Drinking coffee while flying can wreak havoc in your sleep (Image: Jupiterimages via Getty Images)
Singapore Airlines launched a nearly 19-hour non-stop service from Singapore to New York in 2020, with a journey from Heathrow to Perth taking 17 hours, and even a “short” trip from London Heathrow to Los Angeles will have a clock after 11 hours.
Naturally, air travelers need to sleep during these extended flights, but falling asleep in the airline seat in the hubbub of busy flights is not easy.
No one accumulates miles like airlines, so they are people who ask when it comes to travel hacking. Katie Stoker, a flight attendant with Southwest Airlines with over 10 years of experience, shares six top tips for getting 40 winks at 38,000 feet.
A neck pillow and eye mask are essential, Katie says (Image: Westend61 via Getty Images)
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Dress for success
Katie told Southern Living Magazine that choosing the right outfit is essential and layering is important.
“The temperature of the plane can fluctuate a lot, so if the plane is hot, you can hug it with your hoodie or even take it off in the summer,” she said.
Not only can you wear a cozy hoodie or sweater, it can also be used as a makeshift pillow. Matching a comfortable jogger gives you a more relaxed feel.
Window sheets are almost always the best choice (Image: Getty Images)
I'll equip it
Travelers should be careful – the ubiquitous neck support for sale at airports is warned, but could be a ticket to a more comfortable journey. Katie advises: “What's cheap isn't worth the money.”
Investing in a high-quality neck pillow can mean a difference between refreshing your holidays and stiff neck wrestling.
Although it is dim at night, flight cabins can disrupt sleep, especially if they have fellow passengers using reading lights and screens.
Blackout sleep masks can be just a treatment. It's even better if you have built-in Bluetooth headphones for full disconnection. One Delta flight attendant recommends ones with heavy beads to help fight jet lags.
Window sheets also mean you can control the window shade (Image: kasto80 via Getty Images)
The sound of silence
In pursuit of 30,000 feet of quiet, earplugs are the start, but noise-canceling headphones go up to a higher league. Katie said: “You can adjust the airplane noise,” suggests overlaying them for a gentle escape with calm music and earphones.
Creating your personal audio OASIS with soothing songs, engaging podcasts, simple white noise and more will make your head easier.
It's worth closing the blindness of your window – even if it's dark when you take off (Image: Images via Colin Anderson Productions Pty Ltd)
Plan ahead
Having a clear sleep strategy can help you beat jet lags. Even if you're tired, try resisting sleeping in the evening at your destination airport.
For frequent flyers, apps like Time Shifter not only advise when to sleep, but also predict the best time to photograph supplements such as melatonin, as well as fine-tuning your sleep patterns.
You might want to seduce them with a coffee or a refreshing gin and tonic offer, but it's best to resist. Both alcohol and caffeine can seriously disrupt your sleep.
Unless you plan ahead, you can wake up with a nasty click around your neck (Image: Westend61 via Getty Images)
Location, location, location
If choosing a window seat when booking a flight is a bit of a choice, then it's a wise choice. You can lean back onto your torso and feel a little more comfortable, and wash away the hoodie you probably wore as an improvised pillow. As an additional bonus, you can control window blindness.
If Katie is using a blanket or draping a jacket to keep her warm, don't forget to tighten the seat belt over the cover so that the flight attendant doesn't need to wake up to make sure you give in safely.
Tall passengers may want to seek out a slightly extra exit row seating at their feet, but if you are on the short side, supporting your feet in carry-on baggage reduces swelling and makes it easier to sleep.
It's important to block the ambient light – especially if your neighbor is watching a movie (Image: Compassionate Eye Foundation/Steve Smith by Getty Images)
Establish a routine
Doing the same thing with every flight, especially for frequent flyers, can help train your body.
Adjust the lighting to a soft glow, wear an eye mask and wash away the soothing sounds of pre-curated playlists.
Minimize all distractions within the control and intentionally slow breathing. If possible, take a little time to meditate.
As Katie advises, “Make sure you're as comfortable as possible will help you relax and sleep easier.”
