I always try to resist clock-watching as it only makes the flight seem even longer. I get on the plane with the thought that the flight ends when I get off again and not before, so what's the point of looking at my watch every hour? I just switch off and sleep when I want, watch films when I want, eat and drink when it's offered. Of course, it won't necessarily be so easy with young kids alongside but, hopefully, they'll have worn themselves out with all the initial excitement and will sleep peacefully for a good deal of the way. I don't know about Air NZ, but the Asian flights I've been on insisted on having the blinds down so the whole flight has been undertaken in the dark or The Flight of the Long Night as I call it. Makes it easier to sleep, anyway.
