Desperate to get some quality sleep on a 15-hour flight, a traveller sought advice on how to catch those elusive Z’s at 30,000ft. Their plight is well-known among many frequent flyers, who chipped in with their ultimate tips for sleeping while airborne and dealing with the discomfort that comes with long-haul travel.
Sharing their dilemma, the concerned traveller posted on Reddit: “I need something that makes me sleepy not just tired because I really struggle to get much sleep on a plane. I have 26 hours of travel coming up and in that have a 15-hour flight between Australia and USA. I’ve taken promethazine but just dries me out and makes me drowsy but still couldn’t fall asleep.”
Further stating their predicament, they added: “I’ve tried a few antihistamines but all just made me tired but not sleepy. Would like to sleep the majority of this flight, so do people get a small one-time prescription of sleeping aids or what? ” In response, seasoned travellers recommended natural alternatives such as acquiring a comfortable travel pillow, donning compression socks, and blocking out cabin noise with headphones.
One fellow flyer offered their personal strategy saying: “I had trouble too and here’s my tricks. In general I’m a light sleeper but I just slept 9 hr on a 15 hr flight yesterday and have nearly adjusted to a 11 hour time difference. Sit with the bulkhead area where there’s extra legroom then put your backpack and whatever else stacked in front of you and put your feet on it like an ottoman.
“Always use the blanket for weight (even if you have to take off your sweater to be cold enough to use it). I brush my teeth in the bathroom (using my own water) to get into the night ritual – do as many things as you reasonably can to mimic what you do at home.”
Adding to this, another traveller shared: “My routine is similar. I don’t care how stupid I look, I promise I’m more comfy than others on my plane. I carry two neck pillows with me on board. I always take a window seat. I use one neck pillow in the normal way then I squeeze the other in half plus the airplane pillow onto the window armrest.
“This gives me something to lean on all night. I also have an extra thin blanket that I roll up for lumbar support. My blanket fits in my carry-on and two neck pillows hook to my bag. Easy to carry. And compression socks are key too.”
A third passenger chimed in: “I do a lot of this but have also started tying my thin travel blanket around me like a sling so I can tuck my arms in and have them supported. Not worrying about sprawling out on my neighbour has made a world of difference.”