Sleeping on a red-eye flight?

[dontthrowsand]

I bring my own travel blanket and pillow because I get cold and like to sleep. If there is room, we all try to spread out on the plane so we have more space. Once I had a whole row to myself so I had a chance to get a pretty good sleep but I often sit in the middle and lean against a friend or family member. I am about 5'3 so I can curl up almost any where except the non reclining seats because I need a slight angle.

 

[vacationclub]

Thanks for all of the info!

The flight looks pretty full already (at least 3/4 full) but I have no idea what type of seat I have. I am normally an aisle or middle (DH likes the window).

You're on Airtran, you can pick your seat in advance for six bucks. Well worth it if location is important. Log in with your reservation number and pick a good seat, if still available. As others have said, forward cabin and window. You can pay extra for emergency exit row and extra legroom. When you check in, it's possible AT will offer you a $99 upgrade to first class if they haven't sold it out yet. If it were me....I'd take it.

 

[rszdtrvl]

You're on Airtran, you can pick your seat in advance for six bucks. Well worth it if location is important. Log in with your reservation number and pick a good seat, if still available. As others have said, forward cabin and window. You can pay extra for emergency exit row and extra legroom. When you check in, it's possible AT will offer you a $99 upgrade to first class if they haven't sold it out yet. If it were me....I'd take it.

I don't have a confirmation number, as this is a group trip, and from what I can see, there is a block of seats already taken. I guess I could call the company to see if we have reserved seats.

 

[Prose]

If you can't wear ear plugs, I recommend SleepPhones...they are flat headphones inside a warm stretchy headband. I don't travel without them...

 

[Butterbunkins]

When I want to sleep on a plane I sleep deprive myself ahead of time. It’s the only way I can sleep and fly. If I’m well rested it’s not gonna happen. But it works for me and I’m usually out before take off.

 

[alaska8]

I work five hour plus red eye flights at least 4 times a month. Every time at least 90 % of the cabin is asleep. Tweens and teens (especially groups of them) seem to be the best sleepers on the plane...they all seem to bring their own pillows, are sprawled out over each other at odd angles and sleep the entire flight!

The back of the plane can be noisy depends on the airline policy for family seating (sometimes its at the back half of the aircraft as the front half is reserved for premium status flyers ie more single business type passengers so more open rows towards back of aircraft). Also lavs are usually at the back that means more traffic and noise. Avoid galley areas as we will have lights on and will be back there trying to stay awake/chatting, moving around etc.

Suggest bringing layers as aircraft can be chilly and I always bring my own pillow and blanket (unless they are in a sealed package they have probably been flying around for a while!!!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Drugs. Some type of antihistamine or something else that makes you drowsy - but definitely NOT alcohol.

 

[philmartin777]

They don't hand out pillows/blankets anymore, correct (due to the SARS thing)?

I would just bring my own pillow! lol Nothing better than that, comfy comfy

 

[bumbershoot]

I am going to be a chaperone for a Worldstrides trip with the local junior high, and the day we arrive it is going to be nonstop go-go-go for the next 7 days.

I was (and still am) feeling sorry for you, and now I'm feeling sorry for everyone else on the plane, too.

Having been an 8th grader on a DC trip...yeah, good luck getting everyone to sleep before 3am! We flew in the middle of the day, and I think that was best. No one needed to sleep during the flight, we got there later, it all worked out.


I've been on red eyes and gotten NO sleep. You can't control the people around you. And sometimes the people around you aren't interested in sleeping. For instance, a group of 8th graders, LOL.


Have fun!

 

[rszdtrvl]

I was (and still am) feeling sorry for you, and now I'm feeling sorry for everyone else on the plane, too.

Having been an 8th grader on a DC trip...yeah, good luck getting everyone to sleep before 3am! We flew in the middle of the day, and I think that was best. No one needed to sleep during the flight, we got there later, it all worked out.


I've been on red eyes and gotten NO sleep. You can't control the people around you. And sometimes the people around you aren't interested in sleeping. For instance, a group of 8th graders, LOL.


Have fun!

Thanks - I'll do my best to have fun.

I am looking forward to the trip and seeing both Washington DC and New York. It will be an experience, and I am blessed to be able to share it with my son.

 

[schoen]

I have flown overnight a few times. I did not ever get good sleep. The time that it worked out the best for me was when I took a long nap the day before the overnight flight.

Our flight left at 1:00 am to FL from Detroit. We had to meet at the school at like 10:00 pm.

I came home from school, and took two tylenol pm, and slept for about 3 hours. By the time we took off I was sleepy again, and was able to doze on the plane, although, I don't think I really slept.

I was tired the next day, but I felt that the nap helped me a lot.

 

[rszdtrvl]

That's another thing I was thinking of doing.

Waking up the morning of the flight at like 4am. Taking a nap from 1pm-3pm. We meet at 4:30pm and the bus takes us to the airport at 5pm. And our flight leaves at around 10pm (2 hour ride to the airport).

 

[Greysword]

If there are 12 chaperones, my recommendation woudl be to find out which ones can't sleep in moving vehicles (like me), and have them take the flight shift. It would be dumb for the whole adult corps to remain awake to watch the kids within a confined area. The rest of the adults should do as below...

Drugs. Some type of antihistamine or something else that makes you drowsy - but definitely NOT alcohol.

I completely agree with getting drugged right before the flight to ensure some sort of sleep. Most likely, you'll be napping, but anything will be better than staying awake for 36+ hours. In addition, the "sleep agent" will help move the process along.

Finally, I would have a chat with the gestapo... I mean teacher in charge and find out if his/her expectations on time and sleep are realistic or not. If not, the teacher should be made aware, in certain terms, that the program is far too aggressive in your opinion. If it looks like lack of sleep could cause an accident (due to lack of attention, missing a detail, or for medical reasons) then put the concern in writing (email is likely best). This way if something does go wrong and the teacher tries to fall back on you, you have a document to indicate you voiced your concerns.

Depending on the kids to chaperone ratio and schedule, it may be possible for shift work to continue through the first day, with the adults staying up on the plane being dismissed to get a nap after landing and joining the group later.

Good luck!