Advice on sleeping on flights?

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Jen @ Law

I fly red-eyes all the time, and if have the following advice:

1. Location-- as you are very tall, you probably won't be happy unless you have legroom. As other's mentioned, the aisle is bad b/c you will being bumped into, tripped over, and possible stepped on by fellow passengers and flight attendants. Also, you should not be in the aisle if you choose to take Ambien/etc. If possible, fly on a airline with which you have status and ask to be assigned to an exit row (but NOT a bulkhead... I personally am ok with bulkheads, but my 6'1 husband thinks they are a nightmare b/c he can't straighten his legs). If you cannot get preassigned (tell them you are 6'3 and beg for mercy) consider paying extra to fly economy plus, which should give you an extra 3" or so. If you are in business class or above, any seat should be fine, but avoid the first row (bulkhead) and last row (limited recline possibility) in the cabin. If all of the above fail, arrive at the airport as early as possible and ask for an emergency exit row at check-in.

2. Equipment-- I always bring a comfortable travel blanket (think fleece), warm soft socks, ear plugs, and eye shades as well as the crtiical U-shaped pillow (possible with an extra small soft pillow). Being able to block out sound, light and cold are critical to remaining asleep. Some people prefer the Bose elecronic noise cancelling headphones, but I would suggest the maximum foam inner ear ones, because they dont' interfere w/ resting your head on the pillow). Some people use additional pillows to cushion their back. Also, if you are in an exit row or have a lot of space in coach, you may want to consider bringing something you can prop your feet up on as a makeshift legrest (like a small suitcase).

3. Pills- I take 1/2 an Ambien for red-eye flights for >8 hours. I generally take it (bring water with you) AS the plane is taking off. If you are nervous and have 13 hours, you can take it after reaching cruising altitude. I personally think as long as you keep your seatbelt on, the chances being "slightly more alert" in an emergency will make a difference are minimal. If you don't want to see a dr., taking cold medicine designed for nighttime use helps, and also clears your sinuses.

4. "Bonus" When you get on the plane, especially if you are in standard coach, get a sense of whether there are any sets of 2 seats together. Once they close the cabin, you can generally get up and relocate to empty seats, and sprawl out. If you can raise an arm rest, you may be more happy with diagonal positioning.

Good luck!

robrobiii

First class seat will help, if you can afford it.
Sleeping pill and glass of wine (or scotch) helps too.

But having your legs in the aisle will keep you awake as someone goes walking by every 5 seconds.

Svetlana

Sleep mask, ear plugs, Comfortable clothes and u-neck pillow like this..
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RH7450?smid=A2GJ7P0IAIF3HF&tag=shopzilla_rev_1185-20&linkCode=asn

Bren

i used to work in a p harmacy and got some very good advice in my training which was not to advise people to take sleeping tablets on a flight. if there was an emergency u would not have yr wits about u enough to save yrself

agooddub

Just get pissed and crash out ! Works for me every time. Make sure you have some water available when you wake up though, you will have a mouth on you like a sewer.

687SPV

Half a bottle of malt should do it.

end is forever

If you can sleep fine on buses, trains or in a chair, you should be ok on a plane.

Over-the-counter sleeping pills are fine. They don't knock you so unconscious that you can't function. I take them often for overnight flights and I still wake up when I have to pee. Anything with 50 mg of Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride (aka Benadryl) will do the trick.

Buy some and take them a few nights before your flight so you can see how long it takes for them to kick in, how much they help you sleep, etc. They just encourage sleep but they will not turn you into a drooling vegetable. They are perfectly fine. Believe me, if there is an emergency, you will wake up.

The best thing you can buy are either earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones. It will reduce the constant roar of the engines. Planes usually give out sleep masks, but maybe these are being cut out to save money. Bring one just incase your seat-mate has their reading light on all flight.

And remember, if you're in economy, your chair will only push back about 2 inches, so wear some comfortable clothing.

The Pink Airplane

Try to adjust to Hong Kong or Tokyo time for a few days beforehand if at all possible. If that's not an option, avoid caffeine and alcohol (I know it's tempting, but you'll feel worse when you wake up - and you should never take any type of sleep aid with alcohol) and drink plenty of water and juice instead.

Buy one of those "U" shaped neck pillows and an eyeshade. Wal*Mart and Target both carry these as well as many other retailers. If you get an inflatable pillow, be sure not to inflate it fully before takeoff - it will expand due to the change in altitude. :)

As far as sleeping tablets go, I'd suggest Tylenol or Advil PM (again, lay off the alcohol and don't take more than the recommended dosage) - works much better than Benadryl.

Also, when you book your ticket, try to get the seat with the most legroom possible; as somone above me has pointed out, people will be walking past you quite a bit, so don't rely on the space an aisle seat will provide you. The downside to exit row seats is that they tend to be a bit more chilly than the rest of the plane (especially at night), so bring layers if you get one of those.

Hope this helps - have a great trip.

xxdonxxrodrigoxx

If you're trying to combine sleeping pills and alcohol... that's not a good idea..... Best way is to just booze yourself up... Bring a book too.. THat usually puts me to sleep.

Doc Savage

Drink lots of water. Get a business class seat if you can and if you can't get a bulk head or emergency exit row for you tall body. Get some ear plugs and some people like the eye covers to keep it dark. Get up every few hours and walk around also to keep the blood in your legs moving. Like you said, avoid caffeine also. I don't like the sleeping tablets but some do.

Have a great trip.

sellatieeat

get an aisle seat. You'll need all the room you can get. Get pillows and blankets. Wear some comfortable clothes because you will be sitting there for a while. I usually wear some basketball shorts. You can bring your own MP3 player if you'd like to help you fall asleep. :)

Jacob A

well just close the window turn the lights back and close your eyes and relax

Kristin

I recently flew to Hong Kong - it was a 12 hour difference for me, so I took a sleeping pill on the plane so that I'd sleep during their nighttime, in order to help my jet lag.

I always need a neck pillow or else I wake up and can't turn my head. I also recommend dressing in layers, as you never know if you'll be hot or not.

I bring my ipod to drown out noise.

haggerpotter

the natural way to do it wear comfortable socks take your shoes off lift your legs up and curl up as much as you can. i usually have ipod in my ears or something

the next option is to take a sleeping pill like ambien. ive never done it - my mom's taken it on 12 hour flights and slept like 4 hours at most (but she never sleeps) (prescription only)

and your final option - sedative liek xanax or valium will make you drowsy and sedated enough to be relaxed to just pass out (prescription only)

oh i suppose you could booze up enough to pass out too lol :-p bad option tho

CheyEbz - he's here 27.03.09

take a good pillow (i use an inflatable one) works for me and a book to read

fashonion

You may not get a great nights sleep, as you will be woken up every time someone has to go up/down the isle, as your legs will be in the way.

Only way is to upgrade and get more leg room or a bed.

I wish I was going to Japan again. Lucky you. I love travelling but hate flying.

saved_astronaut

South African Airlines actually uses reclining seats, & the isles r actually designed 4 full recline. I also saw a blueprint where there's a special seat that converts 2 a bed. maybe U wanna fly 1'st class, or make sure U specify B4 U fly that u want a reclining seat. BTW, reclining happens 2 B my natural position. that's when i'm MOST relaxed in ANY situation. i'd recommend reclining seats 2 any 1 who travels, because reclining seating in ANY travel sitation is very therateutic. airlines r now catching on2 this, & there r a few that r accomodating 4 this very thing. anotyher thing they're talking about is standing room only seats..... NO I wouldn't wanna stand no 2-3-4 hrs, i just wouldn't fly if I hadda stand around the whole time, NO WAY!!!

â™¥ gÓ˜m''gÓ˜m â™¥

I'd suggest not sleeping the night before. This is the best option and like you said..staying off the coffee.

Personally I wouldn't take sleeping tablets. Sounds stupid to mee.. :|

Mich

Stop showing off.

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