Sleeping on airplanes (in cattle class)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sleeping on airplanes (in cattle class)
I have a difficult time with jet lag, and continue to experiment with schedules, food/no food, light/no light, homeopathic remedies, etc. etc. to find what works best for me.
Meanwhile, I'm also trying to learn how to sleep on airplanes. This is especially relevant because I'm taking a red-eye from the midwest to central Europe in a couple of months. My biggest problem seems to be that I just can't sleep unless I'm almost horizontal. (The only time I've been able to sleep, even on an overnight flight, was when the back of the plane had an empty row and I could lie across 3 seats.)
I've tried Ambien and the like, but reacted badly. If anyone has any tips, tricks, or suggestions, I'd love to hear them.
Meanwhile, I'm also trying to learn how to sleep on airplanes. This is especially relevant because I'm taking a red-eye from the midwest to central Europe in a couple of months. My biggest problem seems to be that I just can't sleep unless I'm almost horizontal. (The only time I've been able to sleep, even on an overnight flight, was when the back of the plane had an empty row and I could lie across 3 seats.)
I've tried Ambien and the like, but reacted badly. If anyone has any tips, tricks, or suggestions, I'd love to hear them.
#2
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
tld,
I'm so glad you posed this questions. I wanted to ask it earlier but wasn't sure where to post it. I can't sleep on long flights (will be traveling 12 hours on next flight) and could really use some advice. I'm going to follow this topic to see what advice you get. Thanks for asking.
I'm so glad you posed this questions. I wanted to ask it earlier but wasn't sure where to post it. I can't sleep on long flights (will be traveling 12 hours on next flight) and could really use some advice. I'm going to follow this topic to see what advice you get. Thanks for asking.
#3
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You can purchase business class or first class seats on airlines that offer flat bed service. You will be hard pushed these days to find 3 empty economy seats that you can lie flat across. Premium economy doesn't help since the armrests are fixed, at least on the airlines I have travelled on.
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 23,138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Even if you had not reacted to Ambien, I would avoid it for most flights; recommended time one needs to be active is 6-8 hours and there is some talk that this may be extended.
Have you tried Benadryl? And I suggest any medication you try, you first try at home to see how you react.
Have you tried Benadryl? And I suggest any medication you try, you first try at home to see how you react.
#5
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 7,763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<i>You can purchase business class or first class seats on airlines that offer flat bed service. You will be hard pushed these days to find 3 empty economy seats that you can lie flat across. Premium economy doesn't help since the armrests are fixed, at least on the airlines I have travelled on.</i>
This.
This.
#6
For years, I couldn't sleep on planes. I finally figured out that it was the reclining that kept me from sleeping. I started sitting up straight, folding out the "flaps" on the headrest and use one of those "u" shaped blow up pillows. With my head properly supported, I plug in my iPod and drift off.
In recent years, I also started using Ativan (Lorazapem) to deal with fear of flying. It is an anti-anxiety, anti-nausea medication. I like it because I don't get that drugged feeling, but it does relax me enough that sleep comes even more easily.
In recent years, I also started using Ativan (Lorazapem) to deal with fear of flying. It is an anti-anxiety, anti-nausea medication. I like it because I don't get that drugged feeling, but it does relax me enough that sleep comes even more easily.
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I found an older Washington Post article that has some detailed tips for sleeping on planes, perhaps of interest:
http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2...exit-row-seats
http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2...exit-row-seats
#9
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I upgrade when I can. I cannot sleep sitting up. Period.
I've looked at those u-shaped pillows but, due to a whiplash injury back in the early 70s, I cannot sleep on a pillow that has much thickness to it at all. Just looking at those u-shaped pillows makes my neck hurt! Ouch! Not for me.
I've looked at those u-shaped pillows but, due to a whiplash injury back in the early 70s, I cannot sleep on a pillow that has much thickness to it at all. Just looking at those u-shaped pillows makes my neck hurt! Ouch! Not for me.
#10
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 7,763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<i>Odin and Sparkchaser, I like your solution the best. Unfortunately, my travel budget doesn't have room for a $900 upgrade.</i>
I'd find that money because $900 to upgrade to business class is a helluva deal.
I'd find that money because $900 to upgrade to business class is a helluva deal.
#11
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,859
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<i>"I'd find that money because $900 to upgrade to business class is a helluva deal."</i>
No kidding! That is a steal.
In coach:
-I take a blow up pillow for my back to give the seat more lumbar support.
-I pull my roll-aboard out from under the seat to put my feet on. If I don't have one or its in the overhead, I empty out the seatback pocket, put on my slipper/socks and prop my feet in/on the pocket depending on the configuration.
-I take a Tylenol PM, put on my headphones and my eyemask and dare anyone to annoy me.
-The first two nights in the new location, I take a sleeping pill each night. I do the same when I return home. It works quite well to adjust to a new time zone.
-In your new location, sleep with the drapes open so that the daylight will wake you at a proper hour.
No kidding! That is a steal.
In coach:
-I take a blow up pillow for my back to give the seat more lumbar support.
-I pull my roll-aboard out from under the seat to put my feet on. If I don't have one or its in the overhead, I empty out the seatback pocket, put on my slipper/socks and prop my feet in/on the pocket depending on the configuration.
-I take a Tylenol PM, put on my headphones and my eyemask and dare anyone to annoy me.
-The first two nights in the new location, I take a sleeping pill each night. I do the same when I return home. It works quite well to adjust to a new time zone.
-In your new location, sleep with the drapes open so that the daylight will wake you at a proper hour.
#13
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,293
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hire hospice with morphine. But seriously, I've been using the Tylenol PM. As soon as I eat my dessert, I take one. Get a window seat and avoid the seats in front of the emergency exit. They don't recline.
#14
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 10,509
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How do you react to benadryl? If I take one then I'm okay but a little drowsy. Give me two and goodnight. I can function but I might drool a bit. If you're going to try that (or anything) do try it ahead of time to see how you react to it.
To help prevent jet lag I always schedule my sleeping on the plane for the destination. I want to sleep whenever it's night time at my destination. I also find it easiest to land in the evening so that by the time I'm at my hotel I have time to unwind and then it's bedtime. Even when I do sleep on the planes it's generally not the most restful sleep so I'm fairly tired by the time I arrive and falling asleep isn't that hard. Set an alarm to get up at a decent time the next morning.
To help prevent jet lag I always schedule my sleeping on the plane for the destination. I want to sleep whenever it's night time at my destination. I also find it easiest to land in the evening so that by the time I'm at my hotel I have time to unwind and then it's bedtime. Even when I do sleep on the planes it's generally not the most restful sleep so I'm fairly tired by the time I arrive and falling asleep isn't that hard. Set an alarm to get up at a decent time the next morning.
#16
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,859
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yep...it's me. Flying on every airline, every flight...sleeping in several seats on each of my hundreds of flights each day just to break down those well made seat back pockets. Oh well............
#18
>>>Even if you had not reacted to Ambien, I would avoid it for most flights; recommended time one needs to be active is 6-8 hours and there is some talk that this may be extended.<<<
You didn't say what kind of Ambien you tried, but I take the old short-acting (4 hours), not the new time release Ambien CR(8 hours). You can get the old regular Ambien in either 5mg or 10mg. I think most people having problems with Ambien are taking Ambien CR.
>>>Just looking at those u-shaped pillows makes my neck hurt!<<<
I have a child's version with microbeads in it so it's not as thick as the adult pillows. The beads squish around so it wouldn't be thick in areas you don't want it to be. It weighs almost nothing. I also have one of the down travel pillow cases that folds into itself to make a travel pillow.
You didn't say what kind of Ambien you tried, but I take the old short-acting (4 hours), not the new time release Ambien CR(8 hours). You can get the old regular Ambien in either 5mg or 10mg. I think most people having problems with Ambien are taking Ambien CR.
>>>Just looking at those u-shaped pillows makes my neck hurt!<<<
I have a child's version with microbeads in it so it's not as thick as the adult pillows. The beads squish around so it wouldn't be thick in areas you don't want it to be. It weighs almost nothing. I also have one of the down travel pillow cases that folds into itself to make a travel pillow.
#19
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 7,763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<i>I've been using the Tylenol PM. As soon as I eat my dessert, I take one.</i>
I used to take Tylenol PM until the one day I was unable to fall asleep. I sat there for 6-7 hours unable to sleep with my head in a fog and my eyelids so very heavy. After that fun experience, I never took Tylenol PM on a plane again.
I used to take Tylenol PM until the one day I was unable to fall asleep. I sat there for 6-7 hours unable to sleep with my head in a fog and my eyelids so very heavy. After that fun experience, I never took Tylenol PM on a plane again.
#20
I do better with a window seat, bring a travel pillow and also tuck at least one leg in to the seat back pocket. Sometimes get lucky and the seat between is empty so can creep over on to that.
Best thing is to try and get plenty of sleep the few nights leading up to the trip.
Best thing is to try and get plenty of sleep the few nights leading up to the trip.