London to NY - flight times and jetlag?

Hello

I have some really rather advanced planning going on here and am looking to fly to New York in September 2011, looking to be the 13 or 14th to somewhere between the 21st and 23rd.

However, my main question here is what flights do people prefer, with regards to being able to adapt to the time change. I was thinking (providing flights stay the same) flying out on the VS001 having dinner then bed and flying back to the UK on the VS002 or VS010, sleeping on the way back and trying to have a relatively normal (non-work) day, but also missing the worst of the morning commuter rush in London.

Any thoughts, ideas or suggestions?

Thanks,
Jamie

[Neil]

Hi and welcome to V-Flyer.

If your main aim is to adjust to the time difference quick, then one of the late afternoon/early evening flights to NYC would be best. You won't arrive to early into NYC meaning you can grab some food and hit bed at a good local time. If you arrive midday/early PM, you will stay awake for a while but will almost certainly feel tired early and go to bed too early, wake up very early the next day and then take longer to adjust.

Coming back to the UK, the latest flight ex JFK should work best, you will feel tired and so should get some sleep whilst waking up and landing back in London at a normal hour.

Obvioulsy if you want to maximise your time in NYC then there are better options, and if I am only going for a short break, I can cope with a bit of jetlag knowing I am maximising my break.

Neil

[Nottingham Nick]

Welcome to V-Flyer, Jamie

I must confess, jetlag has never really bothered me when I fly to the US - I stay up as late as I can when I arrive in the US, I always wake early US time on the first day, but soon get into a rhythm.

Coming back on a night flight, I sleep as much as I can on the plane, but then when I get back to the UK I avoid the temptation to nap in the afternoon. Again I stay up as late as I can and then try get get back into UK time sleep rhythms as soon as I can.

There was a good thread here, some time ago, with tips about avoiding jetlag.

Nick

ditto !

Thanks for your comments and welcome. It would seem trying as much as possible to stick to the hours of where you are and working through it is the best plan.

Jamie

The 20.00 out is good & for me and best return is the morning
flight out of JFK which gets you back same day.

Good luck


oldboy