Flight CX831, JFK to HK, non-stop

It was my first time off the continent, and I should have been more prepared. On my next 16-hour plane trip anywhere, I will definitely remember to:

• Wear sweatpants & sneakers.
  You'll want be the most comfortable you can get when you can or cannot sleep, and, since your feet get so bloated you won't recognize them, you will need loose shoes!
  
  
• Stretch.
  Walk around. Move around just to keep your circulation going.
  
  
• Fight the air pressure change.
  Chew gum, force a yawn, or hold your nose and close your mouth and swallow hard. Or all of the above.
  
  
• Take the red-eye, as needed.
  Since your body will take a day or two to adjust to the new time zone, time your flight so that you get the first day either free to relax, or reserved for light impact activities. Also, I suspect this flight would have fewer children onboard. I love the little dears, but just think: if the air pressure change makes you that uncomfortable, imagine how uncomfortable it must make babies?
  
  
• Bring fun reading.
  I had brought career or personal finance planning books, but once I got on the plane, I was on full Vacation mode. By then, I only felt up to light novel reading, and bringing all paperbacks would have been a smarter choice.
  
  
• Hydrate.
  Bring plenty of lip balm and lotion, and drink lots of water - extended air travel is very dehydrating!

And in an unrelated sidenote, Cathay Pacific has a reputation for good-looking flight attendants, and now I know why.