ml, $8.95) come in banksia, lemon myrtle and manuka honey fragrances. Change into loose ­pyjamas or loungers and fold your clothes into a drawstring calico bag (about $5 from blankclothing.com.au) or ask cabin crew to hang up for you. Qantas is one of the few airlines still to offer pyjamas to business-class guests and they are worth taking off the plane to reuse on future flights. Always ask for a size larger than you think you need. Never refuse an offer of socks, slippers and eye­shades; always carry a roll-on deodorant (not an atomiser, which could be confiscated at security check).

Hair? If worried about travel-weary locks, go for a Toni & Guy Styling Essentials Kit ($19.99) of four products, including a 75ml pump pack of dry shampoo. The waterproof kit is roomy, so add other in-flight essentials such as hand cream, mini moisturiser and wipes. Qantas business-class passengers receive an amenity kit with Malin+Goetz skincare products; it’s premium Japanese brand SK-II in first class.

FODDER & FUEL

We all know the advice about limiting alcohol and drinking plenty of water but too much of the latter can mean umpteen toilet visits; pace your intake and if you want a few alcoholic drinks, at least lay off the heavy dehydrating spirits. On the Dallas service, Qantas serves cups of T2 Sleep Tight tea with lemon balm, jasmine flowers, lavender and rose petals. On overnight flights, carry your own packet (50g, $14) and ask for a cup of boiled water.

Qantas has a Select on Q-Eat service for business class and premium economy guests so you can order meals online, and there are extra choices not on the Neil Perry menu. In those cabins, cookies, crisps, chocolate or cheese and crackers are also available. If in economy, consider taking extra snacks in your carry-on. Passengers are not permitted to take food off aircraft but you can board with packaged treats, such as muesli bars or favourite lollies. Sucking on the latter can assist if you are prone to earaches during landing.

SCREEN & HEARD

Expect 300-plus hours of in-flight entertainment, including PC-style games. Many of the blockbusters seem weird to watch on small screens but the Qantas World and Art House channels are worth a look. There’s a dedicated channel of 400 television hits and plenty of audio options but be equipped with your iPod and devices for back-up entertainment. All of Qantas’s A380 passengers have access to PC power and USB ports.

PACE YOURSELF

As with all long flights, make sure to have a stroll around the cabin from time to time to keep the circulation flowing. The outbound flight departs at 1.10pm and arrives in Dallas-Fort Worth (thanks to international time-zone sorcery) at 1.45pm the same day. Out of Sydney, you’ll be served a late lunch and a brunch. On return, the flight leaves Dallas-Fort Worth at 10.15pm and there’s supper and breakfast before arrival in Sydney at 6.05am.

Due to headwinds flying west, the return flight takes longer (typically, 15½ hours); you’ll have crossed the international date line and lost a day, but hopefully not too much sleep.

Susan Kurosawa was a guest of Qantas. qantas.com.au