Are you tired of arriving at your destination with a stiff neck and aching shoulders after a long flight? Many travellers, especially those new to frequent flying, often make the mistake of thinking any travel pillow will do. You’ve probably seen them – those bulky, beanbag-filled pillows awkwardly dangling from backpacks or worn around necks even before boarding. Often purchased in airport duty-free shops as a last resort, these pillows frequently prove to be more cumbersome than helpful. However, the world of Aeroplane Travel Pillows has significantly evolved, offering a range of innovative designs and materials focused on genuine comfort and support during your journey.
Forget the outdated notion of travel pillows being a rookie mistake. Today, specialized brands and diverse designs available online have transformed the aeroplane travel pillow into an essential accessory for comfortable air travel. Choosing the right aeroplane travel pillow can be a game-changer, turning a cramped and uncomfortable flight into a restful and relaxing experience.
So, which aeroplane travel pillows are truly worth considering for your next flight? Our team of seasoned travel editors has rigorously tested a wide array of travel pillows to bring you the definitive guide. Below, we present 10 of the best aeroplane travel pillows that we wholeheartedly recommend for long-haul flights, shorter hops, road trips, train journeys, and every type of travel in between.
How We Selected the Best Aeroplane Travel Pillows
The aeroplane travel pillows featured in this guide have all undergone independent testing and review by our experienced travel editors. Our evaluation process focuses on several key factors to ensure we recommend only the best. These criteria include:
- Quality: We assess the materials, construction, and overall durability of each pillow to ensure it can withstand the rigours of travel.
- Price: We consider the value proposition of each pillow, balancing cost with performance and features to cater to various budgets.
- Unique Design Features: We look for innovative design elements that enhance comfort, support, and usability, setting certain pillows apart from standard options.
- Overall Function and Visual Appeal: A great aeroplane travel pillow should not only perform well but also be aesthetically pleasing and easy to use.
- Packability and Comfort: Our editors have personally travelled with each of these pillows to assess how easily they pack and, most importantly, how comfortable they are during actual travel conditions.
Based on these rigorous tests, we’ve compiled our top picks to help you find the perfect aeroplane travel pillow for your needs.
Our Top Picks for Aeroplane Travel Pillows:
Cabeau Evolution S3 travel pillow for overall comfort
Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow
Best Aeroplane Travel Pillow for: Overall Comfort
If you’re seeking a significant upgrade from a basic, just-functional travel pillow, or if you experience neck or back discomfort, the Cabeau Evolution S3 aeroplane travel pillow stands out as the best we’ve tested for overall comfort. This memory foam pillow is thoughtfully designed with features like an adjustable toggle clasp to securely and comfortably fit around your neck and a convenient side pocket – perfect for storing headphones or earplugs. What truly distinguishes this pillow are the Velcro straps on the back. These ingenious straps loop around an aeroplane seat’s headrest, effectively keeping your head upright and alleviating pressure on your neck.
Why We Love It: “The memory foam in this pillow is exceptionally comfortable, but my favourite aspect is the flat back. Unlike typical round travel pillows that can tilt your neck uncomfortably forward, the flat back allows you to sit flush against your seat. The headrest straps are brilliant, although shorter individuals might find it challenging to secure them properly. It also comes with a sleek, cylindrical carrying case that clips onto your carry-on luggage, discreetly concealing the travel pillow inside.” —Sarah Allard, Digital Editor, Condé Nast Traveller UK
Napfun travel pillow for back support during flights
Napfun Travel Pillow
Best Aeroplane Travel Pillow for: Back Support
Constructed with compressible memory foam, the Napfun aeroplane travel pillow is both soft and supportive. Its design features nearly 360-degree concave support, cradling your chin, the back of your neck, and your shoulders to provide genuine support while resting on the go. The outer fabric is not only gentle on the skin and soft to the touch but also washable, thanks to a semi-invisible zipper on the back for easy removal.
Why We Love It: “I often struggle to find a comfortable position for napping or resting, especially while travelling. The Napfun pillow is one of the few travel pillows that consistently provided comfort, thanks to its supportive material and thoughtful design. It strikes the perfect balance between firmness and softness. The flat, slightly indented back design significantly improved my posture when I felt sleepy. The adjustable front clip, without feeling intrusive, ensured my head didn’t slump forward, and the breathable memory foam thickness supported the side of my neck while still allowing me to sink into its coziness. I also appreciate its compressibility – even after countless folds into its adorable mini bag, it retains its shape, foaminess, and ability to fluff back up.” —Jessica Chapel, Editorial Assistant
Pluto Pod travel pillow for red-eye flights with hood and eye mask
Pluto Pod
Best Aeroplane Travel Pillow for: Red-Eye Flights
Going beyond a standard neck pillow, the Pluto Pod features a lightly structured and padded hood, along with a pull-down eye mask. While you might resemble a bobble-headed alien from a 1950s movie while wearing it, it is undeniably one of the most effective aeroplane travel pillows we’ve tested for achieving restful sleep on flights.
Why We Love It: “This pillow has streamlined my sleep accessories for travel. With the Pod, I can leave behind earplugs and an eye mask. The padded hood effectively dampens ambient noise, and the flip-down eye mask blocks out almost all light. Sleeping with the Pluto Pod is akin to being in a miniature sensory deprivation tank, but without the worry of getting wet!” —Juliet Izon, Contributor
Travelrest Ultimate travel pillow for upper body support during air travel
Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow
Best Aeroplane Travel Pillow for: Upper Body Support
This ingenious crossbody sling-style aeroplane travel pillow provides both neck and head support, allowing you to genuinely relax and lean to one side for comfortable sleep. The pillow features a top cord that can be secured by looping it over your seat’s headrest. You can wear the pillow across your body on either side or down one side, effectively creating a more substantial barrier between you and your neighbour. Being inflatable, this pillow takes up minimal space in your luggage when deflated.
Why We Love It: “I particularly appreciate the shape of this pillow, as it supports not only your neck but also your entire upper body. While I’m generally not a fan of inflatable pillows, the firmness of this design works well to make you feel secure in an upright position.” —Lauren Burvill, Senior Commerce Editor, Condé Nast Traveller UK
Trtl travel pillow for neck support during flights
Trtl Travel Pillow
Best Aeroplane Travel Pillow for: Neck Support
More of a supportive neck wrap than a traditional pillow, the unique design of the Trtl aeroplane travel pillow is ideal for travellers prioritizing space and weight in their carry-on luggage – it weighs a mere 4.5 ounces. Designed to resemble a stylish scarf, it incorporates a clever curved U-shaped neck support stand that sits snugly under your jaw. You secure it by wrapping the soft, hypoallergenic fleece fabric around your neck and fastening the Velcro.
Why We Love It: “I often find typical travel pillows too bulky and difficult to get comfortable with, so I was eager to try the Trtl pillow. It’s excellent for keeping your neck upright and preventing the head nodding that often occurs when you fall asleep seated. Admittedly, it feels a bit unusual when you first put it on, but the hypoallergenic fleece is incredibly soft and warm. It’s a fantastic choice not only for aeroplane travel but also for extended road trips or train journeys.” —Sarah James, Deputy Digital Editor, Condé Nast Traveller UK
Dot & Dot Twist memory foam travel pillow for flexible positioning
Dot & Dot Twist Memory Foam Travel Pillow
Best Aeroplane Travel Pillow for: Flexibility
Crafted from memory foam, this twist-style pillow can be bent and contoured into virtually any shape you desire. Its remarkable flexibility allows it to be used in numerous ways, from around your neck to under your head, shoulders, or even providing lumbar support for your lower back.
Why We Love It: “I tend to toss and turn quite a bit when trying to sleep, so I’m particularly restless when attempting to get comfortable on a flight. This flexible twist-style aeroplane travel pillow was ideal for me, as I could mold it precisely to where I needed support. I found my perfect position with it half behind my neck and half under my chin, enabling me to lie on my side and achieve a couple of hours of valuable sleep.” —L.B.
Ostrichpillow Original Napping Pillow for versatile sleeping positions while traveling
Ostrichpillow Original Napping Pillow
Best Aeroplane Travel Pillow for: Versatility
Slip this microbead-filled cap over your head, and you’ll completely transform your perception of on-the-go sleep. From an outsider’s perspective, this uniquely shaped headpiece might resemble something from a Teletubbies episode. However, once you position your head through the 27.5-inch opening, any location – regardless of brightness or noise level – can become your personal sleep sanctuary.
Why We Love It: “There’s no incorrect way to use it. On an aeroplane, you can lean against the window seat wall, rest your head down on the tray table in a middle seat, or tilt your head back against the headrest.” —Rachel Chang, Contributor
$99 at Amazon
$99 at Ostrichpillow
Brookstone microbead travel pillow for affordable comfort during flights
Brookstone Microbead Travel Pillow
Best Aeroplane Travel Pillow for: Affordability
Constructed with lightweight microbeads, the Brookstone aeroplane travel pillow achieves a balance of support and plush comfort, all at an accessible price point. One side features soft fleece for warmth, while the reverse is made of cool microfiber spandex. While it resembles a classic U-shaped neck pillow, it incorporates subtle yet impactful improvements. It conveniently attaches to suitcases or weekender bags, includes a storage pocket, and enables you to sleep upright without straining your neck.
Why We Love It: “Brookstone’s microbead travel pillow has been a game-changer for my long-haul flights. Having one for the past few years has transformed all-day flights and road trips into opportunities for genuine rest and rejuvenation. I prefer the lightweight microbeads over memory foam, which can sometimes feel too rigid and constricting. It provides ample support while still allowing for head movement and the comfortable use of over-the-ear headphones. The pillow’s sleeve even includes a handy pocket, perfectly sized for your phone, which definitely reduces clutter during travel. I’m impressed by how well this pillow has maintained its structural integrity, even after years of machine washing. Overall, the Brookstone travel pillow provides an understated yet significant level of comfort that feels almost weightless.” —Kat Chen, Editorial Assistant
Bcozzy neck pillow for side sleepers on flights
Bcozzy Neck Pillow
Best Aeroplane Travel Pillow for: Side Sleepers
Similar in concept to the Trtl pillow but padded with soft microfleece and covered in microsuede, the BCozzy wrap-around design offers significant versatility in how you wear it. Available in two sizes, when wrapped around your neck, it provides double the support for your head, neck, and chin. A standout feature of this design is its flat back, which is not only beneficial for maintaining healthy posture but also allows you to fold the pillow in half and use it effectively on one side.
Why We Love It: “Even on an aeroplane, I’m a dedicated side sleeper. My usual strategy for napping is to angle the side headrest as far out as possible so I can rest my head in the corner. However, aeroplane headrests can be unreliable. Being able to fold the BCozzy pillow in half is ideal, as it props up my neck and chin comfortably on one side without feeling too confining.” —L.B.
Huzi infinity pillow for warmth and comfort on flights
Huzi Infinity Pillow
Best Aeroplane Travel Pillow for: Warmth
This plush, infinity-style aeroplane travel pillow prioritizes softness and breathability, thanks to its bamboo fabric construction. Designed as a large loop, the pillow is worn by wrapping it around your neck twice. You can then adjust and scrunch it to find your ideal level of comfort and support.
Why We Love It: “I’d characterize this pillow less as a neck support device and more as a wonderfully soft and cozy hybrid of a scarf and a pillow. It feels like a sleeping bag for your neck – perfect if you tend to get cold easily and prefer something snug and comforting over rigid support.” —L.B.
A version of this article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK. It has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Meaghan Kenny.
