Nine hours to JFK. I expected worse, but it actually went better than anticipated. I had a first-row seat in premium economy, which made a huge difference. For my current state, I would absolutely recommend it. Space matters more than comfort right now.
I wore compression socks, though I learned mid-flight that I had put them on incorrectly. I pulled them up instead of rolling them using the donut method. They felt tight around the top of the knee, which was not ideal. Lesson learned.
We landed in New York and got another wheelchair, only to find out that our flight to Tokyo was delayed by seven hours. That meant missing the connection and spending a night before the next flight. Rebooking with tired kids running around and occasionally bumping into my leg was exactly as fun as it sounds.
We ended up going to the lounge and resting there. That long pause actually helped. I managed to do two ice sessions, ate well, and drank a lot of water. Wine was tempting, but I skipped it. The knee deserved better decisions.
When I finally took off the compression sock, the knee looked like a balloon. Not great. But with ice and elevation, the swelling came down noticeably. I put the sock back on, this time using the donut method, and it felt much better.
Eventually, we boarded the next flight. Fourteen and a half hours ahead. At that point, all I could do was laugh quietly and wish my knee good luck.
Key Takeaways
- Premium economy seating makes long flights far more manageable
- Compression socks help, but only if worn correctly
- Wheelchair assistance reduces unnecessary stress and standing
- Hydration and icing are essential during long travel days
- Swelling can spike quickly but still respond well to elevation and ice
- Sometimes delays accidentally create better recovery conditions