Can you sleep on a Plane?

Omagh, Northern Ireland
September 23, 2010 3:47am CST
Unless I'm really tired,like sleep deprived,I don't find it at all easy to sleep on a plane..it's either too warm or cold,there's the distractions of the cabin crew moving around and doing their thing,people in neighbouring seats wanting in and out,crying babies,you name it..some airlines hand out travel kits that include an eyemask which is good to block out the light,helpful to get you into the zone of sleep possibility..I'd also have earplugs,and bring along a set of noise cancelling headphones..What suggestions would You make,or what works for You in that situation?
2 people like this
21 responses
@ElicBxn (63194)
• United States
23 Sep 10
on my last trip to England, I took some meds with me to help me sleep... I was sick enough to sleep well on the way back
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
23 Sep 10
That's an option I've yet to try! I'd rather not travel while unwell (thinking SARS here..)and having a blocked ear on one hop was excrutiating when it wouldn't equalise pressure.
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63194)
• United States
23 Sep 10
oh believe me, I wouldn't normally want to fly sick, but I had to get back to the States somehow!!!
@ip4uct (7)
22 Sep 12
I usually travel alone on a plane so there is no temptation to sleep. The cabin staff are friendly enough to keep you company. The reruns on the TV sets will help you to drift off in no time.
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
23 Sep 12
How long would the flights be that you would usually travel on? For Me,if I'm alone,there's only so much entertainment and food I can take on a transatlantic night flight...
@lkbooi (16070)
• Malaysia
27 Sep 10
Hi ShepherdSpy, I'm not easy to fall asleep while riding on public transport. It's worse still when travelling on a plane. The shortest time spending on a flight was an hour or so whereas the longest distance flight I had experienced was seven hours. I dislike to travel in a plane as I could hardly fall into a proper sleep. It's really annoying that I'm energetic and like to have someone to chat with. But really disappointed that my friends keep enjoying their sweet dream on the plane What I could do to kill the boredom is watching tv programs or playing games on the mini tv screen that fixed on the back of the seat in front of me. Or watching what the people around me doing. Oh gosh, most of them are indulging in their sound sleep. some even making disgusting snoring noise or even with wide opened mouth Happy posting!
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
27 Sep 10
Yep,as if it wasn't bad enough not being able to relax enough on a plane for some sleep to come,You're left sitting there wondering how these other people around you can manage it while You can't!
@goldeneagle (6745)
• United States
27 Sep 10
I have traveled by plane a few times, both during the day and at night, and I have found that I have no trouble sleeping on a plane at night, especially if I have the row of seats to myself so that I can stretch out a bit more. However, on flights during the day, I prefer to stay awake as long as there is interesting scenery to view, although, a short nap is not out of the question on flights during the day either.
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
27 Sep 10
If I have a long day with work or travel,and get the opportunity for a nap,(Sometimes I work split shifts and get to go home for a few hours)I'll take it..most flights for Me in recent Years have been shuttle hops between Ireland and mainland UK or Europe,perhaps then connecting with (mostly) transatlantic flights.I agree,in daylight there's more to see and stay awake for,especialy during takeoff and landing,but midflight there's always a few hours where you're above the clouds (I Love how a plane flies above cloud cover at that altitude,no matter the conditions on the ground,it'll be clear and sunny up there!)the view over fields of clouds is unchanging,with only maybe another plane on a parallel course to see out there..If I didn't get much sleep the night before due to needing an early start to get to the airport,I'll go for it and try for a nap then..maybe I've not let flying become a routine,or boring..sleep comes only with difficulty..
@his0yir (258)
3 Oct 10
I share the exactly same experience with you! I can be easily disturbed during my sleep, and in a small and crowd space like air plane, it is the last place where you want to sleep. But, hey, if you need to fly across Atlantic or Continent, you have no choice but find your way to grab some nap. In order to beat all possible annoyance inside the plane, I always have eyepad, earplugs, comfortable pants and socks. I make sure I put enough moisture on my legs and arms so I won't scratch like something in the middle of sleep because of the dried air. I also make sure the blanket is well-fixed on me so I don't need to wake up because of cold. Same with the position of the seat which I adjust to the very right angle I can feel. So with all these tasks done, I then close my eyes, persuading myself 'everything is as comfortable as it can be, now GET TO SLEEP!!!' However, my effort sometimes doesn't work. From a complicated sleeping ritual to give up sleep takes just a second. Maybe I should just honestly admit I can't sleep on the plane like some people do, and thus save the efforts?
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
4 Oct 10
Going on a Long distance flight take so much time,between getting ready to leave home,travelling to the airport,(Hopefully getting there in time!),waiting through check in and any delays pre-takeoff..you're on the go for so many hours,it's almost guaranteed you'll be tired..and yet you sometimes are unable to get any sleep! You feel you have to try,though..Thanks for the comment!
@ria1215 (33)
• Australia
4 Oct 10
yeh, I cant sleep on a plane as well. That's why I hate taking night flights because I can't sleep unless I'm really tired and I will be able to take a nap for 2-3 hours. Usually I'll be exhausted when I get off the plane. So personally I prefer taking day flights instead of night flights! :)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
23 Sep 12
Takeoffs and landings at night are cool as you can see the cities,roads and cars picked out by their lights (assuming you can get a window seat,or near to one!)
@maximax8 (31055)
• United Kingdom
23 Sep 10
I have been on plenty of plane journeys and it is sometimes possible for me to sleep. The best time was when I flew from Fiji to Sydney. I got three seats to lay down on. It was so comfortable even though I had to keep my seat belt done up. I flew from London to the Maldives. I was sitting at a seat a and there was a lady sitting at seat c so we had seat b to share. It was easy for me to sleep on that flight due to the extra amount of space. I flew from Vancouver to London on the last flight that I did. I had seat a, my daughter had seat b and my disabled son had seat c. I got a some sleep but I woke up a number of times. That was because I felt so uncomfortable. My legs were aching. I like to use the eye masks and I don't need to use ear plugs. I have to were ear plane and to stop my ears hurting. These are better than ear plugs. My toddler son and baby daughter are very quiet when we fly on a plane. Passengers near us often say thanks when we land because my children were so good on the flight. Sometimes I like to store up sleep like go to bed at 7pm and wake up at 11pm for a flight that leaves at 2am. A few times in my life I have needed to rest on the flight because I have arrived in the middle of the night. Like I arrived at 1am into Perth in Australia and the Pacific Islands at 2am. Then I have had to sit up until dawn or found accommodation that would let me in so late.
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
24 Sep 10
It's good when you can get a quiet flight and discover you have the option to stretch out over a row! I haven't done any real long distance flights,at least not non-stop (Yet)...My furthest destination thus far has been Dublin to Phoenix,Az,via London and JFK..A lot of conections..was really tired at the other end of that one!
@elmiko (6630)
• United States
24 Sep 10
probably not because i've never flown on a plane and would be nervous the first time around.
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
24 Sep 10
I can't exactly remember when my first flight was,but at the time I was a Kid going to visit my Grandparents in Ireland..but I do remember it being an exciting experience...I've tried not to let the novelty wear off in between!
• Singapore
24 Sep 10
I haven't been flying for a long time. But my suggestions would be to, as you said, bring along a noise-cancelling headphone, maybe listen to some music which will calm you down like for me, it's jazz. It'll soothe you along the journey. You can also bring along your laptop to surf the net, especially some airlines are offering wifi on their planes like, Emirates etc.
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
24 Sep 10
I'd really like to be able to do some websurfing while in the air..It might not make me want to sleep,but it would sure be an improvement over a boring or uninteresting inflight Movie! I'm keeping an eye on developments in mobile tech aboard planes,especially regarding wifi and cellphone usage...I'm not too keen on the idea of cellphones on a plane,though..I don't like being in restaurants where people are making and taking calls while the staff are trying to serve food,and I don't need that at 36 000 feet with no escape...
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
23 Sep 10
I could fall asleep on a plane but the duration probably would not be very long. I just can't get that comfortable if I am not sleeping in my own bed. Comfort is something I need to really get to sleep.
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
24 Sep 10
Aircraft seats are part of the problem,too..they don't recline enough for you to get comfortable in some cases,then you have to contend with the battle for the armrests..one of these trips,I'll have to upgrade to a better seat!
@madteaparty (2748)
• Japan
24 Sep 10
I agree with you. Sleeping in a plane is difficult, for me even being sleep deprived. It's always too cold -and to spend 12 hours in a plane where the temperature feels like being in the street in winter can't be good for health-, there's always someone noisy or some crying kid, or someone who needs to push your seat. The seats aren't confortable enough to sleep either. I have even tried with sleeping pills, but it just doesn't work as I'm not feeling confortable.
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
24 Sep 10
I've never had to take a sleeping pill in my life,I'll sleep or nap as I need it..interesting to hear that they don't always work..
@bestylish (922)
• Philippines
24 Sep 10
Well. yes I can but the position is going to be difficult. Whenever I'm tired, I prefer to sleep on a bed... obviously. haha!
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
24 Sep 10
That's part of it too..the further toward the back of the plane You're sitting,the less room you have to stretch out and get comfortable!
@nicole00 (141)
• United States
24 Sep 10
The first time I ever road on a plan I was wide awoke. I guess I was afraid of something happening or maybe I just want to see everything lol but no I would not sleep on a plane I just cant do it!! lol
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
24 Sep 10
How long was your first flight? Living in Northern Ireland,the most common flights from here would be back and forward to mainland GB with the budget airlines,taking about 90 minutes each way..there's hardly time for a nap on those!
• Philippines
24 Sep 10
i dont know know cause i never ride a plane ever since,,,,,i hope someday i can ride ,, so that i can answer your question.........
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
24 Sep 10
Do you travel by train or Bus where you Live? Could you sleep in that situation?
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
23 Sep 10
I have always been able to sleep when traveling. One of the things I do is to close my eyes and try to relax. I do not always sleep but I do relax. I concentrate on one thing and shut out other distractions. At least I feel rested even if I do not sleep.
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
23 Sep 10
I can sorta do that,zoning out some,but I really dislike that feeling of being tired enough to want to sleep,yet am unable to drop off with the distractions around Me!
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
23 Sep 10
I can't really sleep on a plane. I don't know why I can't seem to sleep on a plane, but I've never really been able to do this, for one reason or another.
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
23 Sep 10
sounds like you might be able to use something out of this discussion,too!
@shia88 (4571)
• Malaysia
23 Sep 10
Hi, I have no problem to sleep on the plane.Of course,it is depend on how long is the flight distance,if it only taken less than 2 hours to reach my destination, I will only has a quick rest before the plane is taking off. I remembered when I was on Qantas airline to Australia,I was on night flight, It is kinda tiring as that was my first experience on night flight and it took almost 7 hours to touch down on Brisbane. I slept in the plane,but can't really enjoy my sleep as there was voices on and off, and also meals were served for twice throughout the whole flight. However, it was a great experience for me.
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
23 Sep 10
Some airlines make provision for travellers who don't want to be disturbed..I recall one that had an eyemask with messages for the crew to read,like "please wake me for meals" or "Do not disturb"..
@carpediem17 (1315)
• Singapore
23 Sep 10
hi shepherdspy - I can usually sleep on long haul flight as long as the person sitting next to me is a good neighbour and doesn't fidget or make too much noise although it can be rather uncomfortable. Definitely if one can't sleep, playing some online games and reading will help in that process plus music of course.....
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
23 Sep 10
I do try to relax by eating,or watching an in flight movie..some airlines have better facilities than others,which changes things..and I like a window seat which cuts down on the disturbance!
• United States
23 Sep 10
I mainly never sleep on flights just because I turn into a little kid and have to look out the window the whole time, however, there are a few times where Sleeping is the much better option. What usually works for me is listening to a CD that I've eaither had for a long time or have listened to a lot. My brain has a tendency to drown it out so it kind of becomes a familiar white noise. I don't know if this works for anyone else, but it definitely has proven to work for me. The human brain is capable of pretty interesting things.
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
23 Sep 10
I have some favourite tunes I like to use as a playlist when travelling,and even had a few takeoff "Anthems" lined up too..but now I keep getting warned off by the cabin crew from using electronic stuff during takeoff and landing,so I haven't even been able to do that on recent trips!
• United States
23 Sep 10
Oh, absolutely. When I am on a plane, I am out. Normally it's because I've stayed awake the entire time the night before. But I think there's something relaxing about planes. There's something relaxing about being on a plane, something almost relaxing about being in the air and something romantic about flying. I love planes :) Suggestions would be to take Tylenol PM. Seriously! My friend Kenny takes it when he flies and it knocks him out cold.
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
23 Sep 10
That's what gets Me...I try to plan my flights where possible that I get an early start on the way out,and maybe a redeye on the way back to maximise my time at the destination..My last trip was to the US in March this year,and I was leaving home around 2am to get to the airport by 5:30,allowing time for a 7am check in..I used an airport coach service to get there,so I got a bit of a nap on the way,but still was unable to get some Z's on the 7 hour flight! Thanks for the recommendation.. will keep it in mind!