If you're flying out of South Africa, getting to your destination can mean spending a long time in the air.
Whether you're leaving Johannesburg for London, flying from Cape Town to Dubai, heading overseas for a holiday, or simply trying to get some rest on a late flight, sleeping comfortably in an economy seat isn't always easy.
Limited legroom, cabin noise, changing temperatures and that familiar moment when your head drops forward just as you're finally falling asleep can make a long journey feel even longer.
The good news? You don't need a business-class ticket to make your journey more comfortable.
A little preparation can go a long way.
Here are 10 practical ways to make your next flight more comfortable and give yourself a better chance of getting some rest.
1. Choose Your Seat With Sleep in Mind
Where you sit can make a surprisingly big difference.
If sleeping is your priority, a window seat has some obvious advantages. You have something to lean towards, you won't have passengers climbing over you to get to the aisle, and you have more control over the window shade.
An aisle seat, on the other hand, is useful if you prefer getting up regularly or want easier access to the bathroom.
For those long overnight international flights out of South Africa, think about what matters more to you before choosing your seat:
Uninterrupted rest? Window.
Freedom to move around? Aisle.
Neither is automatically better — the right choice depends on how you travel.
2. Give Your Neck Proper Support
This is one of the biggest problems with sleeping upright.
You start drifting off...
Then your head falls forward.
You wake up.
You reposition yourself.
Five minutes later, it happens again.
Traditional U-shaped pillows can help, but the open front can still leave your head without much support when it starts dropping forward.
A wraparound travel pillow can provide support around the neck, including the sides and chin area.
That's the idea behind the COMFYTRVL™ Travel Pillow.
Its wraparound design is made for travellers who want more support while resting upright, helping support the neck from multiple directions rather than simply cushioning the back.
It's a small change to what you pack, but it can make a big difference to how comfortable those hours in your seat feel.
“Wraparound support can help keep your neck, sides and chin supported while resting upright.”
3. Dress for the Flight, Not Just the Airport
We all want to arrive looking decent.
But if you're going to spend hours in an aircraft seat, comfort matters.
Choose clothing that doesn't feel restrictive when you're sitting for long periods.
Layers are particularly useful.
You might feel perfectly comfortable walking through OR Tambo or Cape Town International, only to find yourself reaching for something warmer a few hours into the flight.
A simple combination could include comfortable trousers, a breathable top, a hoodie or sweater, comfortable socks and shoes that aren't overly restrictive.
You don't have to arrive at the airport in pyjamas.
Just give yourself enough room to actually relax.
4. Don't Underestimate How Cold a Flight Can Feel
You know the situation.
You board feeling perfectly comfortable.
A few hours later, the cabin feels freezing and suddenly you're trying to turn your jacket into a blanket.
Cabin temperatures can vary, so having an extra layer available can make resting much easier.
That's one reason a compact travel blanket can be useful — especially when you don't want something bulky taking up half your hand luggage.
The COMFYTRVL™ 2-in-1 Travel Blanket + Pillow packs down to approximately 35 × 25 cm and unfolds into an approximately 150 × 120 cm blanket.
When you're walking through the airport, it's compact.
When the cabin gets chilly, unfold it.
And when you don't need the blanket anymore, it packs back into its pillow form.
It's about getting more comfort without unnecessarily filling your carry-on.
5. Create Your Own Little Sleep Environment
You can't control the entire aircraft.
You can control some of what happens around your seat.
An eye mask can help reduce cabin light, reading lights and screens around you.
Earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones can help reduce some of the background noise.
Add something to support your neck and something warm, and you've created your own little comfort zone.
Think of it as your flight sleep kit.
It won't transform an economy seat into your bedroom back home — but it can make the next few hours much easier.
6. Download Everything Before You Leave Home
Don't wait until you're sitting at the gate to realise the playlist you wanted isn't available offline.
Before leaving home, download whatever helps you relax:
- Music
- Podcasts
- Audiobooks
- A movie or series
- Relaxing audio
- Offline entertainment
And pack your charging cable somewhere you can actually reach it.
Not at the bottom of the suitcase.
Not buried underneath three outfits in the overhead compartment.
Keep your in-flight essentials together in your carry-on.
Future you will appreciate it.
7. Keep Your Seat Belt Visible
If you're going to sleep underneath a blanket, consider keeping your fastened seat belt visible.
This makes it easier for cabin crew to see that you're already buckled when necessary without your blanket hiding it.
Of course, always follow the safety instructions provided by your airline and cabin crew.
Comfort matters.
Safety comes first.
8. Think Twice About That Airport Coffee
This one can be difficult.
Especially when you've arrived at the airport early and there's a coffee shop sitting right there.
But if you're boarding an overnight flight and hoping to sleep shortly after take-off, a large coffee immediately before boarding might not help your plan.
Think about when you actually want to sleep.
If you're planning to stay awake for the first few hours, caffeine might fit your routine.
If you want to fall asleep shortly after meal service, maybe reconsider that giant cappuccino.
And keep some water nearby during the flight.
9. Start Adjusting to Your Destination
South Africans travelling internationally can cross several time zones depending on the destination.
One simple trick is to change your phone or watch to your destination's local time once you're onboard.
Then start thinking:
Should I be sleeping now?
Should I stay awake?
When should I eat?
It won't magically eliminate jet lag, but it can help you mentally transition away from South African time and towards the routine waiting for you at your destination.
You don't need to get it perfect.
You're simply giving your body a head start.
10. Build a Simple Long-Flight Kit
You really don't need to bring half your house onto the aircraft.
Keep it simple.
The COMFYTRVL Long-Flight Checklist
- Supportive travel pillow
- Compact travel blanket
- Eye mask
- Earplugs or headphones
- Water bottle
- Comfortable socks
- Charging cable or suitable power bank
- Passport and travel documents somewhere accessible
- Any personal essentials you'll need during the flight
The important part isn't owning dozens of travel accessories.
It's having the right few things available when you need them.
You're Not Trying to Recreate Your Bed at 35,000 Feet
Let's be realistic.
Economy-class sleep probably isn't going to feel exactly like your bed back home.
And that's okay.
The goal is simply to remove as many unnecessary discomforts as possible.
Support your neck.
Stay warm.
Reduce light and noise.
Dress comfortably.
Keep your essentials nearby.
And give yourself the best chance possible of arriving at your destination feeling ready for what's next.
Because whether you're leaving South Africa for a holiday you've been saving for, heading overseas for work, visiting family, or finally taking that trip you've been talking about for years...
the journey is part of the experience too.
At COMFYTRVL, we're building travel essentials around one simple idea:
Travel should feel better.
TRAVEL MORE. FEEL BETTER.
