Could the in-flight service be structured differently to help break jetlag?
 

Just finished the first 24 hours of a 2 week trip to Hong Kong from London and feel pretty rubbish. I've never done this length (or this direction) of long haul before. Plenty of experience of London - New York. That kills me for 48 hours both ways too.

So yeah I'm rubbish with jetlag and a wuss. But I was thinking tonight, could the in flight service be structured differently in order to help you adjust?

We boarded the aircraft Saturday night, after a couple of hours there was a dinner. Then lights out. Then 90 mins before landing wake up and breakfast. You land and it's 5:30pm on Sunday.

Would it have been better to have no dinner service immediately but lights out. Then wake after 6 hours for breakfast then an "afternoon tea" before landing?

I'm sure there are lots of experts on this and there is a reason (or reasons) for keeping the aircraft on a "UK time cycle" for the flight, just wondering what more experienced long haulers (and the professionals) think?

I like to sit by a window so I can keep my body clock to natural time - if it's light outside I stay awake, if it's dark I try to sleep. I've had several "discussions" with cabin staff asking me to shut the blind when it's a beautiful view below in the middle of the day, but they want passengers to sleep.

My system seems to work when I'm allowed to do it, it just means either a short day or a long day depending on which way you're going.

We dont want passengers to sleep...they want to sleep.

For every passenger I have with a window open on a long flight I have about 10 asking me to tell them to shut it!

Open the window; stop enroute
 

For pax:

Open the window and see the sun and clouds. :cool:

Stop enroute and spend the night. :ok:


For c/c:

Catch a snooze in an empty f/c or b/c seat; cover yourself with blanket, and no one will bother you; and the purser will not know you are missing. :}

Acceptance is one key: Our body clock was never designed for transcontinental flights at jet speed, so accept that it will need some time to adjust. Live in your own "Jet lag time zone" until you are adapted to local time.
I can do business in the US the day after I arrive from Europe, often going to bed at 7 or 8 pm local time. Getting up early (4 am), doing some work before breakfast... I accept that it will take about a week to get to a normal day-night rhythm (and avoid planning evening activities that week)
I did not find a good scheme for the flight back home (eastwards), but I found getting some sleep on the plane is beneficial; having sunny weather at home also helps to get back in sync more quickly.

N.B. It is possible to get dehydrated on long flights. Be sure to drink enough water before, during and after your flight. The symptoms of dehydration are pretty much the same as that of a hangover: having a headache and a general "bad" feeling.

All that I have ever read and experienced is that each body adapts at it's own rate. Also that, as the body ages, it adapts more slowly. The snake oil merchants are still making money out of pills and potions to change jet lag but, as MathFox says, our bodies may take a while to evolve this skill. His suggestions of planning are good but sometimes on a short trip you just have to slog through. I've had clients not allow for jet lag and I was falling asleep in the presentations. That was their mistake because they tried to save money.

I recall returning from NYC on a Friday morning and going straight to work and feeling fine. I slept well on the Friday night and very late on the Saturday. That night I went to a party and was able to party (literally) all night and was way ahead of the other guests. By the Sunday I still felt fine and thought that I had found the cure for jet lag to be going to an all night party. I was 33 and felt great. That is, until the Monday morning ... :eek: :sad: :ooh: :=

Personally speaking, and it goes against a lot of professional wisdom, I try as best I can to keep my eating and sleeping pattern tuned to home. i.e. when I go the USA I am that dude first down for breakfast at 5.30 and won't eat after 3pm. It works for me.

jet lag
 

first post, so please be gentle.

have done a few long haul trips now. best way is to break the journey and spend a day or so after each leg. not possible all the time i know. i like the idea of aligning to local time, i will try that next time. i always try align with the time of my destination. going west seems to work, but going east is difficult. agree with the dehydration thing, on a recent 14 hour flight, we were like camels and drank everything that was put in front of us, and still dry when we arrived. also alcohol on the flight big no no. unfortunately, still pretty wrecked for a day or more. fell asleep at my work, much embarrassment for me, good job i don't operate machinery for a living. thanks for listening.:)

Just to show that there is only a personal way to deal with this and NO general process or panacea ... :=

I rarely get dehydrated and just drink normally. I have a low tolerance of alcohol and get tipsy very easily BUT find that alcohol has much less effect on me at altitude and can drink much more than usual. :ok:

I leave my watch on departure time until I land and then alter to arrival. If on holiday, I sleep when my body wants to. If working, I drive on through and try to arrange meetings in some sensible fashion. Sometimes it's easy and sometimes not. :zzz: