I keep my noise cancelling headphones on regardless of whether I'm sleeping or not. If I'm am asleep, well, regular cabin noise and talking passengers don't bother me at all, maybe a product of apartment living. Its really the engine noise I can't stand and keeps me from getting to sleep. I can still hear any important pre-landing announcements with headphones; when I use earplugs, I end up taking them out to make sure I've heard everything correctly.

In the past, I've managed several hours of rest with earplugs, an eyemask, and the C shaped blow-up neck pillows they sell in the airport. No alcohol needed, haven't tried Ambien or Melatonin (I may try it this trip, though), and no noise-canceling headphones. I prefer the wax earplugs (they aren't for IN your ear but block the area outside the canal) as I find they work better on me.

After a recent (Mar/Apr) SFO - PEK RT Air China coach flight, I'll never fly again without Ambien.
SO is lv JFK for CDG and connections Prague/Budapest this PM and has one for every day of the journey.
M

"One way to try and get some sleep on the plane is to make sure you are exhausted when you board, by getting minimum sleep the night before"

Doesn't work, you just end up even more knackered at the other end.

I've had occasions where I've had an early start (like 4:00am), a full day, then 2 hours sleep, 3 hours to the airport, then a 14 hour flight plus 2 hours at the other end. None of the sleep was on a plane

Hi

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. Seems to be a common problem. Like Ashields it's the engine noise I can't put up with. I can handle other noises (except squawking children). I don't know about pills, wary of the side effects. But a few wines, weeell, after all my body IS a temple in which numerous offerings need to be made to the Gods. Might try sitting at the back of the plane too!

Cheers

On a previous post someone said that some of us just can't sleep sitting up. I think that's me. On my first trip to Europe my TC bet me $50 that I would not be able to sleep...I won. But we had a row and I could curl up and be horizontal. I can always sleep on a plane if I'm not sitting up. Nothing seems to work if I'm sitting up...although I haven't tried drugs yet. And the return jet lag is always MUCH worse.

If it's engine noise that you see as the biggest problem, the best solution is the noise cancelling headphones. Not sure why you are averse to those - I've had a pair of small, fold up Sennheisers for years and they are a god send. Even waiting in the airport terminal is less stressful when I cut out all the background noise.

I either leave connect them to my ipod and play some brainwave symphony music a low volume to block out some of the non-white cabin noise, or just leave them disconnected.

The minute I get on the plane I set my watch ahead to arrival time zone, and act like it's that time already. I eat before I get on the plane, regardless of 5pm or 9pm departure, business or coach class.

When I get on the plane I change into sleep clothes - comfortable sweat pants and sweatshirt, put on my hedphones, eye shades and close my eyes. On a good day I'll wake up once during the flight, that being after takeoff to recline my seat.

worldinabag--I think the noisiest seats are at the back of the plane, between the crew and the engine, I would find it really hard to sleep. The closer to the front, the better I sleep. Of course, I'd sleep like a baby if I were seated right at the front--in first class!

There is a serious mismatch between the size of me and the size of an economy seat in a 747B. So I stay awake on both legs of the flight to Europe, all 21 hours of it, and make full use of the provided in-seat entertainment, my Ipod, and the excellent service on Singapore Airlines. I sleep very well on my first night in Europe!

Yes I agree Adeben, Singapore Airlines is excellent, we're flying Emirates this time though. And yes Ashields first class would solve the problem. Unfortunately when I pay the fares I too would sleep like a baby - wake up every hour and cry!

Cheers y'all

I don't think trying for the back of the plane is going to make you any happier, worldinabag.

The only time I've slept on a plane was last year, taking sleepeze. I don't normally take drugs but it was worth it. I had an inflatable neck pillow and slept for hours.