Best noise cancelling headphones for Trans-Atlantic flights? Other advice?

Simple solution: ignore it.

I make at least twenty trans-oceanic flights a year and who knows how many trans-continentals. It's got to be a really good movie before I reach for the headphones.

Close your eyes and go to sleep.

Workable solution: Skullcandy (?). I think I paid fifty bucks or so. My adult leader has the super-duper Bose. I can't tell the difference, hers are bigger, heavier, and take up more room.

I have a cheap set of Sony NC headphones. Quite honestly, I really can't tell any difference with the noise cancelling feature on or off. If your flying Lufthansa, their new entertainment system is SWEET.

I always get the cheapo ear plugs the drug store. I can't remember the brand name but it comes in a set of 16 and you just peel them off and roll them into balls, put in ear. They work VERY well. I always have to share a room with loud snorers on my family vacation and they work like a charm.

Other than that, wear comfortable clothes like loose pants or skirts. The airlines magazines sell a ton of different types of pillows. But in my opinion, they are a waste of money. On a long flight, if you are sitting in economy, you will eventually feel uncomfortable and antsy. So no use bringing something that is going to take up a bunch of space and only work for a couple of hours. My key is distraction if I can't fall asleep. If you have a ipad or something similar, download movies to rent on iTunes. Some people like to knock themselves out with Benadryl or unisom but make sure you know how you will react to it.

This might not help, because I bought them several years ago and who knows if something similar is still available. Anyways, I have a lower-end set of noise-cancelling headphones made by Sony. For easy storage, the fold into something about the size of what a baseball might look like if you flattened it to about an inch thickness. They don't cancel all noise, but they reduce the roar of the plane's engine to a gentle hum. When I bought them, they cost me a little shy of $100.

I've tried every strategy in the book for sleeping in coach, and the only thing I've found that works? Prescription sleep medication. Talk to your doctor.

During the noisiest parts of the flight, takeoff and landing, you can't wear headphones anyhow, although little earplugs go unnoticed. I use low-cost headphones to dampen the surrounding noise but also to improve the quality of the sound feed from the entertainment service in the cheap seats. Otherwise, those horseshoe-shaped neck pillows look silly but do help keep your head in place if you nod off. The inflatable type takes up very little space.

I have a pair of Phillips earbuds that are great, and I got them on clearance at Target years ago for $30. During takeoff and landing I wear Earplanes earplugs for pressure issues. But noise-canceling headphones, earplugs, or whatever, the noise may be dampened but it doesn't block out the vibration (which, to me, is the bigger problem). On the way over, don't even try to watch a movie. Just eat your dinner, then try to get to sleep. I also take a small pump spray bottle and put water in it once I am on the plane. I occasionally pull it out and mist my face, which is really refreshing and helps keep your skin from feeling so dry.

Thank you all for your suggestions and help. Happy, safe travels

I have a pair of Sony (under 100) and they work remarkably well for me. There is quite a difference in the 'annoying' noises from the plane that are greatly minimized when the noise cancelling function is turned on. With the headphone on and a rather boring movie on the plane I am usually able to sleep a bit...until I got the headphones I could never sleep. I also find that even if I do not sleep I feel more rested. I think the plane noise is really stressful and irritating, so minimizing it helps me.

Welcome reblee00,

I just stay up reading/watching movies or trying to learn some new language.

your mileage may vary,

happy trails

We have a trip twice as long to get from here (NZ) to Europe so I have studied this closely
I have a pair of Bose and they are very good, especially when it comes to comfort
My wife bought a cheaper type (Sony) these work just as well but after 10 hours are not so comfortable
Of course it depends on your head shape etc
My sons use the in-ear sound cancelling type and say they are very good, easy to sleep with and far cheaper

Sony has a pair for around $60 that work great. I use them everytime I fly. They also fold up and have a convienent zippered pouch.