Sleeping on a plane, especially on long-haul flights, can often be challenging for passengers. Sitting upright for more than six hours is not the most comfortable thing to do, and having to sleep in a seat surrounded by strangers can be a stressful experience. Here are three tips for catching some z’s on long-haul flights!
Step 1: Choose the right seat
Choosing the right seat is the first step to getting a good night’s sleep or taking a nap on a flight. On long-haul flights, it may even be worth paying for seat selection to guarantee your desired seat, as it can make or break your flight experience. However, if you have frequent flyer status with the airline you fly with, the seat selection fee may not apply, although this depends on the route and airline.
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Choosing the right seat is very important, especially on long-haul flights. Photo: Justin Hayward/Simple Flight
Most people prefer window seats on long-haul overnight flights, as they allow passengers to lean against the window (or the wall if you’re unlucky) and get some sleep. One disadvantage of window seats is that passengers may have to climb onto two seats to reach the aisle and access the bathroom or galley. However, this depends on the aircraft: on the Japan Airlines Boeing 787-8 (international version), the seating configuration is 2-4-2, which means that passengers sitting in the seats next to the windows just have to disturb another passenger when they use the bathroom.
Aisle seats are a better alternative for some, as passengers have unrestricted access to the aisle, bathroom, and galley, which can be helpful if you want to stretch your legs. The worst thing about sitting in an aisle seat is having the people next to you wake you up and ask you to go to the bathroom.
Step 2: Bring the Right Stuff
Now that you’ve chosen the right seat on your flight, your next step is to pack a suitcase with items that will help you get a good night’s rest. Some of these items may include an eye mask, ear plugs, and a travel pillow.
While flight attendants generally dim the cabin lights on overnight services, they may do so only after meal service is complete. Therefore, if you plan to sleep immediately after takeoff, I recommend that you bring an eye mask. If your neighbors are noisy, or the plane engines are keeping you awake, then remove your earplugs to block out any noise!
A travel pillow is absolutely necessary if you want to get a good night’s sleep on a plane. Making sure your neck is supported with a travel pillow will get you one step closer to sleeping through the night.
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Step 3: Seek Medical Advice
If you have completed steps 1 and 2 and are still unable to sleep on a plane, then you might consider seeking some form of medical advice. Check with your GP or pharmacist to see what works best for you on these complicated journeys.
What do you think about sleeping in economy class? Do you have any additional advice? Let us know what you think in the comments section.
Source: simpleflying.com