sleeping on the plane?

[RENThead09]

Taking an overnight flight to the UK in May. Leave Arizona at 7pm and get into Heathrow at 1pm.

I am really trying to figure out the best "way" to sleep on the plane. I have always lived in the middle of the US, so a long flight was maybe 3-4 hours. I have not trouble sleeping on those flights, but hoping some of you will share your tricks of the trade for a longer flight (and NO, not Vodka! ). Does one shape of pillow work better?

Thanks in advance for any help! I want to make sure I am not falling asleep during Billy Elliot the night I get there.

62 days and counting!

 

[Laurafoster]

I have no idea!! I can never manage to sleep on a plane so im always exhausted when i get home!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Haworthfamily]

I am rubbish at sleeping on planes - I try and just can't get comfy.
My best tip is too watch the films and just hope I drift off.
You could try one glass of wine and a travel pillow.
Sarah

 

[aaronandterri]

I never sleep either, the kids doze off eventually though, once my mum had a bad migrane and didnt feel well and the attendant moved her to a diffrent section by herself with more room

if thers free seats i always take my youngest and lay him down across them, on our way back last time he had a whole row! (only age 2 ), but i still didnt sleep

sorry i cant be more help, maybe a few extra days off to recover when you get home

I do find it easier flying home, the time diffrence kills us out there, kids get up an hour later every day and after a week were back to a decent time to get up! coming home its easier, we have a couple of hours in the morning then we get up and just have an early night later, from there its much better.

Just one of those things you have to get through in order to be in such a great place like disney i suppose, thats y we always go for 3 weeks

 

[castanea1985]

Sorry, but never slept in all the years I've been coming back from the US!!! Hats off to those people who can!
After trying several methods of tackling jet lag... have found the best thing to do is try and get a couple of hours sleep (but no more) when you get back.. really make yourself get up (cause you'll just want to sleep forever!) and go to bed at normal UK time.
Hope this helps!
Tracy

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Even on the more comfortable Virgin Premium Economy seats I cannot sleep, I don't think there are any miracles out there you either can or can't sleep on planes.

 

[wifey]

I'd try a cup of hot chocolate or two, ear plugs, a comfy cardigan or sweater, inflatable neck pillow, eye mask and see how you go. For me these things can work as long as the plane is dark, and the temperature is just right.That said last time DS didn't sleep so I had to stay awake to keep an eye on him he fidgets on the plane sometimes

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

I could never sleep in economy seats, the recline is just not enough. I have got maybe a hour in WT+ or Premium economy, but again, I am not designed to sleep at an angle with my feet holding me from slipping out the seat.

Since flying in UC/ Buisness class with flat beds, I have no problems whatsoever getting some sleep and waking refreshed for the next day (the showers at the airport revivals lounge also help)

If you want to sleep, then keep off the booze (dehydrates you and you want to go to the loo) and fly flat bed.

 

[wayneg]

I always try prebook seats at the back of a section in front an emergency exit, usually row 48 on Virgin MAN-MCO. We sit down have a diet coke and fall asleep within the hour. I think it was my 5th trip to US before I ever used a toilet on a plane. Can even sleep on short flights went to Amsterdam in Jan 45 min flight slept for 25 minutes of it. Just lucky I sleep thru anything, anytime.

 

[Deedee]

I just put my mp3 player on it drowns out all the background noise and i soon go to sleep. i missed breakfast on the way home last time i never heard them come round with it!!

 

[wicket2005]

Since flying in UC/ Buisness class with flat beds, I have no problems whatsoever getting some sleep and waking refreshed for the next day (the showers at the airport revivals lounge also help)
QUOTE]

Lucky you, that is the way to travel.. Some time, when we are not paying for 4 adults to go, that may be us some day, can but hope. Till then normal seats beckon.

Going back to the question, I have struggled to sleep too. I need to be flat to go to sleep properly. Though last year I did manage to grab some sleep, bought some excellent pillows in the airport and hubbie gave me two glasses of wine, I had a seat near the window so was able to rest the pillow against that which made it easier.

 

[Boo Boo Too]

If you want to sleep, then keep off the booze (dehydrates you and you want to go to the loo) and fly flat bed.

Agreed - I find it very difficult to sleep in an economy seat: I just feel the need to rest my head (neck pillows give support, but you still can't really rest your head). My legs also hate being stuck in that position too (despite me being a short ****) and I normally wake up feeling like someone has bashed my knees with a baseball bat...

I try to avoid longhaul economy at all costs... It's too much like phyiscal torture and adds insult to injury at the end of a good holiday... I collect airmiles and use them to upgrade WT+ tickets to Club World - that way we get to travel Club World, but at WT+ prices...

Boo

 

[castanea1985]

We sit down have a diet coke and fall asleep within the hour. I think it was my 5th trip to US before I ever used a toilet on a plane. Can even sleep on short flights went to Amsterdam in Jan 45 min flight slept for 25 minutes of it. Just lucky I sleep thru anything, anytime.

Lucky you!
I went to Amsterdam on business a couple of months ago, and can't imagine sleeping on such a short flight!!

 

[Minniespal]

I use a tablet called Melatonin, only available in the USA. Take a tablet when I get on the plane, put on my ipod and 8 hours later I wake up Works very well for jetlag too

 

[mozzman]

you can look after my kids for a day before you fly,if you can't sleep after that then your probably not alive anyway

 

[Minniespal]

you can look after my kids for a day before you fly,if you can't sleep after that then your probably not alive anyway

 

[UKDEB]

Guys, I'm going to move this over to the UK Community board, where I hope you'll all continue to offer your valued opinions.

 

[juliebro]

Sorry - can't offer any advice. I find it hard to get any sleep on a flight - even when we've been lucky enough to be upgraded to business.

Delighted that you have a ticket to the Theatre of Dreams! Which game is it for?

Julie

 

[carolfoy]

I'd never recommend vodka to make you sleep.....




...its a stimulant, try red wine instead!

 

[mark&sue]

Looks like Man u are through to the next round.

You may have better trouble sleeping on the way out as it should be your normal bedtime. You need to be relaxed to sleep I guess and as I am so scared of flying I have never slept either.

Good luck



Susan