While some travel pillows didn’t quite make our top recommendations, they still offer valuable features that might suit specific travel needs. Here’s a brief look at other travel pillows we tested:
Cabeau Evolution Classic Travel Neck Pillow: This pillow boasts a memory foam that perfectly balances firmness and softness. However, its bulkier design might not be ideal for travelers prioritizing minimal luggage.
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Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow: For those who dislike traditional U-shaped Travel Pillows For Airplanes, this rectangular option offers a different approach. Keep in mind that its design lacks dedicated neck support, making it less effective on planes or trains compared to contoured pillows.
Slip Jet Setter Travel Pillow: The luxurious silk material provides exceptional softness and cooling comfort. However, its considerable size and bulkiness make it less practical for frequent flyers seeking lightweight travel pillows for airplanes.
Snugl Neck Travel Pillow: Featuring soft and supportive memory foam, this pillow excels in in-flight comfort. The main drawback we encountered was the difficulty in repacking it into its carrying case, which can be inconvenient when you’re on the go.
Cabeau Evolution Cool Pillow: If overheating is a concern during flights, this pillow’s cooling design is a significant advantage. While effective at preventing heat buildup, we found it slightly less comfortable and supportive than the Cabeau TNE S3 Travel Pillow. Given their similar price points, we recommend the TNE S3 as a superior choice for overall comfort and support as one of the best travel pillows for airplanes.
How We Test Travel Pillows for Airplanes
The Travel + Leisure team rigorously tests a wide range of travel pillows for airplanes – over 40 in total – to identify the best options for every traveler’s comfort preferences. Our testing process involves thorough research and hands-on evaluation of popular travel pillow for airplane designs, from classic U-shapes to rectangular styles.
We focus on key attributes like comfort, quality, durability, and portability, noting both positive and negative features. We assess special features such as cooling technologies, firmness levels, softness, and manufacturer claims to verify their accuracy in real-world use as effective travel pillows for airplanes. Top-performing travel pillows for airplanes consistently retained their shape after compression in their cases, readily returning to their original form without damage.
Our real-world testing included using the travel pillows for airplanes on cross-country road trips and long-haul flights. Following these initial tests, we brought top contenders to our lab for direct, head-to-head comparisons by a dedicated team member. We refined our ratings based on these direct comparisons and continue to update our recommendations with ongoing testing and evaluations every few months to ensure our articles remain current and reflect the best travel pillows for airplanes available.
Essential Tips for Choosing Travel Pillows for Airplanes
Prioritize Neck Support for Airplane Travel
When selecting travel pillows for airplanes, neck and head support are paramount. Nodding off on planes, trains, or in cars often leads to your head dropping, resulting in neck pain or headaches. A quality travel pillow for airplane use should provide sufficient support to keep your neck comfortably upright without feeling constricted.
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Portability Matters for Travel Pillows for Airplanes
Whether you’re a minimalist packer or tend to bring everything but the kitchen sink, a compact travel pillow for airplane travel is crucial. Ideally, it should fit into a small carrying case for easy transport. While some travel pillows for airplanes are not compressible, they should still be designed for easy attachment to luggage or backpacks, minimizing inconvenience when navigating airports or train stations. A carrying case, especially one with a luggage trolley sleeve or straps, significantly enhances portability of travel pillows for airplanes.
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Consider the Filling Material for Airplane Travel Pillows
For travelers who prefer firmer support, memory foam travel pillows for airplanes are an excellent choice. They offer more structure compared to inflatable options. Microbead fillings also provide good support but tend to be softer, catering to those who prefer less rigidity in their travel pillows for airplanes for sleeping.
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Think About Your Specific Airplane Travel Needs
The category of travel pillows for airplanes is broad, so consider your typical travel scenarios and preferences before purchasing. Travel pillows for airplanes come in various shapes, styles, and sizes to meet diverse needs. For instance, if you often find yourself in a middle seat, opt for a U-shaped memory foam pillow or an infinity style pillow. These travel pillows for airplanes offer extensive head support. Window seat passengers might find rectangular travel pillows for airplanes more suitable for leaning against the cabin wall.
Beyond flights, rectangular travel pillows for airplanes can also enhance comfort during camping, hotel stays, or visits to friends and family where pillow quality might be inconsistent. They are indispensable road trip companions, ensuring comfort on every journey, making them versatile travel pillows for airplanes and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Pillows for Airplanes
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How do I wash my travel pillow for airplane use?
Washing instructions are usually found on the travel pillow for airplane tag. Removable covers are typically machine washable, but air drying is recommended to prevent shrinkage. For travel pillows for airplanes without removable covers, spot cleaning with a damp, soapy cloth is effective.
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What are the different types of travel pillows for airplanes?
Standard travel pillows for airplanes often feature a semicircular, U-shape that wraps around the neck for head, neck, and chin support. These may be filled with memory foam, microbeads, or be inflatable. J-shaped travel pillows for airplanes are excellent for middle or aisle seat support. Rectangular pillows also serve well as travel pillows for airplanes in certain situations and can be compressed for portability.
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What’s the best way to pack travel pillows for airplanes?
Most travel pillows for airplanes include carrying cases for compression and portability. If a handle isn’t included, the compressed size should still fit easily into personal items like backpacks or tote bags. Some travel pillows for airplanes have luggage trolley pass-through sleeves or straps for hands-free carrying.
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Should I wear my travel pillow for airplanes in the front or back?
While some travel pillows for airplanes are designed for versatile wear, comfort preference is key. Wearing travel pillows for airplanes backward, forward, or leaning on them against a window are all options. The most important aspect is finding the most comfortable position for your needs during your flight.
Enhance Your Flight Comfort Beyond Travel Pillows for Airplanes
To further enhance sleep quality on long flights, consider these complementary accessories alongside your travel pillows for airplanes:
Kashwere Travel Blanket: Our top-rated travel blanket offers an ideal blend of comfort, durability, and versatility. Its cozy texture promotes relaxation during travel days.
BasicConcepts Airplane Foot Hammock: This foot hammock creates a comfortable footrest in the footwell, reducing leg pressure and instantly improving in-flight comfort. Adjustable straps allow customization for your preferred setup.
Slip Lovely Lashes Contour Sleep Mask: Chosen as our favorite sleep mask after extensive testing, it features lash-protecting cutouts and gentle silk to ensure comfortable, undisturbed rest.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure for Travel Pillow Recommendations
Anna Popp, a New York-based associate editor at Travel + Leisure, leads the team’s tested content, including travel pillows for airplanes. Anna personally participated in testing travel pillows for airplanes and collaborated with travel editors to determine the top recommendations based on rigorous testing across planes, cars, and trains. Our commitment to ongoing testing ensures our travel pillows for airplanes reviews remain accurate and up-to-date.
The Ultimate Carry-on Packing List
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