Sleeping on a red-eye flight?

[rszdtrvl]

We are taking a long red-eye flight from SEA to BWI next month.

I have never been on such a long flight, plus have never flown that late at night.

Traveling on Airtran.

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

Any suggestions on how to get at least a few hours of sleep on the plane? Should I bring a lightweight throw blanket and a travel pillow?

Not traveling do WDW (although maybe one day), but y'all have a lot of knowledge on the Transportation board!

Thanks, in advance.

 

[vacationclub]

We are taking a long red-eye flight from SEA to BWI next month.

I have never been on such a long flight, plus have never flown that late at night.

Traveling on Airtran.

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

Any suggestions on how to get at least a few hours of sleep on the plane? Should I bring a lightweight throw blanket and a travel pillow?

Not traveling do WDW (although maybe one day), but y'all have a lot of knowledge on the Transportation board!

Thanks, in advance.

Never heard of no blankets due to SARS. I was just on a Delta plane that had red blankets all over the place...I used one.

There's no magic to sleeping on a plane other than to spring for Business class, and even then it's not easy. Sometimes AT will offer a $99 upgrade (perhaps a bit more for that flight) when you check in. I've always take it...well worth it.

Buy earplugs and eye covers. That's about it.

 

[rszdtrvl]

Thanks. That goes to show how on the up I am with stuff right now.

It would be nice if I didn't have to waste room in my carry-on with a pillow and blanket!

 

[Orlando Vic]

I have flown SEA-MCO at least a half-dozen times and have never had a decent sleep. Don't forget that the 3-hour time change will work against you. I think the advice to use earplugs and eye covers is good. To that I would add that one should not plan an ambitious itinerary for the next day. Comfortable, stretchy clothes (e.g. sweat shirts & pants) also work for me.

 

[rszdtrvl]

Unfortunately, ear plugs are out of the question. I will be listening to my ipod on low to block out a bit of noise, but will still need to hear.

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 do have an eye mask, and we were told by the teacher in charge of the trip that we should try to get as close to eastern time as possible before the trip.

By go-go-go I mean nonstop from 7am until 10pm. I want to try to get as much sleep as possible on the plane (but still need my ears open in case I am needed) so I will at least have *some* energy the day we arrive.

 

[Orlando Vic]

Unfortunately, ear plugs are out of the question. I will be listening to my ipod on low to block out a bit of noise, but will still need to hear.

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 do have an eye mask, and we were told by the teacher in charge of the trip that we should try to get as close to eastern time as possible before the trip.

By go-go-go I mean nonstop from 7am until 10pm. I want to try to get as much sleep as possible on the plane (but still need my ears open in case I am needed) so I will at least have *some* energy the day we arrive.

Earplugs do not block out all sound. Buy some inexpensive, disposable ones before you go and test them at home.

I hate to be so negative, but it will be very difficult to get more than 3-4 hours of sleep, especially if you are flying in coach.

 

[Flight]

Pillows and blankets - check with your airline. Some airlines still have them for free, some charge a fee, and others do not have any on board.

If you are traveling with a group there will be a lot of excitement so trying to fall asleep might be tough. If everyone in the cabin turns off their reading lights and are quiet, then you may have a chance of getting some sleep.

 

[rszdtrvl]

The teacher seems to be a stickler on everyone sleeping on the flight. She has mentioned several times that it is imperative that everyone sleep. I know that I will need to sleep as I will not be functional the next day if I don't get some rest.

I did look up Airtran policy and even googled "pillows and Airtran" and found nothing recent. It is all from a few years ago. I may need to call and check with the actual airline. Or just bring a lightweight blanket and blow up pillow, to ensure that I am not using a recycled one.

I do have a feeling that by the end of our first day in DC that we will all be running on fumes and will crash and burn in our hotel room.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

According to this old thread on Flyertalk, no pillows and probably no blankets:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/airt...-does-airtran-still-have-pillows-upfront.html

It's really hard to sleep in coach. If you need to hear, I assume to supervise all the kids, how can you sleep?

It appears that there are no non-stop flights from SEA-MCO anyway (unless I missed one), so you are going to have your sleep interrupted, either to change planes or for a stop. Too bad your group couldn't get on the am flight. Red-eyes are tough.

 

[DebbieB]

I flew a redeye SNA-ATL last August after the last day of D23. I was exhausted and my legs were sore. I could not get comfortable and it was miserable. It didn't help that the seat would not recline.

 

[rszdtrvl]

We are going SEA-BWI.

I wish we were going SEA-MCO, LOL.

I don't expect to get much sleep, but if I can get a few hours, I will be happy. Our flight is almost 5 hours long.

I will probably be waking up early that day and taking a nap just to make sure I get extra rest before we leave.

ETA : I am one of 12 chaperones, so I am hoping that between all of us we can get the kids to put away their toys and sleep, LOL.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Sorry - I misread your post!

However, a five hour flight time means at least the first hour will be spent taking off, passing out drinks and getting people settled before they turn out the cabin lights, and similar time spent before landing to get the cabin cleaned up and preparing for landing, so realistically, you'll have less than 3 hours to sleep anyway. You should at least be able to take some short naps, which will help a bit.

 

[Alexander]

I don't know if you've ever flown AirTran, but there is very little leg room. So be prepared to not be able to stretch out much.

 

[Orlando Vic]

It appears that there are no non-stop flights from SEA-MCO anyway (unless I missed one)

AS used to have two non-stops from SEA-MCO (a day flight and a red-eye) but the latter has been discontinued. Now all they have is flight 18 which departs at 8:45 AM and arrives at 5:14 PM.

 

[rszdtrvl]

Never flown Airtran. Being a west coast gal, I am a big fan of Alaska Airlines.


I am not a big person (5'5 - 130) so a small seat should not be a problem for me. Maybe it will be cozy and help me sleep better?? LOL

 

[CPT Tripss]

Take a shawl and get a decet neck pillow. . . the shawl will come in handy on buses with the a/c on "arctic" as well as in some of the inside places and restaurants you will visit.

 

[Traveliz]

The teacher seems to be a stickler on everyone sleeping on the flight. She has mentioned several times that it is imperative that everyone sleep. I know that I will need to sleep as I will not be functional the next day if I don't get some rest.

I did look up Airtran policy and even googled "pillows and Airtran" and found nothing recent. It is all from a few years ago. I may need to call and check with the actual airline. Or just bring a lightweight blanket and blow up pillow, to ensure that I am not using a recycled one.

I do have a feeling that by the end of our first day in DC that we will all be running on fumes and will crash and burn in our hotel room.

Airtran definitely does not provide pillows or blankets - so if that is a necessity you need to bring your own keeping in mind it will have to squeeze into your carry on.

Liz

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I can't even sleep in 1st on red-eyes very well, but here goes.

Try to get a window seat. This is the most important factor. This will give you a wall to lean against, less distractions than the other seats, and help with resting. Get a little blow up neck pillow (not the beady foam kind. They take up too much room and don't give you enough support) to support your neck and keep your head from rolling around if you do manage to lose consciousness. Note that this wall will be cold - if you brought a nice big shawl, use it as both a blanket and insulation.

Wear something comfortable but not disreputable - your students will do that enough for you. Comfy jeans and a comfy knit shirt are good. Wear socks or bring a comfy pair. Bring a nice big sweater. (If you have a nice big comfy poncho/shawl from last fall, bring it instead.)

I would forgo a carry-on and a backpack/messenger and suck it up and check my luggage. You will want to keep the space under the sear ahead of you free for YOUR feet so you can stretch out. At worst, make sure the backpack is thin enough that you can slide your feet on top of it, but it's really better to just have a large bag you can put in the bin overhead. Have a small purse or crossbody that can go under but still leave your feet room. This will let you stretch out. (I'm 5'4.5", btw. This is advice for the short, not the tall!)

Sit as far forward as you possibly can. The further back on the plane you sit, the more noise you will hear from the engines.

On some airline seats, the sides of the headrests can be curled around your head to give your head some support if you doze off.

Use the toilet just before you board to delay using the necessity.

That's just about all I've got. I usually just accept that I won't get much sleep on a red-eye. Try to get extra sleep the night/day before and be prepared to do what it takes to be awake and alert the next day.

 

[rszdtrvl]

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).

I have one of those bead type pillows, so I will pick up an inflatable one. I do have a poncho! I found a pretty white crocheted one at a yard sale last year. I will definitely take that! Thanks for the advice!!

DS has a small pillow pet that he is bringing no matter what.

 

[alaska8]

According to this old thread on Flyertalk, no pillows and probably no blankets:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/airt...-does-airtran-still-have-pillows-upfront.html

It's really hard to sleep in coach. If you need to hear, I assume to supervise all the kids, how can you sleep?

It appears that there are no non-stop flights from SEA-MCO anyway (unless I missed one), so you are going to have your sleep interrupted, either to change planes or for a stop. Too bad your group couldn't get on the am flight. Red-eyes are tough.

Alaska flies sea to mco non stop