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I've got a very long haul flight coming up (19hrs including refueling stop) and I've not traveled long haul for many years. Leaving UK at 0030hrs so hoping to sleep for a fair chunk of the flight. What are STW tips for sleeping and any cushion gadgets that you recommend?
Economy flight so no fancy recliner beds I'm afraid.
After a break of about 20 years of flying I've just completed a 12hr flight which took off at 21:35, my plan was to sleep, I got none. I was so jealous of the comatose passengers in such deep sleep they were falling out of their chairs. Good luck!
I found it easier to get the right pillow by trying the numerous options available at the airport. I don’t like lugging around a fluffy pillow so ended up getting an inflatable one. also bear in mind that standing up is different to sitting down. I wanted a pillow with minimal padding behind the neck otherwise it tends to crick my neck forwards.
Reeksy is correct. If possible add sleeping tablets to the list.
A decent thick eyeshade. Airline ones are often pretty poor or nonexistent.
If you can afford them noise cancelling headphones/ear buds too - it’s easier to fall asleep listening to your own music or podcasts/books you have downloaded than some of the stuff on airline entertainment systems.
Came on here to say noise cancelling headphones. Game changer for me on long haul (and I do a fair amount), even if you don’t play any music through them, have them on/in with ANC on it cuts cabin noise to almost nothing.
Oh and as soon as check in opens, or if you have the option to pay for seat selection, make sure you get one you’re not going to get disturbed in. Nothing worse than being asked to move to let the person next to you out every hour because they had the obligatory three pints and a full English in the airport.
Noise cancelling headphones are the best thing on a plane. As a specs wearer I just keep my prescription sunglasses on. A thick fleece if you can take it on the plane packed down or put it on in the airport
https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Trtl/page/3728393F-6AA6-498C-B5ED-AFD9B8F3AD1A?ref_=ast_bln
Although they have doubled in price at some point! Other stuff good - eye shade, noise cancelling headphones, comfy clothes, an acceptance that unless you get a ticket with a flat bed you aren't going to get a nights sleep.
Oh and as soon as check in opens, or if you have the option to pay for seat selection, make sure you get one you’re not going to get disturbed in.
This.
I don't need any of the other stuff, I just need a window seat. I'm OK with random seat selection on a 2hr flight but whatever extra it was that I paid for window seats on both legs to and from Australia a couple of years ago was worth every penny!
Inflatable pillows can be useful, though they can be like a sound box for the vibrations of the engines and don't always work too well with headphones on. Foam works better, or one of those fleece-lined stuff sacks, inside-out with some clothes in.
I like noise cancelling headphones, occasionally with foam earplugs underneath.. Had a couple of long hauls with a lot of noise so I go prepared now.
Nytol can be good, herbal or standard. The recommended dose always seems a bit much though.
Those neck pillows are just a way to identify infrequent fliers in the queue to board. They don't offer any horizontal support to your neck or head, they just keep your neck warm.
Headphones on the other hand are great. If you're going in-ear get a Bluetooth transmitter to hook into the built in tv, most flights still don't have Bluetooth on the ife
I disagree 5lab, I fly long haul a lot and the memory foam neck pillow is ace, stops your head dropping as you fall asleep (nod off) and waking up.
Decent ear plugs and eyes shade.
Set your watch to local time at your destination. If you arrive early morning stay awake on the first leg, sleep on the second. If you arrive evening do it the other way.
Sleeping pills. Don't drink.
Comfortable clothes, I change into leisure wear once I have boarded.
Don't sit too close to the toilets or front of each section where they put the screaming brats.
Enjoy!
I don’t like over ear headphones as they’re too bulky for sleeping, hence ear plugs. Shokz bone conduction still works with earplugs if you want music.
standing up is different to sitting down.
Well **** me sideways this is 100% true! Laying down is also different.
I've got one of these and it was very good but they don't seem to be around anymore:
The side support plus the 'snuggling' feeling around your body seems to help with dropping off, used it on some 10 hour flights and got some decent sleep - and I am a light sleeper and don't normally drop off easily.
Only issue was that, being rubber, it can be a little warm.
It had mixed reviews on Amazon, but can aybe get some ideas from the reviews ?
Needs fine tuning with the number of breathes to inflate as you don't inflate it fully.
You could maybe replicate the idea with a decent neck pillow and a small inflatable thermarest behind your back, then it you don't like the back rest you can remove or sit on it.
I use a camping pillow (inflatable) and half-inflate it so it doesn't push your head forwards and you can sink in to it, as otherwise your head drops forwards. Agree eye-mask, ear plugs and headphones (I can't do more than about 6 hrs of ear plugs at a time), eat and sleep in your new time zone, and do the in-chair exercises when you are awake so you don't get dvt. (I take sandwiches on board so I can eat when I want and can sleep through the meal services if it doesn't fit the new time zone).
Those neck pillows are just a way to identify infrequent fliers in the queue to board.
More like lack of pillows identifies people turning left and those who won't be sleeping till they get to the hotel.
Frequently flew to oz and Africa and wouldn't be without my inflatable felt covered pillow for getting kip if I didn't get into the recliners. But you wouldn't be able to tell that In The queue 😉
I fly plenty of long haul for work (just landed this morning after a good nights sleep) and all the suggestions are good. I’d add though that you have to actively try to relax, calm yourself shut out external noise (I like my Mellow Music playlist from Spotify on quiet). Don’t get frustrated if you don’t get to sleep immediately.
My wife always comments on how well I sleep on planes (I can fall asleep when taxi-img and stay asleep for hours).
I really don’t like the u-shaped ones,memory foam pillows don’t offer me enough support and inflatable ones make me too hot.
Might try a trtl next time I have to fly a long way in a seat (or ski train) but it doesn’t happen that often these days.
I wanted a pillow with minimal padding behind the neck otherwise it tends to crick my neck forwards.
Those C shaped neck pillows - the opening goes at the back, not the front where everyone (including me at first) seems to assume. They work far better like that because your neck does not get pushed forward.
I don't use one though as on most long-haul planes the sides of the headrest flip up to support your head. Apparently this is also not common knowledge.
Pay for a lay flat bed if you can swing/afford it. That is the only time I've slept anything approaching well on a plane.
Ask for an extra blanket.
Roll it up and fold it to a useful pillow shape. (Can stuff it into 2 Buffs if you want to be fancy)
Job done, no need to cart an otherwise useless accessory around.
I ended up flying back from LA in a sleeper flat seat. I was so excited I didn’t want to sleep really, I wanted to take it all in, popping to the bar etc. anyway I slept all the way home, what a waste.
Not me paying obvs.
Eat before the flight, decline food and drink. Ear plugs are a must, you need sound isolation from the chomping excited flyers and staff asking if you’d like tea or coffee. You also need a window or mid-central seat to avoid people asking you to get up. Pillows are not very helpful, fold the head rest ears in to hold your head. Recline seat. Cover your head in the blanket with the belt over the top you’ll be woken to check your belt otherwise when the seatbelt light comes on). I’ve never bothered with eye covers.
Resting is almost as good as sleeping, so don’t stress if you don’t really fall asleep. I’ve done dozens of long-haul red-eyes, many lying flat. Personally it doesn’t really matter what angle I’m at, sometimes I’ve slept like a baby and other times barely at all.
Can I just add Rule no 1, don't recline your seat until after the meal service, it's a total dick move for the person behind you. This is a problem I had on an Emirates flight, chap got on and instantly reclined, the attendant wouldn't do anything, I am fairly sure because he was a man and I am not!
Just been to Oz and back.
Pick seats well away from toilets, bassinettes and crew galleys to minimise disturbance.
Big silk eye mask great for cutting all light. Just make sure it's long enough to go around headphones.
NC headphones with conical foam plugs underneath work well at isolating all sound when flying at altitude. Two issues though; 1. The headphones will transmit vibration through your head if they touch any part of the plane. Not so bad from a fold-in headrest or neck pillow but very intrusive when sat in a window seat and resting head on fuselage lining. 2. Foam earplugs seal your ear canal and are best removed before descending to avoid serious ear discomfort. Take chewing gum for the descent.
Pillows. If using a memory foam neck pillow, make sure it isn't too bulky at the rear and choose one that fastens at the front. Take a small rectangular travel pillow to support the small of your back. Rolled up fleece does the same job.
Wear loose fitting comfy clothes and shoes.
Pack travel size toiletries in your hand luggage to freshen up at transitions or if delayed.
Just saw this yesterday:
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/pluto-pod-travel-pillow-review/?searchResultPosition=1
I know a couple of people who've had DVT, so I now always fly with Compression socks, no alcohol, lots of water, and take Aspirin (although the evidence for that is inconclusive). Do look a bit of a tit in shorts with compression socks, but I DGAS really...