Long haul and jet lag - how you handle this?

[Moscyn]

I also find Red Eye flights are especially cold. Don't know why the air cond is blasting cold. I need to be snug and warm in order to sleep. The flight blankets are also quite thin ( except for those on business or first class). Well, I'll be taking a 13- hr flight from Hong Kong to Paris next week and I hope my usual Xanax will help me sleep at least 6 hours. I thought I am one of those few who resort to medication but it appears quite a number do the same too.

[Willers]

The key for me has been to stay up once I reach my destination, especially when heading east to Europe. No naps, no down time, then going to sleep at 8 or 9 PM local time and getting a solid 10 hours of sleep. I know that doesn't work for everyone, but it has for me. I also try for red eyes whenever I can adjust the sleep schedule more easily (I fall asleep easily on planes so daytime flights really mess with my clock).

When I've had to stay up late at my destination it's undone much of this. I try to sneak out when I can.

[W2R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moscyn I also find Red Eye flights are especially cold. Don't know why the air cond is blasting cold. I need to be snug and warm in order to sleep. The flight blankets are also quite thin ( except for those on business or first class). Well, I'll be taking a 13- hr flight from Hong Kong to Paris next week and I hope my usual Xanax will help me sleep at least 6 hours. I thought I am one of those few who resort to medication but it appears quite a number do the same too.

Not me. I have never taken medication of any kind to sleep, whether prescription or OTC, whether at home or traveling. Oh my, there's an area of expertise that I have but hadn't identified! I am really, really good at sleeping. Too bad that skill isn't worth some money, somehow.

Long ago I was told that they turn down the oxygen and temperature on airplanes at night in an effort to encourage passengers to sleep (less work for the flight crew that way). Don't know if that is true or not, but it is what it is. Maybe you could tuck one of those fleece truckers' blankets in your carry-on to provide a little added warmth to what you can get from the flight blankets. They don't take much space.

[Marita40]

I fly to Rome every so often and the direct flight gets there around 8 a.m. I never sleep on planes--just can't do it, although I might doze lightly for a little while. I do exactly what Willers states. I play "mind over matter" and just tell myself that I can function for a day on no sleep, and I proceed to keep active all day and eat regular meals. I then turn in early--7 or 8 p.m.--and always sleep very well, waking up refreshed. This tends to solve my jet lag problems completely for the duration of the trip. Granted, this is only to Europe. I don't know how I'd handle a longer trip. Probably not well.

[omni550]

Quote:

Originally Posted by W2R Long ago I was told that they turn down the oxygen and temperature on airplanes at night in an effort to encourage passengers to sleep (less work for the flight crew that way). Don't know if that is true or not, but it is what it is.

I also heard this from a flight attendant a few years ago.

omni

[Moscyn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by W2R Long ago I was told that they turn down the oxygen and temperature on airplanes at night in an effort to encourage passengers to sleep (less work for the flight crew that way). Don't know if that is true or not, but it is what it is. Maybe you could tuck one of those fleece truckers' blankets in your carry-on to provide a little added warmth to what you can get from the flight blankets. They don't take much space.

In my past few trips, I have resorted to taking along a thin down feather jacket which is really comfy. Also, it can be folded to a small square and easy to carry plus light.

[check6]

Quote:

Originally Posted by W2R Long ago I was told that they turn down the oxygen and temperature on airplanes at night in an effort to encourage passengers to sleep (less work for the flight crew that way). Don't know if that is true or not....

It is not true. The amount of oxygen is based on what the pressurized cabin altitude is, normally 5-8,000 feet and that system is run automatically based on what altitude the aircraft is at the time.

On older aircraft, the temperature is controlled in the cockpit. There are gauges that tell the temp in various cabin zones. The pilots set it based on what they "think" the temperature should be until the flight attendants tell them to turn it up or down.

If you are cold or hot TELL the flight attendants. On the newer aircraft like the Airbus 330, the flt atts can control the temp from a panel in their galley.