Thanks Mitch for the great tips. I will definitely try the sleep/relax suggestion, the no food on the flight suggestion and the 15 minute nap upon arrival.....but the carry-on only I'm afraid is not possible for me!

Hi Mitch,

Some comments on your vid, which I certainly agree with in principle:-

Business Class - Unfortunately many of us haven't flow business class in a number of years - the economic climate means that the multinational / manufacturing industries (and many more) have new all-economy policies.

Sometimes it's possible to upgrade using miles or certificates, which is obviously preferable, but I have spent much more time "in the back of the bus" over the past 3-4 years unfortunately.
Therefore we need to make the best of what we've got.
I use www.seatguru.com or www.seatexpert.com to check out the best seats on unfamiliar planes, and even though you may have to spend a few $$ extra for the best exit-rows, it is very much worth it.

I'm based in Europe, so most flights to the US are day flights, and I use the time (without WiFi - no transatlantic carriers provide this yet) to catch-up on reading, work admin, music & movies.

Eastbound, I take day flights from East Coast US to Europe. They typically leave BOS/NYC in early morning and ensure that you can minimise the effect of jet-lag when you get to Europe. You'll likely already be tired from an early flight, and go to bed at normal time or later to give yourself a chance to get into "sleep mode".
Re: Eating on planes - I would always buy snacks, water, mints in the airport departures area - I like to be in control of my own eating patterns, and you never know what meal choice there will be on-board. I therefore supplement the airline meals with my own choices or don't eat much of the airline food at all.

Carry-on - definitely agree with you there.
I never check luggage, even for a week-long trip. I too use laundry at hotels when needed, or sometimes even purchase clothing locally. It can be cost-effective, particularly in the home-country of the clothing brand.
And there are lots of nice eyemask / pillow / blanket sets to be bought on the 'net - I particularly like www.flight001.com for travel items. They also have physical stores in some cities.

Hope this helps!

John P

I have been making 4 - 6 trips per year to Australia (from the US east coast) for the past six years. In my experience, battling jetlag depends on whether you're travelling east or west. When I travel west, I tend to stay awake on a flight and when I travel east, I try to sleep. I've developed a routine that allows me to rapidly adjust to major time zone shifts. Maybe I should submit a video>

And I have to side with Mitch on the checked luggage. It usually takes me four planes to get Down Under and I have been stranded in Chicago, Washington, and San Fransisco on multiple occasions without my checked bag. This year, I had two CONSECUTIVE trips in which I arrived in Melbourne and my bag did not. I learned after the first incident to make sure to have enough on my carry on for three days. Since my trips are usually about two weeks it's hard to get away with no checked luggage. However, thanks to this blog I've learned some tips and rededicated myself to never check luggage again.

I can do close to 10 days with my carry-on (I'll have a video up here on this in the coming weeks). If I must be gone for more than that, I surrender to doing laundry rather than checking my bags. I'd rather pay the astronomical fees for hotel laundry service than deal with being stuck.

Actually, that reminds me of another travel tip. I've started staying exclusively in managed apartments when I travel for more than a week. For an extra $20 to $40 per day, I end up saving money in the long run on food and laundry - plus I eat much healthier.

As always, thanks for giving me the space to do this. I'm a little embarrassed by how much of a business travel nerd I am. I actually love this stuff. So, thanks for doing a Blog on a topic that is so close to my heart :)

I travel 150k-200k per year, both domestic and international. I don't understand the big push for 'Carryon Only' drone. I *ALWAYS* check bags - I loose about 1-2 bags per year (that's less than 1%) - most of those are on the way home, so I don't care if my dirty clothes arrive home a couple hours late. (And then I don't have to schlep the bags home - they deliver them for free)

Out of 10 years of this level of travel, I've only been left without my luggage outbound three times, and each of those were back in my possession within a single day.

Now, I do travel with very large pelican cases with a bunch of electronics, so I don't have a carry-on choice. But with everyone touting carry-on only are just filling the overhead compartments, and filling all the spaces under your seat.

I also disagree with basically EVERYTHING Mitch says for international travel. I do the direct opposite, stay awake the entire time, eat everything they bring you, watch movies, read, work on projects.

I also used to use Business Class, and yet for the last five years, and miss the more comfortable seats - but you can still follow my plan and beat jet lag every single time.

I get up and walk every 90 minutes, a couple of laps around the plane. Laugh at all the people trying to sleep... knowing they will be having jet lag tomorrow...

The real trick is to ALWAYS check in the hotel, climb into bed and sleep no less than 4 hours as soon as you are on the ground in the new city. Then you HAVE TO get up and shower like a normal day. Shoot for between 2-3pm. Then go outside and walk, visit the sites, catch some sun, and then stay up as late as possible. Preferably at least till midnight. Then go to be and wake up at the normal time.

Just like magic, you will not have any jet lag!

To ensure jet lag, go to sleep in the new city before 11pm, try to get enough sleep on the flight, or trying sleeping pills. Just follow my simple rules.

Everyone I've taught this to now swears by it. It works with families, small children, teenagers, anyone who follows it.

It's alright to sleep on the flight, but don't force it, sleep when you are tired.

The entire 'trick' is the getting into bed, lights out, and getting a 'normal' type sleep. Then waking up to a 'normal' morning routine, followed by lots of walking and outside time. And the real biggie, DON'T FALL ASLEEP EARLY on the first night. If you do, you will fight the jet lag for days!

Yes, I know this 'blows' an entire work day at the new location. So...

___________

I do agree with Joel about getting on the plane early to get situated and ready for the flight so you can be kind to your neighbors.

Also, while I'm on a bit of a rant - Don't be rude and put your big huge bag in the overhead compartment 'early' before you get to your own row. Someone else might have their own needs for that space. And please don't bump your bags on everyone as you go down the aisles!

I'd love to follow this route, but I can't. I need to arrive and hit the ground running. I never have the luxury of being there with a day extra to sleep, etc... If I do, you can rest assured I will follow your tips and report back on how it works.

As for the carry-on, it's not about losing the luggage at all. It's about the flexibility. It's a lot harder to jump on a earlier flight or figure things out if a flight gets cancelled, changed, etc... when you are not in possession of your bag. I can't tell you how many times I could have switched to an earlier flight or have been stuck with a cancellation and at the mercy of the airline because I had checked baggage and they could not get me organized in time. On top of that, no checked baggage means you can check in a lot faster and be off of the plane and in a cab instead of waiting for your stuff.

I'm a bit jealous of you folks who don't need to carry lots of stuff in your travels. I don't have any choice on checked baggage. Bummer.

As for hitting the ground running. I always plan for the 'fix jetlag' day in the calendar.

If you have to work as soon as you arrive, then your 'sleep the entire flight' is the only option.

Thanks for sharing.