How to Sleep on Long Flights like First Class

When you’re actually in coach.

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Getting good sleep on long flights is key to a good start to a trip. Thirteen hours in the air is grueling…unless you’re in business or first class. It’s not the free food and booze in the lounge. Or the early boarding. The amenity bag. Or even the three course meal and sundae bar. Well, those things are pretty freaking sweet. But the thing that makes the real difference between coach and business/first on those long flights: SLEEP. Lie flat beds make a long-haul a pleasant journey. There is no way to fully replicate that in coach, but these are some ways to have your best shot.

Noise cancelling headphones for sleep and sanity

My top flight essential, on any plane. Right now, as I type at my favorite coffee house, I wish I had my Bose with me (this kid is giving the Dumb and Dumber most-annoying-sound-in-the-world a run for its money.) Quality, NOISE CANCELLING, headphones are amazing. You have no idea how much noise there is on a plane until you don’t have to hear it. They won’t completely deafen you; you still need some situational awareness. But the fussy baby quiets considerably. The inevitable person that needs to share their phone call with the plane is mostly silenced. The hum of the engines evaporates. Glorious. Only way I sleep.

There are so many versions, so you do you. They are wired and wireless and start at $50 and run to $350. The noise-canceling is crucial; playing music is great, but you still are getting all the plane engine noise without it. I’m a Bose girl and feel they have been worth it for all my plane hours! Others prefer Beats with similar features or SkullCandy with quality at a reduction.

The perfect travel pillow for plane sleep

There are a lot of whackadoodle variations of “best travel pillows.” Have you seen the ostrich? Or the wedge? You have to consider a few things: 1) how do you sleep (side, back, stomach) and how can you best replicate that? 2) how portable do you want the pillow to be? 3) how ridiculous are you willing to look for comfort? For me: side sleeper; portability is key, and quite a bit of ridiculous if it’s effective. Most side sleepers like this, but I needed more portability. Thus, my scarf head cradler- the Trtl Pillow.

An eye mask as that soothing extra sleep touch

It may seem ridiculous to eye mask novices, but these are also a blessing. There is a lot of ambient light even on a darkened plane that these can cut for you. It also is a great signal to the people around you that you are purposefully trying to get some rest. Some airlines, like Virgin Australia, will hand these out to everyone on the plane and business always gets a plush mask. Just in case, bring your own, throw them in your headphones’ case and boom, sight and sound are covered.

Slippers for swollen feet and to signal nighttime

Gettting shoes off signals our regimented body that it’s time to rest. Let those tootsies free but please, PLEASE don’t be one of those people that feels the need to subject a capsule full of trapped people to your unsheathed feet.  We swell in flight, especially the long ones. Wear your clunkiest shoes on the plane, saving your suitcase the weight and space. But don’t stay in those boots/heels/dress shoes. Kick them off and wear sleek-easy-to-pack slippers that will expand in comfort and also take you hygienically to the bathroom at midnight, midflight.

Foot hammock to get some type of recline

Is it just me, or can other people not sleep with their feet on the floor? My brain won’t shut down without elevated feet and just putting my feet on a bag didn’t help. So this weird little “hammock“, that clips and slips on the tray table rungs with an adjustable strap, gives your feet and calves a place to rest. I tucked my legs up and slept! Try to be conscientious of fellow passengers, but on long flights, game on.

Staying warm and get some sleepy pressure

No one likes to sleep hot, but long flights get COLD. Especially if you have the excellent space near the door. Planes often provide blankets, but I’m 5’10” and those flimsy things never cover me completely. Price also dictates these.  Business class has a literal duvet. If you’re flying coach on CutRate Airlines, expect a child’s almost disintegrated blankie.  If it works for the season and destination, a nice blanket scarf or simply wearing your coat on the plane both saves you space in luggage and works as a backup blanket. It’s yours, so it’s more hygienic than the plane’s, it keeps you warm, and you get some sheet/blanket like pressure to signal sleep.

Be a vulture for leg room and the best seats for sleep

One thing is crucial for sleep on long flights: leg room. Several of these long flights don’t book up, especially if you’re not flying super cheap airlines. On many flights that Hubs and I have been on full rows are left empty, allowing tons of people to stretch out or even sleep in their own row. Use these tips to see how many people are on your flight. Ask the flight attendant (politely!) if they can let you know when and if you can spread out. Our Italian flight attendant gave us a friendly heads up and early nod to relocate. 4 seats for the two of us was pretty exciting.

Airlines now have “premium coach” for extra cash. This usually means closer to the door and maybe a few more inches of incline. This may be worth it to you, but the value is not fantastic. Emergency exit row seats are another story. These typically are over $100 to “upgrade” to before the flight and this may be worth it to you (very worth it for me on the way to Australia). They are normally by a restroom or the galley but include a huge stretch of space and easy get in and out of your seats. People HAVE to sit in those rows; it’s mandated. So if no one buys them, someone will get upgraded. Ask if it can be you. My tall friend scored one of these on a flight back from Brazil, for free. You never know!

Any other tips you have to get real sleep? Pin this for your next long flight and get some shut-eye this time around.

May the road rise up to meet you, travelers, and may you arrive refreshed.