How to make myself sleep on short flights?

Travel Hack
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I’ve never been able to sleep on airplanes, even in business class with a full bed. :sleeping: I usually just accept that I’ll be miserable the day I arrive. :weary:

I’m traveling in a month from LAX to Knoxville in the main cabin. :airplane: I depart at 9:30 pm from LAX, arrive at 5 am in Atlanta, and then depart from Atlanta at 7 am to Knoxville, arriving at 9:15 am. I have an hour-long drive to my final destination. :clock3: My partner can sleep anywhere and will most likely drive, but I don’t want to be exhausted in case I need to drive. :motorway:

Any tips to help me sleep? The flights are too short for melatonin, and I don’t want to be drowsy when I arrive. :sleeping_bed: I plan on taking Dramamine for motion sickness.

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I begin “living” in my destination’s time as soon as I am on the plane by setting my phone to that time. I don’t try to figure out “what time my body thinks it is” or figure out how long I’ve been on the road. This is a huge help to me in getting over jet lag of any kind. Additionally, if I decide, “Well, it’s 4 p.m., so I can take a quick nap,” it can help me fit in a small nap. Or, for you, it’s about time for midnight; go to sleep.

I also pack a scarf that I may use as a blanket or pillow, earbuds, and a sleep mask. And even if I don’t get enough sleep, I remind myself that my body and mind are still resting and healing.

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Drugs, a neck pillow, eye masks, earplugs and warm clothing. At 6’4", this is about the closest you can get to sleeping on an airplane. If you’re not very heavy, consider yourself lucky, airplane seats can be downright torturous otherwise.

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For me, on my last flight, I was seated next to a woman who barely fit into the seat. Throughout the flight, I heard the armrests creaking on both sides, and I worried they might snap when she sat down. Her leg spilled over and under the armrest, pressing against me. I couldn’t tell if my leg was damp from my sweat or hers.

This is why I now always carry several 3 oz bottles of 151 rum in my carry-on when I fly. :joy:

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I can’t even bring open water, but you can bring 151 rum?

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You can bring water, but it must be in bottles of 3 oz or less. That I know for sure.

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Water makes sense, but flammable alcohol is a different matter fella :joy:

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The Best Trips Start Here serves up our travel-tested tips for sleeping on planes.

  • Choose your seat wisely.

  • Cut down on your carry-ons.

  • Skip the caffeine.

  • Try a sleep aid.

  • Stake your claim on blankets and pillows — or bring your own.

  • Bring a neck pillow.

  • Free Your Feet.

  • Use Headphones with Discretion. Use Headphones with Discretion.

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