Twelve hours in a pressurised tube doesn’t worry anyone at 30. A long-haul flight over 50, or when you get short of breath easily, needs a bit of planning. Here is how I organise the trip between Brussels and Bangkok so I arrive tired, but not broken.
Direct flight or stopover: the real maths
From Brussels, Thai Airways has flown a daily direct service to Bangkok since December 2024. Allow about 11 hours in the air on the way out. It leaves in the early afternoon and lands early the next morning, Thai time. From Paris, Frankfurt or Amsterdam there are also direct flights of a similar length.
A stopover (Doha, Dubai, Istanbul and so on) is often cheaper, but the total journey easily climbs to 15 hours or more. A stopover does have one advantage: it breaks the trip in two and lets you walk. My advice: if your budget allows, a direct flight means fewer connections, fewer long corridors and less stress. If you do take a stopover, choose at least two hours to connect so you never have to rush.
Choosing your seat: it matters more than the menu
On an eleven-hour flight, your seat makes all the difference. Book it when you buy your ticket, even if it costs a few euros more. Here is what I look for:
- The aisle: you can get up whenever you like without climbing over anyone. It is my first choice.
- Near the toilets, but not right next to them: handy for moving around, without constant traffic in front of your knees.
- The emergency exit row: more legroom, but it is usually refused to passengers who request assistance. Check with the airline.
- Premium economy: on this route it is often the best value for tired backs and knees.
Reduced mobility assistance: free, request it 48 hours ahead
Many travellers don’t know this: assistance for people with reduced mobility is a right in Europe, and it is free. EU Regulation 1107/2006 covers departures from an EU airport. You don’t need to use a wheelchair: walking with difficulty, getting breathless quickly or being fragile after an operation is enough to ask for it.
The rule: tell the airline or your travel agent at least 48 hours before departure. Do it when you book, it is safer. Someone will meet you at the desk, take you through the checks and all the way to the plane. Also ask for assistance on arrival in Bangkok and for the return flight: the airline arranges it.
On board: move, drink, breathe
Sitting still for hours is the main enemy. Get up regularly and walk down the aisle when the seatbelt sign is off. In your seat, circle your ankles and point and flex your feet. It sounds silly, but it gets the circulation going.
Cabin air is very dry. Drink water often, in small amounts, and ask the crew for a bottle. Go easy on coffee. As for alcohol, I skip it: it dehydrates you and disturbs your sleep.
For anything health-related, see your doctor a few weeks before you leave: risk of deep vein thrombosis, compression stockings, medication during the flight, possible need for oxygen. Only your doctor can advise you on your own situation. If you need oxygen, airlines often ask for a medical form in advance, so check early. Keep your medicines and prescriptions in your hand luggage.
Jet lag and arriving at Suvarnabhumi
Bangkok runs on UTC+7. That is 6 hours ahead of Belgium in winter and 5 hours in summer. On the direct flight you land early in the morning. My trick: stay awake until the evening, get out in daylight, take a short nap if needed and eat dinner at local time. Allow a few days to settle in properly.
Suvarnabhumi is a huge airport, with long walks to immigration. If you have booked assistance, an agent will wait for you at the aircraft door with a wheelchair. Passengers using an airline wheelchair can use the Fast Track lane with one companion. Before you leave, fill in the free TDAC digital arrival card online, within 3 days before arrival. For what comes next, see my guide to getting from the airport to the city centre.
Mr Schaka’s practical tips
- Book your aisle seat when you buy your ticket.
- Request reduced mobility assistance when booking, at the latest 48 hours before departure, for both flights.
- Take a small empty bottle to fill up after security.
- Wear loose clothes, shoes that are easy to slip off and a jumper: the cabin is cool.
- Set your watch to Bangkok time as soon as you board.
- Plan nothing important on arrival day. A shower, a walk, a good meal: that’s it.
- For the rest of your stay, read my article on travelling in Thailand over 50.
Frequently asked questions
Is airport assistance really free?
Yes. In the European Union, assistance for people with reduced mobility is free. You just need to request it from the airline at least 48 hours before departure.
How long is a flight from Brussels to Bangkok?
About 11 hours on a direct flight. With a stopover, the journey often takes 15 hours or more, depending on the connection.
Should I see my doctor before a long-haul flight?
It is a good idea if you have a breathing, heart or circulation problem, or take regular medication. Your doctor will tell you what suits your case, especially regarding oxygen or preventing blood clots.
The book
Mr Schaka lives with pulmonary fibrosis and has been travelling in Thailand for years. In The Season of Breath he tells the story of that journey, one step at a time, with humour and no self-pity.
