Peter's Notes | Flights

Peter is 70, well-travelled, and not remotely done yet. These are his Notes — small observations from the road.

Like all good stories this has a beginning, a middle and an end. In this one the beginning is considering what to pack, then the flight itself and then finally lessons
learnt.

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Part the First.

So, what to pack for 40 days away from the comfort of my wardrobe? Very few clothes as laundry services are easily found and very inexpensive. So just things that make my life easier. Nothing is difficult to purchase with mini-markets everywhere. I have a definite division in my clothes. For flights and then for in-country. Aircraft can be cold as one sleeps through the night. Layers are the way to go. Don’t rely upon an airline blanket to keep you warm, they rarely do. For me a T-shirt, a presentable long-sleeved shirt over (also useful for visits to temples and shrines) and a blazer type jacket with plenty of pockets.

Including my inflight clothes, I travel with five sets of underwear, socks and t-shirts but only two trousers with lots of pockets. Just three travel bags packed empty and three things in my wash bag; toothpaste tablets, Pepto and deodorant. Everything else can be bought in-country as part of your initial explorations and many hotels will provide them in your bathroom.

I carry a beaten-up leather work bag containing a laptop and work stuff and use a small backpack with compressing straps. You may prefer a hard case with wheels for ease.

See. “‘What has he got in his pocketses‘ demanded Smeagol?”

Do some research on your destination. Travel books are useful but also check out YouTube. Once one gets past the “how to retire to” and “how to date a local” there is some useful YouTube content on multiple subjects from general what so see and eat to the more specific “how to use the metro”.

Shoutout to Van Vu; whatthepho on YouTube.

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Part the Second; the Flight.

I flew Malaysia Airlines economy class. I selected my seat and then checked-in online just as soon as they were opened. Always an aisle seat and preferably towards the very front of the section. Engine noise can be a real factor back from the wings. This gave me boarding passes on my phone and I never even saw the check-in but went directly to the gate.

Be aware that if you have booked by a travel agent or anything other than direct on the airline website you are unlikely to be able to upgrade your seat with either Malaysia or Singapore Airlines.

Is it worth upgrading as everyone gets to land at the same moment?

The main consideration is the width of the seat. Yes, the food may be a little nicer and more flight attendants assigned to the business class section but it’s the seat every time. Upgrading used to be reliant upon looking business and checking availability at check-in. Now it is a closed auction online. Check with an online search an amount likely to be successful; it may be much less than you anticipate. The airline will come back with an acceptance, or not. In April 2026 no upgraded seats were available at all as all airlines flying the northern route over Europe, the ‘Stans and India were full as people were rebooked away from the Middle East.

Greet the flight attendants. They are of course going to welcome you aboard but take a few moments to ask how they are. A "good morning, how are you today?” may make you a little more memorable. Not a bad thing when you are reliant on them for victuals for the next twelve hours. If the safety presentation is live rather than on the seat screen, then I do the courtesy of at least watching the flight attendant. 

I’ve not flown with Malaysia Airlines before. Usually, my choice has been Singapore Airlines or Cathy Pacific, but the routes and times pointed me the Malaysia way. The offer of a free flight in Malaysia (paying only a very small tax) was the deciding factor. I like to visit second cities so selected Kota Bharu from seven options, this was a gentle introduction to spicier food and the really warm temperatures that I expected in Vietnam. 

See: 42 and ¾ hours in Kota Bharu

The food offered was as one would expect for airline food. After lunch only a cheese wrap was given at about 17.00 and then no food until breakfast some 5 hours later. I always travel with a Twix or two, they got me through.

The seat was ok, the choice of movies so-so, music included Miles Davis and a small selection of classical and lots of world music but the headphones poor.  A USB charging point is below the screen and a power outlet at knee level between the seats.

A flight is a flight is a flight.

And this one proceeded as one might expect. As long as one does not think too long about a few hundred tonnes being supported by nothing more than air one can relax and sleep – trust the physics.