Getting shut-eye at 35,000 feet can be tricky. Here are a few tips on how to get good sleep on your next flight:
What’s the Best Seat in Coach for Catching Some Z’s?
The window seat of an exit row—as long as there isn’t an emergency. You won’t be disturbed when your seatmates get up, you can rest your head on the window, and with the extra legroom you can use your carry-on as a footrest. The worst place for sleeping is near the bathrooms or flight attendant stations, since people tend to hang out there. If you know in advance that you’ll want to sleep, go online the day of the flight to see if you can change your seat to an empty row. You have a better shot if you’re flying at an unpopular time—say, on a Tuesday or Wednesday night.
Should People Hit Up the Airport Shop for Sleep Props, or Do They Not Really Work?
If you’re in for a middle or aisle seat, a travel pillow definitely helps. Be sure to try out a couple of options at a store before you buy one. It’s always a good idea to wear an eye mask and use earplugs. You should also travel with noise-canceling headphones. If there’s a crying baby nearby, wear the earplugs and put on your headphones on top and play spa music or a lecture. That combo drowns out everything and will put you right to sleep. One more thing: Bring your own blanket or a sweatshirt. Just thinking about what’s living on the airplane blanket might give you nightmares.
What Do You Wear on a Red-Eye?
It is tradition that if you take a first class flight to Korea, the flight attendants pass out pajamas. The best idea is to bring pajama bottoms and change into them after takeoff. If you’re not up for that, try sweatpants. Also, bring a pair of cozy socks to slip on before bedtime.
How Do You Keep Your Sleep From Being Interrupted?
The key is to buckle your seat belt over your blanket or sweater, not under it. That way, the flight attendant can see that you’re buckled up and won’t bug you if there’s turbulence. And before you close your eyes, take care of the basics: Have a snack and some water (bring your own if you don’t want to wait for meal service), and visit the restroom.
Is There Any Way to Make Yourself Drowsy Without Medication or Alcohol?
A few days before a red-eye flight, start going to bed and waking up earlier than usual. Try to get into bed at 9 p.m., but even a half hour prior to your usual bedtime is good. And if working out helps you sleep, make an effort to exercise while you’re on vacation. It may help you enjoy a restful trip home.
