What is it like flying transatlantic or pacific like from the Americas to Europe or Asia?
I've never flown to Europe or Asia and does it feel any different than flying over land? Can you see the ocean if you look down from the window? Do you get a different feeling when you approach London, Paris, or Tokyo?
Other - Europe - 7 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I've flown back and forth from the U.S. to Asia way too many times. It sucks. The flight's long, and it's just grey/blue outside. It's much more interesting to fly over land.
2 :
The ocean part is boring! I've been to Europe once (Athens), and I thought it was really cool flying over the continent... But it's mostly a matter of just because it's a new and exotic place, if you understand what I mean.
3 :
You do get to see the ocean but at 35000 feet there isn't much too see. Usually relief at landing not from a safety point of view but plans get stuffy. There is also the anticipation of a destination on a bigger trip.
4 :
Horrible, they beat you and touch your no no spots
5 :
The other answers have (mostly) good information. You can't see much from 35,000+ feet and anyway most of a trans-Atlantic eastbound flight is at night. Flying acroos the Pacific you see a lot of water below, unless it's cloudy - then you see the tops of the clouds. Some advie on jet lag: More than about 6 hours in an airplane is really tough and the result is usually called "jet lag". The time change is part of "jet lag", but only part. For example, people experience jet lag when traveling from North America to South America even when they don't change time zones. Dehydration caused by dry air in the cabin is as important as the time change, and dehydration can be cumulative + aggravated by your environment/activities before the flight. Jet lag can be much worse on the return leg of a relatively short trip because you never really recovered from the lag incurred on the first leg. It can also be aggravated by what you do between trips. I have not found anything that eliminates jet lag, but staying hydrated helps reduce it. Water and non-carbonated liquids are best. Avoid drinking alcohol or a lot of anything with caffeine, including colas. Wear clothing that is comfortable. Especially avoid tight clothing or shoes - your body will swell during a long flight. Sleeping on the flight (even if it isn't very good sleep) also helps. A sleep mask (like www.mindfold.com) and earplugs may help you sleep. You can choose to take something to help you sleep on the plane, but try it first. Many sleep aids can make you groggy long after you need to wake up. I just use aspirin. Get up and walk around every few hours. Do some stretching exercises - there is usually room by the exterior doors. Most airlines really try to provide good in-flight entertainment on long distance flights. The airline’s website may list the films & music available and may even give the menu. However, you can’t absolutely count on the in-flight entertainment. Bring one or more books that you have started and know you like. It is really annoying to open a new book on a flight and realize you don't find it interesting. Things like an I-Pod, Gameboy or PSP, MP3 player, and non-electronic options like crossword puzzles are a good idea. If you have a long layover during the trip, check with the airline(s) to see if you can purchase ($25 to $50) a 1-day pass to their airport lounge. Lounges offer a comfortable, safe place to wait between flights and refreshments are included in the membership. Some lounges even have showers (a Godsend after a long flight). Delta's Crown Room and United's Red Carpet Club are examples. You will be wasted when you get to your destination so don't schedule anything important the day you get there. At least try to avoid driving a car - take taxis. Speed your body's adjustment to local time by living on the local schedule: Stay awake until local bedtime at your destination and stay in bed until local morning. If you absolutely must take a nap make sure you don't sleep more than 3 hours. Eat meals at the normal local time. And so on. It still takes me 1 day per hour of time change to fully adjust (a 7 hour time difference takes me a full week to get over).
6 :
Hi I flew many times transatlantic or not and have to say that once going from Switzerland to India, I made a strange experience... the captian told us that the light we can see from the plane are from Irak and I had to say that imagining that some people there might be in war and suffering or dying really touch me... it was a very strange feeling.. usually you see such things at the TV everyday but when you are near and able to see some lights from the country... this is very different...
7 :
Very long trip. You can see the ocean in you sit by the window as long as it's not cloudy. Some airlines have cameras installed in front of the plane and bellow, so you can see everything without a window - live, as you are watching the TV set in front of you. The feeling is different, when I've seen US city for the first time, I was really surprised, the buildings are in straight lines, while Europe is like Tijuana hills almost....all packed..
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