- Reddit users share their top tips for catching some shut-eye during a flight.
- What’s your favorite sleep trick? Cast your vote in our poll below...
- EXPLORE FURTHER: Breathtaking photos from the 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Napping on airplanes is among the most difficult challenges for numerous individuals—particularly when seated upright in the economy class.
But Reddit User 'hardrollsmatrix' uncovered some top tricks for catching those zzz's when they asked the forum ', 'For those of you who can actually fall asleep during flights, what's your trick?'
Starting with the top-rated neck pillow brands all the way to the perfect pre-flight meal timing that guarantees success, here are some valuable insights shared by seasoned travelers and habitual dozers...
WINDOW SEAT
'Bwainwright' mentions they 'previously traveled from the UK to California And return every month for a few years until they reached a stage where they would doze off while taxiing towards the runway and awaken upon landing 12 hours later.’
They provided numerous sleep suggestions in the initial post; the top tip was securing a window seat. They further explained, "This minimizes disruptions from people passing by and offers support with the bulkhead to lean against."
'If you manage to secure an exit row or a seat with additional legroom, then that’s excellent.'
'Nonetheless, approach exit row seating cautiously as they frequently offer narrower seat spacing and on certain aircraft may not allow you to recline at all.'
'TreeLakeRockCloud' shares: 'A couple of weeks back, during a 5-hour flight, I managed to sleep peacefully. I was seated at the window, and I instructed the person next to me by the aisle to rouse me solely in case of an emergency. No sooner had we taken off than I drifted into sleep, but I stirred when my ears started to hurt as we began our descent.'
RED-EYE FLIGHTS
A lot of travelers suggest reserving red-eye flights, those that take off past midnight and land just as the sun comes up.
'MoiJaimeLesCrepes' states this is 'to steer clear of flights with many families. You prefer flights filled with business travelers or those that aren’t commonly booked'.
'MOS95B' mentions: 'Whenever I need to travel by air, I prefer booking “off-peak” flights. This means I end up departing very late at night—around midnight—or long past my usual bedtime. By the time I board my flight, I’m usually quite tired and often take advantage of the opportunity to catch some sleep.'
COMFY CLOTHING
The next tip from ‘Bwainwright’, among other users, is to ‘wear comfortable clothing’, adding they always travel in a zip-up hoodie that’s easy to take off and put on again.
They add: ‘I like to put the hood up - it indicates to cabin crew that I'm trying to sleep and helps me feel a little more cutoff from the cabin, but it can get hot for some people.’
NOISE-CANCELLING HEADPHONES
‘Bwainwright’, along with many other Reddit users, recommends wearing noise-cancelling headphones - even if nothing is playing out of them.
They add: ‘I will often play a podcast or some relaxing music to fall asleep too and then the noise-cancelling stays on when it finishes and cuts out the engine noise.’
‘Kaiyotic’, who says they used to never be able to sleep on planes, also suggests wearing noise-cancelling headphones, having successfully tried it on a flight to Dubai.
They say: ‘I didn't put any music on or any noise whatsoever, but just the reduction of the noise around me was enough to be able to sleep.’
If you want something a bit cheaper, like ‘roboticWanderor’, you can use regular earplugs.
They say: ‘They block sound better and don't need batteries, as well as letting my head rest on the side. They also mitigate the cabin pressure changes, so you don't have the inner ear pop.
'I simply use inexpensive, foam earplugs that are quite soft and suitable for extended wear.'
SLEEP ACCESSORIES
Another tip from 'bwainwright' involves purchasing a high-quality sleep mask prior to your flight, since the ones provided onboard tend to be quite flimsy and allow considerable light through at the bottom.
'$10 [£8] will buy you a nicer one for when your trip starts,' they mention additionally.
Many airplane seats come equipped with wing-like extensions that serve as headrests; 'bwainwright' and numerous others recommend extending these fully whenever you can, alongside leaning your seat back for more comfort.
'You've paid for the space, so make use of it!' they say.
However, neck pillows are highly recommended by the majority, particularly the 'trtl 'as 'bwainwright' describes it, 'it’s an oddly shaped item that basically merges a rigid plastic collar with a neck scarf. You circle it around your neck, and the support brace holds up your head from one side.'
'The trtl pillow is fantastic for sleeping upright,' remarks 'roboticWanderer'.
And when 'Nyutnyut' gave it a try, they did manage to get some sleep, which is typically unachievable for them.
'5leeplessinvancouver' mentions: 'Something transformative for me was a foot hammock. It attaches to the tray table frame, allowing you to elevate your feet.'
HOW TO CONSUME FOOD AND BEVERAGES
Although numerous people believe that a glass of red wine helps them doze off during air travel, Reddit users argue that alcohol is more prone to 'disrupt your sleep' when flying.
'Lk05321' comments: 'Avoid drinking if you're not used to it! Indeed, alcohol is unlimited during flights across the Atlantic, but the cabin pressure at an altitude of around 10,000 feet (or 3 kilometers) can intensify the effects. You might feel like you've had multiple drinks even with just one. So some individuals end up becoming quite tipsy.'
'Ukexpat' also cautions against drinking excessive alcohol and advises not to overindulge in food.
In the meantime, 'Abqkat' takes extraordinary measures before a lengthy transcontinental flight when it comes to meals.
They mention, 'Eating is crucial for me as well, and it aids in adjusting my digestion to the new time zone and meal times.'
'I observe a fasting period of one day prior to an 8-hour plus journey including the time zone change, catch some sleep during the flight, and arrive aligned with the local timing. It works perfectly each time.'
Meanwhile, self-confessed caffeine-addict ‘Spiritual-Mechanic-4’’s biggest tip is to not drink coffee before a flight.
HOT CHOCOLATE HACK
Another very clever trick from ‘Clever_Mercury’ is to start drinking a small cup of hot chocolate, just before you go to bed every night for a week.
‘Then on the plane, request a small hot chocolate,’ they add. ‘Assuming normal conditions and no major medical issues, this has an above average chance of putting you out like a light.’
Although using chamomile tea is also considered 'a safe bet,' chocolate contains an amino acid named tryptophan which aids in sleeping.
BORE YOURSELF
If everything else doesn’t work, simply bore yourself until you feel like dozing off.
Similar to others, 'Spunkyla' secures the first available flight, yet chooses 'the dullest book they can locate'.
'I begin reading the book immediately after we take off,' they mention.
'ExpressSpecial9033' mentions they also engage in this activity and additionally listen to a podcast where the speaker has a dull voice.
'Blend them together and tune into an audiobook; I usually drift off quite fast. Score!' they mention.
Read more
