Salty snacks, games, and iPods. Flying in airplanes was adventurous when we were young kids. Now that we’re a little older, we’ve outgrown that stage and realized now that one of the best things to do while flying is to sleep in planes. Sleeping makes time disappear when dragging through a long and tiresome flying experience. When you’ve woken up, you’ve finally arrived at your destination with the energy to jumpstart your holiday!
For tips on achieving the best way to sleep on planes, check out our pointers below!
Choose your seats wisely
Your seat location plays an important role in your ability to sleep in planes. Try to avoid areas that tend to get crowded, specifically near the bathrooms. Window seats tend to provide the least disturbance where you won’t have people squeezing by you to use the bathroom or bumping your arm along the aisle. Use a wall for added sleep support if you find yourself next to one. Also, avoid large groups who travel together. If you want to sleep, you’re likely not keen for small talk with anyone or listening to your co-passengers’ flight-long conversations.
Time yourself
Typically, plane trips experience a lull period in the middle of the flight where carts aren’t getting pushed, storage bins aren’t getting opened, people are not eating, and everyone finally sinks into their books and iPads. This is your moment to catch some shut eye, so be ready for it. Prepare as you would when sleeping at home by taking care of the bathroom, food, and other comfort needs before the lull arrives.
Eat something
Arriving early for your flight means you have extra time to pick something up to eat. Some of the best places to eat in the world exist inside airports. For example, Michelin-star restaurant Tim Ho Wan cranks out mouth-watering dim sum dishes like steamed pork buns in the Hong Kong International Airport. If you don’t have time to pick something up, ask for a snack once you’re on the airplane or if you’re on a longer flight, order something off the plane’s menu. The last thing you want keeping you from sleeping is being hungry. Sleepy + hungry = unpleasant and uncomfortable.
Layer up
It will get cold once the plane starts climbing into high altitude territory. You won’t need a wool jacket on your flight, just an extra layer shirt or a light sweater that comes on and off easily. Being as comfortable as possible makes sleeping on planes a lot easier, and much of that has to do with managing your body temperature. Some flights like United Airlines offer complimentary blankets. Just ask a flight attendant.
Support your head
Use a neck pillow specifically designed for people who fall asleep seated. Most are surprisingly comfortable and provide the support your head needs to get some sleep on planes. Much like a bed pillow, a neck pillow properly rests and supports your head and neck, relieving tension build-up that keeps you from falling asleep. No pillow? Roll a thick shirt up and wrap it around your neck and use this less comfortable alternative for head support. Be sure to check your seat: some airplanes offer built-in headrests into their seats that can be pulled out for head support.
Block everything out
Pull out your sleeping mask and plug in your noise-canceling headphones. It’s time to go to sleep. Remove signals from visual, auditory, and physical distractions that would keep you awake. Step it up by playing white-noise on your headphones.
Pay extra
The most obvious way to get better sleep is to get better seats. Upgrading to business or first class will cost your arm and leg, but you’ll get more leg space, less crowding, better quality seats, and even complimentary pajamas and/or eye masks. If you’re willing to cash the whole check, beds are available for upgrade on several international flights. Many of the world’s top airlines offer the luxury of sleeping on a plane with a flat-bed. Among them are Air India, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, Qatar Airlines, and Air New Zealand (number one airline in the world right now). If your wallet can handle it, it’s an expensive way to get ample sleep on planes.
We explain the difference between economy and premium economy
How to fall asleep on a plane
If you’re like me, you aren’t blessed with the superpower of easily dozing off in a flying plane even though I know how much better I’ll feel if I can just sneak in a few Z’s. But it’s completely possible if you check off a few boxes. Sleeping on a plane might just be the key to an incredible first day of the holiday!
