According to the Daily Mail, a third of flight attendants interviewed for a new study use sleeping pills once a week and a majority reported trouble with sleep.

For cabin crew, jet lag and sleep pattern disruption comes with the job – but many have admitted that they need medication to help them cope.

A third of those interviewed for a new study admitted that they take sleeping pills at least once a week. What’s more, 90 per cent reported having trouble sleeping and said they wake up at least once during the night.

One expert said that the study has raised ‘concerns’, as sleep medication can impair performance, while jet lag itself can lead to loss of concentration and appetite.

A total of 470 Aer Lingus flight attendants were used in the study, which was commissioned by the airline’s trade union, Impact.

The research also found that when the cabin crew do get a night’s sleep, it lasts for an average of 6.72 hours, less than the recommended amount by the National Sleep Foundation.

View the full story at www.dailymail.co.uk