15 Science-Backed Tips for Sleeping on a Plane

December 13, 2019 | Casper Editorial Team

Let’s face it: a plane is no comfy place to sleep. Between the sardine-packed spaces and constant noise, sleep in the sky is hard to come by (unless you’re flying first class or have the power to knock out anywhere).
 
Missing out on shuteye can lead to exhaustion and jet lag when you reach your destination. However, it doesn’t always have to be this way. Working around these limitations can increase your chances of restful slumber onboard.
 
Read on for our science-backed strategies* for how to sleep on a plane.

1. Stay at the right temperature.

Thermometer with snowflakes and suns around it. Illustration. The temperature on most plans can swing 50 degrees, making it important to wear light, easily-removable layers.
 
Science suggests that the temperature for optimal sleep is between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit. While cabins are generally kept between 71 and 75 degrees, temperatures fluctuate in different zones of the cabin and when a plane takes off, is in flight, and lands. A study found that 60% of planes experience temperature swings of 50 degrees. Dress in light, easily removable layers to both prevent overheating and from getting cold when the airplane cools.
 
Research from the School of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh also found that cooling head temperature helped insomnia patients achieve equal sleep quality to healthy participants. Try a cooling cap to create a sleep-ready environment.

2. Wear bed socks.

A pair of socks. Illustration. Studies show that wearing warm socks can increase sleep efficiency by 7.6% and lower awakenings by 7.5 times.
 
In addition to a blanket, you may also want to kick off your shoes and wear some bed or flight socks. A study in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology found that feet-warming socks led to 7.6% higher sleep efficiency, 7.5 times fewer sleep awakenings, and 32 more minutes of sleep among the participants.

3. Power down your devices.

A device with a low battery. Illustration. Blue light from phones can suppress melatonin and disrupt your sleep-wake cycle.
 
Here’s the deal: if you’re hoping to catch some sleep, you’ll need to unplug from your phones, tablets, and mobile devices. A study from Harvard University found that blue light emitted by phone screens shifts your circadian rhythms and suppresses melatonin — the hormone responsible for your sleep-wake cycles.

4. Wear a light-blocking eye mask.

A blue sleeping mask. Illustration
 
Natural light can also delay your sleep. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that exposure to room light shortened melatonin duration by about 90 minutes. Dim the lights as much as possible and wear a mask to block out light.

5. Listen to pink noise.

An ear with soundwaves moving toward it. Illustration. Listening to pink noise can decrease the time it takes to fall to sleep by 38%.
 
Instead of your favorite playlist, you may want to consider pink noise. Unlike white noise which plays evenly at the same frequency, pink noise intensity decreases as the frequency increases. Think beach waves, steady rainfall, and rustling leaves. A small study conducted in Front Neurology found that listening to pink noise decreased the time participants took to fall asleep by 38 percent.

6. Wear noise-canceling headphones or earplugs.

A pair of headphones with soundwaves coming out. Illustration. Wear noise-canceling headphones to combat the sound of a plane cruising, which is equivalent to the sound of a running vacuum
 
You might not realize it but airplane noise is loud. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, a cruising plane emits 85 decibels — the equivalent of a vacuum running. A study in the Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that aircraft noise created sleep disturbances for those living near an airport. It’s no wonder it’s hard to sleep on a plane! A pair of noise-canceling headphones or earplugs can help block out the noise.

7. Uncross legs and use footrests.

A pair of legs on a footrest on a plane. Illustration. Uncross your logs to decrease your chances of getting a blood clot during long flights.
 
When you cross your legs, you apply pressure to one side of your body. While it may help get you into a more relaxed position, crossing your legs can restrict blood flow and increase your chances of a blood clot on long flights according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Instead, keep both your legs straight and put a slight bend in your knees.
 
Another tip: keep personal items and bags out of the under seat area, allowing you room to stretch and provide circulation to your feet. A footrest can provide additional support.

8. Lean backward with proper support.

A reclined airplane seat. Illustration. Reclining at 135 degrees is considered the safest, most comfortable angle for sleeping on a plane
 
If you’re flying in Economy class, your options for reclining your seat may be limited. Experts at the American Academy of Sleep Medicine say that leaning back to a 135-degree angle is the safest sleep position, as it places less pressure on the body and decreases the likelihood of developing a blood clot. You’ll want to move back 40 degrees in your seat, but don’t be that person that leans their chair all the way.
 
Don’t take armrests lightly. A study in the Orthopedic Clinics of North America found that armrests can alleviate back pressure, which often prevents sleep. Rest your forearms on top of the rests to support your upper body and take some of the work off your spine.

9. Add a pillow to the lower seat back.

A person touching their aching back. Illustration. Having lumbar support on a plane can reduce back pain and discomfort, making it easier to fall asleep
 
The truth is our bodies aren’t designed to sleep upright. Sitting upright even at workplaces stress on our bodies. To counteract, place a rolled up jacket, blanket, or small pillow across the lower seatback to support the natural S-curve of your spine. Sleep experts suggest that proper lumbar support can improve comfort and reduce back pain from long flights.

10. Embrace a neck pillow.

A circular neck pillow. Illustration. A u-shaped neck pillow that provides chin support can decrease your head movements during sleep.
 
A big reason why we can’t sleep on planes is that our heads aren’t properly supported. We know, neck pillows look a little awkward. However, a survey in Human Factors and Ergonomics found that a U-shaped pillow wrapped around the head and that supports the chin provided the least head movements, leading to less discomfort during sleep.
 

11. Avoid alcohol and caffeine.

A warm cup of coffee next to a bottle of dark liquor. Illustration. Avoid drinking caffeine as it can stay in your body for up to 14 hours and prevent you from falling asleep. Alcohol can also prevent deep sleep.
 
Not the booze! Unfortunately, alcohol isn’t the answer for airplane sleep. While it can initially lull you into slumber, studies show that alcohol can lead to more awakenings, worse sleep quality, and less deep sleep. Plus, you will wake up feeling dehydrated and groggy, amplifying the dreaded jet lag.
 
Coffee enthusiasts out there will also want to avoid caffeine. According to Science Translational Medicine, caffeine can remain in your body for up to 14 hours, delaying your circadian clock and preventing you from getting some needed shuteye.

12. Try lavender aromatherapy.

Two lavender flowers. Illustration. Studies show that the scent of lavender can slow your heartbeat and relax your muscles, increasing deep sleep.
 
Don’t want to take sleeping pills? Try whiffing some lavender instead. A small study by psychologists at Wesleyan University found that lavender increased slow-wave sleep among participants. Slow-wave sleep is that type of deep sleep where the heartbeat slows and muscles relax — exactly the sleep you need on a plane!

13. Munch on potassium-high snacks..

A half-eaten banana. Illustration. Bananas have been shown to induce sleep due to the magnesium and potassium content.
 
Bon appe-sleep! While it’s recommended to avoid heavy foods, studies in International Journal of Tryptophan Research show that the magnesium and potassium present in bananas can help regulate blood pressure and induce some fruitful sleep.

14. Stay humid and hydrated.

A large water bottle with droplets around it. Illustration. Inhale a cup of hot water and drink water every hour to combat low airplane humidity.
 
Although the EPA recommends keeping your home around 30 to 50 percent humidity, airplane cabins usually have less than 20 percent humidity. Research says that these desert-like conditions can dry up your nasal passages and make it difficult to catch some sleep.
 
To soothe nasal passages, the National Institute of Health suggests a humidifier. Of course, it’s not logical to bring one on board, so you can either use nose drops to keep your nasal passages or inhale a cup of hot tea, water, or coffee. Experts also recommend drinking 8 ounces of water for each hour you’re in the air to combat the dry air.

15. Practice mindfulness meditation.

Two hands in traditional yoga hand-pose. Illustration. Studies found that practicing mindful breathing can lower fatigue and insomnia.
 
In the midst of all that traveling stress, we often forget to unwind. One way to relieve stress is through mindfulness meditation, a practice where you focus on heavy breathing and being aware of the present moment. A clinical study in JAMA Internal Medicine found that mindfulness breathing leads the participants to have less insomnia, less fatigue, and overall better sleep.

What to Do Before You Fly

Now that you know some onboard sleep tips, you can take some additional preparation right before you take off as well as during the days before you even arrive at the airport.
 
An alarm clock, checklists, and airplane seats. Illustration.

Choose the right seat.

Book a seat based on the side you normally sleep on. If you can, get a jump on window seats, as you can rest your head against the windows for support. Seats closer to the exit rows provide leg room for extra comfort. And if possible, pick a flight during a time where you’d usually be in bed.
 

Change your sleep schedule before the flight.

Our circadian rhythms are linked to ambient light — adding light in the evening will keep us awake and delay our clocks, while removing light will let allow us to sleep earlier. Sleep experts say that it takes roughly 24 hours for our biological clocks to shift by one hour. Use this rule of thumb to slowly adjust your sleep time closer to your final destination.
 

Follow a routine.

When you’re at the airport, follow activities that you normally would before sleeping, such as reading a book, wearing lounge pants, and brushing your teeth. It’ll help your mind to think it’s your normal evening routine before bed.
 

Exercise before the flight.

Exercise is the answer to everything. A study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that resistance training in particular that decrease times woken up after initially falling asleep.

Sleeping on a Plane with Sleeping Pills

According to Expedia, 15% of travelers “always or sometimes” use medication to help them sleep. While sleep aids are powerful, they could create health problems in the long run. Pills like Ambien and Benadryl have side effects such as sleepwalking, dehydration, and prolonged grogginess and put you at a higher risk of getting a blood clot on a long flight.
 
Casper HowToSleepOnAPlane SleepingOnPlane PostImage
 
Since it’s produced by your body, melatonin can be a safer sleep aid. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews found that a dosage between 0.5 and 5 milligrams can be effective at helping you sleep faster. The catch? Melatonin has to be taken about five hours before a flight.
 
An alternative to sleeping meds is using a natural sleep aid like lavender to calm you. Foods such as bananas, almonds, cherry juice, chamomile tea, and snacks with high carbs have also been shown to aid in slumber.

How to Sleep on a Plane When You Snore

Snoring on a plane sounds like a nightmare. Why do we snore? Snoring is caused by tissues along our airways vibrating as we breath or exhale. To reduce snoring, try sitting upright and reclining at an angle. The effect of gravity in this position can help reduce these vibrations.
 
Casper HowToSleepOnAPlane Snoring PostImage
 
Avid snorers will also want to avoid alcohol, as booze helps to relax the airway muscles and lead to louder snoring. Allergy treatments, nasal dilators, and anti-snoring mouthpieces can provide relief and prevent soft tissues from obstructing airways. Hydration is key, as this keeps mucus from forming in your throat and amplifying your snores.
 
So why can’t we get some sleep in the air? Simply put, it’s a mix of the seat structure, less-than-ideal cabin conditions, and our sleep cycles. A plane is not the best place to sleep. but it’s not impossible. If you can maximize your sleep environment, you’ll have some quality plane sleep and arrive at your destination refreshed and ready to go. By following simple advice, sleeping in a car, plane, boat, or other moving vehicle no longer has to mean you miss out on shut-eye.

For all these science-backed tips we shared, check out our infographic below.* Visit the link following each sleep statistic for its source. Casper has not independently verified the sleep statistics or sources.

*Visit the link following each sleep statistic for its source. Casper has not independently verified the sleep statistics or sources.