If your flight is more than a few hours, it’s a great idea to try and nap to get to your destination refreshed. It goes without saying if you are on an overseas flight or a transatlantic flight, that sleep is must, but in coach, that is easier said than done.
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Make sure and try to set the scene choosing the right seat, wearing comfortable clothing and shoes, staying hydrated and that you are not flying on an empty stomach. The final component is the right neck pillow. Please note we are not selling nor endorsed by these products, and are merely giving opinion on personal experience since we travel a lot throughout the year hosting large cruise groups, destination weddings and conferences. Test different types of neck pillows to make sure you select the best option for your comfort.
The traditional U shape neck pillow is often not the way to go, unless you are purchasing it last minute at the airport. If you do purchase one, although inflatable is tempting so you don’t have to carry it around, they do not provide the same support. Choose a memory foam instead.
We suggest instead a wrap in rest pillow. The way it wraps around your neck will prevent your neck from falling forward. You can purchase on Amazon. BCozzy currently runs $29.97. Another popular brand, Travelon has 2 colors to choose from at $18.99 pp.
MLVOC has a similar design of the pillow above, but it is made of pure memory foam and has an adjustable strap. It comes with an eye mask and earplugs as well for $28.99 pp.
Another option is the Bendable Memory Form Travel pillow. The twistable pillow lets you put one side up to lean your head and the other side further down to support your neck. This pillow runs around $25 on Amazon. The J Pillow also offers flexibility to supports your head, neck and chin.
If you absolutely do not have the room for a travel pillow and want to go with an inflatable option, then we suggest the Travelrest Ultimate pillow. It’s an usual design, similar to a seat belt. It deflates and rolls up for easy storage, taking up very little room. Not my favorite option, but practical if you are traveling with only a carry on.
If you tend to get cold on a plane, then consider the Trtl Pillow which is a wrap then helps support your neck. It’s lightweight and half the size if a U-shaped pillow so it won’t take up a lot of room. It comes in plenty of colors, with prices starting at $29.99.
Whichever travel pillow you decide on, we do urge you to not skip out and try to sleep with the small pillow provided by the airline. The last thing you want to do is arrive to your destination with a neck ache or worse yet a headache.
