Flying to Bangkok is of course not a punishment, but you would like to arrive rested so that you can immediately enjoy your holiday. It is therefore a good idea to sleep for a few hours. For some this is not a problem for others it is.
Possible disruptive factors during your flight are things like turbulence, noisy passengers and little space. Use these tips from Skyscanner to fall asleep easily and arrive in Bangkok well-rested.
1. Avoid caffeine
While spending time at the airport during a layover, a Starbucks might seem like a good way to pass the time, but it certainly won't help you if you want to get some shut-eye on the plane. If you really want to drink a coffee while you wait to board, opt for a decaf container.
2. Place by the window
Sleeping can be a bit tricky if you have to get up all the time because the person next to you has a small bladder. Secure a window seat so you don't have to worry about other passengers bothering you on your way to the bathroom.
3. Bring earplugs
Earplugs are a must for anyone who enjoys napping while flying. Noisy neighbours, screaming babies and passengers who trot about uneasily don't make sleeping any easier. Put your earplugs in your ears and drift off!
4. Inform cabin crew
It helps if you let the cabin crew know that you want to sleep during the flight. That way they know not to bother you when they come over with snacks and drinks. They can also give you the safety instructions before you get ready for the night.
5. Bring your pillow
You usually get a sleeping pad on long-haul flights, but let's face it, it's never quite as relaxing as your own. Bring your own small pillow to make sure you're comfortable and sleep better. If you want extra neck support while you sleep, you can also take a nice neck pillow with you during the flight.
6. Try a sleep aid
Do you already know that you can't sleep without some extra help? Take a sleeping pill with you on the flight! Dramamine and Melatonin are a few good options for sleeping travelers. Ask your doctor or drugstore about the possible side effects before you try something new.
7. Choose your seat at check-in
Some airlines allow you to change your seat once you check in. If they allow this, try to find a seat in an empty row or with an empty seat next to you so that you can stretch out or sit a bit wider.
And what about you? Can you sleep during the flight or do you have any good tips?
If you can afford it: book first class or something similar.
But indeed: try to get some sleep and act quickly, in terms of time, whether you are at your destination.
I can't and don't want to sleep anymore during a long flight, and why not? ., I suffered a thrombosis about 10 years ago during my flight to Thailand. Now on every flight I book an aisle seat and regularly walk back and forth, with some exercises included, seems strange, but once you've had this you know better. Greetings William.
I'll sleep, but I'll never take a direct flight again. I like to stretch my legs in Abu Dhabi (with Etihad). I should also try Qatar. And I go to the toilet on average 1 or 2 times per flight of about 6 hours. So the blood keeps flowing. While I'm just dozing, I also make sure my shoes are off and I regularly wiggle my toes. Or - if possible, of course - I will sleep flat.
I also had the misfortune of contracting a deep vein thrombosis. I wear high compression stockings every day and have to take Marevan for life for my blood clotting... so I'm terrified of sitting still for long periods of time. So I always take a seat on the aisle and regularly go for a walk or do some exercises for blood circulation in the toilet. So I am never rested when I arrive in Bangkok!
william,
I almost never manage to sleep on an airplane, not even in business class and with assistive devices.
Just before the flight, take 1 aspirin tablets and you will notice that you no longer suffer from swollen feet or thrombosis.
Hi Peterz,
True about that aspirin, but this must be a 100 mg aspirin.
Take this first when you are on the plane.
As far as I know, the effect of an aspirin is 12 hours.
LOUISE
So a temporary blood thinner? Then those special thrombosis socks that start to irritate me after quite a few hours can be removed? Or is a combination the best method?
That's why I usually take China Air, which flies back to Amsterdam at 2 am
on the plane 3 cans of beer then two xanax sleeping pills
and they have to wake me up in Amsterdam
the best flight you can have
Xanax are not sleeping pills, but they do give you peace (is an anxiety inhibitor). Please note: if you take Xanax with you to Thailand (or also Alprazolam) you must have a certificate from a doctor and a statement from the Public Health Department (in Brussels this is at the Zuidstation, in the Netherlands no idea). Xanax is considered a dangerous drug and can only be sold in major hospitals in Thailand. Drugstores and pharmacies are prohibited from selling. Xanax is used with another sedative as a date-rape drug.
I think the beer will make you fall asleep. Xanax is not a sleeping aid but a remedy against (flying) fear.
You become calmer. And in combination with the beer it will undoubtedly help you.
I can't sleep sitting up.
Lying down, I fall asleep in no time.
So if the airline doesn't give me a free upgrade to first class, it's just a matter of keeping an owl's eye around.
I can sleep well in a real business class. So completely flat and some privacy. The best is of course first class in a private cabin or a private apartment, but that doesn't appeal to my wallet. The flights to Thailand are flights that I have to pay for myself. So that becomes stack class. I try to leave rested, to stay calm during the flight and to read a book and listen to music. I walk regularly because with 1,92 length it is and remains folded. A landing in Thailand around noon and then recovering briefly in bed in my hotel. Get out around 16.30 pm, take a shower and go out. Around 22.00 local time the lights go out at my place. I go back with a day flight and actually I get through the journey well and actually have few problems digesting the flight and the time difference. It's nice that I read here that more Thailand travelers have trouble sleeping while flying. When I see how some 10 o'clock can keep their eyes closed, I sometimes think like did they just have an injection that BA received from the A team before a flight? I do notice that many plane sleepers complain more often about jet lag or travel fatigue. What is a real jet lag or fatigue is of course another discussion.
I have one tip for the use of sleeping pills, aspirin, and all other drugs you don't normally use: Try them out at home first.
Once I brought some nicotine gums for the flight, but I completely forgot about them (I think I fell asleep).
When I arrived at my hotel I came across them again and as an experiment I decided to try one before going out that evening and then see if I could leave my pack of cigarettes in my pocket a little longer.
While chewing I sat on my balcony and within five minutes I started sweating profusely, shaking, dizzy and nauseous, and started hiccups.
Half an hour in the bathroom and then it went a bit again.
Time to read the leaflet and then it turned out that I had just about all possible side effects at the same time.
It wasn't bad, but I don't want to think about getting so sick on the plane.
On the advice of the doctor, I used Temazepam to sleep for about 4 hours and it works fine, also a comment, take a sip of water every now and then because the air conditioning makes your throat dry and many people get problems with their airways after a flight.
Which can also help if you have restless legs or cramps, at least a week in advance
Grape seed extract, (grape seeds) swallow 2x a day. Or Resveratrol, work blood thinning.
And are natural, not chemical. It is better to always swallow. Read the benefits.
And keep your legs warm, don't sit on flip flops and bare feet on the plane.
Earbuds? They will irritate.
Coffee: it helps me rest well and also helps me with the headaches that I'm guaranteed to get when I fly for a long time. No Starbucks because that's usually weak coffee. Illy or any other Italian brand 🙂
I am never disturbed at night (by cabin crew).
“Bring your own small pillow to make sure you're comfortable”…I don't bring my own pillow and how can I get comfortable when the plane is full?
I've never used a sleeping pill on an airplane. Those don't seem to work for me (home situation).
And - finally - if you are traveling by plane for several hours, put on compression stockings first. Always handy to use in situations like this. I always have to wear them myself (for other reasons).
Interesting to read experiences of others.
I always fly with EVA myself and the plane is never completely full on the way to Thailand… I get up after take-off to look for a free row of three seats.
And so I can make the trip lying down reasonably well.
From Bangkok to Amsterdam is another (packed) cake…
Antihistamines are sleep-inducing and available over the counter. A full strip of anti cough lozenges an hour or two before the flight and you will sleep like a baby during the flight.
The last time was with Aeroflot, 4 hours to Moscow, then 8 hours to BKK in the night. 2 unfortunately: you never know when they will come with the food (why not?) and that is still exciting. And 2: not a drop of alcohol! Nor on the way back, and I was so sorry I didn't buy a bottle of Thai rum in the tax-free. Advantage: the Russians don't check in online, so there was plenty of room to book a three-seater, all the way in the back. leg room ! And, I always have a pee bottle with me, because with a window seat you would otherwise have to climb over sleeping neighbors!
Lots of different advice, so mine can also be added.
Have been using temazapam for years as a sleep aid, works very well for me about 5 hours
When I unexpectedly contracted thrombosis two years ago a few days before my trip to Thailand,
I was one of the first to be prescribed the then new drug Xarelto, otherwise I wouldn't have been allowed to go. Fortunately, I only had to wear a sock for six months, but my doctor thought it was a good idea to take a Xarelto before every long flight.