Travel Tips - 3 Top Ways to Sleep on a Plane

Ask yourself this question: do you really want to spend the first 36 hours of your dream holiday recovering from your long-haul flight? No? Well, that’s why being able to sleep on the plane is important, especially if you’re travelling with your family. Of course, you may think you have more important things to consider, like getting good travel insurance for family groups – and of course you're right! However, once that's sorted, it's time to begin planning to make the travelling part of your holiday as comfortable and hassle free as possible. This starts with that all-important flight. Here are three of the best ways to ensure you get some rest while on the plane.

Spend a little more on your seat

There’s a reason first-class or business-class seats are pricier than the rest: they offer more room, and the seats are awesome! Such extra space—in the context of a plane’s confinements—is expensive, however. But if you can afford it, it is well worth the cost. If you do your research, what you save on your travel insurance for family holidays, you can splurge on your seats! However, if you can't afford the price tag (because you’re not the only one travelling), you still have options. If you’re buying your tickets online, there are websites and airlines that offer extra leg room (for a little more). Price differences vary, but if the extra leg room can provide you enough comfort for a sounder sleep, then it’s all worth it.

Choose your seat wisely

Getting in to first or business class or purchasing extra legroom is not the only way to get some added comfort. Different areas in the plane have different noise levels, so you can use that information to your advantage when you’re purchasing your flight tickets. Some companies who sell travel insurance for family groups have very helpful websites, with tips and tricks of the travel trade – so check these as a first stop. You can follow up with some research into some major online ticket sellers; a recent piece of research, for instance, reveals that the most in-demand seat on a plane is in 7F. This is near the front of the plane, and the results are also possibly reflected by people’s perception that the nearer you are to the front, the easier it is to disembark. Mothers with children most often choose this section when purchasing their tickets, so that's also why, if you’re interested in getting sufficient rest throughout the trip, you should avoid the front as much as possible. Choose seats at the rear by the window, if at all possible.

Watch what you eat and drink

The golden rule (we hear a groan) is don’t drink alcohol. While you may be more soporific after a few drinks, you won’t get any real rest. It is wise to refuse alcohol on long haul flights and, instead, drink plenty of water. It also helps to eat lightly—having a heavy meal may keep you alert or unsettled for hours.

Of course, all these things mentioned are secondary to the main issue that can keep you awake on a flight if you neglect it - getting travel insurance for family holidays before you leave. Nothing will give you peace of mind better than the knowledge that you’ve got your family protected during the trip.

Patrick Chong is the Managing Director of Insuremore. We provide low cost travel insurance and offer a range of policies including travel insurance for family groups, annual, multi-trip and single-trip insurance. For all your travel cover needs, Insuremore can help you in the quickest and most cost-efficient way.