Best ways to sleep on a plane

[jt1983]

I cannot sleep on planes, even on 14.5 hours to DXB on EK J ... I did eventually fall asleep about 6 hours in, after two zzz-quil and probably 3 glasses of champagne... that was 1-1.5 hours at best. I'm too jumpy a flyer, I look over at people who are asleep at take-off or just after and am full of JEALOUSY!

 

[puppysparkes]

I tend to snore. Not fun for others around me ( just ask Mrs GPH) anyway I bought a device called "Ripsnore" last week, have been using it but not sure how it's working. Has anyone had any experience with this or similar?
It's like a mouth guard .
I am finding a side effect is dry mouth.

They are very uncomfortable and annoying. They can change your natural bite so a dental review is needed if you're intending on using it long term. A good dentist can arrange a custom splint which would be a better option to the ripsnore. I currently use snore strips on a daily basis which assist greatly and I'm not as fatigued. I will hire or purchase a resmed machine for long haul flight over 9 hours. Surgical options will vary depending on your circumstances. Mine include adjusting a deviated septum (several broken noses from sport) or removing adenoids. Definitely see your GP or specialist for on-going management of your snoring, it made a world of difference for me.

 

[nonpop]

I follow the usual rule:
Drink as much Champagne as I can .

+1 and because I need min word count ... +1 again

 

[Foreigner]

Empty bladder reduces trips to the lavatory...works at home, too.

 

[FreddyFattler]

I cant sleep on a plane.

I flew out of Sydney 1030am to Bkk and onto Samui last June after doing a 10pm start the day before. Didnt get any shuteye until we checked in to the hotel.

Might try some sea sickness pills we picked up in Samui last time...they knocked the missus out pretty well on the way to a snorkelling tour.

 

[cambriamarsh]

My wife fell asleep on a Virgin E190 in Y taking off from Adelaide and woke up on the descent into Melbourne. She can sleep 10 hrs on a 12 hr long haul, no alcohol, no pills nothing. I'm SO jealous!

 

[cmon0005]

A couple of good reds and I'm out, however I hate the feeling of waking up a few hours later to a yucky dry feeling that the aircraft creates and need to gulp a whole bottle of water to re-hydrate, unless its in a good Business class bed then I don't need anything to sleep.

 

[desiredusername]

I'm an insomniac but I sleep 9 to 12 hours in economy from LAX to Oz on Vaustralia: it's a jedi mindset as soon as I board. Being woken for seat belt checks and meals is a pita - especially when the meal is tiny. Thank the Lord for the bags of chips.

 

[Rebekkap]

Empty bladder reduces trips to the lavatory...works at home, too.

Sounds like an excellent way to get DVT.

 

[desiredusername]

Wee in the empty bag of chips

 

[cove]

Eye mask, sleep machine, several glasses of whatever you like and the sleep Gods have you for hours if you have a flat bed.

 

[Grooba]

Flat bed no problems but in Y I'm never actually sure if I'm asleep or not.

 

[blackcat20]

Sounds like an excellent way to get DVT.

I don't understand people who spend the full 14 hours in their seat. Especially those that complain that they couldn't get their shoes back on at the end.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Totally glad to revisit this thread as I still find that eye drops, big sunnies and red lipstick (Anna by Napoleon Perdis) are the best way to look as though you have had a full nights sleep on an aircraft

 

[Denali]

Phernergan and J are my friends. One gets me almost two hours sleep, two about six hours sleep and no other side affects. Never tried it in Y, I would be worried about my seat buddies being stuck in their seats with me asleep.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Totally glad to revisit this thread as I still find that eye drops, big sunnies and red lipstick (Anna by Napoleon Perdis) are the best way to look as though you have had a full nights sleep on an aircraft

We are all actors on the world stage .....

 

[PLANT]

Whats this sleep machine Cove?

 

[cove]

Plant I use a ResMed machine that stops snoring because I have sleep apnea. I run it off lithium batteries if there is no seat power. I wake up refreshed which is which is the idea of getting 6 to 8 hours of sleep per day.

 

[nonpop]

Drink as much Champagne as you can manage in the lounge prior.
Board flight and have 1 more glass of Champagne.
Take a Berocca tablet with a big glass of water.
Extend seat to flat.
Rub the smallest drop of Vicks Vapor Rub under nose.
Put eye shades on and ear plugs in.
Pull blanket over you.
Blam ... Off with the pixies you go.

Now if you find you only have a Y ticket, then commence slapping the person that purchased it for you with a large wet smelly fish repeatedly until they upgrade you to J.

 

[yohy?!]

recently perfected my approach on EWR-HKG which is nearly 16 hours:

1. Snag a bulkhead or exit row seat to allow the ability to rest feet in the magazine holder or use carryon to support and lift feet (poor man's flat bed)
2. Fill up on food and booze in the lounge - (target being 'nicely merry' and likely already yawning on boarding)
3. Immediately on boarding settle in for sleep - change into loose clothing, grab extra pillows to place at neck/under elbows etc, use sunglasses if cabin lights too bright to keep light down and noise cancelling earplugs in with a soothing cd on repeat
4. Decline first meal and focus on going straight to sleep

With any luck a good 6-7hours of sleep should follow (which is what happened in this flight), the only problem is ensuring there's something to eat when you wake up with 5 hours till the next meal.