Ear plugs - not just noise cancelling headphones. It’s much easier to sleep with ear plugs than with headphones. And headphones can get uncomfortable after many hours. And if you want extra quietness you can use both the earplugs and headphones at the same time
Get custom molded ones if you can. I got concert ones made and they were 100% worth the price.
On my list to try but haven’t yet: wax earplugs. They are single-use, so more costly over time. But I have been told they don’t build up pressure like foam or silicone plugs do.
I picked up a set of AR glasses for my last flight and was surprised how much of a game changer they were. I plugged them into an older Samsung phone and the Samsung Dex software let me switch the main phone screen off. This gave me something like 9 hours of video time on a larger screen that I could watch in any head position, with shows I brought myself.
What brand/model did you get? How much was it?
I got a Viture One on sale last Prime Days for $300. I also have an Xreal Air 2. The Viture One has a better case for traveling - it has a separate compartment for the cord - and it’s better if you want to share it because it has focus controls on the glasses. But I’m still trying to get the nosepieces into the right place to get full top to bottom clarity. The Xreals need a prescription lens insert, but that means they’re better if you want to use them as real glasses, and the nosepiece is more comfortable and adjustable. The case can hold the cord, but there isn’t a separate compartment so there’s a risk it’ll scratch the lenses. I can’t recommend the Xreal Beam accessory, the battery life is really short.
Going alone? On a wide body if the middle has 4 or 5 seats, move to an inside aisle seat next to a couple or group of three, respectively. They’re more likely to disturb each other to get up for bathroom breaks than you. If you can do this with one seat between, that seat will be one of the last to fill.
I love me some window seats, but on the long haul it sucks to have to wake peeps to go take a piss.
Do get up and walk the plane. Your legs will thank you.
Buy a little sign that sticks on your seat to let the flight attendants know to wake you for food or do not disturb.
When I flew intl I asked a doc to give me a prescription for two zanax (one each way) to be super chilled out and ended up asleep most of the way. Not sure if that’s common, but I think it might be worth asking. Note: had we had an emergency landing, I would not have been able to protect myself, but that’s because I mixed it with a bit of alcohol (which you should not do).
A neck pillow and cookie package. A pair of headphones for your device and a power bank.
Power banks are not allowed to be used on most long haul flights I’ve been on (trans-pacific), and when transiting through China they even confiscate them if they are over a certain capacity, but all flights have AC plugs at each seat.
Not sure about US companies, but I’ve never seen an AC plug on European and Asian companies’ airplanes. They do have USB ports but they’re underpowered (barely enough to keep my battery at the same level while playing music on BT headphones) or straight up don’t work. Ask a flight attendant in the latter case, they’ll reboot your screen which might fix the issue.
Yeah, make sure it’s not above a certain voltage. You can find this information on the website of your airline. I think it was 12500mAh for most, but I could be wrong.
That’s crazy. I never had this experience and I pack at least 2-3 power banks during my flight to Europe/Southeast Asia because I’m a gadget nerd.
Then again I never flew to China and stick to western airplanes because that’s what my company pays for.
Definitely the neck pillow! A nice proper one if you have the space, but at least an inflatable one! And a big bottle of water once you’re through security.
An empty bottle, you often can refill them for free after the check in. Thanks for reminding me.
Earplugs/headphones, loose clothes, a warm top just in case it’s chilly, a small pillow, empty bottle to refill after you get through security.
Elastomeric respirator like 3M 6200. It will be more comfortable than an N95 if worn for a long time. But wear an N95 (maybe change them every few hours as they get damp) if you have to. Plane rides are super spreaders and so are airports.
Absolutely this. I went on a trip recently with my coworker for a conference overseas. I wore a N95 and he didn’t. And he has 'bad coughs" after the flight and was coughing up a storm for the whole trip and even lost a few days being sick.
Maybe it’s Covid. Or maybe just nasty air.
Take a thin, snug hoodie. When your ready to sleep, take your arms out of the sleeves, zip it up, and cross your arms across your body. You’ll sleep better and your back and shoulders won’t feel as strained. I also have a long, wide scarf that i use for this. For neck pillows, i like the turtl one -hard but kind of flexible plastic with a wrap around sleeve. it works well and it’s easy to pack.
Real bed pillow
Once you try it you will never go back to the horseshoe neck strain weak sauce
Counterpoint, a good horseshoe neck pillow. I’ve got great, thick one made out of a real dense memory foam. Acts more like a slightly mold-able neck brace, keeps me from being that guy leaning on the passenger next to me. I’ve used it on 6+ hour flights and never had any pain or comfort issues.
Noise-canceling headphones. Eye mask (some planes might provide one, but get a nice one that fits you). A good mask (planes can be very low-humidity so even if you aren’t worried about anything else, this can help keep you more comfortable).
Wear loose-fitting clothing (except compression socks if that’s something you want to do) or otherwise comfy clothing.
Other than that, get up and stretch every couple of hours if you can and are not sleeping.
I have flown from NY to Tokyo multiple times (which is like 15 hours depending upon weather).
I got a Manta Sleep mask on the recommendation of a friend last year and it is so, so good. I take it everywhere with me now, and use it on any flight where I need to get some rest. That and good earbuds make a huge difference if you’re a light sleeper like me.
Which type of Manta did you go with. They apparently have quite a few variants, and I might invest in one for my next flight.
I have the Pro version because I’m a side sleeper and their site said it was great for that. They were right! Other sleep masks I tried would come off by morning but this thing stays put. It’s really comfy.
I sound like an ad but I usually wake up as soon as sunlight creeps into the room, and this thing helps me get an extra 1-2 hours during summer, which is huge. I really love it.
I’ve had the basic one (not the slim - parts of the band on the slim are bare elastic and it’s not comfortable) for years and I love it. I’m a side sleeper and I don’t have much trouble with the mask getting pushed off, but I do dream about getting the pro version.
This is a great list.
I wear loose athletic pants for long flights. Not bedtime sweatpants, but Adidas style pants. I wear comfy shoes, that I unlace once I start napping.
I bring a sweatshirt so it becomes a pillow and something to pull over my eyes if it’s needed.
I also have a couple of airplane blankets and I bring my own. It comes in handy on flights where we cheap seats people don’t get blankets, and in airports when it’s nap time. I roll it up tight and strap it on the bottom of my backpack.
I also bring Sudoku puzzles. It’s a nice diversion from watching videos the whole way.
Depends on your time of day/night:
- Sleeping mask
- Comfy jacket/scarf
- Melatonin
- Ear plugs
- Some of your favorite snacks
I haven’t had anything else, myself. Other than lots of digital entertainment.
Good pair of ANC headphones are an absolute must
Then a Battery bank, tablet with your fave music + shows + Books.
Or a laptop with your favorite games.
But the headphones are still a must have
2 beers and a NyQuil.
I wouldnt recommend alcohol and meds.
If it’s not the extra side effects, it’s the diarrhea.
I mean, obviously test it before you go. But I’ve never had a problem and I sleep like a baby on a long haul flight.
Crocs or sandals. Wear them with socks. This keeps your feet dry so they don’t smell and you can easily remove them for comfort and put them back on to go to the bathroom.
And
Any noise cancelling headphones with something to play music or podcasts. Even if you sleep through it, planes are loud, you should protect your hearing.
Noise cancellation headset
This. Cutting out a lot of the noise also cuts out a lot of the fatigue.
