Every pilot knows being well rested for a trip is important. This is not always easy, however. Whether it be a busy day before a red-eye flight, or a noisy hotel on a layover, good sleep does not always happen. Caffeine can only help so much, and calling out fatigued is not always practical.

Lack of sleep for pilots is more than an annoyance. Pilot performance, and the safety of everyone on board, decreases. One study found that pilot errors on precision flight instruments doubled after only one night of sleep loss. Fatigue continues to be cited as a factor in aviation accidents, such as Colgan Flight #3407. In 2020, the NTSB added “reduction of fatigue related accidents” to its list of “Most Wanted” safety goals.

Part 121 airlines follow the strict Part 117 rest rules mandated by the FAA. Flight departments still find ways to squeeze every legal flight-hour out of flight crews. In April of 2021, Delta pilots begun picketing their fatiguing and poor quality schedules. A few months later, American Airlines’ pilots did the same,  also citing lack of adequate accommodations for rest. Furthermore, charter pilots operating under Part 135 or Part 91 rules have less restrictive rest rules. General Aviation pilots have essentially no rest requirements.

Most pilots just push through. Some foreign air carriers allow in-cockpit napping, also called “controlled rest”.  In the US, the FAA does not allow it. Some take melatonin when it’s time to sleep, others load up on caffeine.

Below is a list of products designed to help achieve better sleep. They can help during abnormal sleep times, noisy hotels, or an uncomfortable airplane. Focus on your sleep, for a better, more enjoyable trip.