How to sleep on a flight?!?

[V2000]

Hello!

We are from California flying to Orlando. Our flight is from 10pm to 6am. There is a time difference so it's actually a 5 hour flight. We are planning a full Disney park day right when we get off the flight.
Yikes! We've actually done this before. Since the hotel isn't ready until 3pm we dislike wasting a whole day!

SO....what are your tips for sleeping on a flight? I've had a hard time with this in the past. Maybe because I'm excited? Or uncomfortable? Lol.

Anyways, would you recommend a Advil PM or something similar? I don't want to be low energy all day after taking a pill. Not sure what to do or if it will effect me throughout the day.

Any suggestions or tips you use to sleep on a flight?

 

[BigTigger]

Two things will impact you on a redeye - 1) Noise on the flight and 2) Your readiness to sleep.

The good news is most redeye flights will quiet the cabin as soon after takeoff as possible and not loudly serve drinks and food. One way to reduce the ambient noise and light is to buy earplugs and an eye shade to prepare yourself for sleep. Also make sure you have seats near the window so no one has to get up and wake you up to get out to the aisle. A 5 hour in the air flight will only have about 3.5 to 4 hours of possible sleep time due to takeoff noise and landing preparations.

As far as readiness to sleep, don't eat anything heavy for 4-6 hours before the flight. Hydrate with water up to an hour before the flight then use the bathroom just before you board and do not drink again. As far as things to calm you, it can be as simple if you're a good sleeper as just get up early on the travel day so you'll be naturally ready to sleep or if you need help taking a claritan or one of the PM medicines. Try the medicine route in advance to make sure it works for you and that it gives you no other side effects.

Even if #1 and #2 aren't totally successful, the adrenaline of day one in the parks will keep you going. Just don't plan a late night without a nap break on day one. Enjoy the trip!!

 

[V2000]

Two things will impact you on a redeye - 1) Noise on the flight and 2) Your readiness to sleep.

The good news is most redeye flights will quiet the cabin as soon after takeoff as possible and not loudly serve drinks and food. One way to reduce the ambient noise and light is to buy earplugs and an eye shade to prepare yourself for sleep. Also make sure you have seats near the window so no one has to get up and wake you up to get out to the aisle. A 5 hour in the air flight will only have about 3.5 to 4 hours of possible sleep time due to takeoff noise and landing preparations.

As far as readiness to sleep, don't eat anything heavy for 4-6 hours before the flight. Hydrate with water up to an hour before the flight then use the bathroom just before you board and do not drink again. As far as things to calm you, it can be as simple if you're a good sleeper as just get up early on the travel day so you'll be naturally ready to sleep or if you need help taking a claritan or one of the PM medicines. Try the medicine route in advance to make sure it works for you and that it gives you no other side effects.

Even if #1 and #2 aren't totally successful, the adrenaline of day one in the parks will keep you going. Just don't plan a late night without a nap break on day one. Enjoy the trip!!

Those are awesome suggestions! Thank you!

 

[bumbershoot]

I can't sleep on a flight. That is why I don't book redeyes.

When I was 25 and got on a flight from JFK to Ireland I thought I would sleep, then the woman near me sang and talked alllll night. No sleep. Ever since then, I don't ever think I'll be able to sleep, even if my body would let me. Which is, again, why I don't book them.

Best of luck to you since you have had problems sleeping in the past!

 

[figment_jii]

I also have trouble sleeping on flights, but if you are going to try, I would second the recommendation to either get ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones. I've never tried one, but you might also look into an inflatable neck pillow to help you avoid getting a neck cramp.

 

[Starshine]

Either a pillow or a stuffy or even a sweatshirt that you can use as a pillow, a Benadryl, and a beer or a glass of wine.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Airplanes put me to sleep instantly. I'm usually asleep before we're done taxiing and can sleep through both takeoff and landing. Which is fine when I'm flying alone, but a little embarrassing when I travel with work colleagues. The airplane noise feels like white noise to me, I guess, and just brings on the sleeps.

I'd try melatonin to help bring on drowsiness when you first board. It shouldn't leave you groggy because it only helps you fall asleep and metabolizes quickly. I also always sit by the window and bring a neck pillow. A thin, lightweight blanket also is good to keep the chills away. Oh, and maybe try getting up extra early the day of your flight so you'll be legit tired by the time your flight takes off.

 

[georgina]

Tylenol PM has been suggested to me, with limited success. I don't find it makes me drowsy after the flight, but I am drowsy from not enough sleep! I don't sleep well on flights, DH is a great sleeper.

 

[cranbiz]

JetBlue actually provides earplugs and a blackout mask on the redeye from CA to the east coast. with those two items, I had no issues sleeping. And yes, the window seat is a huge advantage.

 

[DVC-Don]

I've never been able to sleep on a flight, even the redeyes. On Aer Lingus it was business class and I even had a reclining/bed seat and they gave me earplugs and eye mask but nope, no sleep.

 

[Brian Noble]

I don't take domestic red eyes anymore---they are too short. The flight is scheduled for 5 hours, but that's probably only four hours and change of actual flight time, and it's fairly hard to sleep before the plane takes off or after you have to raise your seat for landing.

But, for trans-atlantic or longer flights, this is my strategy. I eat a good meal before getting on the plane, no caffeine and no alcohol. I bring high-quality eye shades, ear plugs, a neck pillow (half-inflated), and noise canceling headphones. The instant the wheels are off the ground, I am reclined, with gear on, ready to sleep. I will use my sport coat as a blanket if a blanket is not available. I won't fall asleep right away, but I resist the urge to take off the shades/etc. This usually gets me through to breakfast service, which I will eat, so about 5-6 hours of sleep total.

 

[Saimaeve]

We loooooove red-eyes. I usually don't sleep, but I'll doze off. I wear soft clothes (not pajamas) soft socks, a big loose cardigan or sweater and carry a small blanket and a sleep mask.

 

[Flight]

I have only been able to sleep on flights when there is no one sitting around me. I do not know why.