The BEST way to fly to EUROPE?
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Date: 2023-08-28
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Comments and reviews: 30
hpfend
favourite alliance definitely Star Alliance. Then again with Innsbruck as my homebase it is pretty much the only option. Nearest Hubs are Munich, Vienna, Zurich and Frankfurt.
Other than that it would be skyteam as I fly aeromexico quite a bit when the price is right.
I think arriving early in the morning isn't too bad.
Flown many times Munich-Mexico City-Munich nonstop when they used to have the arrival in Mexico City around 4: 15am, therefore avoiding heavy traffic that greets you when arriving late afternoon from Frankfurt. and in the past they had those 10: 40am departures from Mexico City arriving 5am in Munich. I would be home by 8am in Innsbruck and somtimes still head to the office in the afternoon on the same day. That worked out great only if I was able to snag a seat in business class and sleep at least 5 hours on the flight. in economy that would be near unthinkable. but i did that once, and i looked and felt terrible.
early arrival after a 12 hour flight and then try to last as long as possible in the day and then sleep early enough to get a long sleep after arriving, that would be my favourite way to travel and keep jetlag to a minimum.
then again NYC to London is a much shorter hop.
most brutal journeys were when I had to travel between Malaysia and Mexico. there simply isn't a way to outsmart jetlag on such long journeys.
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favourite alliance definitely Star Alliance. Then again with Innsbruck as my homebase it is pretty much the only option. Nearest Hubs are Munich, Vienna, Zurich and Frankfurt.
Other than that it would be skyteam as I fly aeromexico quite a bit when the price is right.
I think arriving early in the morning isn't too bad.
Flown many times Munich-Mexico City-Munich nonstop when they used to have the arrival in Mexico City around 4: 15am, therefore avoiding heavy traffic that greets you when arriving late afternoon from Frankfurt. and in the past they had those 10: 40am departures from Mexico City arriving 5am in Munich. I would be home by 8am in Innsbruck and somtimes still head to the office in the afternoon on the same day. That worked out great only if I was able to snag a seat in business class and sleep at least 5 hours on the flight. in economy that would be near unthinkable. but i did that once, and i looked and felt terrible.
early arrival after a 12 hour flight and then try to last as long as possible in the day and then sleep early enough to get a long sleep after arriving, that would be my favourite way to travel and keep jetlag to a minimum.
then again NYC to London is a much shorter hop.
most brutal journeys were when I had to travel between Malaysia and Mexico. there simply isn't a way to outsmart jetlag on such long journeys.
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David
I like that they offer this service. I wish they also offered a similar timed service to other destinations in Europe and North America. Im kind of the type of person who can more or less sleep when I feel like it. As such jet lag isnt a huge problem for me. I usually will sleep for a few hours on a flight to Europe. When I arrive I am usually quite tired but I do try to stay up until evening before going to bed. If you know you wont be able to sleep on the flight to Europe my recommendation is to either try and book a flight that arrives in Europe in the afternoon as opposed to an early morning arrival or book an itinerary that requires a connecting flight at a European airport so that youll arrive a little later in the day at your final destination. I really like flying to Asia because the flights to there arrive in the early evening meaning you can basically just go to bed when you arrive. They do however arrive earlier in the day coming back.
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I like that they offer this service. I wish they also offered a similar timed service to other destinations in Europe and North America. Im kind of the type of person who can more or less sleep when I feel like it. As such jet lag isnt a huge problem for me. I usually will sleep for a few hours on a flight to Europe. When I arrive I am usually quite tired but I do try to stay up until evening before going to bed. If you know you wont be able to sleep on the flight to Europe my recommendation is to either try and book a flight that arrives in Europe in the afternoon as opposed to an early morning arrival or book an itinerary that requires a connecting flight at a European airport so that youll arrive a little later in the day at your final destination. I really like flying to Asia because the flights to there arrive in the early evening meaning you can basically just go to bed when you arrive. They do however arrive earlier in the day coming back.
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JA
The daytime service to London is a real game changer but unfortunately many travelers are still stuck on flying overnight to the capital. There are so many benefits to taking a daytime flight vs a overnight flight. One being that you manage jetlag faster and you're not a zombie for the first two days lol. Another benefit that many don't think about is that your hotel room will be ready upon arrival. When you arrive in the morning there's a chance your hotel room will not be ready unless you pre-booked the night before which many business travelers are now starting to do to alleviate this headache especially during the peak summer months. Now the London daytime flights don't work as well if you're connecting to another city. But if London is your final and you live near or can connect easily to JFK EWR IAD BOS ORD I would highly recommend. You will definitely notice the difference.
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The daytime service to London is a real game changer but unfortunately many travelers are still stuck on flying overnight to the capital. There are so many benefits to taking a daytime flight vs a overnight flight. One being that you manage jetlag faster and you're not a zombie for the first two days lol. Another benefit that many don't think about is that your hotel room will be ready upon arrival. When you arrive in the morning there's a chance your hotel room will not be ready unless you pre-booked the night before which many business travelers are now starting to do to alleviate this headache especially during the peak summer months. Now the London daytime flights don't work as well if you're connecting to another city. But if London is your final and you live near or can connect easily to JFK EWR IAD BOS ORD I would highly recommend. You will definitely notice the difference.
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Deb
In 2013 and 2014, I was flying to London from Boston every month to six weeks. Coming from Boston, I usually flew United, Virgin, or BA. On the first day in London on each trip, I was mostly useless because of the jet lag.
On the advice of a friend, I finally tried the daily BA daytime flight. Boston 7 a. m. departure, London arrival at 7 p. m. Car to my hotel in the Docklands, late dinner and drinks with colleagues, go to bed at 11 p. m. local timeand the next morning, I hit the ground running. Wont claim the jet lag was 100% gone, but that day flight meant I was amazingly (some of my reports claimed frighteningly) productive and sharp.
The flights fill relatively fast, and there is rarely a price break, but you can become addicted to that routing inonce.
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In 2013 and 2014, I was flying to London from Boston every month to six weeks. Coming from Boston, I usually flew United, Virgin, or BA. On the first day in London on each trip, I was mostly useless because of the jet lag.
On the advice of a friend, I finally tried the daily BA daytime flight. Boston 7 a. m. departure, London arrival at 7 p. m. Car to my hotel in the Docklands, late dinner and drinks with colleagues, go to bed at 11 p. m. local timeand the next morning, I hit the ground running. Wont claim the jet lag was 100% gone, but that day flight meant I was amazingly (some of my reports claimed frighteningly) productive and sharp.
The flights fill relatively fast, and there is rarely a price break, but you can become addicted to that routing inonce.
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Neil
I do my flights to Europe differently. I will be flying next month on United Polaris. MCO-IAD-CDG. I hate getting up early to get to the airport using Uber or bothering my wife for a ride, so i choose this flight that leave MCO at 3: 30pm arrive IAD at around 6pm, then i have about 4 hours to spend at The Polaris Lounge. before boarding my flight that leave at 11pm and arrive CDG at 12: 45pm. That way i can go to bed and wake up at my usual time, my wife can give me a ride to the airport, we only live 25 mins away from MCO. I will go to sleep right after dinner and wake up right before we land. will have enough drinks at the lounge, so no need to drink while in flight. hope to get at least 5 hours sleep. I prefer to fly during sun light, but can't have it all.
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I do my flights to Europe differently. I will be flying next month on United Polaris. MCO-IAD-CDG. I hate getting up early to get to the airport using Uber or bothering my wife for a ride, so i choose this flight that leave MCO at 3: 30pm arrive IAD at around 6pm, then i have about 4 hours to spend at The Polaris Lounge. before boarding my flight that leave at 11pm and arrive CDG at 12: 45pm. That way i can go to bed and wake up at my usual time, my wife can give me a ride to the airport, we only live 25 mins away from MCO. I will go to sleep right after dinner and wake up right before we land. will have enough drinks at the lounge, so no need to drink while in flight. hope to get at least 5 hours sleep. I prefer to fly during sun light, but can't have it all.
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Blair
Taking the earliest flight in the afternoon works too. A 4-5pm out of EWR/JFK lands around Midnight EST time in FRA/MAD/MXP. By the time your in your hotel it's 1AM EST, you sleep 4-5 hours and now its NOON loca CEST time. Gives you a solid 12 hours of up time and then your in bed at Normal CEST time for the next day. I find it's a decent way to break things up. If your forced to sleep on the plane then the latest possible east coast departure works too because then your sleeping at your normal east coast sleep time. (but actually falling asleep on the plane is a different story)
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Taking the earliest flight in the afternoon works too. A 4-5pm out of EWR/JFK lands around Midnight EST time in FRA/MAD/MXP. By the time your in your hotel it's 1AM EST, you sleep 4-5 hours and now its NOON loca CEST time. Gives you a solid 12 hours of up time and then your in bed at Normal CEST time for the next day. I find it's a decent way to break things up. If your forced to sleep on the plane then the latest possible east coast departure works too because then your sleeping at your normal east coast sleep time. (but actually falling asleep on the plane is a different story)
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Pierre
Thanks Jeb and Suzanne for this topic very important to me! Living in Europe, I have to say that only the perspective to fly back overnight without sleep is a big down point for me to go to America. Next time I go, I will try to plan one of these day flights. Btw BOS-LHR on BA arrives even early enough to allow some connections to Continental Europe. One last point, in a more exotic note: there is one more seasonal weekly daytime transatlantic flight starting 20. 06. on a very niche market, and it's even a domestic one: FSP-CDG on Air Saint Pierre.
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Thanks Jeb and Suzanne for this topic very important to me! Living in Europe, I have to say that only the perspective to fly back overnight without sleep is a big down point for me to go to America. Next time I go, I will try to plan one of these day flights. Btw BOS-LHR on BA arrives even early enough to allow some connections to Continental Europe. One last point, in a more exotic note: there is one more seasonal weekly daytime transatlantic flight starting 20. 06. on a very niche market, and it's even a domestic one: FSP-CDG on Air Saint Pierre.
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PixelatedLlama
I don't travel business class, but United it by far my least favorite airline with whom to fly transcontinential. I've flown with United over the Atlantic and over the Pacific. The food and service is just usually a notch lower than that of Delta and American; SkyTeam and OneWorld members like Virgin Australia and British Airways; and even Star Alliance partners of United's like TAP Portugal, SAS, and Lufthansa.
In the last month I've flown from D. C -> Frankfurt and Frankfurt -> Chicago on United, and it reaffirmed my feelings.
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I don't travel business class, but United it by far my least favorite airline with whom to fly transcontinential. I've flown with United over the Atlantic and over the Pacific. The food and service is just usually a notch lower than that of Delta and American; SkyTeam and OneWorld members like Virgin Australia and British Airways; and even Star Alliance partners of United's like TAP Portugal, SAS, and Lufthansa.
In the last month I've flown from D. C -> Frankfurt and Frankfurt -> Chicago on United, and it reaffirmed my feelings.
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90293Mike
Over the years my strategy has changed, but as I approach 70 here is my current plan. I normally fly from LAX to LHR and United has a departing flight around 1 PM, lands at Heathrow appx 7 AM London time. I then go to a dayroom at a T4 hotel (there are usually multiple hotels to choose from. I go to sleep at 10 AM London time, really tired, and sleep for 5 hours ONLY, get up at 3 PM, then transfer to my London hotel. That night I sleep for maybe another 5 hours, getting up at 5 AM or so. And I feel great and Im ready to go from there.
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Over the years my strategy has changed, but as I approach 70 here is my current plan. I normally fly from LAX to LHR and United has a departing flight around 1 PM, lands at Heathrow appx 7 AM London time. I then go to a dayroom at a T4 hotel (there are usually multiple hotels to choose from. I go to sleep at 10 AM London time, really tired, and sleep for 5 hours ONLY, get up at 3 PM, then transfer to my London hotel. That night I sleep for maybe another 5 hours, getting up at 5 AM or so. And I feel great and Im ready to go from there.
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Lukas
This sounds great for East Coast flights!
We tried this from San Francisco recently: There was a relatively late flight (7: 30 PM) to Frankfurt with United, scheduled to land at 3: 20 PM local time. That's much more manageable than arriving with an earlier flight, which usually flock into FRA between 6 and 11 in the morning. We usually have problems adjusting to being back home after a trip to the US and are jetlagged for days, but this time I managed to work the next day and was back to usual a day later. Would do it again like that
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This sounds great for East Coast flights!
We tried this from San Francisco recently: There was a relatively late flight (7: 30 PM) to Frankfurt with United, scheduled to land at 3: 20 PM local time. That's much more manageable than arriving with an earlier flight, which usually flock into FRA between 6 and 11 in the morning. We usually have problems adjusting to being back home after a trip to the US and are jetlagged for days, but this time I managed to work the next day and was back to usual a day later. Would do it again like that
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themoley91
If airlines would only fly from North America to Europe in the morning here it would be a lot better, but there's only a handful of those flights and they're expensive in my experience. For the overnight ones the best way to deal with it is to just stay up all night, find something to do in the morning (walking tours are a good way to stay awake, try to check in early and take a nap for an hour or two, go out and do something low-key, then crash around 8-9pm. Then you wake up early the next day generally on European time.
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If airlines would only fly from North America to Europe in the morning here it would be a lot better, but there's only a handful of those flights and they're expensive in my experience. For the overnight ones the best way to deal with it is to just stay up all night, find something to do in the morning (walking tours are a good way to stay awake, try to check in early and take a nap for an hour or two, go out and do something low-key, then crash around 8-9pm. Then you wake up early the next day generally on European time.
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Midwest
I flew in and out of EWR 88 times one year for work. One thing I found to be more consistent than anything. if it even sprinkles a drop, you're delayed 2 hours. Once got on UAL flight to ORD from EWR, fell asleep at the gate, slept for 1. 5 hours, and woke up just to find out, we were still at the gate and the airport was in gridlock. I do not miss EWR much because of the time I spent waiting on delays in and out of that general area of the country. Glad to see you had clear skies Jeb.
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I flew in and out of EWR 88 times one year for work. One thing I found to be more consistent than anything. if it even sprinkles a drop, you're delayed 2 hours. Once got on UAL flight to ORD from EWR, fell asleep at the gate, slept for 1. 5 hours, and woke up just to find out, we were still at the gate and the airport was in gridlock. I do not miss EWR much because of the time I spent waiting on delays in and out of that general area of the country. Glad to see you had clear skies Jeb.
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Frank
The only way to avoid the jet lag at least for Europeans was the Concorde which allowed you to fly into JFK in the morning and to return in the late evening at 10pm London time. For me actually the late flights from NYC to Frankfurt provided by SIA on the A380 with comfy Business Class seats (currently 777) are just perfect, good meal in the Virgin Club lounge and then skip the meals on board for a solid 6 hours sleep arriving at 10 am in Frankfurt.
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The only way to avoid the jet lag at least for Europeans was the Concorde which allowed you to fly into JFK in the morning and to return in the late evening at 10pm London time. For me actually the late flights from NYC to Frankfurt provided by SIA on the A380 with comfy Business Class seats (currently 777) are just perfect, good meal in the Virgin Club lounge and then skip the meals on board for a solid 6 hours sleep arriving at 10 am in Frankfurt.
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travel
Nice! Being a fellow NC resident, you no doubt know this, but AA out of CLT now have 3 LHR flights a day when it used to be two. Why on Earth they didnt make the new third flight a morning (even 11am getting in at 11pm UK time) flight is pretty surprising. They have the two usual ones between 7-9pm and the new third flight is at 11: 20pm. Ugh. Pretty sure wed even get a real gate at LHR by landing at night instead of the usual stairs and bus to T3
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Nice! Being a fellow NC resident, you no doubt know this, but AA out of CLT now have 3 LHR flights a day when it used to be two. Why on Earth they didnt make the new third flight a morning (even 11am getting in at 11pm UK time) flight is pretty surprising. They have the two usual ones between 7-9pm and the new third flight is at 11: 20pm. Ugh. Pretty sure wed even get a real gate at LHR by landing at night instead of the usual stairs and bus to T3
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Adam
I will always take the day flight back from the east coast. Even if that means staying an extra night after my job requirements, As opposed to taking an over night flight. I live in London so after landing I know I'll be in my own bed in 45mins after getting my luggage. An east coast day flight is without one of the best ways to reduce jet lag and one of my best travel tips.
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I will always take the day flight back from the east coast. Even if that means staying an extra night after my job requirements, As opposed to taking an over night flight. I live in London so after landing I know I'll be in my own bed in 45mins after getting my luggage. An east coast day flight is without one of the best ways to reduce jet lag and one of my best travel tips.
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Kent
Also a fan of the daytime departure and staying awake if flying SYD to US East Coast. Arriving into NYC or BOS in the evening of the day we left (after 24 hours flying - we usually fly via East Asia, grab dinner and then to bed sees us sort of OK on our first day. Flying back is all sorts of pain, and I haven't really found a solution - day 2 is the biggest problem.
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Also a fan of the daytime departure and staying awake if flying SYD to US East Coast. Arriving into NYC or BOS in the evening of the day we left (after 24 hours flying - we usually fly via East Asia, grab dinner and then to bed sees us sort of OK on our first day. Flying back is all sorts of pain, and I haven't really found a solution - day 2 is the biggest problem.
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Mike
Mentioned in this video in-flight service starts at 33, 000 feed; My biggest complaint about United is that they always wait until they are at 30Kish altitude before letting you move around. Other airlines do not wait this long. Maybe they have their reasons, but I've always suspected they do this to keep you out of the way of the flight attendants.
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Mentioned in this video in-flight service starts at 33, 000 feed; My biggest complaint about United is that they always wait until they are at 30Kish altitude before letting you move around. Other airlines do not wait this long. Maybe they have their reasons, but I've always suspected they do this to keep you out of the way of the flight attendants.
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Marc
Best way to beat jet lag is to know what time you're going to arrive and plan to either stay up or sleep on the flight. For example. going to Europe from SFO, take the afternoon flight to FRA or CDG, sleep on the flight and land in the morning. You're automatically on CET time zone. That of course, is if you're fine sleeping on a plane.
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Best way to beat jet lag is to know what time you're going to arrive and plan to either stay up or sleep on the flight. For example. going to Europe from SFO, take the afternoon flight to FRA or CDG, sleep on the flight and land in the morning. You're automatically on CET time zone. That of course, is if you're fine sleeping on a plane.
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azjoe_63
I was up at 6 in Phoenix. Flew to Warsaw via JFK and Helsinki. Hardly any sleep on planes-maybe 90 minutes total. Got to hotel at 2pm Warsaw (5am Phx. Hit site-seeing for 3 hours or so. Back in hotel at 6pm (9am. Didnt plan but fell asleep at 630 and slept 12 hours. I was immediately on Warsaw time with no jet-lag for next 3 weeks.
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I was up at 6 in Phoenix. Flew to Warsaw via JFK and Helsinki. Hardly any sleep on planes-maybe 90 minutes total. Got to hotel at 2pm Warsaw (5am Phx. Hit site-seeing for 3 hours or so. Back in hotel at 6pm (9am. Didnt plan but fell asleep at 630 and slept 12 hours. I was immediately on Warsaw time with no jet-lag for next 3 weeks.
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Gillian
I did this flight with BA in June 2022 with my 2 children. I chose it because i knew doing a 6hr overnight would be bad for the kids - they'd be upset & cranky for not getting enough sleep. Instead they got to watch a couple of movies and we much happier in a daytime flight which meant my husband & I were happy too!
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I did this flight with BA in June 2022 with my 2 children. I chose it because i knew doing a 6hr overnight would be bad for the kids - they'd be upset & cranky for not getting enough sleep. Instead they got to watch a couple of movies and we much happier in a daytime flight which meant my husband & I were happy too!
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Ethan
I've traveled to Europe twice before and both times I wasn't really affected by the jet lag. I'm not sure what I did to minimize the effects, but my body adapted to the time change pretty well. Traveling back to the US is a whole other story. Both times I felt completely exhausted and tired upon arriving back home.
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I've traveled to Europe twice before and both times I wasn't really affected by the jet lag. I'm not sure what I did to minimize the effects, but my body adapted to the time change pretty well. Traveling back to the US is a whole other story. Both times I felt completely exhausted and tired upon arriving back home.
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Kat
Before traveling to Europe to prevent jet lag I will adjust my watch 8 hours ahead of time (Im in San Francisco) a day or two before my flight eating and sleeping. I always take a day flight and just nap an hour. I find this works and adjusting to the new time and lagging only a day instead of a couple of days.
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Before traveling to Europe to prevent jet lag I will adjust my watch 8 hours ahead of time (Im in San Francisco) a day or two before my flight eating and sleeping. I always take a day flight and just nap an hour. I find this works and adjusting to the new time and lagging only a day instead of a couple of days.
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Richard
Coming back from SFO to LHR. Leave SFO late in evening for Toronto. Sleep on that flight. Treat that as night
Get to Toronto very early in morning there. Have breakfast on that flight, STAY AWAKE. Have a slightly early night when you get to London. Body clock is adjusted fine you're just a bit tired.
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Coming back from SFO to LHR. Leave SFO late in evening for Toronto. Sleep on that flight. Treat that as night
Get to Toronto very early in morning there. Have breakfast on that flight, STAY AWAKE. Have a slightly early night when you get to London. Body clock is adjusted fine you're just a bit tired.
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Bakazinha
Keep in mind that bedtime isnt the same in southern Europe as in the northern parts. In Denmark most people go to bed around 10 pm and eat dinner at 6-7 pm, while in Spain and other southern countries, its not uncommon to head out to eat at a restaurant at 10-11 pm and go to bed at 1-2 am
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Keep in mind that bedtime isnt the same in southern Europe as in the northern parts. In Denmark most people go to bed around 10 pm and eat dinner at 6-7 pm, while in Spain and other southern countries, its not uncommon to head out to eat at a restaurant at 10-11 pm and go to bed at 1-2 am
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Andrew
Im still young, but my biggest jetlag successes have been landing in Europe in the morning, drinking 2 or so coffees during the day, and staying up with no naps as late as possible, usually by going to the club until 2: 00am. After that, I go to sleep and Im fine the next morning.
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Im still young, but my biggest jetlag successes have been landing in Europe in the morning, drinking 2 or so coffees during the day, and staying up with no naps as late as possible, usually by going to the club until 2: 00am. After that, I go to sleep and Im fine the next morning.
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Aviation
I thought all transatlantic east bound flights left late in the day to arrive in the morning. I know its different with cargo airlines but I didnt know PAX airlines will also takeoff in the morning for east bound transatlantic flights. Learn something new everyday.
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I thought all transatlantic east bound flights left late in the day to arrive in the morning. I know its different with cargo airlines but I didnt know PAX airlines will also takeoff in the morning for east bound transatlantic flights. Learn something new everyday.
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chrisbungostudios
This is the best way to do TATL. Have done this several times JFK-LHR, once on BA and a few times on AA. I prefer the AA flight as it leaves around 10am (give or take) so you don't have to get up super early (BA usually leaves around 8am.
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This is the best way to do TATL. Have done this several times JFK-LHR, once on BA and a few times on AA. I prefer the AA flight as it leaves around 10am (give or take) so you don't have to get up super early (BA usually leaves around 8am.
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Lynette
Just did essentially the same on American from Chicago to Londonflew from our home airport to Chicago the night before and stayed in a hotel then left for London at 8: 30am central time. Flying through the day was the best! Essentially no jet lag.
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Just did essentially the same on American from Chicago to Londonflew from our home airport to Chicago the night before and stayed in a hotel then left for London at 8: 30am central time. Flying through the day was the best! Essentially no jet lag.
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Scott
Arriving at night is the best way to do it. I take the morning flights to NY and it works great. I get to NY at 8: 30 pm get to hotel by 9: 30 or 10 and go to sleep. Never had issue with jet lag. It does cost you an extra night in hotel though.
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Arriving at night is the best way to do it. I take the morning flights to NY and it works great. I get to NY at 8: 30 pm get to hotel by 9: 30 or 10 and go to sleep. Never had issue with jet lag. It does cost you an extra night in hotel though.
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Bryan
Agreed. I took EWR or IAD-LHR daytime flights all the time. But I connect from CLE with a 6am flight. Easier than staying in jersey one night. Also, when you get to London, youll sleep just fine since Im up at 4am for the first flight.
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Agreed. I took EWR or IAD-LHR daytime flights all the time. But I connect from CLE with a 6am flight. Easier than staying in jersey one night. Also, when you get to London, youll sleep just fine since Im up at 4am for the first flight.
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