Ambien as soon as the plane is safely in the air and not aborting or going back to the gate. I also take it my first night in Europe. I have no trouble staying up until a decent hour or falling asleep but I am wide awake at 3 am without it.

Anonymous wrote:Xanax and a mini bottle

This, plus a couple melatonin. Had me out like a light on my recent flight to/from Europe in economy.

This helped us with some big time zone shifts recently. We just did some melatonin based on the schedule/tips provided.

https://www.timeshifter.com/the-jet-lag-app

i recommend business class

Anonymous wrote:Melatonin and an eye mask. Plus noise cancelling headphones.

This is my strategy. I take the melatonin right after boarding for a flight to London, so I can sleep, but not be a zombie on arrival.

The eye mask was a game changer for me! I also take melatonin, but found it much easier to disconnect/zone out on the plane once I started wearing an eye mask for sleep time.

Anonymous wrote:I have a friend who takes Ambien right before boarding and is ready with eye mask, noise cancelling headphones and comfortwear. I've tried a baby benadryl before and I was very much like a slug when I arrived.

If you can get an Rx, try Hydroxyzine, low dose. 5 or 10 mgs.

I vote for Ambien too but definitely do not take it until the flight is in the air. Reasons are if you're asked to deboard or if the flight is delayed on the ground or you need to switch planes or any other number of reasons that will require you to be functional, you can be in trouble if you're zonked.

Please experiment with drugs before the flight.
I take nothing, because I always travel back to my European country with kids in tow, and need to be alert when we arrive. I can never sleep on planes. It's tough.

I have a friend who takes Ambien right before boarding and is ready with eye mask, noise cancelling headphones and comfortwear. I've tried a baby benadryl before and I was very much like a slug when I arrived.

If you can get an Rx, try Hydroxyzine, low dose. 5 or 10 mgs.

Whatever you do, don’t take it for the first time on the flight. I can’t remember what I bought because it was years ago, but it was something OTC and it made me so jittery. I couldn’t sit still, was up walking to the bathroom every hour just to have something to do, and my seat mates hated me. Worst flight of my life.

Anonymous wrote:Xanax and a mini bottle

This and just nibble the Xanax.

Xanax and a mini bottle

Melatonin and an eye mask. Plus noise cancelling headphones.

I was going to suggest Benadryl, but it is actually the same active ingredient and same dosage as Advil PM (but much cheaper, especially if you buy the generic!). Maybe try just taking half a Benadryl.

Also, get a really good neck pillow, eyemask, and earplugs; bring a blanket and a teabag of your favorite herbal tea.

I have a redeye coming up to Europe for work and I'd like to conk out bc I have to go straight into the office when I arrive. And I'm in premium economy, so it's not like I'm going to be comfortable. Any suggestions for a sleep aid that won't leave me "hungover" the next day? I occasionally take Advil PM when I'm under the weather and while it works like a charm, I feel like a slug the entire next day