At some airports, there will be places where you can pick up a blanket and pillow if you're stuck there overnight. This is especially true if your flight has been cancelled or delayed due to weather. Sometimes there are even cots available! While many airports don't have this, it never hurts to ask.

Yes, you can sleep at the airport during a layover, but your experience will vary wildly depending on whether you are "airside" (past security) or "landside" (public area). Most major international hubs are open 24/7 and are accustomed to "transit sleepers," but many smaller regional airports close their security checkpoints overnight, meaning you might be forced into the less-secure public lobby until morning. In 2026, many airports have introduced "Sleep Pods" or "Minute Suites" (available in hubs like ATL, DFW, and PHL) that can be rented by the hour for a quiet, private nap. If you are sleeping at the gate, the "pro" strategy is to find seating without armrests or head to the "Quiet Zones" often found in newer terminals. Always keep your passport and wallet in a secure, internal pocket on your person, and consider using your backpack as a pillow to prevent "snatch-and-run" thefts. If you have a layover longer than 8 hours, booking an on-site airport hotel (like the TWA at JFK or Fairmont at YVR) is the only way to guarantee actual, restorative rest.