Trying to find the inflatable body-wrap that enables a flier to sleep sitting up....
 

I have heard something about a blanket-type device designed to enable a seated passenger on an aircraft to truly sleep. All I know is that the passenger wraps him-herself in it, head to toe, inflates it to a certain level, and then can go to sleep, garnering strange looks from other passengers but able to enjoy true sleep during the overnight flight. Does anyone know more about this?

No, I'm sorry I don't. But I have this great fear that on our upcoming trip to England, you may be the person sitting next to me.
:)

Is this it?

http://tinyurl.com/3arsrt

It's not head to toe, however. I've been getting these travel product catalogs for ages and I think this may be a more current version of something that was a bit larger/longer previously.

I remember this because the older version seemed to take up so much seat space. The photo for the product made it look like the passenger was reclining on a slant and had barely any seat room left in which to perch his bottom. It just looked rather uncomfortable to me.

bakerstreet - sounds incredible but I still advise - get those FF miles, upgrade and sleep soundly under a 'duckdown' duvet in Premium Class!

I do hope the OP doesn't sit next to one of those people who can't stop popping bubble-wrap.

You might want to check with Michelin. Their "Michelin Man" outfit would be perfect. :-)

That's it! Apparently it's called the 1st Class Sleeper. Here's one of the comments from the website:

"You're either going to feel very superior to your fellow passengers, or perhaps slighty embarrassed, when, while other passengers are struggling to get comfortable with nothing, or with one of those around the neck inflatable collars, you pull out your much larger 1st Class Sleeper and start inflating it!

But, for sure, the first impression that the people around you have will quickly be replaced by awe, wonder, and envy, while your own feelings will change to smug satisfaction, comfort, peace, and soon, sleep."

Heck, it's only $30. I'm going to get one. Tod, I'd prefer your way but am flying an airline I've never flown before so don't have any FF miles. Rickmav, PatrickLondon and NoleNomad, if this works, hope my snoring won't bother you!

Thanks to all. This is a great site!

I think the airline should charge you extra for that. I can't imagine it not being quite an inconvenience to your fellow travelers!

And what, pray tell, do you do when you need to visit the restroom or stretch your legs, or let another passenger out of the seat next to you? What if there's an emergency? Do you have to deflate and inflate throughout the flight?

Sounds totally wacko to me - not to mention I can't see how any amount of bubble wrap would change the fact that you ARE still sitting, not lying down.

StCirq, did you even look at the photo?

I don't think it will be any problem at all for other passeng....feeling sleeeeepy......zzzzzzzzzzz

bakerstreet: &quot;<i>StCirq, did you even look at the photo?</i>&quot;

Did YOU look at the photo? Of course it will be in the way of others. Well - IT won't but you would. That man is lounged out and it would be very difficult to get over him to get out. If he raised the seat back to let someone by - he'd be sitting at least 5 inches farther forward so, again, one could not get around him.

Looks like a lot more trouble than it's worth and an inconvenience to one's seat mates.

I've booked a window seat. I just don't see how I would be creating problems for fellow passengers -- both of whom happen to be my family members.

What I personally find annoying in fellow travelers -- not those who are long (or sit high in their seats) but those who are WIDE. But that's a subject for a different thread.

Happy travels.

It has my interest.
http://www.amazon.com/First-Class-Sl.../dp/B0009JVUEW
See some reviews here. I watched the video on the sellers web site.

I guess I would have no problem with this if you're in the window seat. I don't get how this thing is more comfortable than the seat back, though, since it forces you to sit forward in the seat, thus your thighs are not supported (and what coach seat do you know that reclines as much as the one shown in the picture?)

This comment intrigues me: &quot;... other passengers are struggling to get comfortable with nothing ...&quot;

Have any of our well-travelled denizens tried sleeping on a plane with nothing, or are we all too inhibited to strip off?

After trying different methods (though I refuse to use drug approaches) I found the secret to sleeping on the plane is making sure my head wasn't flopping around. I use a &quot;Cush&quot; pillow wich is filled with polystyrene microbeads. This is what it looks like - http://www0.epinions.com/review/Cush...t_178055843460. I have a back complaint and I also use it for lumbar support on the plane, coach, car etc. Excellent!

If you notice, almost every positive reviewer said they also use a separate cushion from REI. Apparently, the 1st Class Sleeper is first class if combined w/ camping equipment.

But as long as you're in a window seat I can't really see the harm. I personally think a neck pillow or adjustable head rests would be more practical w/ less hassle.

I guess I don't understand how this is better than the regular seat, except that it's softer. You still have your legs dangling and you're still sitting face forward and upright, which isn't natural for sleep. Plus, you wouldn't be able to put your tray down AND you will be very, very close to the seat in front of you, should they decide to recline the seat.

And how do you inflate it? There is barely enough time to toss something in the overhead and get into your seat as others wait to board behind you. Do you have to lay it out and wait for it to inflate? Where do you stand while you do that?

For me, I need my feet elevated to sleep. That's the most important part.

But do post back with an honest report of how you liked it.

Would a giant Ziplock bag do the trick?

Judging by the 'What to Pack' threads, you should have no trouble getting one of those in the US.........8-)

Wow, there is a lot of speculation here. Maybe I can help you all. I actually have this device and have had it for several years. For me, it adds to comfort and hence aids sleeping. When properly inflated, it does not put you more than an inch or so forward of the seat back. It is easily inflated in a few seconds by simply blowing into its valve. In other words, the thing is helpful and is not a hassle.

Perhaps the design has changed over the years, but mine does not wrap me like a blanket. And it is certainly not head-to-toe. It is something that I sort of snuggle and rest against. To put it simply, it a variant of an air matress that goes between me and my seat back.

If anyone is still reading this -- I have gone and returned and I used the device on the overnight flight to Europe. It is smaller than I thought, easy to pack and to use. You sit against it and inflate it while sitting on it. Vedette's description is accurate. It provides cushion both on the back and for the head; the cushions on the side cradle the head to keep it from flopping from side to side. I also used an inflatable neck pillow around the front of my neck to help keep my neck from flopping forward. Finally, I wore eyeshades.

Result: I probably looked goofy, but I got a full 3 hours of sleep on this flight, much more than on any previous overnight flight, and was in better shape the next day than the rest of my travel companions. I will use it again and I recommend it.