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Fall Asleep While On A Plane

From the loud noises of the jet to being sat in the smallest of spaces, there’s no denying that trying to fall asleep on a plane is extremely difficult.

Whether you’re flying for business, pleasure or obligation, chances are you wouldn’t mind a little extra sleep. Traveling takes you out of your usual environment and schedule, and often means extra-early mornings or late nights. If you’re taking a red eye, it’s going to run havoc with your sleep schedule. Given that even a short sleep session can help you be more focused, alert and rested, we reached out to experts in the sleep and travel industries for tips on sleeping on a plane.

Head to the airport extra early to go for a walk before you board
While the recent flight delays should encourage you to head to the airport early, there’s another reason you should arrive there. Studies show that completing 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity can lead to a boost in your sleep quality, so you should spend some time walking through duty-free before you get on board.

Book THIS prime seat for sleep…
Did you know that there is a prime place for sleep in a plane? Firstly, you should avoid the toilets as that’s where people tend to chat. Instead, you should pick a seat in the same row as the wing. Not only is this likely to be the quietest area but as the wing is usually where the emergency exit is based, you’ll have more leg room.

…Or board last to bag two-to-three seats
If you’ve missed out on a wing seat, don’t fret. Another hack for getting a good seat for sleep is to hold back in the airport gate until everyone has boarded. Last one to board? You can see where the empty seats are and pick a seat that has two or three empty seats – allowing you to spread out.

As soon as you sit on the plane, change your clocks
As soon as you get onboard, set your watch and phone to the time at the destination you’re heading to before acting according to that. For example, if you’re flying in the afternoon but it’s nighttime where you’re heading, you should try to fall asleep.

However, if you’re flying long haul, you should also adjust the time on the lead-up to your flight – especially if you’re flying across multiple time zones. You can do this by adjusting your bedtime by an hour or two a few days before you’re due to fly. Both of these tips will help your internal body clock (known as your circadian rhythm) adjust, making you less susceptible to jetlag.