The ‘Comfiest’ Way to Sleep in Economy for 18 Hours Amazes Viewers

A video of simple strategies to “survive” an 18-hour economy flight has gone viral on TikTok.
On October 31, user @travelwithell posted the clip, which has amassed more than 1.6 million views, with commenters praising her practical advice and offering their own insights on how to stay refreshed in transit.
“I’m gonna tell you exactly how to have the comfiest long-haul flight of your life and survive economy,” the poster said in the video. “I’ve just flown 18 hours to Thailand, and I actually landed feeling so fresh.”
More From Newsweek Vault: Compare the Best Rewards Credit Cards for Travel
Describing herself as someone who typically “can never sleep on a plane,” the poster said her routine helped her sleep “more than I ever have on a flight before.”
Newsweek has contacted @travelwithell for comment via TikTok. This video has not been independently verified.
In a 2014 survey of 1,000 Americans, Expedia, the travel booking website, found that 48 percent reported that they “generally cannot sleep on planes,” meaning the TikToker’s tips could be useful for many travelers in the U.S.
More From Newsweek Vault: How to Travel on a Budget
The poster began by emphasizing the importance of hydration on a long flight. She advised travelers to bring a “big bottle of water,” showing herself taking a sip from a large bottle mid-flight and adding that the cups of water served on planes were too small. Regular hydration, she suggested, was key to feeling good upon arrival.
More From Newsweek Vault: Compare the Best Travel Insurance Companies
In May 2023, Dr. Anna Guanche, a board-certified dermatologist, told Newsweek that travelers may notice that their skin is parched after flying, so it’s a great idea to increase water intake before, during and after the flight.
Next on the poster’s list was a leg hammock, a travel accessory she described as “the essence” of getting comfortable in cramped quarters.
A leg hammock, attached to the tray table in front of her seat, allowed the poster to rest her legs in an elevated position. “You can keep your knees bent and your legs in the upright position,” she said, adding that the hammock helped her avoid leg cramps and “pins and needles,” which made her sleep “so comfy.”
To elevate her economy experience, the poster suggested adding a few luxuries, including a silk eye mask and memory foam neck pillow. “Memory foam anything is just a chef’s kiss,” she said, while also encouraging travelers to “invest in a good pair of earplugs.”
She also showcased a “headrest eye mask,” which she placed over the headrest to prevent her head from dropping and waking her up mid-sleep. The idea behind these items, she said, was to create an environment as restful as possible, even in a restricted space.
For added comfort, the poster suggested bringing personal treats and showed the bag of chocolates and container of chips she brought as in-flight snacks.
The poster stressed the importance of freshening up, noting that if they didn’t have a layover, travelers could still make use of the airplane’s bathroom. During a layover, the poster headed to the airport bathroom to take out her heatless curls, brush her teeth, apply deodorant and use dry shampoo. “If you’re flying direct, you can do this in the bathroom on the plane,” she said.
The poster also recommended packing essentials, such as a moisturizing sheet mask, deodorant and a lip balm to combat the dryness of air travel. “A moisturizing sheet mask is literally going to give you life,” she said.
Guanche previously told Newsweek that it’s important to apply “thicker layers of emollient [softening/soothing] moisturizer during flights, as long as you’re not acne prone.”
“Some people go to the lengths of wearing a soothing cooling mask 30 minutes before they land to rehydrate the skin,” the dermatologist added.
TikTok users praised the poster’s tips, with fellow travelers chiming in with tips of their own.
“Buying the biggest bottle of water is a must before a flight. Drink drink drink! Makes a massive difference,” one wrote.
Another added: “Also drinking a coconut water just before getting on the plane! Electrolytes so you aren’t a dried-up husk.”
“Compression socks changed my life,” a user commented.
The leg hammock in particular struck a chord with viewers, with one writing, “That leg hammock is a game changer wow I needdd.”
“I’ve flown across the world a couple times this year and the leg hammock was a GAME CHANGER,” another wrote, adding, “It made the 16 hr flight MUCH more bearable.”
Do you have a travel-related video or story to share? Let us know via [email protected], and your story could be featured on Newsweek.