Traveling by plane, while exciting, often poses challenges when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep. Whether it’s the unfamiliar surroundings, cramped seating, or ambient noise, catching some quality sleep in the sky requires a strategic approach. Here are our five top tips for How to Sleep on a Plane.
1.Pay attention to the flight’s timing when booking
If you’re crossing time zones, have a look at the take-off times and landing times in relation to your departure and arrival places, and try to pick flight times that correspond best with your typical sleep schedule. For example, if you’re flying to a destination ahead of you, eg from the U.S to Europe, try to pick a flight take-off time that is closest to when you would normally fall asleep.
Also, if you’re planning to sleep on a long-haul flight, it’s worth investing extra in a direct flight, so that you are not woken up to change planes and you will also avoid the stress of trying to make connecting flights!
2.Choose your seat wisely
If you can afford it, then it’s definitely worth splurging on an upgrade to first-class or business class, where the individual seats that enable you to lie-flat are perfect for catching some rest. Not only do they enable privacy, as well as allowing you to lie-down, but you will also be able to appreciate the extra space. Some airlines allow you to bid for an upgrade just before the flight so sometimes you can get an upgraded seat for a very reasonable price.
Otherwise, the seats in Premium Economy allow for more space and more legroom. However, if you prefer to save money for your destination and stick to the economy cabin, then make sure to choose your seat strategically.
Avoid seats that are close to the galley or restrooms if you don’t want to be disturbed on a frequent basis, and whilst aisle seats may offer more legroom, bear in mind that you might be frequently called upon to move to let people out to the restrooms.
Window seats ensure that you are less likely to be disturbed, and also give you something to lean against (although I still recommend a travel pillow)!
For a true luxury experience and a great night’s sleep, you could consider chartering a private jet. The experience is like a private “hotel in the sky”, with private bedroom suites offering a penthouse suite-style experience at 20,000 feet. The customizable environment with individual control over temperature, lighting, and noise levels ensures a personalized and serene atmosphere and the dedicated cabin crew further elevates the experience, providing attentive service tailored to your needs. Also, the direct routes, personalized departure time, minimal security procedures, and absence of crowds in private jet terminals contribute to a stress-free pre-flight experience, allowing passengers to seamlessly transition into a peaceful slumber. For those who prioritize well-being and are seeking the epitome of travel comfort, chartering a private jet is an enticing solution for a rejuvenating night’s sleep in the skies.
3.Make it easy for the travel crew to ensure that you’re safe!
Although you will probable want to snuggle into a blanket, make sure that your seatbelt is fastened over the blanket and clearly visible to the flight crew so that they don’t have to disturb you in the event of turbulence.
4.Dress for comfort (but stay stylish!)
Now, I know that I always emphasise the importance of style and looking elegant. However, on a long-haul flight when you hope to catch some sleep, then you also need to pay attention to comfort. A few things I recommend are:
- Wearing elasticated waist, comfortable trousers – I have a “flight” pair of wide-legged black trousers, that are perfect for flying, as before take-off and when I arrive at destination, I can dress them up with an elegant belt. Soft cashmere leisurewear is also a good option
- Layering – Planes can be quite chilly or boiling hot, so I strongly recommend wearing layers, and I would also opt for materials that are comfortable and help in heat regulation, such as silk and cashmere. Again, my personal favorite is a silk shirt which I can tuck in and belt when I want to look elegant, and a soft cashmere jumper
- Comfy socks – Don’t under-estimate the importance of comfy socks! They barely take up any room in your carry-on luggage and you will be SO glad you packed them when you’re trying to settle down for some sleep
5.Invest in the Best Travel Accessories
There are some travel accessories that are non-negotiable when it comes to trying to sleep on a flight. For me, these include noise-cancelling headphones, neck pillows to support your head when sleeping, (that you can tie around your carry-on baggage) and a good sleep/ eye mask to block out light.
Noise- canceling Headphones (and a comfortable sleep mask)
If you have ever sat next to someone who is snoring loudly or a crying baby on a flight, then you will know how important good travel headphones can be!
Now, the conventional headphones they hand out on flights or your i-phone headphones are fine when you are watching a movie or listening to music, but they can be a bit uncomfortable if you’re trying to sleep!
So, with that in mind, I’ve done a little research on the best travel headphones, and my favorites are the Perrytong 2 in 1 Wireless Sleep Headphones Headbands, which allow you to enjoy high quality music ” Anytime” and “Anywhere”, and which double up as sleep masks.
The soft headband is so much more comfortable than those painful earbuds, and they are perfect in all the following situations :
- when travelling and in need of some calm!
- for listening to music while travelling or commuting
- when going to sleep or sleeping next to a snorer
- when you want to listen to music or an audio book in bed at night while your partner sleeps
- at the gym while working out, when cycling, walking or jogging.
They are made with a soft, washable material that features a mesh lining for extra airflow, so you won’t get too hot when you’re wearing them, and they are even comfortable enough to wear while lying down or sleeping on your side.
As an added benefit, when you’re finished listening to your music/ audiobook or podcast, they double up as an eye mask, blocking out any white light and making them the perfect travel accessory to help you catch some sleep when travelling.
And, when you land if you need to call someone, they have two built-in speakers to deliver high quality sound and they connect to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth. When fully charged, the headphones offer up to 10 hours of playing time.
However, there are a wide range of this type of headphone available, so I also wanted to share some others with you, including these cute headphones for kids and for babies.
If you want a good night’s sleep when travelling, make sure to grab one of these sleep headphones before your next trip.
The Best Neck Pillows for Sleeping
If you have ever tried sleeping whilst uncomfortably squashed against the window, found yourself hunched over your tray table or woken up as your head lolls forward uncomfortably, you will understand why a neck pillow is a good investment for a long-haul flight.
The most common type of travel pillow is the u-shaped pillow, which as its name suggests, is shaped like the letter “U”, and supports both the back and sides of the neck to help with better spinal alignment. Whilst neck pillows can be bulky many of them have a snap closure at the front which means you can easily clip it onto your hand luggage.
Final Thoughts on Our Five Top Tips for How to Sleep on a Plane
Achieving quality sleep on a plane is about creating a conducive environment and adapting your habits to the challenges of air travel. By incorporating our top tips for How to Sleep on a Plane into your flight preparation and inflight routine, you’ll be better equipped to arrive at your destination feeling refreshed and ready for your adventures.
