If you are one of the many Americans who have had to sleep in airports because of mass cancellations of flights, sleeping bags can come in handy if you need to rest for a bit at any airport. Whether you’re in JFK, Atlanta, LAX, La Guardia or any airport in the US, you can get a TSA-approved sleeping bag which will cost you as low as $9.99 to $32.99 with this inflatable sleeping mat.
What is an airport sleeping bag?
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It is a type of sleeping bag that allows you to sleep comfortably in an airport or any other public place. It is made of durable and comfortable material that can be easily carried around. There isn’t really a sleeping bag designated for airport naps but most camping sleeping bags with foam or inflatable sleeping mats can do the job.
This summer, I had to pack my sleeping bag on my carry-on luggage as I was anticipating my flight at JFK and at Heathrow to be canceled and I was right. My first leg of the trip with a layover at JFK was canceled, so I ended up spending the night at the airport and my inflatable sleeping bag came in handy. It was my first time ever having to do this and I was glad I had my trusty sleeping bag with me.
Sleeping in an airport can be quite uncomfortable as the floor is hard and cold and there are usually no pillows or blankets available. That’s why a good quality sleeping bag is essential if you want to get some rest. I would recommend getting an inflatable sleeping mat or a camping sleeping bag with a foam pad as they are the most comfortable and will make your airport sleep much more bearable.
There are many different brands of airport sleeping bags available on the market but some of the most popular ones are REI, Coleman, and Teton Sports. These brands offer a wide variety of sleeping bags with different features to suit your needs.
When choosing an airport sleeping bag, there are a few things you need to take into consideration such as the temperature rating, weight, and packed size. The temperature rating will determine how warm the sleeping bag will keep you and the weight will affect how easy it is to carry around. The packed size is also important as you want a sleeping bag that doesn’t take up too much space in your luggage.
Why use an airport sleeping bag?
There are many reasons why people use airport sleeping bags.
- The most common reason is to take a nap in an airport or any other public place. It is also a great way to save money on hotels.
- Airport sleeping bags are also convenient for people who have to spend the night in an airport due to canceled flights.
- It is also very lightweight and easy to carry around, which makes it perfect for travelers.
- Airport sleeping bags are also relatively cheap, with some models costing as little as $9.99.
What are the drawbacks of using an airport sleeping bag?
The main drawback of using an airport sleeping bag is that they can be quite uncomfortable if you don’t have a foam pad or an inflatable sleeping mat. Another drawback is that they can be quite small, which means you might not be able to stretch out fully.
When using a sleeping bag at an airport, one of the biggest worries is someone stealing your bags while you’re asleep. To prevent this, I recommend you leave your luggage at the Overnight Luggage storage at your airport. Do some research before finding out if the airport you’re flying through has this overnight storage option.
What I found to be effective is sleeping on one part of the luggage so that if it moves, you’ll be sure to be woken up. In tips shared by the Sleeping in Airports website, you can also position the zippers or straps close to your head so you can feel if someone’s trying to unzip it.
TSA Guidelines: Where to pack sleeping bag – carry on?
The answer is yes, you can bring your sleeping bag in your carry-on luggage. The TSA has no restrictions on bringing sleeping bags in carry-on or checked baggage. See more details on TSA website here.
I have packed my inflatable sleeping bag in my carry-on multiple times and have never had any problems with it. Just make sure that when you’re packing it, it’s not taking up too much space so that your luggage can be easily stored in the overhead compartment.
Other airport sleeping gear
Cushion:
A neck pillow, also known as a travel pillow, is another essential item for sleeping in airports. Unlike a regular pillow, a neck pillow supports your head and neck so you can sleep comfortably even when sitting up.
There are many different types of neck pillows available on the market but I prefer the inflatable ones as they are small and easy to carry around.
Another great option is a memory foam neck pillow, which is very comfortable but can be quite bulky.
Blanket:
If you’re planning on sleeping in an airport overnight, I would also recommend bringing along a small blanket. This will come in handy if the temperature drops or if you need an extra layer of warmth.
There are many different types of travel blankets available but I prefer the ones that are made from microfleece as they are lightweight and can be easily packed into your carry-on luggage.
Wet wipes:
Wet wipes are another essential item for sleeping in airports. They can be used to wipe down your seat, armrests, and tray table. They can also be used to freshen up your face and hands.
I always make sure to pack a few wet wipes in my carry-on luggage whenever I travel.
Sleep mask:
A sleep mask is another great item to bring along when sleeping in airports. It can help block out the bright lights so you can sleep more easily.
There are many different types of sleep masks available but I prefer the ones that are made from silk as they are soft and gentle on the skin.
Earplugs:
Earplugs are another essential item for sleeping in airports. They can help block out the noise so you can sleep more easily.
Best Airport Sleeping Bag
ECOOPRO Warm Weather Sleeping Bag
The ECOOPRO sleeping bag is a lightweight, waterproof and durable sleeping bag made of high-quality material. It can be used for camping, hunting, hiking or travel including travel-related naps at airports.
It is designed to keep you warm and comfortable even in extreme weather conditions. The smooth zip closure makes it more convenient. Our sleeping bag measures 83″L x 30″W, the size fits for most people. It can accommodate an adult or two children.
It’s made of high-quality material, which makes it lightweight and compact to carry. The sleeping bag can be compressed down to just 11″ in height and 1.7lbs in weight. It’s ideal for backpacking enthusiasts who want a reliable companion on their journey. With its water-resistant quality, the warm weather sleeping bag is perfect for camping trips or mountain hiking under different weather conditions. The zipper ensures easy entry and exit when you’re tired from an exciting day outdoors!
Go Time Gear Life Bivy Sleeping Bag for Airports
If you want an ultra-small bag for sleeping in airports, Go Time brand called Life Bivy is the most ideal.
The Life Bivvy is a lightweight emergency shelter that quickly and easily attaches to your backpack so you can be prepared for any situation. This compact survival bivy features a reflective 90% heat-retention polyurethane shell that is waterproof, windproof, and puncture-resistant. A 20′ para-cord with high tensile strength provides an ultra-loud whistle for signaling rescuers up to 1 mile away.
Best Airport Sleeping Bags 2022
According to Travel and Leisure website, below are the 4 best airport sleeping bags available in the market today;
- Best Budget: The North Face Eco-Trail Synthetic at Amazon
- Best for Kids: Big Agnes Little Red, Wolverine, or Duster at Amazon
- Best Double: Nemo Jazz Double at Amazon
- Best Ultralight: Rab Mythic Ultra at Amazon
FAQs
Q: What is an airport sleeping bag?
A: An airport sleeping bag is a small, lightweight and easily portable sleeping bag that is designed for use in airports.
My name is Alex Mutuma and I founded this blog, Airport LLC as a way to document and engage with clients in my travel consulting business. Airportllc.com is the only source of over 2,000 fun things flyers could do during layovers.
Over the past 7 years, I have designed and planned tour packages for hundreds of clients and have recently focussed on the mission of changing boring layovers to excellent mini-vacations by giving you the best suggestions on must-do activities when flying over different airports.
Next time you or your friend are looking for suggestions on what to do in some airport, remember Airport LLC or Airportllc.com. On this site, you’ll get the best suggestions available on the internet regarding hand-picked activities that will fulfill your airport experience.
I currently reside in New York City and have obtained a license to provide professional tour guidance at Airports in the US and across the world. Why should you listen to my suggestions? I have flown through more than 100 airports in the world and fortunately, I have pictures, stories, and tips to share with you regarding all the fun stuff you can do as you wait for your next flight.
Aside from gaining thousands of flying miles, I am also a travel consultant assisting clients with bookings and specifically advance tour bookings of things to do at airports when the layover is longer than 5 hours.
To make a 15-minute free things-to-do consultation with Alex, use my email, alex@airportllc.com.
This is only recommended for flyers with long layovers of over 5 hours. If your layover is 3+ hours, you can still reach out but we cannot guarantee the ideal package that will change your layovers to mini-vacations. I only support clients flying through US airports and a select number of cities across the world.
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Name: Alex Mutuma
Profession: A professional travel consultant with a focus on airport activities to do during layovers
Email: Alex@airportllc.com
Phone: +1 945 348 889
Website: airportllc.com
Location: 322 Main Packway Street, Boston, US
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