[CheekyKids]

Could all you savvy travellers help with choosing flights to minimise jetlag please? (And yes, I realise jetlag is going to be bad with either option!)

Sydney to London, New York to Sydney:

Option 1
Departing Sydney at 6 am - arriving at 8.15pm with 1 hour 15 min stopover in Dubai
Departing New York at 11.20 am - arriving at 7 am two days later with 2 hr 30 min stopover in Dubai

Option 2
Departing Sydney at 4pm- arriving at 6:30am the next day with1 hour 15 min stopover in Dubai
Departing New York at 10 pm - arriving at 8:40am 2 days later with 2 hour stopover in Los Angeles

Of the two options, there is one airline that I'd prefer to fly with due to great feedback on their customer service, but I would like to consider the jetlag as well.

Thanks.

This post has been edited by CheekyKids: 23/02/2013, 06:55 AM

[MrsLexiK]

It's a tough one, I personally can't sleep in planes even when I'm in the pointy end I can't. I never have been able to whether it is a night flight or day flight or whatever. I find though that flying does make me tired so arriving in the afternoon (where possible) I try and do and there is sometime to explore, an early dinner and then bed. Of course doesn't normally work out this way, with flight times!

[Penguin78]

In my experience, I find it easier to arrive mid afternoon. Then you check in to accom, have dinner then go to bed at 8.30pm.
If you do arrive in the morning have a nap late morning or early afternoon but set your alarm and don't sleep for more then two hours. Then go to bed at 9.30pm.

Doing this, trying to get into normal routine from day 1 has been the best combat against jetlag.

[Ehill]

Option 1 for me.

However, you dont say the actual flight times. If the flight back via LA was a much shorter flight time I would take that one. Same flight time, option 1 for sure. Also LA is revolting for a stopover. At least in Dubai you could find a shower and have something decent to eat.

Just saw 10pm departure from NY on option 2, yuck!

[minidiamond]

Can't understand how you'd depart NYC at 10pm and get to LA in time to get those flights out to Sydney ? I have found doing a night in LA helps if you can (ie rather than go all the way from NYC to Sydney).

In any case, that 2 hour stopover will go very quickly because you'll have to transfer to the other terminal etc, depending on airline.

[*LucyE*]

Are you travelling with kids or without? How old are the kids if you are travelling with them?

If I'm flying without kids, I prefer to go non stop and arrive in the morning. I nap on the plane (it's never good quality sleep so not quite refreshing) and stay awake for the first day to adjust. Go to bed early and am right the next day.

Flying with young kids, I have at least a day (usually more) stop over. Yes, it drags out transit times but going at a leisurely pace is so much less stressful for all concerned. I prefer to fly at night with the kids but early evening/late arvo flight so they are not ratty at the airport. I find travelling with kids exhausts me even when they are angels so I also try to minimize transit times at the destination. After being cooped up, they need some space to stretch out without rigid rules and I need space without having to manage them.

Flying anti clockwise really affects me so I like your itinerary.

[lsolaBella]

On arrival in UK I like to arrive afternoon/evening as you can go to bed and crash. Arriving 6am in London it is very hard to stay awake all day. Most accommodation will not allow you to check in before 2pm so you are stuffed. We were lucky when we arrived at 5am that they gave us our room early so we did have a 90mins kip at 12 noon till 1.30pm, but like PP said don't sleep any longer.