Asklemmy

I honestly have never had a problem sleeping on planes. If I'm tired before I get to the airport, I can often sleep through takeoff. On short flights I've only woken up after the plane lands.

For long haul flights I typically look to see what the local time of my destination will be when I arrive. If it's at night, I stay awake for the whole flight so I can crash as soon as I get where I'm going. If morning, I'll sleep the whole way so I can start the day fresh-ish. It really cuts down on jetlag.

For context, I got a remote job in 2016 and went full digital nomad basically until covid hit. I was living out of a single suitcase and flying once a month on average. I genuinely love flying. Pretty over the whole fascination with travel though.. In some ways it kinda ruins you. Now I'll only go somewhere if there are things I know I can only buy in the destination or if I'm going to visit friends or family. I have zero interest left for any tourist destinations, historical sites, museums, etc..

I like what comedian Ismo said, there are two types of people: people who can sleep anywhere and people who can't sleep anywhere. I'm from the first. You seem to be in the middle. I can fall asleep standing up.

Like a baby. The older I've gotten I've gained the ability to fall asleep virtually anywhere. My wife is super jealous that I'm able to be asleep for an entire 5-7 hour flight.

I can’t. I book day flights.

Ambien. Anyway, I have a Zzzband "pillow" that's essentially a large eye mask that has straps to strap your head to the headrest of your seat, great "travel pillow" I've ever used and I fly about 40 times a year.

Personally, drugs

I haven’t been on a very long flight. Longest was 2 hours. Every time I keep my Kindle ready. Have multiple podcasts etc. But right after take-off, I go off like a bulb and wake up only after landing

Something to do with a combination of pressure difference, engine noise and all. Also it’s pretty cold usually

Alcohol and Benadryl. Its worth noting that I never feel like I've slept. To me it feels like I am just hovering on the edge of sleep the entire time, but my wife says I do sleep for a solid hour or two at a time.

I was recently on a 12 hour long flight and I couldn't sleep for more than 1 hour. If I am taking a domestic flight, I sleep like a baby. I had the hostess' wake me up for meals and it was always embarassing arrrrr

Ear plugs, hat over my face, and fatigue. Sure I'm sore afterwards, but if i can sleep through at least half the flight I'm happy.

Alcohol and Dramamine. At least, that's how I do it so I'm not having a panic attack the entire flight.

I've only ever been comfortable in a small plane where I can see the pilot because I'm sitting like next to or behind them. If the engines cut out, those can glide a lot easier than a huge jumbo.

I have two wolves in me. One wishes he could be pilot. The other is afraid of flying.

Forgive the Amazon link

SkySiesta SNUG Travel Pillow - Head Support with L Shaped, Fiber Filled Sides. Patented Design. https://a.co/d/6cdbI2i

Melatonin helps. It’s a natural chemical your brain releases to help make you drowsy at bedtime and you can get it over the counter to help sleep. It also resets your biological clock which makes it helpful for jet lag.

That with noise cancelling headphones or earplugs, a sleep mask to cover the eyes, and laying as flat as possible (even paying for business class) all help.

With my face pasted against the window. After a while, all those tiny clouds look like a field of sheep 💤

The only time I ever slept comfortably in coach was when I was younger and on drugs.

These days, whenever it's reasonable, I upgrade.

Google credit card churning. Work your way through amex and other point systems. Get free / cheap business class tickets with lay flat seats.

If I have a partner to travel with me, I can sleep by holding their hand and leaning on them or by laying on their lap.

I have also slept on semi-strangers lap once.... I'll give some context... We all were apart of an event ... Staff all knew who everyone was, so there was some implicit trust amongst us peers. As a result, I figured I'd ask this one person I was sitting with to hold their hand. The person later asked if I was tired & invited me to lay on their lap, so I could sleep. In any other travel, asking strangers to do such thing could have larger risks obviously.

Before: Turtl Travel Pillow. It's not easy, but it helps.

Now: Business class. I fly enough to rack up enough air miles that a seat upgrade is affordable if not free.

Gentle turbulence actually helps, believe it or not.

A neck pillow and noise cancelling headphones makes the trick for me.

idk mate, I just decide to sleep and eventually I do.

For me it's the gentle lullof the motor and mild sway of the plane. I just can't stay awake if I try