Sleeping on an airplane

I am preparing for a very long flight in a couple of days and usually I don't sleep on a plane....just can't ever get comfortable. This flight is going to be 14 hours long so I really WANT TO SLEEP! I found a few suggestions that I have listed below. If you have any other ideas please, please, please share!!

Choose your seat wisely.
Your seat location could be one of the most important factors in how well -- or how poorly -- you sleep on your next trip. Try to get a window seat if possible; it will give you something to lean against and get you out of the way of other folks in your row, who won't have to scramble over you each time they need to use the bathroom. You'll also have some control over the window shade.

Recline your seat -- but be courteous.
On a night flight, expecting someone not to sleep is like asking them to put down their window shade during a flight over the Grand Canyon or Haleakala. Ideally, everyone has the same idea and seatbacks will tip backward soon into your flight.

Stay away from the light.
The animated flash of movie screens, reading lights, cabin lights, sunlight bursting in on an eastbound flight -- all can disturb your slumber. Get yourself an eye mask. Some airlines provide them, but it's best to keep one in your traveling kit just to be safe.

Clothing is important.
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting, layered clothing. Bring a sweater and a pair of socks. The cabin temperature is not consistent throughout the flight.

Drinks
Bring a bottle of water and drink small amounts. Avoid coffee and alcohol. Alcohol can help you fall asleep initially, but will cause you to use the bathroom frequently.

Ear plugs.
Foam ear plugs can be extremely useful to mute the safety announcements, engine noise and chatter of your fellow passengers. They work best when you stick them deep into your ear canal so they are barely visible.

A neck pillow.
The standard square pillows provided by airlines are almost useless when sitting up, since they fall away when you sleep, but those "airline pillows" that wrap around your neck can sometimes be helpful. The aim is to prevent your head from falling over as you sleep. Not all wraparound pillows are created equal, however. Most of those sold in airports are simply too fat and bulky, especially behind your neck, where you don't want any padding. (You only need it between your head and shoulders. You probably want a relatively thin bean-bag or blow-up model, but you'll have to experiment to find out what works for you.

Aspirin.
Take two aspirin at the start of every long flight. Aspirin does two things: (1) It helps prevent muscular aches and pains due to the unusual sleep position--mainly in my back, and (2) it prevents clotting in the legs when blood pools there (at least in theory). The main role of aspirin here is not as a pain-killer but in preemptively reducing inflammation.

Happy sleeping!!

Stiletto,
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