Getting to Bali from the East Coast of the US

[rmorgan]

Whatever you do, avoid Charles de Gaul airport. Do not connect through Paris.

Roger that. Security at CDG made me take every piece out of my camera bag. Every. Piece.

 

[Doc Harry]

Roger that. Security at CDG made me take every piece out of my camera bag. Every. Piece.

More importantly, CDG is infamous for losing luggage.

 

[GF99/99]

Roger that. Security at CDG made me take every piece out of my camera bag. Every. Piece.

More importantly, CDG is infamous for losing luggage.

+3 for avoiding CDG like the plague.

 

[bmorescuba]

My wife and I visited Indonesia for the first time this summer. We're coming from the Baltimore/DC area. I did a lot of research. We don't have miles or programs. I am very tall and I really didn't want to fly coach. Upgrading to business or first class was not in our budget. When I discovered that the Singapore Airlines Newark>Singapore>Bali (EWR>SIN>DPS) flight was all Economy Plus and had 38" of seat pitch (vs 32-33 for other long haul) then I knew that was the flight for me. My only concern was that we had 55 minutes in Singapore to transfer to the Bali flight. But I padded the itinerary and I figured Singapore flies to Bali often. Turned out, it was fine. I only wish we had more time in the Singapore Airport - that place was amazing. Even though 18.5 hours is a long time, I prefer fewer longer flights to more connections. Singapore Airlines seemed awesome to us, but we don't travel long distances often. We did a combination of driving and Uber to Newark (to avoid a BWI>EWR flight). It was cheaper and easier.

 

[matts1w]

My wife and I visited Indonesia for the first time this summer. We're coming from the Baltimore/DC area. I did a lot of research. We don't have miles or programs. I am very tall and I really didn't want to fly coach. Upgrading to business or first class was not in our budget. When I discovered that the Singapore Airlines Newark>Singapore>Bali (EWR>SIN>DPS) flight was all Economy Plus and had 38" of seat pitch (vs 32-33 for other long haul) then I knew that was the flight for me. My only concern was that we had 55 minutes in Singapore to transfer to the Bali flight. But I padded the itinerary and I figured Singapore flies to Bali often. Turned out, it was fine. I only wish we had more time in the Singapore Airport - that place was amazing. Even though 18.5 hours is a long time, I prefer fewer longer flights to more connections. Singapore Airlines seemed awesome to us, but we don't travel long distances often. We did a combination of driving and Uber to Newark (to avoid a BWI>EWR flight). It was cheaper and easier.

You are a better man than me. I'm short (all of 5'6), but even with chemical assistance have a hard time sleeping in planes. I did that eighteen-hour Singapore to NY flight many years ago before they paused it to reconfigure. Just like every flight, we got going...I had a few glasses of wine...ate a decent dinner (Singapore Airlines is awesome)...watched a movie...more wine...took my dose and a half of sleeping assistance...slept for as long as I could...and still had seven more awful hours to go. Never, ever again.

 

[Doc Harry]

Matts1w
Once I did an 18 hour flight in economy. Last row in the back, in the middle of 5 seats. Couldn't recline at all. Couldn't get out of my seat without bothering two other people. When the guy in front of me reclined, I couldn't even use my tray table. Took some Benadryl (which usually renders me unconscious). But that time I had the dreaded paradoxical reaction, and it wired me and gave me restless leg.

 

[matts1w]

Matts1w
Once I did an 18 hour flight in economy. Last row in the back, in the middle of 5 seats. Couldn't recline at all. Couldn't get out of my seat without bothering two other people. When the guy in front of me reclined, I couldn't even use my tray table. Took some Benadryl (which usually renders me unconscious). But that time I had the dreaded paradoxical reaction, and it wired me and gave me restless leg.

Total nightmare.

 

[bmorescuba]

You are a better man than me. I'm short (all of 5'6), but even with chemical assistance have a hard time sleeping in planes. I did that eighteen-hour Singapore to NY flight many years ago before they paused it to reconfigure. Just like every flight, we got going...I had a few glasses of wine...ate a decent dinner (Singapore Airlines is awesome)...watched a movie...more wine...took my dose and a half of sleeping assistance...slept for as long as I could...and still had seven more awful hours to go. Never, ever again.

I hear you. I had a lot of dread beforehand. But, being able to actually move my legs was a big help. I can't sleep on planes at all. I've tried, but it doesn't work. I ordered a whisky and they kept bringing them, but even then I was awake the whole time. I watched an 8-hour documentary series on Big Wave surfing in Nazare, Portugal (fascinating) and John Wick 4, which was almost 3 hours. I booked 2 nights at an awesome Bali hotel near the airport so that we could fully recover and adjust to the time difference, so I made up my sleep there.

 

[Scared Silly]

Long flights are harsh regardless of which way one flies. Something I do once on a flight is adjust everything to the local time and forget about the current time. When look at my watch and it is 2am I think I need to get to sleep. Regardless having a couple of days to catch up before diving or other big excursions is always helpful.

FWIW I have transferred through CDG without any issue but then again I can speak French so I have an advantage .

 

[Centrals]

Jet lag

If you suffer badly from jet lag, it may be worthwhile considering a westerly travel route if possible.

www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

Based on numerous trips I did over the year, I do believe that. Well at least for me.