11 Best Sleep Aids for Long Flights
Gearing up for a long flight and want to make sure you rest en route to your destination? We’ve found the 11 best in-flight sleep products to help you relax and wake up feeling refreshed (so you can take on whatever the day has for you). From tablets to teas to roll-ons, this list has something for everyone who struggles to sleep while at cruising altitude.
We’re reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you). These are products we’ve heavily researched and stand behind. You can read through our full affiliate disclosure here.
11 best sleep aids for long flights
1. Best overall sleep aid: Juna
Juna’s Nightcap Sleep Gummies aren’t just aesthetically pleasing — they also deliver on their promise to optimize your sleep. In fact, 91% of customers report “deeper sleep and lowered stress levels” when using this product, meanwhile, 95% say they feel refreshed upon waking. Those are some pretty impressive stats, not to mention solid proof that these gummies are just what you’ve been looking for to fall asleep (and stay asleep) on your next long-haul journey.
Price: starting at $42
2. Best melatonin sleep aid: Vicks
Vicks doesn’t just make products to relieve coughs and colds. These days, they’re also a leader in the sleep aid category, thanks to their Pure Zzzs Melatonin Gummies. Keep in mind, these little gummies pack a serious punch. That’s why you should only use them on long flights since their effects are proven to last several hours. If you’ve never taken melatonin before, you might even do a test run prior to your trip to see how your body responds to this ingredient.
Note: Melatonin isn’t recommended for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or who have an autoimmune disease or seizure disorder. If you have questions (or concerns) about taking melatonin, be sure to talk with your healthcare provider before purchasing this product.
Price: starting at $8
3. Best CBD sleep aid: Soul
While we love Soul’s branding and product packaging, we're also big fans of their mission to “turn sour nights into sweet dreams with little bites of bliss.” This company’s Sleepi Gummies are a powerful combination of CBD, CBN, melatonin, and terpenes. Translation? You can count on gently drifting off to sleep and waking up feeling fully refreshed. There’s no doubt these gummies will have you totally relaxed all throughout your next international flight.
Price: starting at $70
4. Best homeopathic sleep aid: Boiron
If you’re interested in a melatonin-free sleep aid, we’d recommend this homeopathic product from Boiron. This plant-based blend is formulated with passionflower plus other natural active ingredients — and it avoids the use of artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors, or preservatives. As an added bonus, these tablets are gluten-free and have no known drug interactions. In short, pretty much everyone is safe to use this product to enhance their sleep while traveling.
Price: starting at $10
5. Best hydrating sleep aid: Liquid I.V.
Dehydration is pretty common on long-haul flights — and the longer you're in transit, the greater your risk of feeling symptoms like dry skin or a dry throat. Fortunately, Liquid I.V. can help you stay hydrated *and* fall asleep faster. Their Sleep Multiplier is a non-GMO nighttime drink that’s designed to boost hydration and “enhance rapid absorption” of this innovative sleep blend. Just pour the single-serving packet into a bottle of water, and you’ll be catching Zzz’s in no time.
Price: starting at $24
6. Best multipurpose sleep aid: HUM Nutrition
Not only do HUM Nutrition’s Beauty zzZz Gummies help you fall asleep in 15 minutes or less, but they also support your digestive health. That’s right — these gummies contain melatonin (to promote restful sleep), as well as FOS prebiotic fiber (to nourish gut microbiota). We love that this is a multipurpose sleep aid with a dual-benefit formula. Better still, HUM Nutrition conducts meticulous testing to ensure their supplements are as “pure, potent, and effective” as possible.
Price: starting at $26
7. Best adaptogenic sleep aid: Moon Juice
Adaptogens are herbs, roots, and other plant substances that help our bodies deal with stress, anxiety, and fatigue. While adaptogens are often used in supplements and coffee substitutes, Moon Juice has incorporated them into their Dream Dust sleep aid. This product is a tranquil blend of adaptogens and other herbs that relieve tension and promote deep sleep. You can purchase single-serving sachets to mix with tea, milk, or hot water before you board your flight.
Price: starting at $38
8. Best tea sleep aid: Traditional Medicinals
Though you might be tempted to sip a glass of wine at 35,000 feet, unfortunately, alcohol can really interfere with your sleep cycles. A better option? Get a cup of hot water from a restaurant or coffee shop just before you board, and start brewing Traditional Medicinals Organic Nighty Night tea. Since sleepy tea can take up to an hour to kick in, you can sip this tea slowly as you’re taking off — and you should be ready to snooze once meal service has finished.
Price: starting at $6
9. Best patch sleep aid: The Good Patch
If you’d rather not drink something or take a tablet on your flight, you can always use sleep aid patches to help you get your beauty rest. We like the Nite Nite version from The Good Patch, as it contains 15 mg of premium hemp extract and 3 mg of melatonin to give you “the quality shut-eye you have been craving.” The best part? These patches work steadily (and continuously) over an 8 to 12-hour period, for sustained sleep while you’re flying across continents or oceans.
Price: starting at $16
10. Best roll-on sleep aid: UpNature
The Dream Essential Oil Roll On from UpNature contains a high-quality blend of orange, juniper, lavender, coriander, and chamomile essential oils. Even better, you can ~rest~ assured knowing these oils are pure therapeutic grade — meaning they don’t contain any harmful toxins or additives. All you have to do is roll this oil blend on your wrists, behind your ears, or on your neck to breathe in the healing properties and be lulled to sleep from your window seat.
Price: starting at $12
11. Best snacky sleep aid: Fx Chocolate
Who knew the key to a good night’s sleep could be found in a square of chocolate? Dream from Fx Chocolate contains 3 mg of calming melatonin plus 5 mg of 5-HTP all wrapped up in a semi-sweet dark cacao. To create this product, Fx Chocolate works with small-scale farms and uses the whole cacao bean. They also use naturally-occurring allulose instead of conventional sugar, which gives the chocolate a smooth, decadent taste customers can’t stop raving about.
Price: starting at $20
Sleep aid for long flights - common FAQs
Is it OK to take a sleeping pill on a long flight?
Most health professionals don’t recommend taking sleeping pills on a long flight, as these pills sometimes cause passengers to sleepwalk or exhibit erratic behaviors without their knowledge. Instead, you can use melatonin or another natural sleep aid to get some shut-eye mid-flight.
What is the best melatonin for flying?
Vicks Pure Zzzs Melatonin Gummies are one of the top melatonin products on the market. These gummies help you fall asleep faster (and stay asleep longer), which is why they’re recommended for long-haul flights — since their effects are proven to last for several hours.
What pills help you relax on a plane?
Adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha, chaga, schisandra, and polygala can help your body deal with stress and relax after a long day (or before a long flight). In addition, CBD products also have anti-anxiety properties that can help you feel calm during a long journey.