I just read Mike's post today and he was asking for advice on how to make the flight not miserable. Seeing as a 3 hour flight makes me want to leap physically out of the plane and fall to earth while laughing maniacally (still while clutching my inflight beverage), does anyone have any advice about flights to Melbourne for those who would want to go to AUS some day? What airline would you use and where would you layover potentially? Laying over in Hong Kong sounds... less than pleasurable to me, but I have no idea!
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However if you would rather break it up, my favourite stops are Hawaii or my old leg which takes me through the best places, Singapore Airlines do San Francisco to Singapore via a quick stop (literally, get off, do security, get back on the plane) in Hong Kong. Singapore's Changi Airport is THE GREATEST airport in the world. It has a free movie theater with space for your carry on luggage, great shopping, great food, a butterfly enclosure to chill out in, massages, lounges looking over the tarmac to watch planes land and take off. One year I was there a few weeks before the first Singapore F1 GP and they had a Ferrari F1 simulator and it was AWESOME.
Also, stop over in San Francisco is great. Love it there, good food, good people, good drinks. I highly recommend finding episodes from The Layover by Anthony Bourdain.
Here's a few tips for sanity:
For everyone else's sanity:
http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1
Drink a lot of water, I prefer to fly Premium economy (it's better than other airlines Prem Econ) on a 777 via Auckland otherwise centre aisle seat as you have a good chance of a spare seat next to you if you're solo. Bring multiple light changes of clothing (shorts, t-shirt, jocks & socks) and basic toiletries. Have a shower at airport you can.
Take sleeping drugs on flights longer than ten hours. Don't bother trying to move your body clock in advance of the trip.
Laptops if you get stuck at an airport for entertainment. Also a well known credit card for the same. Saved my life when I got stuck in Singapore due to a volcano for seven days.
There are million tips online but the above works for me.
Biggest thing, positive attitude, trick yourself. It really works!