Jetlag - Flying to Oz

DublinGuy11

In a few weeks, I will be flying to Sydney. I am flying Etihad: Dublin - Abu Dhabi - Sydney. The trip itself is actually a bit mad, I am flying over to be at a family wedding. I am only going to be staying in Oz for just over a week though before flying home. It is not ideal to be travelling such a distance to only stay for duch a short time, i need to return back to Ireland for my own family/work commitments. It is close family member though that is getting married so it is a wedding I could not really miss.

My question however is in relation to the travel itself. Has anyone travelled this route recently? How did they find Etihad? Any words advice on Abu Dhabi airport?

In particular I am looking for recommendations on coping with jet lag. The first flight is 7.5 hours, there is a 4 hour stop over and then a 14 hour flight. I am only in Oz for such a short time and want to make the most of it while I am there. Does anyone have any advice on how they counteracted jet lag for a trip such as this?

Thanks

Bogwoppit

DublinGuy11 wrote: »

In a few weeks, I will be flying to Sydney. I am flying Etihad: Dublin - Abu Dhabi - Sydney. The trip itself is actually a bit mad, I am flying over to be at a family wedding. I am only going to be staying in Oz for just over a week though before flying home. It is not ideal to be travelling such a distance to only stay for duch a short time, i need to return back to Ireland for my own family/work commitments. It is close family member though that is getting married so it is a wedding I could not really miss.

My question however is in relation to the travel itself. Has anyone travelled this route recently? How did they find Etihad? Any words advice on Abu Dhabi airport?

In particular I am looking for recommendations on coping with jet lag. The first flight is 7.5 hours, there is a 4 hour stop over and then a 14 hour flight. I am only in Oz for such a short time and want to make the most of it while I am there. Does anyone have any advice on how they counteracted jet lag for a trip such as this?

Thanks

I haven't done that trip but I've been through Abu Dhabi, it's a nightmare. Give yourself plenty of time to get to your gate.

Windorah

I think Etihad are my favourite airline. Last time I flew to Oz I had three seats to myself!
It generally takes me about 3/4 days to get over the jet lag going East (to Australia) but I'm fine after a good nights sleep going West. I have always been advised to drink plenty of water and limit alcohol and caffeine. I absolutely hate plane food so I actually bring lunch boxes of food.. Bit weird but whatever! I usually bring fruit and veg and light foods.
I've never had a problem in Abu Dhabi airport. Just have ur travel documents together and know ur terminal. 4 hours goes pretty quick when u have to disembark and then go through security again.
Enjoy ur trip!

ifeelstupid

I did something very similar a couple of years ago and have flown to Oz several times. I find that it helps me to set my watch to Oz time as soon as I get on board and try and snooze when its night time there - not always possible tho! Agree with Windorah above to avoid alcohol and drink plenty of water, snack on fresh fruit and try to avoid salty snacks. Not sure if you can with Ethiad but last time I flew with Emirates and substituted a couple of the meals with a fresh fruit platter (this was done prior to departure in the when I was choosing seats etc.)
As far as I know, your flight should arrive in Oz early morning, my tip is to try and stay up and at it for the day - you should begin to fade in the evening and go to bed then for the night. If you can get a good nights sleep then you should be right for the next few days.
On the return journey, set your time for home and try and snooze in flight at night time in your home destination.
Have a great trip!!

LXFlyer

Jet lag is generally worse going east as you are trying to sleep when your body thinks you should be awake.

As above just try to adjust straight away to Aussie time - it probably will take 2-3 days to get back to normal.

Coming home is a bit like being out for a late night - much easier to adjust.

ironclaw

Try adopt pseudo-Oz time before you go and definitely try sleep / wake when you should. I do a lot of long haul and I've yet to be significantly jet-lagged.

cobham

I did not find jet lag a problem. I did that route few months ago but with less time (nightmare as Dublin leg delayed so 'window' of 50 minutes to get to other flight). Dublin legs seem regularly delayed so 4 hrs may shrink and add in at least three queues to do security/documents etc.

Toilet facilities are poor in Abu D and oversubscribed so allow for this. No showers unless in business lounge save for very basic set up beside a prayer room... no towel/soap :mad: Try and find it!:)

Look out for mini trollies for handluggage in Abu D, maybe there when exit plane... handy to keep stuff together, you have a lot of distance to cover to get to other plane.

Food on plane is dire and especially for gluten free option. I was thankful for few mandarins I brought. Remember to ditch all fresh fruit/sandwiches etc before arrival in Sydney. I was allowed bring gluten free stuff in main case in closed packets. For return trip I had chunks of cheese. cherry tomatoes and some crisps with me. Leg out of Sydney was operated by Virgin and that was better.

I think I stayed awake for entire trip but was thankful for decent hotel at Sydney airport as needed to travel onward next day. It was nighttime in Aus by time I got there. No jet lag really but did fall ill on day three and that was grim as took a week to recover ... just about right to head back.

Passport control in Sydney is slow. When exiting remember to look at the information screen for which carousel your luggage is arriving at because the origin of flights is not displayed on the individual carousels. There is a duty free set up at Sydney on arrival so dont bother dragging bottles from Ireland ... prices in Sydney Airport outlet about the same (?)as Dublin and lot cheaper than their regular shops.

Hope it is a memorable wedding and worth the trip.

ifeelstupid

cobham wrote: »

I did not find jet lag a problem. I did that route few months ago but with less time (nightmare as Dublin leg delayed so 'window' of 50 minutes to get to other flight). Dublin legs seem regularly delayed so 4 hrs may shrink and add in at least three queues to do security/documents etc.

Toilet facilities are poor in Abu D and oversubscribed so allow for this. No showers unless in business lounge save for very basic set up beside a prayer room... no towel/soap :mad: Try and find it!:)

Look out for mini trollies for handluggage in Abu D, maybe there when exit plane... handy to keep stuff together, you have a lot of distance to cover to get to other plane.

Food on plane is dire and especially for gluten free option. I was thankful for few mandarins I brought. Remember to ditch all fresh fruit/sandwiches etc before arrival in Sydney. I was allowed bring gluten free stuff in main case in closed packets. For return trip I had chunks of cheese. cherry tomatoes and some crisps with me. Leg out of Sydney was operated by Virgin and that was better.

I think I stayed awake for entire trip but was thankful for decent hotel at Sydney airport as needed to travel onward next day. It was nighttime in Aus by time I got there. No jet lag really but did fall ill on day three and that was grim as took a week to recover ... just about right to head back.

Passport control in Sydney is slow. When exiting remember to look at the information screen for which carousel your luggage is arriving at because the origin of flights is not displayed on the individual carousels. There is a duty free set up at Sydney on arrival so dont bother dragging bottles from Ireland ... prices in Sydney Airport outlet about the same (?)as Dublin and lot cheaper than their regular shops.

Hope it is a memorable wedding and worth the trip.

Don't wait until Sydney if you are buying cigarettes - they are very expensive, best to buy in Dublin as there may not be enough time between flights to get them en-route.

keithclancy

ifeelstupid wrote: »

Don't wait until Sydney if you are buying cigarettes - they are very expensive, best to buy in Dublin as there may not be enough time between flights to get them en-route.

You can only bring 50 cigarettes into Australia.

smurfjed

Get yourself some good quality eyeshades and earplugs, they will dramatically improve your standard of sleep.

You might also look at something like this...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00LB7REBE/ref=pe_385721_51767431_TE_dp_1

cobham

Yes agree with above poster. Etihad will supply you with some eyeshield but basic. You will also get a light blanket and cushion. I am not sure if they approve of earplugs in general when flying. I would recommend wax ones from Boots called Muffles, split one between both ears. There were significant amount of underage kids/babies that added to distractions.

Etihad supply a small cushion... too small for resting head on unless you can grab a couple. I had a small inflatable cushion and used Ehihad one to sit on to make seat more comfortable.

I made big mistake of selecting a seat that had no reclining function (toward rear of plane). If you have not already selected a seat, there are websites where such information is available as per type of aircraft

I managed to watch several films and that is how I passed the time and headphones supplied were ok but I notice some people had their own more fancy ones that they could use instead.

smurfjed

I am not sure if they approve of earplugs in general when flying

Why? Airlines actually give ear plugs in the passenger amenity bag for business class and first class.

The website that you referred to is www.seatguru.com

cobham

re ear plugs

I think they like to have passengers as alert as possible! perhaps it is only on landing/takeoff? The same argument goes for taking of sleeping tablets? In an emergency, staff will not have time to be rousing passengers.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

keithclancy

cobham wrote: »

re ear plugs

I think they like to have passengers as alert as possible! perhaps it is only on landing/takeoff? The same argument goes for taking of sleeping tablets? In an emergency, staff will not have time to be rousing passengers.

Nope, they don't control that.

Besides .. if the plane was going down I'd prefer to be asleep :P