Long distance flying [airplane]

The long distance pilot of airplanes, although not exerting himself or herself physically, has to stay awake to maintain control of the plane.

In larger more modern planes, this lack of sleep is less severe than it is in older smaller planes where there is no autopilot to help you, nor very often other crew members.  Thus many pilots suffer from sleep deprivation.  But they also stare for considerable periods of time at blue unchanging sky, as well as listening to the unceasing roar of engines, which means there is also a very high contribution from sensory deprivation.

This is the pilots, which is worrying enough, but passengers can also suffer in a similar way. If they do not watch any films or listen to any music, if all they hear is the drone of the engine and all they see is the unchanging passenger interior – made worse with the newer style windowless seats, they are suffering from sensory deprivation.