Sleeping on a plane - How do you do it?

[ReaperCushions]

I realise that everyone will have a slightly different strategy here, depending on how you normally sleep etc...

But what are the tips? I've got a couple of killer overnight long hauls coming up that I could do with getting some shut eye.

I'm normally a decent sleeper, don't get woken in the night really, and never suffer with EDIT: insomnia of course! or anything like that.

I've tried a 'night nurse' before, but it only made me sleepy, I still didnt actually fall alseep for any length of time. I guess I'm asking... what could I take that is a bit stronger?

Also any other tips?

Edited by ReaperCushions on Thursday 20th September 15:37

[Nobby Diesel]

Suffering amnesia, is that when you forget to fall asleep? :0)

All the usual stuff - lay off any excessive amounts of booze, don't eat too late, buy the best seat you can afford, eye shades, ear plugs and tamazepam.

[toasty]

zopiclone

[HRL]

Only ever managed it once and that was because I'd been awake for the 36hrs prior to the flight.

Nothing else has ever worked for me.

[UnluckyTimmeh]

My friend lent me his Bose noise cancelling headphones. Worked a treat....

[Miguel Alvarez]

The only times I've managed is on mid week NY flights and the plane is empty. Roll up coat wedge between neck and window and sleep very roughly till the food is served.

[onesickpuppy]

[DavesFlaps]

Miguel Alvarez said:

The only times I've managed is on mid week NY flights and the plane is empty.

Similar here - I once had the 4 of a 3-4-3 to Bangkok all to myself (my wife had the row behind - flight was no more than 1/4 full). Other than that, no amount of alcohol, fatigue or strategically placed pillows helps me sleep in an economy seat.

Edited by DavesFlaps on Thursday 20th September 14:23

[CAPP0]

I find it very easy to sleep on a plane. Once the doors are closed, and they lower the oxygen content in the cabin air system in order to quieten down and subdue the SLF, I find I'm nodding off by the time we're taxying.

[boobles]

I tried sleeping tablets last week that I bought in Greece.
I tried them couple of nights prior to flying & I slept really well but asoon as night flight home arrived, I couldn't sleep at all on the plane!

[Landlord]

Melatonin?

[Puggit]

Booze? Doesn't work
Sound cancelling headphones? Doesn't work
Sleeping Pills? Didn't work - but far more tired the following day!
4 seat across the middle of A340 - doesn't work.
Loose clothes, blanket, pillow, neck support pillow - doesn't work.
First Class? Doesn't work.


I've no fking idea - I can't work it out. All the above tests carried out on Europe-South Africa flights, so time differences not much of a problem.

[boobles]

Funnily enough but I actually felt most at ease/comfy whilst in the shi**er.
I could have easily sat down & fallen asleep.

[Alfa numeric]

Although the plan for my forthcoming trip to Oz is to watch as many movies as I can on the first leg, then hopefully sleep for the duration of the second. It worked a treat the last couple of times.

[mike80]

I never can, bar the odd minute here and there, so always try and book daytime flights for long haul when I can - at least they are a bit more forthcoming with the food and drink!

[LuS1fer]

Diazepam (Valium) - it's a relaxant but is a Class C drug so can only be prescribed to you by your doctor. Do not accept it from others or attempt to supply it as it's an offence.
That aside, my wife uses them as she hates flying.

Edited by LuS1fer on Thursday 20th September 18:53

[Mr Gearchange]

Ambien to get me to sleep.
A good few Melatonin to keep me that way.

[cjs]

Puggit said:

Booze? Doesn't work
Sound cancelling headphones? Doesn't work
Sleeping Pills? Didn't work - but far more tired the following day!
4 seat across the middle of A340 - doesn't work.
Loose clothes, blanket, pillow, neck support pillow - doesn't work.
First Class? Doesn't work.


I've no fking idea - I can't work it out. All the above tests carried out on Europe-South Africa flights, so time differences not much of a problem.

+1 Even in club class beds I cannot sleep, I did a 36H 3 flight stint once and could still not sleep, last one was a night flight and I nodded off for about 15mins.

[GCH]

Fly club- makes a huge difference.

In coach it will be patchy at best,and due to sitting up, if you do manage to sleep you will feel awful afterwards. This is one of the ( many ) reasons I will just not fly long haul coach any more-especially overnight. I feel awful for days afterwards.

In my very extensive flying I have tried a few things:
Ambien/zolphiderm - gives me hallucinations. Last time thought the inside of the plane was filled with water and I was a squid. Sounds mental, but that's what happened,and I've had some other wierd ones, as have colleagues. Some people have zero effects, so I strongly suggest you trying on the ground first.

Melatonin - works, and you will fall asleep, but not a deep sleep- I found I would get constantly woken. Works a lot better if you are tired already. Cant buy in the UK over the counter, so get it from jersey online.

Tylenol pm - works, is quick and will keep you asleep. This is what I use nowadays if I really have to/ want to sleep and many of my colleagues do too. Can only get it in the US and can be addictive I believe. Of all of them, this the one I would recommend you try.

Valium/diazepan - never tried it personally, but some i know swear by it.

Avoid alcohol- will dehydrate you. Avoid food on board. Good and comfortable ear plugs inserted properly, a decent eye mask (ba's current first class one is the best by a long way) and cocoon yourself in your blanket to keep yourself warm.
Sip lots of water and try to adjust your body clock in advance.

Tbh, even with all of the above and in an exit row, on my last coach flight 18months ago I still kept getting woken up, mainly by noisy morons,movement/banging and smells. I wouldn't sit upright at home for 12hrs,let alone sleep upright, so ill be buggered if I'm ever gonna do it again on a plane.

Edited by GCH on Thursday 20th September 18:08

[BrabusMog]

Valium for me. I have to fly to oz about 4 times a year, sometimes more, for work and I think I'd kill myself if it wasn't for those little pills!