Which is your favourite flight to LHR?

[Lobster]

To get over jet lag the quickest I always liked the mid day flights that arrive at LHR early evening. That way I can get some dinner go to bed at my normal bed time in the local time and then I find I get a good nights sleep and no jet lag.

[CarbonMan]

Putting hardware and time-saving aside, my favourite is SQ308 (noticed no one spoke about it). The reasons are simple. With a scheduled departure at 0905, I can get a good night's rest, and get to SIN at a relatively sane time. While onboard, I can catch catnaps in between movies or work but I stay awake as much as possible. ETA is around 1530, and I get to my hotel between 5-5.30pm, have dinner at 6.30-7pm and crash to bed by 9pm. As far as beating jet lag is concerned, this flight has the best timing for me.

[banoffi]

thanks all for your views!

I guess different flights suit different personalities, and thankfully, SQ gives us 4 options to choose from!

Have narrowed it to either SQ306 (arriving 7+ am) or SQ308 (3+ pm).

[loldude333]

I flew SQ318 up to LHR, i found the timing perfect for me as taking naps throughout the flight ensured i had baseline amount of rest, and when i landed i was ready to get to bed. Slept well the night after the flight and barely suffered jetlag. Just my 2 cents.

[KC*]

I flew SQ318 up to LHR, i found the timing perfect for me as taking naps throughout the flight ensured i had baseline amount of rest, and when i landed i was ready to get to bed. Slept well the night after the flight and barely suffered jetlag. Just my 2 cents.

Yup. Absolutely!

Another plus for me is that I do not have to wake up very early in the morning or stay up late at night to catch the flight. I can enjoy my breakfast and head to the airport after the morning traffic jams have cleared.

[banoffi]

Haha oh dear, now sq319 sounds ideal and I believe currently the 777-300Er with the new J is slated on that route.

The only person who could make a decision was my Daughter - who decided she didn't want to arrive and risk the hotel or vacation rental (we are probably going with some sort of self catering option) being unavailable for check in, and then have to wander around London, all the while wishing we could have a shower, haha.

I'm inclined to agree with her except I am still a little concerned I won't be getting any sleep on the entire flight, since it's entirely waking hours in SG time. The plus is that upon arrival and check in (5-6 pm?), we can just go for dinner and crash at 8 pm London time, hopefully avoiding major jet lag.

Oh well.... I Guess if I am not satisfied after this trip, I'll just have to go to London again on a different flight!

[iancasillas]

Haha oh dear, now sq319 sounds ideal and I believe currently the 777-300Er with the new J is slated on that route.

The only person who could make a decision was my Daughter - who decided she didn't want to arrive and risk the hotel or vacation rental (we are probably going with some sort of self catering option) being unavailable for check in, and then have to wander around London, all the while wishing we could have a shower, haha.

I'm inclined to agree with her except I am still a little concerned I won't be getting any sleep on the entire flight, since it's entirely waking hours in SG time. The plus is that upon arrival and check in (5-6 pm?), we can just go for dinner and crash at 8 pm London time, hopefully avoiding major jet lag.

Oh well.... I Guess if I am not satisfied after this trip, I'll just have to go to London again on a different flight!

Friend its SQ318 SIN to LHR, not SQ319. 319 is the return flight to SIN. SQ318 will land at LHR around 7pm London time. Factor in an hour to downtown London. Yup, you should be checking in at 8+pm. A day wasted though.

For me, I'm redeemed a J saver next Jan on SQ318! Still glad that I made the correct choice over SQ306 which will be A380 for winter!

[SQ228]

As a general note, westward flying is not particularly severe for jetlag. Often it's more the effort and excitement of flying or the lack of sleep rather than the change of time zone that makes it difficult. I can't really say I've felt any effects of jetlag when I fly west. I just feel like I need a good sleep.

Eastward flying is where the jetlag can be really harsh. Adjusting your sleep pattern to fit in with the new timezone means essentially forcing yourself to go to sleep when you haven't had a proper length of day to tire you out.

[chisquared]

The only person who could make a decision was my Daughter - who decided she didn't want to arrive and risk the hotel or vacation rental (we are probably going with some sort of self catering option) being unavailable for check in, and then have to wander around London, all the while wishing we could have a shower, haha.

There is a Plaza Premium Arrival Lounge you can use upon landing at LHR T2, if you find you really want to take a shower then.

[loldude333]

I would note though, that SQ318 is no longer untouchable (in terms of it being mainly 77WN operated). The frequency of 77WN service dropped severely with SWU going out for maintenance and maps upgrade, and was only increased when it returned to the fleet. With the slowing of the seating upgrades and all, its anyone's guess as to which days the flight will be 77WN operated. I flew SQ318 on an old 77W but managed to snag a 77WN on the return flight. Still, it is worth it IMHO, especially if timing is the main thing.

[banoffi]

Thanks all!! i thought about it and have decided to overrule my daughter and opt for SQ306 with an arrival of 0745 hours because

1. I decided I needed my sleep on the plane (even if the kids don't); and
2. Arriving at 0745 hours is about 345 pm SG time and the kids will probably be ok, esp if they managed to get a couple of hours sleep in the plane.

Thanks all for your input - Before posting this thread, i thought i was the only one who thought (overly) hard about these things; glad to know many people have similar considerations too!

[SQfanatic]

I would note though, that SQ318 is no longer untouchable (in terms of it being mainly 77WN operated). The frequency of 77WN service dropped severely with SWU going out for maintenance and maps upgrade, and was only increased when it returned to the fleet. With the slowing of the seating upgrades and all, its anyone's guess as to which days the flight will be 77WN operated. I flew SQ318 on an old 77W but managed to snag a 77WN on the return flight. Still, it is worth it IMHO, especially if timing is the main thing.

How do you know it's for map upgrades? That was my assumption too since a user reported SWU now having the Panasonic 3D Voyager maps. Has this always been the process of upgrading from 2006 maps to say...the current 2D maps initially on the new 77WN and all 77W? I also seriously wonder if even the old 77Ws will be fitted with these maps, or will simply just get retrofitted after they finish up SNA with the 3D maps....

[loldude333]

How do you know it's for map upgrades? That was my assumption too since a user reported SWU now having the Panasonic 3D Voyager maps. Has this always been the process of upgrading from 2006 maps to say...the current 2D maps initially on the new 77WN and all 77W? I also seriously wonder if even the old 77Ws will be fitted with these maps, or will simply just get retrofitted after they finish up SNA with the 3D maps....

I didn't mean it was specifically for map upgrades; i mentioned maintenance too, just that SWU previously did not have the 3D maps and now after maintenance it does (i flew it into SG ytd from LHR on SQ319, it was a pleasant surprise to realise that it now has 3D maps!), so we can conclude that both were done in the time it was out. Not sure if the IFE on the old 77W can handle the 3D maps.......are the actual IFE hardware on the 77WN/WR upgraded from the old 77W product?

[loldude333]

Thanks all!! i thought about it and have decided to overrule my daughter and opt for SQ306 with an arrival of 0745 hours because

1. I decided I needed my sleep on the plane (even if the kids don't); and
2. Arriving at 0745 hours is about 345 pm SG time and the kids will probably be ok, esp if they managed to get a couple of hours sleep in the plane.

Thanks all for your input - Before posting this thread, i thought i was the only one who thought (overly) hard about these things; glad to know many people have similar considerations too!

The trouble then will be getting them to stay awake in the later hours of the day in London haha. Enjoy your trip!

[banoffi]

haha not just them! Me too, for sure!!