Sleeping on the way home

[Giddy Kipper]

Hi there, does anyone manage to sleep on the way home?...we`ve always flown economy and its always felt like torture, trying to get comfy and doze.... but are considering to upgrade to premium, just for the extra legroom and seat pitch....is it worth it? Thanks for any advice anyone can give us

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi,

I struggle too, irrespective of where I sit. Mainly as we tend to concentrate on ensuring Josh sleeps soundly.

We upgraded to PE on our return flight in August, to be honest I still couldn't sleep there.

However, if you can afford to upgrade then I would highly recommend it, irrespective of whether you can sleep or not. It is worth the extra especially if you are seated upstairs.

 

[Richard Bruvofetc]

I always manage to get some sleep on the aeroplane, whether flying out or coming home. I usually get a couple of hours and that's in good old cattle class. Luckily, I've managed to develop a technique so that I can "shut off" on public transport.

 

[AlanUK]

I really struggle to sleep on the flight back. Usually I drop off a couple of times but wake up very quickly due to the discomfort

Personally I don't think the extra room in Premium Economy would make a blind bit of difference to me, although the bed in Upper Class would be nice to try one day

 

[PChef]

My 8 yr old son has already informed us that he can't sleep on planes or cars or trains! Mind you being able to watch TV for 8 hours and having food delivered is his idea of heaven so why should he waste it sleeping?!!

I'm hoping DS 5 may drop off, and I can usually doze...

Michelle

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

I'd pay someone a fortune to tell me how to sleep on planes!

We've been lucky enough to travel PE on a few occasions and once in UC with the bed, but still didn't make any difference Must be me

That's why we've stopped travelling PE and spend our money once we get to our holiday destination, especially now DD is adult and DH can't sleep either. We've also started holiday with friends and their family, so it becomes very expensive.

However, it is a very nice experience - especially your own line to check in and luggage coming off first (at least in the US/Caribbean, never seemed to happen in the UK).

If you can do it, enjoy it

 

[jen_uk]

My 8 yr old son has already informed us that he can't sleep on planes or cars or trains! Mind you being able to watch TV for 8 hours and having food delivered is his idea of heaven so why should he waste it sleeping?!!


Michelle

 

[Minniespal]

I always take a Melatonin tablet directly before the flight. Sleep like a baby throughout the entire flight

 

[*Star*]

I have always slept all the way there and back, now I varley make it to take off before I am fast asleep. I nearly always sleep until I am woken up about 10mins before landing.

For me I thinks its because being self employed I am running around trying to get things sorted so I am shattered and that I hate flying so much my body is protecting me LOL

 

[gilld]

I can't sleep at all in Economy, can manage to cat nap in PE but when we have flown Business on other airlines, have slept beautifully. So if you want a good sleep - it has to be UC I'm afraid

 

[jdybnsn]

A good way to get kids to sleep on a flight is to bring out their homework I've found.........................

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Hi there, does anyone manage to sleep on the way home?...we`ve always flown economy and its always felt like torture, trying to get comfy and doze.... but are considering to upgrade to premium, just for the extra legroom and seat pitch....is it worth it? Thanks for any advice anyone can give us

I don't think it will make much difference, sleep-wise. If I fly economy I can probably get a couple of house bad sleep and wake-up feeling like someone has bashed my knees in with a baseball bat....

For long haul we now virtually always fly business class (usually BA's Club World over recent years). On an 8 hour flight, I would hope to get about 5.5 hours of good sleep (1.5 hours to have dinner, then awake an hour before landing for breakfast and to get myself sorted out). On a longer flight (say about 10 hours from LA), I would probably get about 7 hours. Also, when I wake up I don't feel like I have been beaten with a blunt object (because I am laying flat and have some freedom to move and turn over etc).

Business Class to Orlando isn't badly priced (about £1500 per person). If you keep an eye out for sales etc. it can come down to about £1200 per person. We personally collect BA Airmiles (mainly from flights, using a BA American Express card and transfering them from Tesco Clubcard Points) and use them to upgrade WT+ (premium economy tickets) to Club World. To do this, though, you need to buy your tickets directly from BA and generally be very flexible when you travel and/or what route you take (because upgrade availability is not always great...).

Some things that may help you sleep better:
- Melatonin tablets (http://www.melatonin.com/) - like a previous poster already mentioned. Avoid anything much stronger (like proper sleeping tablets) - you want to be easy to wake and very alert in the case of an emergency. Plus you don't want to be in too deep a sleep so that you don't twitch a muscle for the entire flight (that could make you more prone to DVT...).
- A GOOD neck pillow. Not a rubbish blow up one, but something more supportive and comfortable (maybe a tempur one - http://www.tempur.co.uk/TempurUK/comfort/transitpillow/).
- Wear very comfortable clothes that you wont get to hot in whilst sleeping (I wear pyjamas, but they aren't too uncommon in business/first class). You could go for very light-weight cotton type clothing.
- get some noise-cancelling headphones. If you have the noise-cancelling function switched on (with ot without music), then this will help get rid of a lot of the constant noises within the cabin (engine noise etc).
- Don't drink any alcohol for a while before flying: if you have just drunk some alcohol (or are hung-over), you will get dehydrated easier and your sleep will probably be pretty awful.
- Drink water regularly the day before you fly: this will ensure that your body is well hydrated before you start travelling.

I do think that Premium Economy WOULD be better than normal economy: more room, easier to get in and out, probably quieter etc. BUT I don't that it will do much to increase the quantity/quality of your sleep...

Boo

 

[angel659]

Hi

I can only manage a nap. Mainly because my brain is buzzing on the way home. Also the noise can sometimes keep me awake. I tried ear plugs, but no go for me. I just simply can not rest my mind. For me I put up with it, but luckily because I do shift work and at times I am up for 24-26 hours before I get to sleep.

 

[JohnW]

I usually manage to get 2/3 hours in economy from the east coast. The trick I have found is to wait until I feel like I want to sleep and I don't "force" myself to try and go to sleep. So, I usually have a couple of beers before takeoff but none on the plane, have dinner and then watch the film or read until my eyes are heavy and I feel like nodding off. I keep my watch on US time and then I know what time I have been going to bed and I usually feel tired around a similar time. I don't change to UK time until we arrive at the airport (I also never have breakfast as my body thinks the time is about 3 am and just doesn't want it). This usually, but not always, works for me.

I have also flown PE and UC primarily from the west coast and UC is definitely the way to go if you can (I was on business).

 

[meryll83]

Has anyone ever been lucky enough to get a free upgrade?
In what situations does this happen?
A friend of mine worked in Spain for a year once told me that when she dressed smart (business style clothing) she would often get upgraded for free. However, I don't want to be stuck in stuffy clothes on a long flight if it's not gonna happen.
Another friend of mine got upgraded to PE on her Virgin flight from Manchester to Orlando last year.
I must ask these people what happened.
Are you supposed to just ask at check-in? I'd feel cheeky!

 

[TinkTatoo]

No matter how tired I am I can never sleep on the plane and usually find myself playing the kids Nintendo DS in the wee small hours to pass the time and trying to get comfortable with DD on one side and DS on the other. I'd love to be able to sleep even if only for a few hours

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Has anyone ever been lucky enough to get a free upgrade?
In what situations does this happen?

Yes, I have been upgraded 5 times:
- once when our connecting flight (same airline) was late getting in and they only had a few seats (dotted around Business Class) to put us in. That was on AA (NYC to LON)
- once when we had problems parking at LHR (long story - couldn't find the suposedly "on-site" car park that we had booked on Boxing Day... turned out it was actually off-site and no signs to it... we had been sent no directions and the car park booking company's helpline was closed). We checked in late for our Virgin LHR-LAX flight and got upgraded from Economy to Upper Class.
- once when we were amongst the last to check-in for a British Airways flight from DEN-LGW. The flight was very full. Again, upgraded from economy to Club World.
- TWICE (once each way) when flying LHR-LAX-LHR over the Christmas holidays on United Airlines. Were booked in Business Class and upgraded to First Class each way.

The common theme with all our upgrades were that the flights were COMPLETELY full. When we were upgraded from economy to Business Class it was because we were amongst the last to check-in: they had no or VERY few seats in economy and put us in Business Class. When we were upgraded from Business Class to First Class, the plane was completely full and there were few people who were in paid business class (i.e. they had used airmiles to buy their tickets or to upgrade): they had to move some people into First to make room in the other classes, so they moved the people who had paid the most.

A friend of mine worked in Spain for a year once told me that when she dressed smart (business style clothing) she would often get upgraded for free. However, I don't want to be stuck in stuffy clothes on a long flight if it's not gonna happen.

It is supposed to help: not necessarily "business style clothing" (i.e. not suit, shirt and tie), but "smart casual" (i.e. troussers or smart jeans and a casual top). Anyone wearing ripped jeans or a shell suit, scruffy trainners and an ManU shirt is not likely to get upgraded...

Just about all of the times we have been upgraded, either both of us or at least my husband have been dressed in jeans. Neither of us were scruffy, but we weren't smart either... We were picked out of the economy line for the DEN-LGW upgrade (we were coming pack from skiing, so in jeans and ski jackets): it was nothing to do with our dress, but may have had something to do with my conscious efforts to make eye-contact with staff and smile...

Are you supposed to just ask at check-in? I'd feel cheeky!

Also would probably remove any chance of you getting an upgrade altogether. Apparently it is very common for people to request free upgrades (often the biggest reason why - although not always the truth - is that the passengers are on "honeymoon"). Because it is so common, airline staff tend to feel frustrated and annoyed. So you are not likely to get a warm response and they may well mark your travel record "NSFU" (Not Suitable For Upgrade).

People with children travelling with them rarely ever get upgrades (it does happen, but hardly ever).

Generally people travelling alone have a better chance (since they are easy to upgrade and reseat), BUT husband and I have had most of our luck whilst travelling together (in our late 20s onwards).

People who are very frequent fliers with the airline that they are travelling with will generally have more chance of being upgraded (since the airline sees them as a regular/loyal customer).

To get a a free upgrade your flight probably needs to be completely full in economy (but have space in the higher classes). You need to check-in as late as possible, However this is also VERY risky: you may end up being bumped from your flight (i.e. no seats left at all) or your party could be split up throughout the cabin (because all of the seats together have been assigned to passengers checking in before you). These days most people would rather use Online Check-in to gaurantee good seats together, rather than taking the risk of a very small possibility that they will be upgraded.

Some airlines, like Virgin, do offer paid upgrades at the airport. But you are probably paying about £200 Economy to PE and about £750 PE to UpperClass for a one way upgrade.

Boo

 

[meryll83]

Cool, thanks for your response, it's all starting to make sense now!
So in order for this to happen, you wouldn't be able to prebook your seats online, correct?
There will just be two of us travelling, we'll be 24 and 28 when we go. Will have to persuade the bf to dress nicely!
Hmmm, my only concern is I do like to prebook my seats, but it could be worth taking a chance.
I'll have to track down my friend who had the upgrade treatment to Orlando last year and see what her circumstances were.

Thanks again for the fab response!

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Cool, thanks for your response, it's all starting to make sense now!
So in order for this to happen, you wouldn't be able to prebook your seats online, correct?
There will just be two of us travelling, we'll be 24 and 28 when we go. Will have to persuade the bf to dress nicely!
Hmmm, my only concern is I do like to prebook my seats, but it could be worth taking a chance.
I'll have to track down my friend who had the upgrade treatment to Orlando last year and see what her circumstances were.

Thanks again for the fab response!

A pleasure.

You can pre-book your seats online, but you can't check-in online (well you can check-in online, but then you would stand virtually no chance of an upgrade - since the airline will already count you as definitely turning up...). BUT you may risk loosing those pre-booked seats if you check-in late...

If you dress pretty reasonably, then you will stand a better chance: airlines generally prefer to upgrade people who wont "look out of place" (although these days most passengers in premium cabins dress more relaxed anyway...). So ripped jeans with half your bum hanging out, a ManU shirt, scruffy trainers, spiked purple hair, a load of facial piercings and a set of visible tatoos wouldn't make someone the PRIME candidate for upgrade...

The flight MUST be over-booked in economy, otherwise they wont upgrade: they only give "operational" upgrades to make everyone fit on the plane, they are not doing it to be nice. For example if a flight has completely full economy, only 5 people in Business Class and no people in First Class,... that is how it will fly (they wont upgrade economy passengers to Business or First just because "there is room and it will give more people space in economy"...).

Check what time check-in for your flight closes. Be at the airport nice and early (so as not to miss the flight). Hang around the check-in hall area (so you can hear the announcements etc) DISCRETELY (don't look as if you are hagning around). Join the queue shortly before (15 minutes) the flight is due to close and see what happens. If it is a long queue, they will make announcements ("anyone on the 11am flight to Orlando, make yourself known now"). If they ask you why you were late, apologise sincerely and profusely and say that the traffic was bad or something (that is why you need to be discrete...)

It IS a risky strategy:
- you COULD miss your flight (airlines can be nice and put you on the next one OR they could refuse to put you on a later flight - you missed the flight, so your problem)
- you could loose you assigned seats - and end up sitting apart in very undesirable seats.
- and DON'T set your heart on an upgrade... this is a strategy that MAY help you get an upgrade (you need the flight to be oversold in economy, you need space in a premium cabin, you need to have a helpful check-in agent on a good day, you need you faces and clothes to "fit" and you need to be the right people in the right place at the right time - that is a lot to have all going on at the same time!). If you really want an upgrade, the only way is to buy it (preferably when you buy your airline tickets) - otherwise it will always come down to a bit of luck...

Never ask for an upgrade and always be 100% understanding, polite and smile (sweet and sincere, not like an insane cartoon character). On one of the flights that we were upgraded on, the check-in guy said that we were late and may have to sit apart (no mention of an upgrade). I explained that we had parking troubles and was very polite and ameanable. He said that he would see what he could do. He had considerable trouble checking us in (because the flight closed), but we were very understanding throughout. Eventually he passed two Upper Class tickets into my hands (and we were seated together).

I have never checked into a flight late on purpose: not worth the risk and, these days, we pay to sit in business class. But it seems to be a consistent factor in the upgrades we have got. If you do it, you do it at your own risk.

The other risky thing about upgrades is that you get addicted and, like us, end up paying for more expensive tickets!

Boo

 

[meryll83]

Thanks again for such a detailed reply.

I think we will prebook our seats as normal, dress a little more smartly than usual travelling gear and not check-in overly early.

It's not worth the risks to be stupidly late, so I'll try out the above tips and just see what happens!