I tried an ambien, prescribed, on my last trip JFK to CDG. I took it soon after reaching about 30,000'. At that point if the plane goes down, well.... Dinner was served. DW tells me that I ate it. DW tells me that I liked it. I have no recollection. Woke up about an hour before landing with no jet lag at all and no anti-histamine hangover.

I'm another one who never slept on the plane and used to get annoyed just looking at my DH, who was snoozing as the plane took off!

Finally figured out what would work for me:

- Ate at the airport (love the hot soup and wine idea. I'll try that next time).

- Took two Tylenol PM just before boarding.

- Used an eye mask and ear plugs.

- Wrap up in my pashmina, plump my little down travel pillow (BTW, the best thing ever invented. It opens into a down-filled, cotton covered, zippered cover for large pillows once you are in your hotel/apartment. Restoration Hardware).

Lean on the DH and I'm off to sleep. It only works for a couple of hours (for me), but it's better than nothing at all.

Believing that drugs will only maks the problem of jetlag, a different take on this.

Since the issue is that your internal clock will be out by 5 horus when you land, just taking drugs may make you sleep on th eplane, but you will land and your body will be on NY time.

So..my solution is on the nights leading up to your flight you go to bed earlier and earlier, and getting up earlier and earlier. So not only are you adjusting your internal clock to the local Scottish time, but when you do get on the plane, your body will already feel likes it's time to go to bed, making it easier to sleep on the plane. No coffee, no wine, no movie, maybe dinner. Put on headset and listen to relaxing music.zzzzzz

When you land, your time to adjust will be much shorter.

I don't take anything to sleep. I like to 'settle' into my seat, watch the movie, eat some dinner, then I'll lay my head down, pull my 'pashmina' over my head and doze. I don't think I ever actually go into a sleep pattern, but I wake up for breakfast, spruce up in the loo, and I'm good to go until 9-10pm that night. I think one becomes immune to jet lag after making the trip a few times.

Xanax.

Here

Another vote for Xanax.

Some of you folks sound quite smug about how it isn't that long a flight to Europe. The west coast is nine hours behind most of Europe.

Getting a flight out of Seattle or Portland, then changing planes on the east coast after a layover in Newark or Chicago for a couple of hours, and finally a five or six hour flight to Europe--that's an endurance trial!

If you can be alert on landing after a couple hourse sleep, you're amazing.

I have always found the wine to be sufficient on eastbound evening flights.

But I am one of those who wonders why one would want to be knocked out.

Even if you do not sleep a wink on such a flight, it is not a catastrophe, and you would recover before long. There are no awards to win on transatlantic travel for the most refreshed arrival.

Over-the-counter drugs often have the opposite effect on me, too. If you need to take something, I'd recommend getting a prescription. They go down a lot smoother.

I'd also recommend drinking lots of water and avoiding alcohol in order to keep hydrated. Speaking for myself, I'd rather be a bit tired or jeglagged than have my face look bloated.

another vote for no medication. It just messes my system up more than lack of sleep does.

- DEF eat dinner before boarding. Fill that belly to avoid the dinner service. (backup snacks are always appreciated when I wake up and are served some nasty breakfast food! - I'd rather eat my ziplock of pretzels, or Cheerios, or graham crackers).

- do things that wind you down... I put the Ipod on, contacts out early, and try lots of deep breathing and ignoring things around me.

- the next day is just as important. I've found I adjust best when I get outside. Not a tour bus ride, but a brisk walk through a park. Avoid sit down meals and get sandwiches which can be eaten on the fly. If you can check in early, a shower and change of clothes does wonders!!! My best 'avoid jetlag' day was when we walked 18 holes of golf after arriving. We felt great! Then a nice big meal and we barely stumbled home to fall asleep.

- most importantly, don't overthink it. Just simplify it.

I wear my sunglasses on the plane and while my sister thought I was going for an air of mystery, it really just helped me sleep...

Hi,

Last trip from NJ to Frankfurt I took Nyquil and used ear plugs. Funny, when I have a cold, Nyquil "puts me out" at home, but didn't do the same on the plane. It did help me rest, relax and I did manage to doze off for about 2 hours.

Paul

Hi Pegontheroad, have a heart!! We live in Sydney - now that's a long distance haul. Sydney to Europe - 24 hours usually!! We do approx 7 hours to Singapore/Bangkok (hang around there for a few hours) and then another 13 hours to where ever in Europe we are going. It gets reversed on the way home obviously. Talk about head spinning jetlag! the trip over is ok thank goodness, but when we get home we are 'out to lunch' for about 3 days. I find I actually feel dizzy and slightly nauseous for several days.

<<Some of you folks sound quite smug about how it isn't that long a flight to Europe. The west coast is nine hours behind most of Europe. >>

The OP specifically referred to a NY to Europe flight.

West Coast to Europe I agree is a longer schlep, with more of a time zone change, though we usually stop off at NY or Atlanta.

When flying from SF to Europe directly, or to New Zealand (11-12 hours nonstop), we really have to get the same 4 hours or so in to keep going on the first day.

Coming back is harder for us. No chance to sleep/light the whole way, and a long stopover on the east coast.

<<No sure that I woud ever want to be "knocked out" on a plane.

Dozing yes - but not out for the count - in case something happens.>>

I like to be concious for take off and landing but to be honest if anything goes wrong in the air I'd rather be knocked out.

I find a couple of glasses of red wine does the trick.

Oops
sorry forgot to add

Cathies - I find using the pool at Changi (Singapore) airport helps a lot. Particularly on the Europe to Oz leg. Get off the plane, head for the pool, relax in nice warm water for 30 mins. It does wonders.

I am surprised that no one seems to mention Benadryl. Non-prescription and not dangerous, and helps with sinus/cabin pressurization issues as well. One Benadryl will give me 3 or 4 hours of sleep on a flight.

I'm with Cathies - These poor diddums who think a 5-6 hour trans Atlantic flight is the end of the world. 24 hours to get to London OR New York - add on pre-flight and post flight times etc - we are travelling for up to 36 hours.

Anyhow, I use melatonin.

That's a good idea Sashh, thanks for the tip. Next time I will do that. A swim would also be a good way to stretch out and get a little exercise. thanks, Cathie