A video has gone viral of a man sleeping on the floor in economy class on a 15-hour flight. Are you even allowed to sleep on the floor on an overnight flight?
Sleeping On Floor In Economy Class – Valid?
A TikTok video that has now amassed over 11 million views and 600K likes shows an older gentleman settling down the floor in the center section of a widebody aircraft. He appears to be sleeping peacefully.
@bynataliebright more room for everybody. #flyingeconomy#fligh5#asiandadsbelike
I can’t tell the airline or the airport…looking at the reflection of the sign it could be Madrid and perhaps is an Air Europa jet. Per the video poster, the flight was “15 hours” so maybe an Air Europa flight to Buenos Aires, which is just under 13 hours? In any case, the airline or even the length of the flight does not really matter. Instead, the question is whether you can sleep on the floor of the economy class cabin.
The general rule is no, whether the seat belt sign is on or not. That is because doing so can create a hazard to you or to others around you. Some airlines explicitly state that sleeping on the floor is not permitted (I clearly recall the announcement on my last SAS longhaul flight). Others may not state it, but I’ve never seen someone actually get away with sleeping on the floor on an overnight flight.
One time I was on a United Airlines flight and a passenger decided to sleep the floor. He was promptly roused by a flight attendant and instructed to remain in his seat. Even when a flight is lightly filled and you may have the whole row to yourself, sleeping on the floor is not permitted.
Of course, assuming the floor is clean (a dangerous assumption), the floor likely is more comfortable than sleeping across several seats with uneven cushions and armrests that may not fully fold up. But floors don’t have seatbelts…
CONCLUSION
Sleeping on the floor is certainly one approach to securing a “lie-flat” arrangement on a longhaul flight without paying for business or first class. But I don’t think any carriers actually allow it. While you might occasionally find a flight attendant who looks away, the safety concerns of laying on the floor make it something that is best avoided.
image: @bynataliebright / TikTok
I used to do it all the time as a kid when airlines still washed their airplane and carpet while my parents were seating above. That was great and a comfortable way to fly as a kid. The safety argument is beyond ridiculous as, if sleeping on the ground during cruise supposedly prevents other passengers from evacuating, you’re in much more problem that you wish and the guy laying on the ground is the least of your concern. Who evacuates an aircraft at 38,000ft? Seriously?
Minos
It just prevents everyone to use the lavatory loool
Once upon a time, this was allowed on international flights. But not now and definitely not over the USA.
From the photo, it seems there were 2 people sharing a 3 seat block. It looks as if one slept on the seats (wife/partner?), while the guy slept on the floor. Not really seeing the safety concern where a couple do this arrangement.
Plenty of time to get to his feet in an emergency, the aisle is probably clogged with people getting stuff from the overhead bins in any case!
I guess you could lay on the airline blanket to mitigate any hygiene concerns
Waiting for Matthew to do a review of floor sleeping on a Frontier redeye.
A few years ago, the woman in front of me on a flight from AUH to IAH decided to lie down in the aisle and sleep. Upon discovering her, the FA forced her to return to her seat.
Depends on how much I’ve had to drink.
It’s good for kids. Blanket on the floor, under parents legs in case of turbulence, and off he/she goes for a good 6 hours.
Don’t try on LH or AF. LAN is OK lol
Tom
Airline blanket? Haven’t seen one of those in economy class in years.
I vaguely remember this being a thing in the 90s especially outside the US. Times have changed.
I use to all sleep on the floor when I was a kid. This was in the 80s on LTU
I slept on the floor in Delta first class (not business) across the Atlantic in the 90s.
I remember flying on America West 747-200 from Honolulu to Phoenix on a red eye. I was in business class and flight was completely full. I walked to the rear of the cabin sometime in the night and couldn’t believe how many people were sleeping on the floor. Only time I have seen this.
Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.