Comments on John Graham-Cumming: How to sleep on a long haul flight

This is very good advice. As someone who works in ...

2011-03-19T20:37:57.748Z

This is very good advice. As someone who works in the hearing profession, a common misconception is that all you need to do is 'block out hte sound' however, as detailed, this is not always the case.

Good stuff, but i'd have to disagree with you ...

2010-12-13T19:25:26.902Z

Good stuff, but i'd have to disagree with you on your recommendation on using a travel pillow. I use a little head restraint specially designed for use on airplanes called the Aerosleeper. You've never seen anything like it. Check it out @ http://www.aerosleeper.com/

Great tips! I'm about to try them all :) Abou...

2010-09-02T21:00:16.115Z

Great tips! I'm about to try them all :)

About the window seat: it may pay to persevere. I tried to change a seat for a forthcoming transcontinental flight, but the only window seat was at the very back. I got it, but I called again later (the same day), and there were two other window seats available. Supposedly someone changed, or cancelled their reservation, or perhaps the first attendant simply didn't try hard enough. Anyway, I got a much better seat.

Also: I'm going somewhere 5 timezones away, so I figured I'd try to shift my own "timezone" to that, 1h a day, until the day of the trip. Everyday, starting a week before departure, I'll go to bed and get up one hour earlier (after 5 days, I'll just keep the pace). This means that, for a few days before the trip, I'll go to bed really early, and be up while it's still night time. But hopefully I'll be up not feeling sleepy in the morning for my commitment in Europe :)

After reading about unsanitary airplane blankets, ...

2010-08-02T21:39:36.280Z

After reading about unsanitary airplane blankets, they do have the Ick factor for me. I feel much more comfortable bring my own hygienic travel blanket along. I like to snuggle so the long ones with the foot pockets are the way to go for me. Check what is currently available in the market place at The Travel Blanket Place

These are all correct -- I go a couple steps furth...

2010-06-09T19:30:32.938Z

These are all correct -- I go a couple steps further:

1) Set your watch to destination time once on the plane, so that if you do wake or check the time, it will be in the context of where you want to land.

2) One whiskey is better than one beer -- same sedating effect but less of an impact on the bladder.

3) I tend to wake (much earlier -- like middle of the night) the day of flight so that I will be more tired when boarding.

4) The day before the flight, I also skip the meal corresponding to "sleep time" at the destination (I make up for it by eating a meal when I wake up early.)

All of these work with the tips here to trick your body into accepting sleep.

[Coming up on 30 transoceanic trips with no jet lag on either end!]

Excellent advise. But what do I do with the 3 scr...

2010-06-08T15:14:12.519Z

Excellent advise. But what do I do with the 3 screaming kids that my wife assures me are my responsibility? So far I have tried to get them into the A/V system, etc. But otherwise just try to keep them quiet so as to not disturb the sleeping man next to me.

Never join the queue to board the plane. Instead,...

2010-06-08T11:28:00.679Z

Never join the queue to board the plane.

Instead, sit back and be the very last person aboard.

Often you'll find much better seats than yours that are left empty.

Sometimes, you'll even find a whole row empty that you can take.

And if not, well you still have your assigned seat.

Actually one of the few great things about the lon...

2010-06-08T05:26:30.315Z

Actually one of the few great things about the long haul flights to New Zealand is that at "night" the crew declare it to be night-time, dim the lights and more or less force everyone to go quiet.

I haven't seen this done on other airlines -- and it makes an awful lot of sense.

I like to get to sleep as soon as the plane boards...

2010-06-08T04:26:38.662Z

I like to get to sleep as soon as the plane boards. If you're flying hundreds of thousands of miles a) why are you not getting upgraded? but b) you're likely able to board before everyone else in coach. Cocoon up and get to sleep before the rest of the plane even boards.

Alternatively, I like to take advantage of the pressurization effect and use it to knock myself out. I always feel sleepy when they close the door, so I can usually doze off before we even taxi.

Of course, with both approaches, you lose the ability to use the noise-cancelling headset, but you can put them around your neck and use them if something nudges you slightly awake during the flight.

Great advice! I use he pillow sideway and tilt my...

2010-06-08T03:04:02.029Z

Great advice! I use he pillow sideway and tilt my body so that my head won't fall toward the opening of the "U".

The eye mask and ear plugs are really essential since there are always screaming children and fluorescent lights.

Sleepy travels!

What you say makes a lot of sense. My biggest prob...

2010-06-08T01:42:12.238Z

What you say makes a lot of sense. My biggest problem falling asleep is being comfortable. I just can't seem to be comfy sitting upright, I get pain in my lower back. I only manage to sleep when the seat next to me is free, so I can sort of lie down (which doesn't happen a lot). Any ideas for that?

I'd like to know how you managed to choose an ...

2010-06-07T23:49:56.774Z

I'd like to know how you managed to choose an exit row ahead of time. EVERY flight I've ever flown has not allowed that row to be assigned until the day of the flight.

You forgot to mention there's no need to have ...

2010-06-07T23:12:52.233Z

You forgot to mention there's no need to have the noise-cancelling headphones hooked up to an input source. They work just as well at reducing noise whether you've got music (or comedy, or an audio book, etc, etc) coming through them or not.

It's also a wise idea to purchase, and wear, a set of headphones well in advance of your planned trip. Ten minutes into the flight is not the right time to put them on your head for the first time. Find a pair that are comfortable and get used to them long before you board the aircraft, otherwise you're just your wasting time.

Great tips, but for socks "airline socks"...

2010-06-07T23:02:19.714Z

Great tips, but for socks "airline socks" keep your feet warm and keep your legs from swelling. I don't necessarily have them on from the time I leave my house (you are supposed to have them on 1 hour before you fly), but I make sure I'm wearing shoes that I can easily slip off an on in my seat...usually Birkenstocks because of the amount of walking involved in flying.

No way, not only are you my best friend Julian'...

2010-06-07T22:14:56.427Z

No way, not only are you my best friend Julian's cousin, not only did you organise that whole campaign to get Alan Turing an official apology, but most importantly you also just got linked to from LifeHacker (okay perhaps least importantly really). Way to go John!

Thanks for the tips, too - must admit I have resorted to Valium on more than one occasion, I'll have to give these healthier tips a try!

Seth

Interesting. I am myself a power-sleeper on planes...

2010-06-07T17:36:52.490Z

Interesting. I am myself a power-sleeper on planes to the amazement of most other passengers.

A few different advices: eat in the plane but don't do it the usual way. I always request vegetarian meal (special meal request).
1) you have a light meal (and easy digestion)
2) you are served first and foremost

Agree with the movie comment. Do not start using the entertainment system!

I agree with Andrew totally. Thanks for the tips b...

2010-06-07T15:19:22.032Z

I agree with Andrew totally. Thanks for the tips buddy.

These are good tips, but my number one tip for sle...

2010-06-07T14:49:23.023Z

These are good tips, but my number one tip for sleeping long haul is to wear something super comfortable on the flight.

I have a pair of baggy tracksuit bottoms and long-sleeve t-shirt, that roll down into nothing, which I change into in the departure lounge or on the plane. With a pair of thick warm socks it makes the world of difference.

I love watching people on the SFO->LHR flight who dress like they're on the way to an evening in a cocktail bar. They invariably end up looking disheveled and grumpy by the time we arrive.

absolutely!! Great advice. Hadn't seen a pil...

2010-06-07T12:15:28.398Z

absolutely!! Great advice. Hadn't seen a pillow used backwards before. I'll try in next flight. Going to sent this to a special someone looking forward to a long haul flight soon.