Yes, Xanax gets a bad rap sometimes because people who take drugs/risks take it sometimes. Plenty of "bad" kids I was friends with would take it from their parents' medicine cabinets and drink alcohol with it or take a large dose. The effect supposedly is to make you carefree and mellow. But just because it can be abused (like many drugs) doesn't mean that it doesn't have a good purpose, specifically for people with anxiety/sleeping problems.

As far as the medications go:

Ambien: I took it for several years, on and off (but never more than maybe 1 a month). Great sleep, but it has a very powerful effect. Do not try to stay awake after you take it, as your mind will really wander and you can't tell if you are awake or asleep. Supposed to last for 4-6 hours, but I never woke up during the night and had a bit of the amnesia effect the next morning. No recollection of what happened between the time I took it and when I woke up. I eventually switched off of it as I did not need something this strong to sleep, and it kind of scared me.

Sonata: very good drug for flying. Not too powerful, but makes you sleepy and you wake up feeling fine, no "hangover" in my experience. Highly preferable to Ambien, IMO.

Xanax- Good if you just need something to make you sleepy. Has the added benefit of calming fears about flying (though I doubt many here are). Would recommend it if you don't want a sleeping pill but can't fall asleep on your own in coach, which is hard to do.