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Do you bring a pillow gizmo with you on an airplane? I prefer to tough it out upright — even on a long overnight flight — and stay awake watching Tom Hanks movies. But I’ve always been curious about what I might be missing. So, in preparation for summer travel, I started checking out my options, and what I found was kind of mind-blowing…
The traditional U-shaped travel pillow has always been a crowd favorite, but much of what’s out there now is more newfangled. For example, the SkySiesta, which supports your head like giant hot dog buns. Bonus: It comes with a matching eye mask.
Then there’s the bestselling Trtl. Apparently it helps you fall asleep so quickly there isn’t even time for vowels.
Travelrest’s pillow is designed to help side sleepers feel comfortable sleeping not at all on their sides. It looks like a big in-flight hug.
The Voyage pillow weighs only 2.5 ounces (less than a phone!) and is both a microbead pillow and eye mask in one.
If you’re a “please turn my tray table into a bed” person, the Daydreamer face pillow is for you.
The FaceCradle wins for best tagline: “Upgrade to sleeping class.” Made of deep memory foam, it promises to lull even the most resistant airplane sleeper to rest.
Huzi’s Infinity Pillow looks really soft and cozy, and at 18 inches long you could even share it with your travel mate.
The OstrichPillow (my personal favorite) is equipped with openings around your nose/mouth and ears so you can still hear and BREATHE.
And, finally, if you don’t like the feeling of your head jerking forward (and who does?), the NodPod has you covered.
What do you think? Would you chose any of these? I asked Travel & Leisure editor Richelle Szypulski for her take on travel pillows, and she loves the Trtl: “It looks like a scarf, but it has a sneaky internal support for that just-right amount of head tilt. It takes up less room, keeps me warm in cool cabins, and though I would never, ever drool in public, those who do can just toss it right in the laundry.”
All I can say is I hope my next flight offers an entire Tom Hanks channel.
P.S. 10 tips for flying with a baby, and how to plan a great vacation.
(Top photo from Bridesmaids.)
