Photo-Illustration: by The Cut; Photos: Retailers
After you’ve planned, packed, and made it to the airport on time, the hardest part of travel is the flight itself, especially staying comfortable. You can wear your comfiest shoes and softest sweatpants you own, but you’ll still have to deal with cramped seats for hours.
For those of us without ample legroom or a reclining seat, a travel pillow is the closest thing to a first-class experience (and a good night’s sleep) on a long flight we can get. To help you before your next flight, here are a few affordable, top-rated options we swear by.
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This is pricey, but it’s worth it if you’re really racking up those miles. The best seller snaps on with velcro for an adjustable fit, and it’s filled with memory foam, so it’s soft and breathable yet firm enough to support your head. It compresses down into a bag so you won’t have to hang onto it or store it in your carry-on.
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With pretty uniform sizing throughout and memory foam, you get plenty of support for your head. There aren’t as many fun color options, but it is more affordable and folds up small enough for your carry-on.
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Affordable with tons of color options; what more could you want? This has the same shape as the classic travel pillow but with additional support for your chin and the sides of your neck. It’s a favorite among reviewers for its firmness.
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This silk-lined option comes in a handful of colors and prints, so you can be comfortable and cute in-flight. It doesn’t fold up as easily as other options, but it comes with its own tote bag for storage.
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This has a pillow, a hood, and an eye mask, and it’s HSA/FSA eligible. If you’re serious about sleeping during your flight and waking up only for the in-flight snacks, consider this option that reviewers love for long flights.
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This hoodie hides a secret pillow that you can easily inflate and deflate in flight. Sneaky! It’s only filled with air, but it comes in handy if you’d rather not carry an extra item. The cotton blend fits loosely and comfortably, so it makes a good airport outfit.
