Face it. Scoring an empty row of seats is a nearly impossible dream…
meaning your next best bet to get some sleep while flying is a travel pillow. Here are some of the latest and greatest best picks!
This is the top pick, with its tall memory foam walls giving you more support than any other pillow out there. It's shaped to sit flush against a headrest and compresses to a manageable size which sets it apart from other travel pillows because it can lay flat against the seat back. Most other pillows have a rounded back, pushing your head away from the headrest. The Travelrest also has rubber grip dots to prevent slipping while sleeping. This pillow's spongy memory foam cushions the entire circumference of your neck, preventing your head from leaning too far in any direction and its adjustable Velcro strap means it can fit most necks. Better yet, the pillow exterior is removable and machine-washable.
While you can't pack it entirely flat, the Travelrest weighs less than a pound and compresses to a quarter of its size when rolled into its Velcro-strapped carrying case. The memory foam is super plush, quite firm, and offers excellent support with not much give. The downside of it is that it doesn't adjust the fit, and can push over-ear headphones off of the ears of people with shorter necks.
If the top pick sells out or you find yourself pillowless past security, the Cabeau Evolution Classic Pillow is almost as good a pillow for a slightly higher price. It lacks the Travelrest’s angled, lay-flat back, but its U-shape, contoured memory-foam core, and machine-washable velour cover still provide comparable levels of comfort. Its adjustable string closure also means that you can fit the pillow much tighter around your neck than you can with the Travelrest, making it a good choice for people with smaller necks or those who prefer a more constricted fit. Additionally, it’s the only pick regularly seen in stores located behind the security checkpoint at many airports.
If you usually tend to lean on the same side while sleeping, the Trtl Pillow's fleece-covered plastic frame provides unshakeable support to one side of your neck while trying to still feel comfortable. The pillow's cozy wraparound fleece will keep your neck warm, making it a good choice for anyone who gets a cold while flying. Its other winning quality is its tiny packable size.
