Getting some rest on a long-haul flight can be tough, but a flight attendant with 27 years’ experience shares her top sleep hacks – including how seat choice makes all the difference
These methods can help you sleep easier(Image: Oscar Wong via Getty Images)
The summer holidays are just around the corner, and if you’re among the millions of Britons preparing to jet off abroad, there’s one crucial detail you need to be aware of. For those fortunate enough to be taking long-haul flights, catching any shut-eye during the journey is often considered an impossible feat — but that’s not strictly accurate.
Sherry Peters, an international flight attendant with 27 years’ experience and founder of Atlas + Wild, has revealed her top tips for managing to sleep on flights — and much of it hinges on where you’re seated.
She said: “Seats near the galley or toilets are the absolute worst if you’re trying to sleep. There’s constant foot traffic, people queuing, lavatory doors slamming, and constant crew activity, it’s almost impossible to get uninterrupted rest.”
She advises securing a seat as far from this area as you can — and if possible, try to bag a window seat for a better shot at some proper rest, reports the Express.
She said: “Being next to the window gives you much more control over your environment, which is key to falling asleep.
“You can close the shade, lean against the wall for support, and avoid being elbowed by people passing in the aisle. It’s one of the closest things to a controlled sleep environment on a plane, even if you only have one or two hours, it makes a huge difference.”
Peters explained that many travellers mistakenly assume sleep will simply happen naturally — but when you’re squeezed into an economy seat, you need to actively work at getting yourself to drift off.
There are, however, a few techniques you can use to fool your brain into getting some rest.
She said: “Most people blame jet lag or the flight itself, but often it comes down to how to control your environment and if you are staying hydrated.
“I may not be able to control the time of day, but I can control noise and light by closing the window shades and using noise-cancelling headsets. I may not be able to control that I’m surrounded by 300 people who are wide awake, but I can control how much I get jostled. That’s how I trick my body into thinking it’s time to sleep, even mid-flight.”
Shutting the window blind the moment the plane takes off, paired with an eye mask and a neck pillow, can significantly reduce light and boost comfort.
Opting for a window seat allows you to lean against the side of the cabin for a more restful position, giving you the best chance of grabbing a few hours of much-needed kip.
Peters said: “Even if I only have one, two, or three hours, every minute matters. I use various strategies to maximise rest wherever I am, planes, trains and hotels.”