10 Tricks for Sleeping Well on a Plane

Sit Far Away from the Wings and Bathrooms

Try to sit in front of the engines for a quieter flight, as jet noise is sometimes louder adjacent to and behind the engines.

Also, consult Seat Guru (one of our sister sites) for a map of the plane that you're on, and be sure to sit as far away from the bathrooms as possible. Sitting near the lavatory makes you more likely to be woken up by slamming doors, lights, unpleasant odors, and other passengers jostling your seat as they wait in line.

Dress Comfortably

Will your flight be hot or cold? It's impossible to predict, so wear layers. Don't wear anything tight, as that can restrict your circulation (which is already at risk in a tight airplane seat). If you're on a long-haul flight, consider bringing pajamas to change into—you might find it easier to fall asleep in your usual jammies than a business suit.

Try Medicinal Sleep Aids

If you've had trouble falling asleep on planes in the past, consider some pharmaceutical intervention. (We're not doctors, so you should consult yours before taking any medicines.) Over-the-counter options include: Dramamine (bonus: it will also help if you have motion sickness), melatonin (a hormone that can help with sleep and prevent jet lag), any antihistamine containing diphenhydramine (such as Benadryl), and medicines designed for insomnia, like Unisom or NyQuil's new ZzzQuil.

Be sure to test-drive any pills you've never taken at least a few nights prior to your flight—medicines can have the opposite effect for some people.

If you're truly desperate, ask your doctor for a prescription sleep aid. Be warned, though, that medicines such as Ambien have side effects that include memory loss, hallucinations, "sleep-driving," "sleep-eating," and other adverse reactions—something to think about before you pop one at 30,000 feet.

Get the Window Seat

Reserve a window seat, if at all possible. Prop a pillow (or a sweatshirt or blanket) against the wall of the plane; you'll feel more supported than if you were trying to nap in an aisle seat. Plus, you won't have to be woken up by seatmates needing to get past you to use the bathroom (if you're in the aisle) or worry about falling asleep and waking up on a stranger's shoulder (think: middle seat).

Pick Your Pillow

Everyone has to sleep, but not everyone sleeps the same way. Are you a stomach, side, or back sleeper? Pick a travel pillow that allows you to most closely recreate your sleeping style in a limited space. For example, if you're a stomach sleeper that has no shame, you might want to consider the Skyrest Travel pillow, which should let you sleep peacefully, perhaps unaware of the mocking laughter from other passengers. Side sleeper? Try the unique Travelrest pillow. And back sleepers can try the Travelon First Class Sleeper.

Wear An Eye Mask

According to the National Sleep Foundation, light is the most powerful regulator of your biological clock. So if you need to trick your body into thinking it's bedtime, a good eye mask can help. Most of the masks sold at the airport (or provided onboard) aren't sturdy or dark enough to do the trick. Invest in a mask that blocks all light but still gives your eyes room to move around during REM cycles. We like contoured blackout eye masks, such as the Dream Essentials Sweet Dreams model.

Wear Noise-Canceling Headphones

Did you know that the absence of noise can prevent you from falling asleep just as much as loud noises can? So, if you always listen to the radio or television as you drift off, try to do the same on a plane. If you prefer to sleep in silence, download a white-noise track to your iPod and invest in some noise-canceling headphones. If you hate sleeping with headphones, earplugs are the way to go.

BYO Blanket

You can't count on a free blanket anymore (some airlines now charge for a blanket and pillow), so bring your own. Even if you are offered a blanket, it may not be a clean one, as many airlines reuse them without washing them between flights. We recommend packing a travel blanket. You'll feel toasty warm and will be able to rest comfortably. If your plane is overheated, rolled-up blankets can double as lumbar support, pillows, or even a footrest.

Only Bring One Carry-On

Overhead space is tight these days. Just because you can bring one carry-on bag and one "personal item" for free doesn't mean you should. Odds are you'll have to store your personal item under your seat, which will take up precious legroom, making it even harder to stretch out and sleep.

Don't Order A Special Meal

Think twice before ordering a special meal (such as a vegetarian or kosher option) on your next flight. If you're planning on sleeping, you should know that eating a big meal can interfere with a good night's rest. Also, if you've ordered a custom meal, flight attendants will often wake you up to deliver it. Once your meal is there, the trash and leftover food will take up space on your tray table until the attendants come around to collect it.