For those of us that aren’t flying high in the lay-down seats in business or first class, we get that you might be loyal to the window seat or the aisle seat. For those long haul flights, we will always suggest the window, and we have our reasons. Being able to rest your head against the wall or window instead of forgoing neck support in the aisle (or even middle) seat can make or break your sleep on a flight. Don’t want to feel stuck choosing a window seat? Depending on how full your flight is, if you see a seat near the back in the middle rows of the plane, there’s a chance you can get lucky with an entire row to yourself so you can lay out flat.
If you’re sitting on the plane for a long time, avoid stiff or tight clothing. Opting for loose and breathable threads will make for a much more comfortable (and flexible) flight experience. After all, we'd rather have you spending more time sleeping than thinking about how uncomfortably tight your pants are. Plus, good circulation is important when you’re sitting for an extended amount of time. We also suggest layering up. Your destination might be 80 degrees (Fahrenheit), but the plane may sit at a comfortable 65. Being able to shed or add layers throughout your travel day will help you regulate your body temperature, so you don’t wind up sweating or shivering while you're trying to catch some shuteye.
The pillows the airlines hand out on international flights are borderline decoration. Investing in your own sleep system for flying can make a huge difference in how many hours of sleep you can get. We suggest the HEST Pillow, an option that conveniently comes in a travel size, so it won’t take up too much space in your carry on, and can easily strap to the outside of your bag. The HEST Pillow is designed with memory foam to feel like your pillow at home and packs into itself to protect the sleeping surface during a travel day (yay for avoiding germs!).
With that many people in one confined space, it’s easy for your sleep to be disturbed by any number of sounds. Bringing a good pair of ear plugs and a sleep mask can help block out the noise and light around you. Ear plugs may be uncomfortable for some, so investing in a nice pair of noise canceling headphones can also be a great option. If you’re concerned about missing meals on your long haul flight, you could even invest in this fun sleep mask, so you never miss a meal!
Traveling internationally? The hardest part is letting your body adjust to new time zones. While it may feel strange, getting ahead of the jet lag a few days before your flight can help ease that time change. Going to bed and waking up a little earlier will make it less of a shock on your body when you arrive at your faraway destination—trust us. Depending on your flight time, you can try and adjust to the new time zone by sleeping enough on the plane with help from all the tips above!
