If you've been lucky enough to jet off on a long-haul trip abroad, you'll know how it can be tricky to get comfortable enough to catch some sleep in your seat, particularly if you're flying in economy - often leaving you tired and sore by the time you reach your destination.
Luckily, one holidaymaker has come to the rescue with a handy hack for the next time you get on a plane. Sharing her advice for having a comfortable sleep on a long flight if you're sitting next to someone you know, TikTok user @jinymaeng explained that all you need is a jacket or blanket and the built-in armrest on your seat, which should be moved into the upright position.
Demonstrating in a clip, the savvy traveller explained: "After you fold up your jacket or your blanket, you want to place it on the top of the tip of the armrest, then rest the side of your head onto it. You can move it around a bit to find a comfortable spot - and the best thing about this hack is that both sides can use the headrest together.
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"It doesn't matter if you have a window seat or an aisle seat - it works everywhere," she added. The clip quickly went viral on the social media platform, racking up almost eight million views in a matter of days with people singing their praises for the simple but effective travel trick.
"This is so smart," one person said in the comments section. "I'll definitely use this when I go on a flight next time."
"That's so useful," someone else praised. And a third fan of the hack commented: "This is a lifesaver."
Another person wrote: "I've been doing this for years and it's so much better than sleeping on the food tray."
However, the success rate of the hack may depend on the type of arm rests on your aircraft. Some travellers complained that they had tried the trick on a flight, only to find that their arm rests slipped or fell down - while others found that their arm rest was stiff enough to stay up on its own, or came with a lock mechanism to keep it in place.
Other top tips for getting to sleep on a plane include bringing aids such as earplugs, an eye mask and a neck pillow on board to help create a peaceful and comfy environment to nod off in. You may also want to consider planning ahead for a nap by booking your seat next to the window, which will give you a surface to lean your head on if you aren't travelling with someone you know.
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