Trip Report: Perth to LA and back “the wrong way”, and no jetlag. I just did it — with no jetlag and no sleepless nights.

The debate rages on which way is the best to travel to avoid the dreaded jet lag, and being sleepless in Seattle. And for travellers from Perth, Western Australia, that debate takes on a twist when it comes to flights to the US.

Logic would have one travelling via Sydney or Melbourne to a US west coast gateway such as LA and then on to your final destination, perhaps as far as New York. The downside is that it may involve two stops.

So, what about flying westward via the Middle East or perhaps north via Singapore or Hong Kong?

Yes, it is longer via the Middle East — but flying from Perth to Los Angeles last week, with regard to having no sleep issues en route, in LA or upon my return, and no jet lag, it was the best long-range trip I have ever done.

On this Trip Report, I flew business class and, of course, that makes a difference — particularly if it’s Qatar Airways Qsuite with its sliding door for total privacy.

My flight, QR901, was pushed back a few minutes after its scheduled departure time of 11 pm but it arrived 30 minutes early and the seat belt sign never went on for the cruise portion of the flight. I had a good six hours of sleep — that was a good start for me. After take-off, I just opted for a cheese plate before turning in and had a continental breakfast two hours out of Doha.

Doha airport was quiet on my arrival but within an hour was abuzz as flights came in from around the globe.

The next leg was QR739, which left late due to favourable winds which would have our crossing of the Atlantic and arrival in LA too early for our allotted slot. This flight was on an Airbus A350 which is made of composite structure so the pressurisation cabin altitude is 2000m, lower than the 3000m on the Boeing 777 which operates the Perth-Doha leg. That lower cabin altitude reduces the impact of jet lag while the A350’s composite structure, which does not corrode, permits increased humidity.

The flight left at 8.37 am and tracked north over Iraq and Baghdad before turning westward towards Turkey. Next came a course change north to cross Romania, Slovakia, Poland, Sweden and Norway.

Another light continental breakfast was in order as I thought I would save my appetite for a sumptuous lunch of classic Arabic meze and chicken roulade with spinach and smoked turkey stuffing later in the flight.

The next landfall was Greenland, then Canada before crossing into the US at Montana and tracking over Salt Lake City and Las Vegas before descending into Los Angeles.

Again, I was able to sleep and clocked up another five hours between breakfast and a late lunch.

Now for the acid test — how would I sleep? I arrived at my hotel, the Long Beach Marriott, at 5.30 pm and ordered a light salad for dinner and sparkling water. I wanted to stay up to get on to LA time so I kept watching the fascinating series The Movies That Made Us on Netflix.

To my surprise, there was no sleepless in LA and I grabbed eight hours waking fresh and ready for the first meetings.

Over the next days, the routine continued with a good night’s sleep of at least six hours. How good is this?

My last day was hectic so I was looking forward to relaxing on the flight home.

Flight QR740 departed a few minutes late for the 15-hour journey back to Doha but arrived almost 30 minutes early at 7.43 pm.

On this sector, I elected to have a full meal which started with an entree of a selection of cold meats followed by Atlantic Salmon and a cheese board.

The flight track was northeast across the US into Canada, south of Greenland and Iceland crossing the UK at Glasgow before tracking into Poland, Romania crossing the bottom corner of the Black Sea into Turkey and Iraq.

I had a six-hour layover in Doha so had a shower and freshened up and did a few hours of work.

The final flight, QR900, was 20 minutes late departing due to a large number of folks requiring boarding assistance but it arrived 20 minutes early. Again, silky smooth all the way.

What a spectacular departure from Doha with the city a jewel.

I opted for a light snack of nachos and guacamole with some Charles Heidsieck champagne and witnessed another stunning sunrise over the Arabian Gulf. Time for more sleep and picked up another five hours to add to the six on the previous sector. Next was breakfast and I went light with continental.

Arrival into Perth was seamless and despite arriving just behind a full Emirates flight I was through immigration and customs in 20 minutes.

While LA via Doha may be a stretch for some, the US east coast cities are some four hours closer and you avoid a dreaded US domestic flight — always a good idea.

The ultimate test of this marathon was the days after my return. Again, a good night’s sleep as if I had never flown around the world and back.

Trip Report verdict? A big thumbs up!

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