There’s no doubt about it, I love to travel, and when I do I actually prefer taking a red eye flight {gasp!}.
You can save time because it doesn’t cut into one of your vacation days…and obviously, you can save money. Over the years, I’ve kind of mastered the red eye hangover.
We head out tonight on an overnight flight to London so I thought today would be the perfect day to share my all time favorite 7 tips for surviving a red eye flight.
These little tips always help me feel refreshed and ready to hit the ground running when I land. I hope they can help you too!
Tips For Surviving A Red Eye Flight
Grab the ibuprofen {or Tylenol}!
I always pop an ibuprofen right before take off so that I don’t get a headache from the airplane noise. It is that whole ounce of prevention thing.
I am ultra sensitive to noise. So I figure between the noise canceling headphones that I wear and an ibuprofen, I’ve done everything I can to not arrive with a headache.
Drink water or juice instead of soda or alcoholic beverages.
Believe me, your body with thank you for it. Flying dehydrates you anyway, add poor quality sleep to the mix and you will feel like garbage. It’s best to just avoid that altogether. Water is good for you! Drink it.
Have your toothbrush handy and pop into the bathroom before you land.
That way, you don’t feel gross. You can hit the ground running.
Bring a jacket or a sweater.
If you get cold you can wear it, but a jacket/sweater = a pillow in my book. You can wad it up and rest easy knowing you aren’t sharing drool with the last passenger from one of the shared airplane pillows.
Get a window seat.
This is essential. Normally on a regular flight I like an aisle seat, but on a red eye I’ll choose the window seat. That way, I’ll have a wall to lean up against, and won’t have to rely on the person that smells faintly of bologna sitting next to me. 🙂
Dress for nappy time.
Yes, this is the time when sweats and comfy clothes are totally acceptable in public. Being comfy will make sleeping sooooo much easier.
Eat before you get on the plane.
Skip the in-flight $7 meal and try, if possible, to go straight to sleep. This is about getting the most out of your sleep so you can enjoy your vacation. It will also communicate silently to everyone around you that you are not there to chit-chat. It’s bedtime.
Do YOU take red eye flights? What are your tips and tricks for surviving them?
~Mavis
See more of my travel tips HERE.
Mary says
Took a British Air (lovely) red eye direct from Boston to London Heathrow in May- noise canceling head phones make all the difference when trying to get some shut eye. Looking forward to your Britain posts because I absolutely loved it and am ready to go back again!
eliz says
Good tip about taking a window seat so you can have a wall to lean against. Thanks and have a great time!
Christie says
I can’t sleep on a plane so I try to avoid them. I arrive tired, crabby and ready for a nap rather than ready to go. Wishing you a safe and fun trip! We can’t wait to hear all the details!
Diane says
Don’t forget an eye mask! And a lot of people swear by melatonin to help you fall asleep, both on the flight and at your new time zone. Have a great trip!
Linda Sand says
Setting your watch the day ahead to the destination’s travel time can trick your body into adjusting. On a smart phone, lie about where you are to trick it into thinking you’ve already reached your destination.
Jana says
I have a fluffy neck pillow which is filled with a small matching blanket. If I need to use the blanket, it has an inflatable pillow that fits in the pillow “shell.” I just ordered a foot hammock on Amazon that fits over the closed tray table and keeps your feet elevated. It has great reviews. I will try it out on my upcoming red eye to Barcelona. I am a bad plane sleeper, generally, because I truly hate flying. Maybe this time will be different…
Gwenn says
I’ll wear a hooded sweatshirt (or something similar) so that I can pull the hood over my head. Along with noise canceling headphones it’s snuggly and helps me relax and snooze.
I carry a neck pillow cover that I stuff with cloths I plan on wearing, it gives my neck extra support and doesn’t take up extra space.
I wear support hose (running knee-hi socks actually), my legs feel so much better when I do.
Hand/face lotion & lip balm. My skin gets so try on the plane.
Pre-moistened cleaning cloths for my face/neck. No matter how long the flight is and even if all I do on the plane is sleep/snooze I feel grimy.
Annette says
A face mask is a must for me on a plane. Also cough drops and mints.
Nancy says
Could you please show what noise cancelling headphones are please? I looked on Amazon and I see little bitty ear plug looking ones and also big headphones. The big ones look so big! Sorry to ask, I haven’t flown in 25 years!
Mavis Butterfield says
These are the ones I use: https://www.costco.com/bose-quietcomfort-sc-noise-canceling-headphones.product.4000229272.html
KC says
I’ve sometimes wrapped my sweater/scarf *around* a pillow for added bulk.
Separately, washing your face can do an amazing amount to make you feel almost human again for the really long-haul ones (i.e. US-Australia). I’d put it even above toothbrushing on that, but toothbrushing is also good and has dental benefits and noxious-breath-reduction bonuses as well!
But yeah, biggest things: stay hydrated, sleep whenever you can, and move your body when you can move your body (walk and stretch when in the airports, stretch and do exercises that won’t thwack anyone when you are waiting for the bathroom in the plane).
Cindy says
Have a marvelous time with your girlfriend eat lots of pastries and tea. When I fly again I am going to get a neck pillow and headphones. I chew gum or some kind of mint when taking off and landing that helps the ears popping.
Lynda Rees Kling says
What airline charges for meals on an overseas flight?!
My favorite airline of all is Virgin Atlantic… none as good!
And get an extra legroom seat. Well worth the extra price. My kids and grandkids are English so I’m over frequently
Gigi says
I don’t think it’s recommended to drink bathroom water on the planes. I would suggest taking a bottle or cup of water with you to the bathroom and using that for your teeth.