The science of sleeping on planes

Sleeping in a plane. Photo: Ian Mackenzie / Flickr

It's a common traveler's dilemma: to avoid jet lag after a long-haul flight, you should really sleep on the plane. That way, you can wake up refreshed and already be on local time. The problem: you can't sleep on planes.

If you've ever arrived at an airport feeling groggy like Bill Murray's character in the film Lost in Translation, you're not alone. Seth Kugel, who writes the "Frugal Traveler" column for The New York Times, decided to get to the bottom of mystery of sleeping in the skies: Cramped in coach, or the science of sleep.  Kugel interviews a doctor and a psychologist to learn why someone dozes in the clouds, and find any solutions.

A German friend of mine likes to go dancing in a nightclub until he has to go to the airport. He swears it gets him nice and tired, so as soon as he gets in his seat, he goes to sleep immediately.  I've done the opposite, try to wake up extra early so that I'm eager to get back to snoozing.

Do you have trouble getting rest in the air? How do you solve this problem? Please share your tips and tricks in the comments.