travel pillow ryanair

Do Ryanair Allow Pillows: A Comprehensive Guide for Travelers

Travel author

I have a passion for the English countryside and especially anywhere in Yorkshire. I drink far too much Yorkshire tea on my travels and even take it with me when abroad. My passion is to share travel experiences with my readers which may help them plan their holidays and save money.

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Traveling on a budget airline like Ryanair often means saving money on tickets while sacrificing some amenities.

One common question passengers have is whether they can bring their own pillows on board Ryanair flights for added comfort during their journey.

Good news! Ryanair does allow you to bring a pillow on board as a small personal item, provided it fits within their size specifications (40 x 20 x 25 centimeters).

This means that you can enjoy the comfort of your own pillow while saving on additional fees.

Just make sure to follow Ryanair’s carry-on and checked bag guidelines to ensure a smooth and hassle-free travel experience.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• Ryanair allows pillows as small personal items on board their flights
• Ensure your pillow fits within the specified size dimensions (40 x 20 x 25 centimeters)
• Follow Ryanair’s baggage guidelines to avoid additional fees and enjoy a comfortable flight

Ryanair Pillow Policy

Ryanair has specific rules when it comes to their bag policy . You might wonder if you can bring a pillow on board for added comfort.

Unfortunately, Ryanair does not provide pillows or blankets during flights. Ensure that your pillow and other belongings fit within the allowed carry-on dimensions of 40x25x20cm.

Size restrictions may pose a challenge when packing a pillow. You should consider using a travel pillow that can easily fit within Ryanair’s hand luggage allowance. Avoid any unnecessary hassle at the gate by staying within their limits.

It’s essential to follow Ryanair’s policies while on-board. This way, you’ll have a smooth and enjoyable flight experience.

Find out – Is Ryanair Safe to Fly With?

Types of Pillows Allowed

Standard Pillows

Don’t worry about pillows being counted as a piece of luggage, as most airlines will not count them if they are small enough.

Neck Pillows

Neck pillows are another option for you while flying with Ryanair. Whether it’s a memory foam neck pillow or an inflatable one, you can enjoy a more comfortable flight experience with your own personal neck support.

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Alternative Comfort Items

Blankets and jackets.

Bringing your own blanket or jacket on a Ryanair flight is a smart choice. They can keep you warm during the flight and can also double as makeshift pillows.

Newspapers and Magazines

Newspapers and magazines are not only great for entertainment during your flight, but they can also be used as extra cushioning. Fold them up to create a comfortable headrest or a makeshift footrest.

• Do Ryanair Provide Headphones?
• How Big Are Ryanair Seats and Seatbelts?

Seat Cushions and Footrests

Investing in compact travel accessories such as an air seat cushion or a conventional air cushion can enhance your comfort during your trip.

Additionally, gel seat cushions are an excellent option for added support. Portable footrests can make a huge difference for your legs, preventing fatigue and reducing discomfort.

Find out – Do Ryanair Sell Alcohol?

Carry-On and Checked Bag Guidelines

Carry-On Baggage

Ryanair allows you to bring one small personal bag (40x20x25cm) on board, such as a handbag or laptop bag, which must fit under the seat in front of you.

If you need to carry more, you can purchase the Priority & 2 Cabin Bags option, which gives you a 10kg bag (55x40x20cm) to be stored in the overhead locker.

Checked Baggage

For luggage that doesn’t fit under the seat or in the overhead compartment, you can opt for checked bags. Ryanair offers a 20kg check-in bag option, and the dimensions of your checked bag must comply with their guidelines. Additionally, baggage fees will apply depending on the chosen allowance.

As for pillows, the TSA states that pillows may be carried in carry-on and checked bags. Ensure your pillow fits within the allowed dimensions of your carry-on or checked luggage.

Note that Ryanair does not specifically charge for bringing a pillow if it adheres to the baggage guidelines.

Comparison to Other Airlines

When flying with JetBlue , you can bring a pillow onboard, and they usually don’t count it as a piece of luggage if it’s small. Make sure your pillow is compact and easy to carry.

American Airlines

With American Airlines, you are also allowed to bring a pillow on the flight. You can either pack it in your carry-on or have it with you during the trip.

Similarly, on Aer Lingus flights, bringing a pillow is not an issue. Just ensure that it is not too bulky and fits within the airline’s carry-on size limits.

Traveling with Frontier allows you to bring a pillow on board as well. Keep in mind that it should fit either in your carry-on bag or be small enough to carry separately without hassle.

Spirit Airlines also permits passengers to bring pillows on their flights. Make sure it’s easily portable and doesn’t disrupt your fellow travelers’ comfort.

Travel Hacks for Comfort on a Ryanair Flight

When traveling on a Ryanair flight , it’s important to prioritize your comfort. One way to do this is by bringing your own pillow. Thankfully, Ryanair does allow pillows on board.

To save on luggage fees, try using a travel pillow hack. For example, wear your travel pillow around your neck and store small items inside it.

Rolling your clothes instead of folding them is another useful packing trick. This not only saves space but also makes it easier for you to locate and access your belongings during the flight.

Remember to put items you’ll need during the flight, such as earplugs and snacks, in an easily accessible pocket. This will save you the trouble of rummaging through your luggage mid-flight.

To avoid worry over liquid restrictions and avoid leaks, pack travel-sized toiletries in a clear plastic bag. Ryanair’s packing tips also recommend placing cling-film between the bottle’s lid and body.

Whether you’re a frequent traveler or embarking on your first Ryanair adventure, using these travel hacks will make your journey more comfortable and stress-free.

Packing Tips for Personal Comfort Items

When packing for a Ryanair flight, consider including a few personal comfort items in your carry-on. Remember to pack smart and keep the essentials handy.

Your personal item should be of appropriate size to fit under the seat in front of you. A lightweight, compact travel pillow can be a great addition, as it won’t exceed Ryanair’s baggage limits.

To maximize space in your bag, roll, not fold, your clothes, making it easier to fit a travel pillow in your personal item. Opt for a pillowcase that can double as a storage bag for smaller items like headphones or toiletries.

Hats make stylish and functional accessories for sun protection. Choose a foldable hat that won’t take up much space in your bag.

Don’t forget to also pack essential items like a refillable water bottle, an eye mask, and a light shawl or blanket for added comfort during your flight.

Security Checks and Airport Regulations

When flying with Ryanair, you need to be aware of the security checks and airport regulations. The good news is that pillows are allowed on flights, as stated by the TSA. You can bring your pillow in both carry-on and checked bags.

However, you must follow packing rules, especially at airports like the Gatwick departure lounge. Ensure that all other items in your luggage adhere to the restrictions in place.

Ryanair offers value fares and different baggage options. Remember to choose a baggage allowance that works for your needs, including packing a pillow if you want.

During security checks, remember to adhere to liquid limitations and separate them in clear bags. This will help ensure a smooth experience at the security checkpoint.

When preparing for your flight, familiarize yourself with all the guidelines and restrictions on Ryanair’s website to avoid delays at the airport. By being aware of security procedures and packing rules, you’ll have a stress-free journey.

Health and Hygiene Considerations

When travelling with Ryanair, being mindful of health and hygiene is essential.

One concern may be the potential for pillows to be unhygienic, especially during viral outbreaks. Additionally, passengers should consider how items like pillows can impact their personal hygiene when in close quarters with others.

Remember, Ryanair permits pillows on board, but make sure yours is clean and packed appropriately.

To minimize contact, you might opt for a travel pillow rather than a full-size option. Travel pillows could fit more easily within your carry-on luggage, ensuring a hassle-free experience through airport security and on your flight.

Make sure to always sanitize your hands and belongings while travelling, especially when handling your pillow.

In the context of health and hygiene, leaning forward on a pillow might not be the safest option.

Instead, opt for headrests and specially designed travel pillows that allow you to lean back while maintaining a clean and supportive surface during your journey.

Overall, when flying with Ryanair, it’s essential to be considerate of your fellow passengers. Ensuring that your pillow and personal belongings are clean and properly packed will go a long way towards maintaining a hygienic and comfortable flight experience for everyone on board.

When flying with Ryanair, it’s essential to know whether you can bring a pillow on board . Remember that Ryanair has strict hand luggage dimensions and extra fees may apply if you exceed their limits.

If you’re considering a travel pillow, make sure it fits within the allowed 40x25x20cm dimensions. Carrying a travel neck pillow can provide extra comfort during your flight.

Be cautious about using an extra bag, like a CBD pillow, as your free personal item. Airlines differ in how they treat such items and some may not allow it.

Keep in mind that although flight attendants may be lenient with small items like coats, Ryanair is known for its strict policies. It’s always best to adhere to their guidelines regardless of international or domestic flights.

In order to save money and avoid potential problems, consider packing your travel neck pillow inside your allowed piece of luggage. This way, you can ensure a comfortable flight while also complying with Ryanair’s regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i bring my own pillow on a ryanair flight.

Yes, you can bring your own pillow on a Ryanair flight. Ryanair allows passengers to carry a pillow for their comfort during the journey.

Are there any extra charges for bringing a pillow?

No, there are no extra charges for bringing a pillow on a Ryanair flight, as long as it fits within your allowed hand luggage limits.

Does Wizz Air have different pillow policies than Ryanair?

Wizz Air’s policy may differ from Ryanair’s. It is best to check with Wizz Air directly for their specific guidelines on bringing a pillow on board.

What happens if my bag exceeds Ryanair’s weight limit?

If your bag exceeds Ryanair weight limits, you may be charged additional fees to check your bag in the hold. It’s best to familiarize yourself with the baggage policy to avoid any surprise charges.

Any tips for packing hand luggage efficiently on Ryanair?

To pack your hand luggage efficiently, roll your clothes, use packing cubes, and place heavier items on the bottom. Additionally, consider bringing a small bag for items like your phone, e-reader, and money.

Does Ryanair provide blankets for passengers during flights?

Ryanair does not provide complimentary blankets during flights. However, you can purchase blankets on board for a fee if you need one during your journey.

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They are obviously vert strict about hand luggage, just wondering if anyone knew if we could get away with having these round our neck as we board the plane ?

Ryanair only allow 40x25x20cm for hand luggage so tight on room and do not want to pay an extortionate amount at the gate, if they try and make us put the pillows in the hand luggage and then this takes us over the size limit. They would then charge £70 to put the hang luggage in the hold.

13 replies to this topic

Last time I Flew Ryanair nobody bothered me as I carried a neck pillow in my hand and my non overhead backpack on my back.

Your results might differ.

It's pretty unlikely, but you never know if the PIC is having a bad day.

I would just carry them & if questioned, just stick it around your neck & tell them that "everyone is wearing one these days"

Are you really bringing travel pillows or is it the thing that’s all over tik tok where people are filling travel pillows with their clothes to avoid paying for baggage.

I expect it won’t be long before Ryanair, who are very social media savvy, cop onto this trend and stamp it out.

I doubt I could fit much into my neck pillow! And then it would be too hard to use, for me, at least.

I hope this wearing neck pillows pre departure catches on - our airports will look Elizabethan/Tudor! 😂😂

"our airports will look Elizabethan/Tudor!"

Airports were much more civilized places back in the Elizabethan times! ;-)

@sunmagic, that is beautiful.

You've answered your own question RemyRx,forget them.Wherever you're going on Ryanair it won't be far so you'll probably survive without them.

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The ultimate survival guide for flying Ryanair

Flying Europe's low-cost carriers can be daunting, but everyone loves the feeling of snagging a super-cheap fare — especially if you can avoid spending more in extras and fees than the price of your original ticket.

Although the (in)famous Ryanair has made traveling around Europe a possibility for many, if you aren't aware of the rules, you could be left spending double or even triple the ticket price on extras — or worse, be denied boarding. This survival guide will help Ryanair flyers know the rules and offers tips and tricks to survive (and maybe even enjoy) a Ryanair experience.

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Study your arrival airport

Ryanair is notorious for sending travelers to an airport in the middle of nowhere and classifying it as the nearest big city. For example, it lists Paris as a destination, but travelers unfamiliar with France may not realize that the BVA airport is in Beauvais, a 1.5-hour drive outside of Paris. So, if you want to see the City of Light, you should really consider flying another airline that goes to Paris Orly (ORY) or Charles de Gaulle (CDG).

The same is true with Milan Bergamo (BGY), a little over an hour by bus from Milan's Centrale station. Flying another airline to Milan Malpensa (MXP) or the even more convenient Milan Linate (LIN) is much simpler. Sure, Ryanair may have the less expensive ticket — but does the airline really get you where you want to go? Make sure to check Google Maps to find the airport before booking.

The good news here is that Ryanair can get you to destinations a little more off the beaten path. For example, the aforementioned Milan Bergamo airport is just a few minutes away from the beautiful Città Alta , Bergamo's stunning historic city center perched upon a hilltop. It's an idyllic alternative to the busy Milan.

You can also book a nonstop flight to Catania (CTA), one of Sicily's hubs, from Madrid (MAD) as opposed to flying Alitalia (at three times the price) with a layover in Rome. Perusing the Ryanair route map may encourage you to discover some unexpected and less touristy destinations for your next vacation.

Purchase checked baggage in advance

It's not uncommon for Ryanair passengers to pay more for their luggage than the fare itself, so make sure to familiarize yourself with the rules. Each traveler can check up to three bags weighing 20 kilograms (about 44 pounds) each. A 44-pound bag costs £/€25 (approximately $31) if purchased during the initial flight booking process, or £/€40 (around $50) if added online afterward. Rates at the airport desk are higher still and vary by route and season. Bags weighing more than 44 pounds will cost £/€11, or $14 per kilo, capped at 32 kilograms (about 70.5 pounds). An option to check a 10-kilogram bag (about 22 pounds) is now available, and prices range from £/€10 to £/€25 ($12 to $31) and it's also possible to check musical or sporting equipment.

Here are TPG' s rules for checking baggage with Ryanair:

• Book and pay for your checked baggage when booking your ticket to avoid paying more later, either online or at the airport.
• Always weigh your bag before traveling.
• Pack a small travel scale to weigh it again before returning home.
• Ensure your hold baggage doesn't exceed the maximum size of 81 x 119 x 119 centimeters (that's 31.8 x 46.8 x 46.8 inches).
• Remember, travelers can share their purchased baggage allowance with other passengers on the same flight reservation when checking in together.

Know the carry-on baggage rules

Passengers who don't purchase priority boarding can take one bag for free to put under the seat with a maximum size of 40 x 20 x 25 centimeters (15.7 x 7.9 x 9.8 inches). Priority passengers can take one bag to put under the seat with a maximum size of 40 x 20 x 25 centimeters, plus an additional bag with a maximum size of 10 kilograms (22 pounds) and 55 x 40 x 20 centimeters (21.6 x 15.7 x 7.9 inches). If you don't have priority boarding and you take a bag that's larger than 40 x 20 x 25 centimeters, you will be charged to check the bag at the gate starting at £/€25 (approximately $31).

Pay for your extras in advance

Besides making sure your luggage meets Ryanair's restrictions, it's a good idea to buy any other extras at the moment of booking so you won't face higher charges later. This includes, but isn't limited to, priority boarding and seat selection. Priority boarding starts at £/€6 (approximately $7.50) and allows you to board first, as well as take a carry-on plus a second bag (see size requirements above). This service is capped at 95 customers per flight, so if you think you want to add it on days after booking your ticket, it may no longer be available. If the service is sold out, the 10 kilogram (22 pound) checked bag may be the next best alternative option.

Some airports also feature a Fast Track option, which allows passengers to fast track through security in a dedicated lane. This service can be added to bookings (assuming you're departing from an airport that offers the service) starting at £/€4 (around $5).

Seat selection is also something best done ahead. Not only does it offer you a better choice of available seats (starting at £/€3 or $3.75, though extra legroom or front seats start at £/€7, or closer to $9), but it also allows you to check in online up to 60 days in advance, meaning you may even be able to print your boarding pass right after you book if the timing is right.

Consider a higher fare class

If you're planning on getting all the extras (seat selection, priority boarding and hold baggage), it may make sense to bundle it all together with a deal on a Plus or Flexi Plus fare. It could even be cheaper than adding all these things to your base fare separately. Plus fares include standard seat selection, free priority boarding and one hold bag. Flexi Plus fares come with seat selection, priority boarding, free airport check-in and flexible ticket changes, as well as Fast Track at participating airports and one checked bag. Ryanair also has special family fares if you're traveling with kids in tow.

Buy a Family Plus fare if flying with kids

Ryanair does offer a special Family Plus fare, which includes:

• Priority boarding, a cabin bag and a personal item
• Two 20-kilogram (44-pound) checked bags
• Free seats for children (adults will have to pay to reserve their seats)

TPG U.K. contributor Emily Kanders Goldfischer weighed the value of the Family Plus fare and deemed it a solid value if your family needs to check that much baggage. If not, it may be best to add the extras you need or 10 kilogram (22 pound) bags onto a regular fare. Note that while you must purchase a ticket for children 2 to 12 years, reserved seating is free for them regardless of purchased fare class, and adults traveling with children pay a reduced reserved seating fee start at £/€4 (approx. $5).

Parents traveling with an infant are not eligible for a Family Plus fare, and there is no cabin bag allowance for an infant (considered 8 days to 23 months old) traveling on an adult's lap. But, a baby bag weighing up to 5 kilograms (11 pounds) with a maximum size of 45 x 35 x 20 centimeters (17.7 x 13.8 x 7.9 inches) may be carried by the accompanying adult in addition to their own cabin bag allowance. When reserving seats, look for a baby symbol, which shows infant-friendly seats.

Related: How to get an upgraded experience on Ryanair

Correct booking errors within 48 hours

If you've made any minor mistakes during the booking process, like misspelling a name, you have 48 hours to correct it free of charge. After that, expect to pay between £/€115 and £/€160 for a name or spelling change.

Skip Ryanair extras

While Ryanair wins for flight prices, it's best to avoid purchasing extras such as insurance, hotels, transportation and car rentals through the airline, as the terms can be restrictive and not especially user-friendly. There are plenty of other places you can go to search for affordable hotels and rental cars, and you can often find transportation with ease once you've landed. This way, if your flight plans change or your trip is delayed or canceled, you won't also have to deal with Ryanair's complicated customer service and restrictions when trying to get your money back or rebook your hotel, car rental or bus ticket. Check to see if the credit card you're using to book offers trip insurance or trip protections of any kind, or be prepared to purchase travel insurance elsewhere , as claiming with Ryanair insurance can be a trying experience.

Check in online

If Ryanair travelers don't check in online and print their boarding passes at home or download a mobile pass (when available), they must pay £/€55 (approximately $68) to check in at the airport and £/€20 (around $25) to print their boarding card at the airport.

Travelers who've paid extra for seat selection can check in online between 60 days and two hours in advance of the flight. Those with unreserved seats can check in between 48 hours and two hours before the flight. If you have paid for your seats and it's within 60 days, you may as well check in and print your pass (storing it in a safe place) directly after booking. Or, immediately complete the check-in process on your phone.

Get the right stamp

Some routes require passengers who are not citizens of the European Union or European Economic Area to have their travel documents checked and their boarding passes stamped at the Ryanair Visa/Document Check Desk. This desk can be found in different locations depending on the airport, so leave enough time to find the desk, wait in line and get this stamp before boarding. If you're unsure if you actually need the stamp (certain routes require it while others don't), always double check. If you need the stamp but didn't get it, you will be denied boarding. And, just in case you thought otherwise: Ryanair does not care if you miss your flight. However, if you have been denied boarding and miss your flight because of an absent stamp or another travel document issue, you can call this number to argue with the company about it: 353-1248-0860. Best of luck.

Be prepared and manage expectations

If you haven't flown Ryanair in a while — or ever — you need to be prepared for what's ahead. You'll be charged for food and water during the flight, there are inflight announcements every few minutes (no, we don't want to purchase lottery tickets, Ryanair), your seat won't recline and people start lining up hours before boarding. Be prepared for airplane clappers upon landing.

But if you pack smart, you can enjoy a somewhat more comfortable flight. Don't forget to bring:

• Noise-canceling headphones
• Water (post-security)
• A neck pillow, if you plan to sleep
• A travel scarf or blanket, if you get cold

If boarding early is important to you, get ready to line up. Even if you have priority boarding, it's important to remember that as many as 94 other people will also have priority boarding, so plan to be at your gate with plenty of time, if you'd like to board first.

Ultimately, flying Ryanair is really about managing expectations. When you only paid $30 for your flight, you aren't having a high-end experience because you haven't paid for such luxuries. Take it in stride and try to relax and enjoy the flight. If it's important to you to have a less hectic, more upscale flying experience, stock up those points and miles and use them to book business class on a European full-fare carrier such as British Airways or KLM.

Read the fine print

Your Ryanair guide from TPG can help you navigate your next trip with the budget carrier, but airlines can change their rules at any time, so it's important to always read the conditions of your ticket before purchasing. It's also a good idea to know and understand your rights as a flyer in case of delays, flight cancellations and strikes. Above all, this guide should ensure you're prepared for your typical Ryanair flight and won't have to shell out for silly fees. And just remember, when the lottery ticket announcements are raging and your feet are squished under your personal item -- all that extra money you saved can go toward a fancy hotel room, shopping or dining at your destination.

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The Best Travel Pillow

By Sabrina Imbler

Short of scoring a row of empty seats—dream on!—your best bet for getting at least a little sleep while flying is a travel pillow.

After asking 10 panelists to try on eight travel pillows and after taking four cross-country red-eyes in window, aisle, and middle seats, we think the comfortable and easy-to-pack  Travelrest Nest Ultimate Memory Foam Travel Pillow is the best travel pillow for most people.

Everything we recommend

Travelrest Nest Ultimate Memory Foam Travel Pillow

The best travel pillow.

Its tall memory-foam walls let it offer more support than any other pillow we tested. It’s also shaped to sit flush against a headrest, and it compresses to a manageable size.

Buying Options

Cabeau Evolution Classic Pillow

A travel pillow available at airports.

This memory-foam neck-support pillow is highly adjustable, but without a contoured back, it can’t quite sit flush with the headrest. It’s available at many airport stores, though.

Trtl Pillow

A pillow for one-sided neck support only.

It’s a fleece scarf with a built-in plastic brace—like a one-sided neck brace, but softer and cozier. However, it’s not so great if you tend to shift position while you sleep, and it costs more than the other pillows we recommend.

Bcozzy Pillow

Great with large headphones.

Featuring an adjustable design that accommodates over-the-ear headphones, the Bcozzy is an excellent chin-support pillow for people who nod forward as they sleep.

The uniquely angled back on the Travelrest Ultimate sets it apart from other travel pillows because it can lay flat against the seat back. Most other pillows have a rounded back, which pushes 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 far in any direction, and its adjustable Velcro strap ensures it can fit most necks. The pillow’s cozy velour exterior is removable and machine-washable. Although it doesn’t pack flat, the Travelrest weighs less than a pound and compresses to a quarter of its size when rolled into its Velcro-strapped carrying case.

Our only complaint is that the Travelrest’s high walls, while supportive, can push over-ear headphones off of the ears of people with shorter necks. While the memory foam feels plush, it’s also quite firm; this offers excellent support, but not much give. It also doesn’t let you adjust the fit, like our two wrappable picks: the Turtl and the BCozzy . If the Travelrest fits your neck, it’s an excellent pillow. If your neck is much longer or shorter than this pillow’s 5-inch wall, though, you might prefer the fit of one of our other pillow picks.

If our top pick sells out, or if you find yourself pillowless past security, the Cabeau Evolution Classic Pillow is almost as good a pillow. 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 people who prefer a more constricted fit. Additionally, it’s the only one of our picks that we’ve regularly seen in stores located behind the security checkpoint at many airports.

If you typically lean to the same side while sleeping, the Trtl Pillow’s fleece-covered plastic frame provides unshakeable support to one side of your neck while remaining comfortable to wear. It’s basically a one-sided neck brace. The pillow’s cozy wraparound fleece will also keep your neck warm, making it a good choice for anyone who gets cold while flying (and a poor choice for those who sleep hot). But the Trtl’s winning quality is its tiny, packable size. Unlike any of our other picks, the Trtl does not need to be compressed or stuffed into a carrying case. It will always take up about as much space as a PB&J sandwich. (It costs a lot more than one, though.)

The Bcozzy , a variation on the hemi-doughnut theme, is our pick for anyone who wears large over-the-ear headphones on a flight or tends to nod forward while they sleep. The pillow’s overlapping ends form a snug cushion that holds your chin in place far better than do the Trtl’s plastic frame or the Travelrest and Cabeau’s chin-facing gap. While the pillow does not provide great support to either side of your neck, if paired with a large pair of headphones, the Bcozzy holds a head in place perfectly. While not as compressible as our other picks, the pillow has a small loop that can be clipped to the outside of most bags so it doesn’t have to take up space inside your bag.

The research

Why you should trust us, who this is for, how we picked our best travel pillow finalists, how we tested travel pillows, our pick for the best travel pillow: travelrest nest ultimate memory foam travel pillow, runner-up for the best travel pillow: cabeau evolution classic pillow, also great for portability: trtl pillow, also-great chin-support pillow for forward-nodders: bcozzy pillow, other good travel pillows, the competition.

I am a frequent flyer who often takes red-eyes from coast to coast—I now live in Brooklyn but fly home to San Francisco to visit my parents. I’m also an insomniac, so falling asleep on planes has never been easy for me. While writing this article, I tested eight travel pillows on two five-hour flights and slept with our four picks on two more cross-country flights. I also spoke with Rebecca Robbins, a postdoctoral fellow at the NYU Center for Healthful Behavior Change at the time of the interview, to see what she looks for in a travel pillow.

In addition, my Wirecutter colleagues as a whole are an exceptionally mobile group. We’ve worked remotely from every continent except Antarctica, so I asked some folks on staff which pillows they like and use regularly. (They’ve also since contributed some additional testing.)

Boarding a red-eye without a travel pillow in your bag is like choosing to sleep on the floor when there’s a perfectly good futon nearby. Sure, it’s no bed, but it’s a hell of a lot better than hardwood. In an interview she did in 2017 with The Atlantic reporter Kelly Conaboy, Dr. Mary O’Connor, then the director of Yale’s Center for Musculoskeletal Care, said that despite a lack of clinical studies that support the efficacy of travel pillows, “Many of us who travel have experienced falling asleep with our neck in a weird position and it bothering us thereafter. So, I think they can be helpful, but that depends on how they’re used and whether they support the neck.” In other words, using a supportive pillow may decrease the chances you wake up with an unwanted crick. It certainly has in our experience.

However, not all travel pillows are the same, and if you also happen to have a zealous hatred of your travel pillow, you probably have a bad one. So even if you have a generic pillow you picked up at some airport a few years ago, consider upgrading to one of our picks. And of course, these pillows work well on buses and trains, too.

So how can you tell if a pillow is likely to actually support your head? Rebecca Robbins, a postdoctoral fellow studying sleep at the time of our interview, says the best travel pillows will keep your head elevated and in alignment with your spine: “Look for something that would really be supportive. My one gripe with most travel pillows is that they’re too soft and not too full—you want something that will be supportive as you try to get comfortable in your limited space.” Robbins also recommends finding a pillow that can keep you cozy but not too hot, as she says it’s easier to sleep with a lower body temperature.

Robbins does her best to avoid one common travel situation. “My number one sleep tip is to not take a red-eye if you can avoid it,” she said. “If the flight is five hours, you’re going to only have three hours of true rest, because all the announcements—‘lower your window,’ ‘raise your window.’ Those can be significant distractions.”

We also looked at existing editorial reviews for guidance. Ethan Green , founder of the sleep resource blog No Sleepless Nights, compiled an extensive comparative review of popular travel pillows that we found helpful when deciding what models to test.

For people who want a travel pillow that will ease some of the discomfort of sleeping upright on a bumpy plane ride, we’ve identified the following key features:

• Comfort and support: The pillow should offer ample support for the weight of your neck and head but not restrict your movements or feel too tight.
• Portable (but not inflatable): You don’t want your travel pillow to take up so much space in your carry-on that you can’t bring other things you need, so it should compress to a smaller size. Barring that, there should at least be a way to clip it to the outside of your bag or luggage. Inflatable pillows are easy to pack but should be avoided. They inevitably spring a leak, often sooner rather than later.
• Soft: The material should feel plush against your skin but not trap so much heat that it’s uncomfortable to wear.
• Universal fit (or as close as possible): The pillow should allow space for people to sleep with a ponytail or accommodate bigger hair, as well as a whole variety of head shapes and sizes and neck lengths.
• Sleeping styles: It should also accommodate people who move their head in any direction while they sleep. It should also work in a window, a middle, or an aisle seat.
• Speed of compression/decompression: In case you need to quickly stow your pillow before exiting the plane, or if you want to catch some shut-eye in a moment’s notice, it shouldn’t take too long to stuff the pillow into its carrying case or unfold it to full size.
• Weight: Ideally, the pillow shouldn’t add undue burden to your carry-on. While inflatable pillows will always be the lightest option, memory-foam pillows don’t weigh much more and can offer significantly more comfort.
• Grip/traction: Your head will likely move around a bit while sleeping on a plane, especially if there’s turbulence. So any kind of grip or traction around the bottom of the pillow will help it stay in place and keep you snoozing.
• Machine washable: As you might expect from a vessel that ferries hundreds of people back and forth across the sky on a daily basis, planes can be filthy. So you’ll want to be able to wash the whole pillow—or at least its cover—before you take it on your next trip.

We researched more than 40 travel pillows—which ranged from variations on a hemi-doughnut to inscrutable crowdfunded designs—and after comparing hundreds of glowing and enraged Amazon reviews, we decided to test eight. We asked a panel of 10 people to try each of the pillows in a chair pushed against the wall of a conference room (the closest we could come to airline conditions in our office) and surveyed them on the fit, comfort, and support of each pillow. The panelists all had a variety of neck lengths and jaw sizes, and one even had a substantial beard. We also ran all of the pillows or their detachable pillowcases through a washing machine as instructed to see how well each stood up to a spin cycle and tumble dry.

And because simulations are rarely enough, I brought eight travel pillows on two cross-country flights to see how the pillows felt in the specific back design of an airplane seat. As I was lucky enough to have unnecessarily kind and understanding neighbors (thank you, Mike and Deborah!), I wore each of these pillows in a window, a middle, and an aisle seat to see if they felt comfortable in each configuration. I also tried on Deborah’s Muji travel pillow (as she offered), but determined it had much less support than our picks. I also carried all of our picks on two more cross-country flights on a different airline to ensure the pillows did just as well in different seat designs.

The Travelrest Ultimate remains our top pick after several years because its plush but firm memory-foam core offers more support to your neck than that of any other pillow. It’s also one of the few pillows we tested that felt specifically designed for an airline seat, with an angled, grippy back that aligns perfectly to both upright and reclined positions and ensures the pillow won’t slide down as you nod off. The velvety-soft pillow supports heads and necks of all sizes and can be fitted with an adjustable cord and clasp. In the tried-but-true shape of a hemi-doughnut—imagine a doughnut with a bite taken out—the Travelrest Ultimate may look like other pillows, but a number of thoughtful details make it a softer, more supportive pillow than all the rest.

The Travelrest offers better all-around support than any other pillow we tested. Its broad, marshmallowy walls hug the whole circumference of your neck. It feels supportive but not stifling. The easy-to-fasten Velcro strap means it can be adjusted to a snug fit for necks of many sizes. There’s even a small crevice for curlier hair or a ponytail.

In addition to fitting your neck, the Travelrest’s back tapers up to a point to fit flat against an airline seat back. Most neck pillows lack this tapering on the back and the excess padding can push your neck away from the headrest, causing your neck to droop forward. Additionally, the Travelrest has grippy dots on the back that prevent it from slipping.

In addition to its excellent support, the Travelrest is very comfortable and cozy to wear. Its memory-foam core is wrapped in velour, which kept my neck warm without overheating it. The Travelrest’s velour also felt softer and smoother against my skin than similar coverings on other pillows, such as the Cabeau Evolution. It’s also easy to clean: The Travelrest’s cover is easily unzipped and machine-washable. The velour retained its softness after going through a wash and dry cycle.

While the Travelrest isn’t inflatable, it packs down to the size of a roll of toilet paper in its carrying case. Once you fold it cinnamon-roll style and it’s small enough to fit inside the bag, a Velcro strap on the pouch helps you compress it even further. If there’s still not enough space for it in your bag, you can always clip its drawstring to any exterior loop.

All of these thoughtful details were not lost on our testing panel. They gave the Travelrest the highest marks of any pillow in comfort and neck support, and two-thirds of our testers picked it as their favorite pillow.

How the Travelrest has held up

After over a year of use, this pillow had lost none of its supportiveness. The memory foam was just as firm and springy as it was when we bought it. Its velcro strap was still easy to secure. If it fits you, this is a pillow that stays secure and comfortable on your neck for the duration of a long flight. However, we’ve also heard from multiple travelers that this pillow doesn’t fit them. The memory foam is quite firm, which offers excellent support, but not much give. If a pillow of up to 5 inches doesn’t fit comfortably on your neck, we think you’ll be happier trying one of our other picks.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The Travelrest Ultimate will never compress to the thin, flat size of a tiny pillow like the Trtl. But its unparalleled, cushiony support can still pack down to a reasonable size, and its 13 ounces won’t make your carry-on noticeably heavier. And if saving space is your highest concern, we think the Trtl provides space-conscious support without the spit-filled fuss of an inflatable pillow.

While the Travelrest’s voluminous plush can support all heads that lean left, back, or right, the pillow may not hold up the chins of people with smaller faces. When my head bobbed forward, my small face sank into the gap between the pillow closure and my neck. You can adjust the Velcro strap for a tighter fit, but the short strap cannot be pulled as tight as the Cabeau’s adjustable strings.

The Travelrest Ultimate’s unbeatable support is in part due to the height of its sides, designed to come up to the jaw of the wearer. This means the pillow may be incompatible with larger over-the-ear headphones for people with shorter necks. For instance, when I tried to wear the Travelrest Ultimate with my noise-cancelling Bose headphones , the pillow pushed the headset uncomfortably far up on my head, taking my earlobes with it. However, my editor, who has a longer neck, didn’t have this problem.

If you want a tighter, more adjustable fit, the Cabeau Evolution Classic  (which used to be called just the Evolution) is the way to go. Its contoured memory-foam design offers almost as much neck support as our main pick does, albeit without some of the Travelrest’s luxurious height. But the Cabeau’s adjustable clasp allows a far greater range of cinching than the Travelrest. In other words, the pillow can fit as tightly as you like.

Like the Travelrest, the Cabeau’s hemi-doughnut shape offers 360 degrees of support for anyone wearing it. It also boasts a cushioned memory-foam core and a contoured top that will keep your neck upright and head in place. But unlike the Travelrest’s gently arched bottom, the Cabeau’s flat bottom won’t sit as securely on your shoulders and may move around during your sleep. The Cabeau also lacks the Travelrest’s smartly tapered, grippy back that helps keep the pillow in place during flight. The Cabeau’s velour cover is also machine-washable, but it feels less soft than the Travelrest’s.

Although the Cabeau’s fit and shape aren’t quite as good as the Travelrest’s, this pillow is more adjustable. It can be tightened or loosened with two adjustable strings that clip together, which results in a far more adjustable range than the Travelrest’s short strip of Velcro. If you have a smaller neck and know you find a tighter grip on your neck comforting, the Cabeau may be the way to go.

Like the Travelrest, the Cabeau also packs down to a quarter of its size, thanks to an adjustable strap bisecting its carrying case. But at 15.2 ounces, it’s a bit heavier than the Travelrest.

Unlike any of our other picks, the Cabeau Evolution is sold in many of those ubiquitous news stores inside airports. So if you find yourself lacing up your shoes after security and wishing you had bought one of our picks before your flight, look for the Cabeau’s contoured shape among the novelty hemi-doughnuts dangling off the travel pillow racks. It’s the best pillow you can buy at an airport. But if you have the chance to order online, the Travelrest offers more support.

There is a newer model of the Evolution Classic, the S3 , which has straps to hook onto a seat’s headrest. We think it’s a good choice if the Classic version is out of stock or otherwise unavailable. It’s still supportive and comfortable, but not as thick or soft as the Classic.

The Trtl Pillow , though odd-looking and unconventional, won a contingent of ardent fans with its firm support and slim, packable size. But it’s not our top pick because it works on only one side, and its warmth-trapping fleece can cause your neck to overheat. It’s also the most expensive of our picks. The Trtl consists of an arched plastic skeleton inside of a soft, fleece scarf that wraps once around your neck and then closes with Velcro to hold the pillow in place. You just lean your head against the convex end of the bendy frame, wrap the pillow around your neck, and your head has a soft but firm pedestal on which to rest while you sleep. It sounds weird, but it’s not that different from a neck brace—only it’s one-sided and softer.

Because the Trtl Pillow is little more than a scarf with a plastic plate in it, it packs down to the size of a sandwich and can lay flat against the back of your bag. This is the smallest travel pillow we tested and also requires none of the squashing or awkward cinching it takes to stuff the Travelrest or Cabeau into their holding bags, which are also easy to lose. Unlike any of the other pillows we’ve seen, the Trtl is small enough to fit inside a briefcase or handbag, making it the best option for people who don’t normally travel with backpacks. And at a featherweight 5 ounces, the Trtl is the lightest pillow we tested.

Though the Trtl can support your head from only one side, the tall, bendy plastic frame inside offered more support on that one side than either the Travelrest or Cabeau. Yet even with its soft, wraparound design, it lacks the all-around support provided by our top and runner-up picks. If you are an asymmetrical sleeper (if you prefer sleeping with your head leaning to one side), the Trtl may be a good choice. However, it’s not a good choice for people who nod forward—the plastic insert is too stiff. If that’s you, we prefer the Bcozzy, which we talk more about below .

Some testers found the Trtl’s quasi-corseted-turtleneck design off-putting. But then again, no one looks cool wearing any travel pillow. And on that note, the Trtl’s cozy fleece will keep your neck toasty. So if you know you run hot, the Trtl may not be the pillow for you.

Wirecutter’s Ganda Suthivarakom swears by the Trtl: “It packs almost flat, weighs next to nothing, and can be helpful for sleeping even when you are stuck in a middle seat. As someone who is always cold on the plane, I don't mind the whole fleece scarf design, either.”

Trtl has a more padded version of the pillow that claims to be more adjustable; one of our longer-necked staffers tried it and reported that it is indeed more comfortable for him than the original Trtl was. However, the same limitations of the original apply to the new version.

The Bcozzy is a snakelike spin on the traditional hemi-doughnut that’s perfect for anyone traveling with large headphones or people who tend to nod forward while sleeping and wake themselves up. It lacks the tall, supportive sides of our other picks, but the overlapping front is the perfect height to keep your chin from nodding forward as you doze off. It’s not as supportive on the sides, but this leaves ample room for big headphones.

The Bcozzy’s best advantage is its overlapping circular design, which allows you to adjust the pillow to degrees of personal preference. You can place the overlapping ends of the pillow around any point of your neck (though it only really makes sense in the front or on the sides), and wear the pillow as loose or as tight as you’d like. We think it’s most comfortable when the ends meet right under your neck—and in that position, it cushions your chin better than any other pillow we tested.

The longer, leaner Bcozzy lacks the plush, ensconcing neck support of the Travelrest Ultimate or Cabeau Evolution. It lays so low on your shoulders that it might not even touch your jaw. But this makes the pillow perfect for anyone who likes to wear over-the-ear headphones along with a travel pillow while they sleep on the flight. I personally like to fall asleep to music and drown out the dull roar of an airplane, so the Bcozzy works perfectly for me.

We still think the Travelrest Ultimate is a superior overall hemi-doughnut pillow, but the Bcozzy is an excellent choice if you plan to wear big headphones or know the feeling of that sharp, waking drop when your head falls forward on a plane.

The Bcozzy is also one of the least packable pillows, as it doesn’t come with a carrying case and does not compress particularly well. But its 7.4 ounces is around half the weight of the Travelrest or Cabeau, and it does comes with a little loop that clips onto the outside of a backpack or duffel. And even when squished down at the bottom of a bag, it doesn’t take up that much more space than the Travelrest Ultimate or Cabeau.

If you’re a back sleeper who can fall sleep sitting upright in your seat, facing forward, and not need to curl up or lean your head on the airplane window: You may want to try the Posture+ Travel Pillow, which is a U-shaped neck cushion, padded with memory foam, that looks like the back half of a cervical collar. When testing it, we slept surprisingly well, but it won’t suit all (or even most) sleep styles. It’s also not machine-washable, and it is pricy.

If you have a shorter neck and tend to run hot on planes and would prefer a pillow designed to keep you cool: Consider the ventilated Cabeau Evolution Cool —the combination of a silky polyester cover (similar to spandex) and vented design did feel mildly cooler against our necks. And we liked the pillow’s silky feel, packable size, zippered carrying case. But it was significantly smaller than the standard Cabeau Evolution and the Travelrest Ultimate, and it left the chins of long-necked testers totally unsupported. It’s also more expensive—now about $20 more than the Travelrest.

If you always lean to the same side when sleeping: Consider Travelrest’s All-in-One , which has a novel across-the-shoulder design that could be comfortable in such a situation. It has a similar fabric to the company’s winning Ultimate Memory Foam Neck Pillow, but in our tests its bulky inflated tube offered no structured head support, which could pose a problem in bumpy conditions.

If you tend to be a forward-falling head bobber: Consider the Caldera Releaf , which is less travel pillow and more neck brace. It does offer superior neck support, but it constricted the throat too much for our comfort.

The Trtl Pillow Plus , a later addition to the Trtl lineup, is more height-adjustable and has more padding than its older sibling . Our self-described “giraffe-necked” tester said that it did indeed fit him better than the original Trtl had. However, it still supports your head from only one side, making it not a great choice for sleepers who nod forward. It’s also bulkier than the original and costs nearly twice as much.

The Cabeau Evolution S3 is a newer version of our runner-up pick , the Evolution Classic. We liked it, and we think it’s a solid choice if the original Evolution isn’t available. It has added straps that you can hook onto a headrest to keep your head from falling forward while you sleep, but our runner-up pick is softer and slightly thicker, which offers a bit more support. We did find the S3 to be easier to roll up into its carrying case, however.

Intrigued by one of the stranger innovations that we’ve seen in travel pillow design, we tested the Huzi Design Infinity , but we can’t recommend it. Instead of cinching or clasping at the front, it is designed to be looped several times around the wearer’s neck like an infinity scarf. But the pillow failed to support our testers’ necks. Regardless of who tried it, testers found that looping it twice was too loose and thrice was too tight. It was also the largest and least compressible pillow we tested.

The J-Pillow offered a singular, three-pronged design that proved impossible for anyone to figure out without instructions. After some explanation, our testers could wear the pillow correctly, but they still felt that its squishy stuffing offered insufficient support, and only to one side of the head. It’s also impossible to pack away efficiently due to its pyramidal shape. If you want a one-sided pillow, skip this and go for the Trtl instead.

We tested the inexpensive Travelrest Curl because we loved its plush and contoured big cousin, the Travelrest Ultimate. But while the Curl contains the same luxurious memory-foam filling as the Ultimate, the pillow is so small that many testers found that it didn’t even come up to their jaws when worn. It does have an attractive price, but its skimpy size and unsupportive design could support only the shortest of necks.

We found the air-filled Sea to Summit Aeros Traveller Pillow to be similarly lacking. We liked how easy it was to fill—its dual-valve inflation mechanism means it won’t let air out between breaths—and we appreciated that it weighed only about a fifth as much as the Travelrest, but the Travelrest’s 360-degree support made it too hard to go back to an open-ring design that offers no support in the front. Also, one of our former freelance writers recently reported that when she pulled her pillow out of storage, after a few years of not using it, its internal bladder disintegrated in her hands.

This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan.

Rebecca Robbins, postdoctoral fellow at the NYU Center for Healthful Behavior Change , phone interview , October 20, 2017

Meet your guide

Sabrina Imbler

Sabrina Imbler is a former staff writer for Wirecutter, where they covered kitchen tools and HVAC.

Further reading

Pluto Pod Travel Pillow: A First-Class Sleep Experience in Economy

by Dorie Chevlen

This travel pillow is so great you won’t even care if you look silly wearing it.

The Silly-Looking Trtl Travel Pillow Is the Only Way I Can Sleep on Flights

by Elissa Sanci

You might look funny while wearing the one-sided Trtl travel pillow in flight, but you won’t care when you land at your destination bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

Air Travel Is Chaos. This Gear Will Help Get You Through the Exasperating Delays.

These things don’t make your flight take off any faster, but they can make the wait a little more tolerable.

The 31 Best Gifts for Frequent Travelers

by Samantha Schoech and Dorie Chevlen

Here we present practical and whimsical finds to delight any intrepid traveler.

The Best Travel Pillows for Long-Haul Flights

By Lauren Burvill

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

If you travel regularly you’ve probably learnt to spot the difference between a frequent flier and a rookie—the most obvious tell-tale sign being a bulky travel pillow, typically carried by an inexperienced flier, hanging from a backpack or being worn (wrongly) around the back of their neck before they even get on the plane. Many of us are guilty of buying one of these beanbag worms from the airport duty-free shop, only to realize that they’re more trouble than they’re actually worth.

Do a little research though—as we’ve done for you here— and you might be pleasantly surprised to find that the humble travel pillow has upped its game recently. Specialized brands like  Trtl  and  BCozzy  have entered the market, while pillows that range in shape and materials have popped up on Amazon.

So which ones are actually worth taking on a flight ? We asked our frequent flying editors to test out the most reviewed styles.

How we choose the best travel pillows

Every pillow on this list has been independently tested and reviewed by our editors. When testing, we consider quality, price, unique design features, as well as overall function and visual appeal.

Our top picks:

• Best overall travel pillow: Cabeau Evolution S3 travel pillow
• Best for neck support: Trtl travel pillow
• Best for side sleepers: BCozzy neck pillow
• Best budget buy: Dot & Dot Twist memory foam travel pillow

Best travel pillow for: overall comfort

If you're looking for an upgrade to a basic does-the-job travel pillow or suffer from neck or back pain, Cabeau's Evolution S3 travel pillow is the best we've tested so far. The memory foam style has considered everything, from an adjustable toggle clasp to secure the pillow comfortably around your neck, to a handy side pocket—ideal for storing headphones or earplugs. What really sets this pillow apart from the rest are the velcro straps on the back, designed to loop around a plane seat's headrest, helping to keep your head upright and take any pressure off your neck.

Why we love it:  “The foam in this pillow is extremely comfortable, but what I love most is that the back of the pillow is flat, so you can sit right up against your seat, unlike the typical travel pillow styles which tend to be round and tilt your neck down slightly. The straps are a great idea, but if you're short it might not be possible to secure to the headrest, so keep that in mind. It also comes in a sleek cylindrical bag that, when clipped onto your carry-on , you’d never even know there was a travel pillow inside." — Sarah Allard , digital editor, Condè Nast Traveller UK

Best travel pillow for: neck support

Less a pillow and more a supportive wrap for your neck, this unique design from Trtl is ideal if you're short on space and weight in your carry-on luggage—it weighs only 4.5 ounces. The pillow is designed to look like a scarf and features a clever curved U-shaped neck support stand that sits under your jaw and is then secured in place by wrapping the fabric around your neck and connecting the velcro.

Why we love it:  “I often feel like most typical travel pillows are too bulky and hard to get comfortably on, so I was keen to try this style. It's perfect for keeping your neck upright and avoiding any of the nodding that can happen while asleep. I'll admit, it feels a little strange at first to put it on, but the hypoallergenic fleece is soft and warm. It's a great option not just for plane travel, but also long road trips or train journeys.” — Sarah James , deputy digital editor, Condè Nast Traveller UK

Best travel pillow for: upper body support

This clever crossbody-sling pillow offers neck and head support while allowing you to truly relax and lean to one side to fall asleep. The pillow comes with a cord at the top that can be secured in place by looping over your seat’s headrest. You can wear the pillow on either side across your body, or down one side, creating more of a barrier between you and the person next to you. The pillow is inflatable, too, so it takes up hardly any room in your luggage.

Why we love it:  “I really love the shape of this pillow, as it cradles not just your neck, but your whole upper body. Although I usually don’t like inflatable pillows, the rigidity of this style works to make you feel secure while sitting upright.” — Lauren Burvill , senior commerce editor, Condè Nast Traveller UK

Best travel pillow for: red-eye flights

More than just a neck pillow, the Pluto Pod boasts a lightly structured and padded hood, as well as a pull-down eye mask. Do you resemble a bobble-headed, 1950s-style alien when you wear it? Yes, you do. Is it, by far, one of the best travel pillows we've tested? Absolutely.

Why we love it : “The pillow has helped me cut down on my sleeping tools. With the Pod, I can eschew ear plugs and an eye mask because the padded hood dampens noise and the flip-down eye mask blocks almost all light. Sleeping with one is like being inside a mini sensory deprivation tank, except you don’t have to worry about getting wet.” — Juliet Izon , contributor

Read a full review here .

Best travel pillow for: flexibility

Made of memory foam, this twist style pillow can be bent and contoured to almost any shape. Its flexibility means it can be worn in several ways, from around the neck to under your head, shoulders, or even lower back.

Why we love it:  “I often toss and turn a lot when trying to get to sleep, so I find I’m particularly wriggly when trying to get comfortable on a flight. This kind of flexible twist style of the pillow was perfect for me, as I was able to shape it to exactly where I needed it to be. I ended up settling with it half behind my neck and half under my chin, so I could lie on my side and get a couple of hours of precious sleep.” —L.B.

Best travel pillow for: side sleepers

Similar to the Trtl pillow but padded with soft microfleece and covered with microsuede, BCozzy's wrap-around design offers plenty of flexibility in terms of how you wear it. The pillow comes in two sizes and when wrapped around the neck offers double the support for your head, neck, and chin. The real standout of this design is the flat back, which is not only great for maintaining a healthy posture, but also means you can fold the pillow in half and wear it on one side.

Why we love it:  “Even on a plane, I'm a side sleeper. My go-to way to snooze is angling the side headrest as far as it can go so I can rest my head in the corner. Headrests can be very hit-and-miss on planes though, so being able to fold the BCozzy pillow in half is ideal as it can prop my neck and chin up on one side without it feeling too suffocating.” —L.B.

Best for: warmth

This squishy infinity-style pillow is all about the soft and breathable bamboo fabric it’s made from. Coming in one large loop, the pillow is worn by wrapping around the neck twice and adjusting and scrunching accordingly depending on the level of comfort you’re looking for.

Why we love it:  “I’d say this pillow is less about neck support and more about soft and cozy scarf–meets–pillow hybrid. It feels like a sleeping bag for your neck—ideal if you get cold easily and are looking for something that’s more snuggly rather than stiff.” —L.B.

Best travel pillow for : Versatility

Slip this microbead-filled cap over your head and you’ll completely redefine the experience of sleeping on the go. From the outside, the wacky-shaped headpiece may feel a tad like a Teletubbies costume, but once you pull your head through the 27.5-inch opening, any place you find yourself in—no matter how bright or how loud—can turn into a sleep zone.

Why we love it: “And there’s no right or wrong way to use it: On a plane, use it to lean against the wall of the window seat, lie head down on the tray table of the middle seat, or tilt backward on the headrest of the seat.” — Rachel Chang , contributor

This article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK .

Protect Your Trip »

The 8 best neck pillows for travel.

Avoid a literal pain in the neck with these expert-approved travel pillows.

The Best Neck Pillows for Travel

Courtesy of Cabeau

The Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow is one of the best neck pillows for travel.

Just like the pillow you use at home , the best neck pillow for travel is the one that makes you feel most comfortable, allowing you to relax, rest and ultimately fall asleep on the go. The difference, however, is that a travel pillow is typically used when sitting up, which means it needs to provide enough support to keep your head from bobbing.

Based on recommendations from travel experts and advice from physicians, these are the best neck pillows for travel.

Best Overall: Cabeau Evolution S3

Best affordable: mvloc travel pillow, best for long flights: trtl travel pillow, best multipurpose: huzi infinity pillow, best inflatable: sunany inflatable travel pillow, best silk: slip jet setter travel pillow, best for backpacking: marchway ultralight inflatable camping pillow, best for kids: bcozzy double support neck pillow.

Frequent travelers praise the design of the Cabeau Evolution S3, which is made of a special dual-density memory foam. "My pillow at home is made with memory foam so it's like bringing a piece of home on my travels," says travel blogger Jasmine Cheng of The Wandering Girl . "The sides are also raised, which prevents my head from moving when I'm sleeping." Travelers also appreciate the patented seat strap system that attaches the pillow to a seat or chair headrest as well as the slim flattened back, both of which prevent the head from bobbing.

A handy storage pouch on the side of the pillow allows you to keep your earbuds or other small items close by, and the pillow comes with a clasp that attaches to carry-on luggage . The removable pillow cover, which comes in a variety of colors, is machine-washable. What's more, this travel pillow can be stored in an included carry bag that condenses it to half its size.

Price: $39.99 or less Shop now: Amazon | Cabeau

Travelers appreciate the support (and the price tag) of this memory foam travel pillow. An adjustable rope lock allows you to secure the pillow to your neck for maximum support and comfort. The breathable and machine-washable cloth exterior prevents overheating. This travel pillow also comes with earplugs and an eye mask for ultimate relaxation.

Price: $29.99 or less Shop now: Amazon

Courtesy of Trtl

The patented design of the Trtl Travel Pillow – with a hidden internal neck support surrounded by soft, hypoallergenic fleece – makes it a favorite among travelers, particularly for long flights. "Something about it just hits right in a travel accessory category where nothing previously worked for me," explains Meaghan Clawsie, luxury travel advisor at Elated Escapes . "I no longer have any back or neck pain when resting on long-haul flights." Simply wrap the pillow around your neck like a scarf, secure it in place with its built-in fastener and rest your head on the support.

If you tend to overheat easily, there's also the Trtl Pillow Cool , made with Tencel fibers to keep you at a comfortable temperature; a mesh panel makes the pillow particularly breathable as well. Both pillows are machine-washable.

Price: $59.99 or less Shop now: Amazon | Trtl

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Courtesy of Huzi Design

If you're not sold on the classic U-shaped neck pillows for travel, consider this snake-like option instead. Able to be twisted into a variety of positions, the versatile Huzi Infinity Pillow provides whatever support feels best – even if that means resting your head on the tray table for a bit. You can also wear it around your neck like a scarf for neck and back comfort (even when you're not snoozing), use it as an eye mask, or drape it over your head if you get cold or want to block out noise.

Travelers love the pillow's bamboo fabric, describing it as soft, smooth and cool. Since it's filled with polyester, the whole pillow can be tossed in the washing machine , unlike its memory foam counterparts. The Infinity Pillow is available in nearly a dozen different colors, including gray, navy and pink.

Price: $45 or less Shop now: Amazon | Infinity Pillow

Read:  What to Pack in Your Carry-on Bag

Courtesy of Sunany

Travelers love the H-shaped design of this inflatable pillow because it allows for use in multiple directions and supports both sides of the head and neck with a flat back. A removable hood on the pillow is a bonus: It encourages a cozy feel and prevents cold drafts from too much air conditioning. For optimal comfort, it is recommended to inflate the pillow about 80% to 90%.

A pocket for your earbud case on this travel pillow provides convenient access for listening to music, and the removable velour cover is machine-washable. The lightweight inflatable pillow can be stored in the included waterproof drawstring bag, which can also be attached to luggage. This travel neck pillow is available in black, gray and blue.

Courtesy of Slip

Travel pillows don't get softer than this luxurious new option by Slip. The Jet Setter Travel Pillow is made with the highest-grade long fiber mulberry silk, which helps to prevent skin creases and bedhead. It also comes with a carrying case with handles. The Jet Setter Travel Pillow is available in three prints and a pretty solid blush color.

Price: $99 or less Shop now: Amazon | Slip

While you can often bring your pillow from home for tent camping, backpacking requires something more lightweight, such as this inflatable option by Marchway. "An inflatable pillow is a game-changer when it comes to backpacking, and an ultralight pillow can't be beat," says Leilani Osmundson , digital producer for travel at U.S. News. "The Marchway pillow fits the bill: It's comfortable, packable and extremely lightweight." This pillow is designed for both back and side sleepers, and doubles as a lumbar support for everyday travels and needs. Once it's deflated, you can machine-wash the cover before folding the pillow into an included drawstring bag.

Price: $13.99 or less Shop now: Amazon

Courtesy of BCOZZY

The BCOZZY neck pillow is ideal for all travelers – including kids, with small sizes for youngsters between 3 and 7 years old, and medium options for ages 8 and 12. Travelers like the ergonomic design of the patented pillow, which supports the head and neck by propping the chin up. Overlapping pillow arms, which wrap around the neck and under the chin, can be tightened based on the level of support you need.

If you or your child is a side sleeper, fold the pillow in half, double up the sides and place it on your shoulder, leaning your head to the side. An elevated side option allows you to overlap the pillow arms on top of each other and rotate it 90 degrees to the side for double support for the neck and chin.

This travel pillow is available in a variety of colors and patterns, including light blue and pink hearts. A snap strap attaches the included travel bag to your child's luggage , and you can throw the pillow in the washing machine after your trip.

Price: $44.97 or less Shop now: Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

Experts agree a supportive pillow is essential for travel. "The biggest issue many travelers experience when sleeping on a plane is that the seats don't recline enough," explains Dr. Alex Dimitriu, a sleep/wake and performance specialist who is dual board certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine. "This often results in the head being just on the brink of tipping forward – which is not a comfortable sleeping position. Because of this insufficient recline, it is important to keep padding behind the head and neck minimal to reduce the tendency for the head to tip forward."

Most travel pillows are designed to be worn around the neck, providing enough support to prevent the head from tipping forward.

When shopping for a neck pillow for travel, experts recommend considering the following factors:

Proper head support:  What's most important is ensuring your head is supported in the right places by your travel pillow – and, in particular, not being pushed forward by excessive padding. "A good pillow would provide support for side sleeping, rather than a lot of padding behind the head, which just pushes the head forward too much," says Dimitriu.

Material: Consider both the external and internal material of the pillow:

External: Chiropractic physician Eric Smith advises to make sure the material of your travel pillow is breathable and won't subject you to an overheated sleep, since one of the main reasons for moving around a lot as you sleep is getting too hot. "When your face gets too hot on one side, even if you're sleeping, you're going to move from it because it's too warm," Smith explains.

There's no real consensus on which material is best for a cool, comfy sleep – and different people will have different preferences – so Smith's advice is to try before you fly (and don't hesitate to request a refund if your chosen pillow isn't working out).

• Internal: Memory foam pillows tend to offer more firm support – something Smith recommends for anyone, but especially older travelers. "The majority of patients I have that get older, we actually need a more firm pillow, we need a more firm bed, we need more support," Smith says. Pillows filled with microbeads mold more to the neck and head, while inflatable pillows can be adjusted to your preferences based on how much air you use to blow them up.

A travel pillow for your neck isn't considered a carry-on or personal item (and the same generally goes for small, loose items like jackets and umbrellas). That said, it's always best to review your airline's carry-on luggage size restrictions before traveling.

A good neck pillow for travel isn't the only key to achieving a decent sleep while in transit. "From the standpoint of evolution, we're kind of hardwired to be a little bit more on high alert in those situations," explains Rebecca Robbins, an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School and scientist at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital. "We're a little bit more in fight or flight mode; our brain is subconsciously scanning the environment for threats and there are new sounds and new smells."

She recommends finding elements that are relaxing to you, which might include some of the following:

• Travel blanket: Look for something lightweight, such as the EverSnug Travel Blanket on Amazon. This blanket comes with a carrying case, which can double as a pillow when the blanket is stored inside.
• Essential or aromatherapy oils: Scents like lavender and peppermint can be especially calming.
• Earplugs: Choose headphones that block some or all external noise. The Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Headphones are especially well rated.
• White noise app: There are a variety of free apps, or you can try a paid option like Calm (which offers a free trial).
• Eye mask: An eye mask like this cotton option on Amazon helps to block out the bright light on planes.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Compression Socks for Travel
• The Top Walking Shoes for Travel
• The Top Carry-on Backpacks
• Can I Use My Own Airplane Seat Belt Extender?
• The Best Travel Medical Insurance Plans

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The 12 Best Travel Pillows of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Sleep and relax comfortably on the go with these top travel pillows

In This Article

Jump to a Section

• Our top picks
• Other Pillows We Liked

Our Testing Process

• Tips for Buying
• Why Trust T+L

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Travel + Leisure / Emily Johnson

Sitting upright for hours on end or sleeping on unfamiliar pillows can be incredibly uncomfortable, but a reliable travel pillow can make your trip a lot more tolerable. Whether embarking on a red-eye flight, going camping, or looking to get a good night's sleep in your hotel room, the best travel pillows will be comfy, supportive, and portable. 

We tested more than 40 travel pillows, looking at traits like comfort, durability, portability, and quality. We narrowed down the best options while using the accessory for road trips, long-haul flights, train rides, and even sleeping at home, making sure each option was comfortable for extended use. After catching some of the best Z's, we rounded up pillow choices for different types of travelers who are looking to get more rest on their future trips.

Best Overall

Infinity pillow travel pillow.

Infinity Pillow

The modular design of the pillow makes it easy to use to support the neck, chin, or back while sitting.

The cushioning is fairly soft, so the support isn't as stiff as memory foam.

Most travel pillows come in one shape and size, so we love that this one can contort in various ways to fit your needs. At nearly 40 inches long, the infinity design (yes, like the scarves worn in the early 2000s) can be wrapped once for less support or twice for the type of neck support found in traditional C-shaped pillows. We used the pillow during an all-day road trip and loved that we could wear it around the neck with a looser or tighter fit depending on how much neck support we wanted.

We also found that it's much easier to travel with the pillow since the closed ring shape makes it easy to wear around the neck instead of having to pack it away or risk it falling off. The bamboo fabric is extremely soft and breathable, so we never felt overheated or constricted, and the pillow is machine washable for easy upkeep after a trip. Our only note is that it's not a firm neck pillow like memory foam options, so it's not the most supportive if that's what you're looking for, but it still offers sufficient cushioning for keeping the neck upright. It also comes in a whopping 10 colors.

The Details: Bamboo, nylon | 39.3 x 6.6 inches | Machine washable

Travel + Leisure / Paige VandeWiele

Best With Seat Strap

Cabeau tne s3 travel pillow.

The seat strap system keeps the pillow in place to prevent it from slipping around or falling off.

It can feel stiff at first and takes some getting used to.

This soft and supportive travel pillow is the perfect accessory for long trips, whether you're in the car or in the air. The pillow itself can attach to any headrest with adjustable straps to prevent your head from sagging or falling into uncomfortable positions while sleeping. There's also an adjustable chin strap for added comfort and security. The pillow's exterior fabric is soft and cozy yet breathable so you don't feel too hot or constricted — though it can take some time to find your perfect position.

We also love that the pillow case is machine washable. We tested this pillow on a long international trip where it really got tossed around on planes, trains, and buses, so it felt great to wash the cover at the end of the trip, making it feel as good as new. Despite its fairly large size, the pillow is also quite portable as it rolls up into a compact carrying case that you can attach to a bag's exterior or slip into larger backpacks and totes.

The Details:  Polyester, microsuede, foam   | Machine washable | Carrying case included

Most Supportive

Ostrichpillow go neck pillow.

The pillow has an asymmetrical design that can accommodate neck, chin, and head support preferences.

It might warm your neck if you run hot while sleeping.

The Ostrich Pillow Go Neck Pillow feels like sleeping on a cloud. This travel pillow provided the perfect amount of neck support and comfort when we took it on a flight, allowing us to get more rest than usual. The plush memory foam filling and asymmetric design can be easily adjusted to support the neck, chin, or head with the taller or shorter sides. The materials appear high-quality and luxurious, and it is easy to roll the pillow up to fit inside its compact drawstring sack. The pillow held its shape after being in the bag for long periods of time, which leads us to believe that it will hold up well with prolonged use. The pillow cover is removable and machine washable, but we air dried it to ensure it didn’t shrink (and had no issues putting it back on the pillow). A must-have for those with higher budgets, this pillow allows for better sleep and more comfort on flights.

The Details: Viscosa, memory foam | 10.5 x 9.5 inches | Machine washable | Carrying case included

Travel + Leisure / Susan Brickell

Aeris Memory Foam Travel Pillow

It’s supportive and firm without feeling too stiff. 

This would be best for travelers who know they prefer a firm travel pillow.

We love the comfortable and supportive Aeris Memory Foam Travel Pillow for travelers that like a firmer neck pillow. The buckle strap adjusts accordingly to fit around your neck and offers 360-degree support on the chin, jaw, and back. We loved how you can lean back in the car or plane, and the back of the neck doesn't fall backward. In addition to having exceptional support, the Aeris travel pillow folds into a small ball and easily fits into the included circular carrying case that you can clip onto a backpack or suitcase without being a noticeable nuisance. The travel pillow also comes with earplugs and an eye mask, and features a frontal slip pocket that you can store them in. After a trip, you can unzip and remove the carrying case to machine wash it, although we recommend air drying it to prevent any possibility of shrinkage.

The Details: Velour, polyester, memory foam | 11.81 x 11.42 x 3.54 inches | Machine washable | Carrying case included

Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp

Pluto Pillow Pod

Pluto Pillow

It boasts a cozy hood and built-in eye mask for total darkness even on bright flights.

It's one of the pricer options on this list.

Like the black-out curtains of travel pillows, this option comes with a hood and an eye mask that shields your eyes from any light, which is incredibly useful when you're trying to get some shut-eye on a busy flight. It has a soft neck brace that wraps around the neck with light support, and the hood goes on like a regular hoodie with a drop-down eye mask. Once our head was fully cocooned in the hooded pillow, we found that it was a game changer for travelers who have a hard time falling asleep with light or ambient noise around since it muffles sounds and blocks rays. While the space-helmet-like shape looks quite different from other travel pillows on the market, it's still easy to put on and offers excellent portability. Plus, this newer model features an easy way to clip the pillow to a backpack or luggage handle. One thing to note is that the price point is quite high compared to other pillows on the market, but the unique design and high-quality fabric and construction make it worth it for those with higher budgets.

The Details: Alcantara fabric, WPS mesh | 12 x 6 x 4 inches (folded) | Machine washable

Travel + Leisure / Dera Burreson

Gingerlily Silk Travel Pillow

A silk pillow is the way to go to protect your hair and skin throughout your travels.

This pillow is 12 by 16 inches, so make sure you have plenty of room to pack it.

For those who love sleeping on silk pillowcases at home, this mini version for travel is an absolute must. Yes, it can be pricey to buy silk travel accessories, but it's also expensive to ruin a blowout and have to find a salon on vacation (and there's no price to be put on fresh, clean skin). This silk pillow is smaller than a standard pillow at 12 inches wide and 16 inches long, but you can still use it in a hotel bed, and it's perfect for trains, planes, and cars — just make sure you have the space in your personal item bag . After using this pillow for multiple long trips, it still shows no signs of loose stitches, fraying, or pilling. Rather, the pillow feels like it will last without ever going limp or flat.

The Details: Mulberry silk, cotton sateen, polyester | 12 x 6 inches

Travel + Leisure / Morgan Ashley Parker

TripSavvy / Morgan Ashley Parker

Best Cooling

Cabeau evolution cool pillow.

The mesh air vents make the pillow breathable to prevent overheating. 

It’s made of firm memory foam.

The Cabeau Evolution Cool Pillow is a great pick for travelers who get warm quickly. The pillow is designed to prevent heat from building up when you wear it as mesh vents in between two layers of cushiony memory foam filter in the air. We liked the breathability feature and moisture-wicking fabric and noticed that we didn’t feel overheated while using it on an airplane or road trip. While it took a moment to get situated, once the pillow was in the most comfortable position, it was extremely supportive and firm without feeling too hard. We especially liked the portability of the already lightweight pillow (thanks to its durable carrying case), as well as the mesh pocket for storing small accessories. Even after being rolled up and stuffed into its carrying case, this pillow quickly unfolds back to its original shape.

The Details: Memory foam | 9 x 7 inches | Machine washable | Carrying case included

Best Adjustability

Buyue travel neck pillow.

One side of the pillow has extra cushioning, and you can swivel it around to support any part of your head.

It comes with a drawstring bag to stuff it in, but the pillow still takes up a good chunk of space in a backpack.

With thick cushioning on one side of the pillow, the unique design of this travel pillow makes it easy to get comfortable in a small space where there isn't much wiggle room. No matter which way your head tilts when you sleep, you can adjust this pillow with the largest part of cushioning rotated to support the side or back of your head, or you can turn it to the front to prevent your chin from tipping forward or bobbing around. After testing the pillow on both road trips and long flights, we found that the fabric is breathable and soft for resting your head on, and we love that the cover comes off to toss it in the wash. Because of the thicker side of the pillow, it does take up a bit more space in a backpack, but it does come with a drawstring bag if you prefer to carry it outside of your luggage.

The Details: Polyester, spandex | 8 x 8 x 8 inches | Machine washable | Carrying case included

Travel + Leisure / Ava Wegner

Samsonite 2-in-1 Magic Travel Pillow

It has a modular design to shift from a U-shape to a rectangular pillow, offering versatility at an affordable price.

The neck pillow might not offer enough support for some since it's on the softer side.

This microbead pillow from Samsonite can be used as a neck pillow if you're sitting upright or you can shift it into a rectangular pillow for leaning against a window or laying on a tray table. The handy two-in-one design already gets bonus points for versatility, but the budget-friendly price makes it all the more better. In testing, it was an effortless process to switch from the U-shape to the rectangle shape by flipping the pillow inside out. Made with polyester and microfiber beads, this pillow is shockingly lightweight and feels nearly weightless to carry around an airport. Because the pillow is on the softer side with the microfiber beads, we discovered it's not as supportive as a memory foam pillow, but it still offered enough support to prevent the neck from uncomfortably craning too far to one side.

The Details: Polyester | 12.25 x 11.75 x 4 inches | Hand wash

Travel + Leisure / Anita Rutz

Best Splurge

Purple harmony anywhere pillow.

This supportive pillow is comfortable enough to sleep on at night and would make any hotel stay feel more luxurious.

At over three pounds, it's quite heavy but feels weightless if you attach the strap to a backpack.

If you're looking for a travel pillow that is just as comfortable — if not more so — than your pillows at home, then this luxurious one from Purple is the one for you. It's a miniature version of the brand's best-selling Harmony pillow, and it boasts the same cooling gel and bouncy, neck-supporting feel as the larger version. During testing, we found this pillow to be noticeably cooling, breathable, and moisture-wicking, which can come in handy for camping. We wouldn't use this pillow during flights because of the plush, rectangular shape that wouldn't work well when sitting upright, but it would be ideal when you're laying flat, like in a hotel room.

It comes with a machine-washable pillow cover, and there is a travel case sold separately . Because this is one of the priciest pillows on this list, we do wish the travel case was included, but we do think it's worth adding on for its carrying straps and compression features. The pillow feels quite heavy on its own, but when you attach the strap to a backpack, it feels weightless to carry. You can also compress the pillow in half if you have the travel case, making it much more portable. Although this is a splurge for a travel pillow, we think it's worth the investment for travelers in search of a comfortable pillow with luxe features like a breathable honeycomb design, a moisure-wicking cover, and strong neck support.

The Details: Talalay latex, knit | 16 x 13 x 6 inches | Machine washable

Travel + Leisure / Jackie Cucco

Best Breathable

Sleep number travel pillow.

Sleep Number

The memory foam filling and synthetic fiber exterior let air pass through for superior breathability.

The pillow is large and was cumbersome to carry, especially for light packers.

It can get hot and stuffy on an airplane, so we love that the synthetic materials used to create this Sleep Number travel pillow are light and airy. The memory foam filling is bouncy and lightweight, and the soft fabric pillowcase is cooling enough to prevent overheating while sleeping in a plane, car, or train. We used the pillow on a long-haul flight to Ireland and found it was ideal for leaning your head against the window or on the tray table since the pillow is on the larger side. While the size offers extra cushioning and support like a regular pillow, it did make it slightly annoying to carry through crowded airports since it doesn't come with a compact carrying case. However, it does come with a drawstring bag to carry it separately or you can use the clasp to attach it to backpacks, suitcases, or other luggage.

The Details: Lyocell blend, memory foam | 17 x 12 inches | Machine-washable cover | Carrying case included

Travel + Leisure / Emily Johnson

Best for Camping

Therm-a-rest compressible pillow.

This mini pillow is ultra-durable and fit for rustic adventuring.

It doesn’t offer neck support like a regular travel pillow.

If you’re not a fan of the typical U-shaped travel pillow, the Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow is a great alternative. It resembles the rectangular style of a traditional pillow, and you can compress it down to easily transport it to the great outdoors, making sleeping in a tent more comfortable than ever. The recycled polyester fabric is light and breathable, and the foam filling — made from extra polyurethane foam left over after producing REI’s sleeping pads — provides a soft cushion for your head. We also loved how durable it is, especially for various uses like camping, flying, or taking a nap at home. While the pillow doesn’t come with a carrying bag, it has a toggle strap that you can use to compress it into a smaller size and a built-in cover that you fold the pillow into for protection while traveling.

The Details: Recycled polyester, polyurethane foam fill | 15 x 11 x 5 inches | Machine washable

Other Travel Pillows We Liked

Some travel pillows we tested almost made the cut but didn’t due to a few weaknesses, though they still might make suitable options for some travelers.

Hest Pillow : This standard pillow is on the softer side yet still provides support and comfort while laying on it, but the fabric is slightly itchy, and it’s bulky to carry around, even when compressed.

Cabeau Evolution Classic Travel Neck Pillow : While the memory foam is the perfect balance of firm and soft, we found this pillow to be just a bit too bulky for frequent travel.

Travel + Leisure / Daniela Galvez

Slip Jet Setter Travel Pillow : The silk material is luxurious soft and cooling, but the pillow itself is extremely bulky to wear and difficult to travel with.

Snugl Neck Travel Pillow : Made with soft and supportive memory foam, the pillow is ultra-comfy to use in-flight, but we had a lot of trouble getting it back into the carrying case.

Cushion Lab Travel Deep Sleep Pillow : The comfort level with this pillow is so high that we started using it to sleep on nightly at home. However, it's not very portable, and we had a hard time rolling it up into the case.

Our Travel + Leisure team tested more than 40 travel pillows to find the very best ones for every type of comfort-seekers. To thoughtfully curate this list, we researched and tested popular options, including pillows with the classic U-shape and rectangular ones, too.

Paying close attention to traits like comfort, quality, durability, and portability, we noted various features that stood out to us for both good and bad reasons. We looked for special features such as cooling designs, firmness, softness, or other claims by the manufacturer to check if they rang true. Our favorite pillows also kept their shape after being tucked away into a case and always sprang back into their original form with no signs of damage. 

After testing the pillows on journeys like cross-country road trips and long-haul flights, we continue to capture testing notes every few months to update our articles accordingly.

Tips for Buying a Travel Pillow

Prioritize neck support.

When it comes to sleeping in planes, trains, or cars, you should focus on your neck and head support. When your head drops during sleep, it can leave you with a sore neck or even a headache. Your travel pillow should be supportive enough that your neck stays securely upright without feeling as though you're being squeezed.

Portability is key 

Whether you pack light or stuff your suitcase full, a compact travel pillow that fits into a small carrying case is ideal for bringing along on trips. Of course, some travel pillows don’t compress, but they should still be easy to clip onto a suitcase or backpack and not bump into too many things if you’re traversing an airport or train station. It's always more convenient when a carrying case is included, especially if it has a luggage trolley sleeve or straps.

Consider the filling material 

Travelers who like a firmer pillow should opt for a memory foam filling that can offer more support than an inflatable alternative. Microbead pillows can be just as supportive as memory foam ones, but they tend to be on the softer side and are more suited to travelers that like a little less structure while sleeping. 

Think about how you plan to use it

Travel pillows are a relatively broad category, so you'll want to narrow down your intended use and travel habits before purchasing since they come in all different shapes, styles, and sizes. For example, if you often find yourself in the middle seat while flying, you'll want a pillow with lots of head support like a memory foam, U-shape pillow or an infinity style that you can adjust. However, window-seaters might opt for a rectangular pillow for leaning against the plane wall.

Travel pillows aren't just for flights, either. There are also rectangular options that can help make you more comfortable while camping or staying in hotel rooms, rental properties, or even friend's houses that might not have great pillows. They are also a road trip essential for every adventure.

You can generally find washing instructions on the tag of the travel pillow when you buy it. Removable covers can usually go through a machine wash, but many of our team members opted to air dry the cover to prevent any shrinkage that could happen in a hot dryer. If a pillow doesn’t have a removable cover, you can spot clean the pillow by using a wet cloth dipped in soapy water.

Most standard travel pillows have a semicircular shape that you wrap around the neck to support your neck, head, and chin. These U-shaped pillows often have memory foam or microbead filling, but there are also inflatable neck pillows. There are unique J-shaped travel pillows that are perfect for supporting the neck and head of someone sitting in the middle or aisle seat. In addition, standard pillows make great travel pillows for certain situations, and plenty of rectangular-styled pillows compress down for better portability.

Most travel pillows will come with carrying cases to compress the pillow, making it more portable. If the carrying case doesn't have a handle, it should still pack down small enough to fit in a personal item such as a backpack or a tote bag. Some pillows have a luggage trolley pass-through sleeve, which you can slip over the handle of your suitcase, while others may have a strap or a clip that you can attach to a backpack to carry it hands-free.

Some pillows are specifically designed to be worn in multiple different ways, but in general, it depends on your comfort preferences. You can wear a travel pillow backward , forward, or you can lean on it in the window seat — the most important thing is finding the most comfortable position for you.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Anna Popp  is a New York-based commerce writer at T+L, where she writes most of the team's tested content. Anna participated in testing travel pillows and worked with travel editors to determine the results for the best ones on the market based on a series of tests completed during trips taken by plane, car, and train. We will continue to update this article as we test even more travel pillows.

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Ryanair customer's travel pillow hack sneaks extra luggage on plane for free

Kristen Black has revealed her savvy hacks that help avoid paying extra luggage fees in a hilarious TikTok video – and even Ryanair shared their thoughts on the 'money saving' trick

• 13:00, 18 OCT 2021

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Now travel restrictions have mostly eased, many are eager to get their miles in by jetting off abroad.

But while seeking some sun or soaking up some culture is exciting, the cost of travelling is not as appealing.

So having been faced with pricey luggage fees, one woman concocted a hilarious plan to try and save some pounds.

Kristen Black is the mastermind behind a series of travel hacks that she has declared that will “save money" and "save space".

Taking to TikTok using the username @kristenashleyblack , she posted a step-by-step guide on “How to pack for your Ryanair flight.”

First in line of her luggage hacks, Kristen kneels down on the airport floor to demonstrate how to make a “DIY neck pillow.”

Armed with a turtleneck jumper, Kristen took some items of clothing and rolled them inside the sweater.

She then tied the arms around her neck to fashion the home-made neck pillow.

Next, Kristen showed viewers a nifty way of getting your souvenirs on board without having to cough up anymore cash.

She instructed: “Use your hat for the souvenirs you bought during ya trip.”

Hilariously, the savvy holidaymaker put a small cuddly toy lamb on her head and then managed to conceal it with a bobble hat.

For her last trick, Kristen insists that you should “stuff” your coat pockets full of belongings to really keep the luggage weight down.

After wearing half her hand luggage instead of carrying it, she joked about being “ready for Paris fashion week".

And more importantly, she also said that she is “saving money".

As many people related to the travel issue, Kristen’s video went viral and garnered 5.4 million views and 489,000 likes.

Many were amused by the TikTokers creativity in the comments section.

One person commented: “Miss the old days in which I’d embark wearing a ski jacket + overall + 7 T-shirts.”

Another person added: “Now show us you are attempting to walk onto that flight exactly like that.”

Someone else related to the woman's idea: “Literally stuffed a small pillow up my hoodie and pretended I was pregnant so my sister could get her pillow home on the plane.”

Even Ryanair commented on the TikTok video, joking: “Bestie I’m scared.”

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• Most Recent

Does A Pillow Count As A Personal Item?

Last Updated on January 17, 2021

Pillows can make travelers more comfortable during flights, especially long flights.

But do airlines consider your pillow to be part of your luggage allowance?

If you carry on a suitcase, and a pillow, can you still board with a purse?

This post will attempt to bring some clarity but I will warn you in advance it’s not an easy topic to get a definitive answer on because it depends which carrier you are flying with.

Can you take a pillow on a plane?

Let’s cover this basic point first…

The TSA who are responsible for maintaining flight security doesn’t have any issue with pillows. Pillows are allowed on airplanes and they are not seen as any security risk. So we can say the TSA doesn’t worry about pillow fights breaking out in the skies.

As far as security are concerned, you can bring a pillow on a plane, in carry-on bags or you can pack it in checked luggage. But your airline will determine if you can board carrying a pillow.

When Flying, Does A Pillow Need To Be Packed?

The question is does a pillow need to be inside your carry-on bag or personal item , or can you simply carry a pillow on a plane in your hand in addition to your luggage allocation?

The answer to some extent depends on the size of the pillow at least according to Delta:

I suspect how airlines will treat this might depend if they are a full-service airline like Delta or a low-cost airline like Spirit or Frontier.

Low-cost airlines are always trying to recover margins by hitting people with luggage penalties. A pillow carried by hand might be a target.

I did find an answer from Frontier customer services on Twitter.

For Frontier, a travel neck pillow that is worn during boarding counts as attire and is not counted as a personal item.

However, a larger pillow that is in a bag or carried when boarding will count as a personal item.

Travel Neck Pillow

A neck pillow worn around your neck during boarding would be probably be seen as clothing rather than luggage.

Some gate agents might just ignore it if they see you with a travel pillow in your hand. If you can, it’s probably best practice to pack your neck pillow inside your personal item bag or your carry on and remove it once you have boarded the plane.

Full-Size Pillow

I’m quite sure if you stuffed a larger pillow under your sweater the gate agent wouldn’t challenge you. You’d just look like you had a beer belly or were pregnant.

But not everyone is a renegade that likes to beat the system, so here is my take on the rules.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates aviation safety.

As far as they are concerned it’s unsafe to have any baggage unstowed during takeoff and landing. This is because baggage can block the aisles and impede an emergency evacuation.

Each economy passenger has two places to store baggage, the overhead bin and the under-seat space. So it follows that they are permitted two items of luggage.

Each passenger is usually (not always) permitted one carry-on that goes in the overhead bin and one personal item that must fit under the seat.

This means for economy fares you can’t take a carry-on suitcase, handbag, and carry a pillow on in your hand. That would be 3 pieces.

Likewise a briefcase, carry-on, and pillow would be 3 items.

If you are carrying a pillow in your hand it’s baggage and counts as a personal item or carry on.

You need to pack your travel pillow inside one of your bags.

Does a pillow even fit under the seat of an airplane?

A standard size pillow from a bed is 26 x 20 x 7 inches. 

There is no standardized personal item limit, but many airlines list 18 x 14 x 8 as the personal item size. So a full-size pillow would be too large to count as a personal item. You should always at least pack your pillow in a plastic bag in case you are asked to put it under the seat.

Of course, you can use a smaller bag and stuff the pillow inside so it is smaller than the limits.

Compression packing cubes are great for this type of thing. They will squash a full-size pillow down to something that is easily packable.

Does a pillow count as a personal item?

Let’s ask the airlines!

Jason asked Alaska if he could bring a pillow in addition to his carry on and personal item:

Alaska said it was fine as long as it was stowed during takeoff and landing.

American Airlines

Brad had an issue boarding an American Airlines flight because his full-sized pillow was not packed inside his carry-on or personal item.

American customer support said that he needs to pack his pillow inside one of his bags when boarding the plane.

Marcelo asked if a pillow counted as part of his carry on allowance and the reply from Delta was interesting:

Delta claim that a passenger can only have 2 items in their hands when boarding aircraft. If you are carrying a pillow in one hand and a carry-on bag in the other hand then the pillow will count as a personal item.

Your pillow will need to be smaller than the airline’s personal item limits to be considered a valid personal item.

Frontier told Nicole that she would be able to bring her coccyx cushion and it wouldn’t count as a personal item.

But then they make Lindi’s daughter pay to check her backpack because her pillow counted as her personal item.

So it seems that the rules are a little vague.

I was unable to find JetBlue’s policy regarding pillows.

Southwest I couldn’t find an answer on Southwest either.

Spirit Airlines

Tommy got charged by Spirit for bringing a pillow and a bag.

Low-cost airlines like Spirit try to make money by having very restrictive luggage policies and then charging customers when they don’t adhere to the limits. It doesn’t surprise me that a pillow is not a freebie on Spirit.

The Verdict

To summarize the information above…

Clothing or attire is not regulated , so small travel neck pillows are really just a thick scarf right? So wear your travel neck pillow as you are boarding and it won’t count as a personal item.

Baggage is regulated and strictly speaking, large pillows are considered to be part of your luggage.

Your pillow will be allowed as a personal item if it can fit under the seat in front.

Most bed pillows wouldn’t fit unless compressed. So pack your pillow in a bag so that it fits under the seat and it will count as a personal item.

If you’ve used your pillow as a personal item you can’t also bring a handbag, or laptop bag. Usually each passenger is only permitted one personal item .

So if you already have another item like a purse, briefcase, or laptop bag, then compress your pillow and pack it inside your carry-on .

Hopefully this post will help someone. If in doubt, consult your airline.

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The 9 Best Travel Pillows for Sound Sleep On-the-Go

Say goodbye to that sore neck.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

What to Look for in a Travel Pillow

How we selected these travel pillows, pick the perfect travel pillow following these tips from expert chris meehan..

So, how to make the time in the air (or car or train) more relaxing? The right travel pillow may be the ticket the next time you take off somewhere. It's a basic travel accessory that ranks right up there with great luggage and noise-cancelling headphones .

In its U-shaped form, the travel pillow dates back to 1929 when the design was first patented. Its original intent was for use to recline in the bathtub. Since then, its look and feel has changed with modern versions configured in unique shapes to address all different kinds of travelers: long-haul fliers, restless sleepers, window-seat passengers, and more.

A decent travel pillow includes a soft cover using fabrics like brushed polyester, nylon, or microfiber, while the cushioning (or fill) inside should be supportive and comfortable yet structured enough for your head and neck. The fill types commonly used are assorted types of foam, microbeads, and polyester fiber, in addition to those kinds of pillows with an inflatable bladder

Whether you’re a side slumper, leaner on the seat-back, or nose-to-the sky snoozer, there is a pillow here for you. In our review and testing of travel pillows, we’ve found options in a variety of designs, weights, and shapes from under $20 to well over $60. Read on to find the best one for you!

Best Travel Pillows

• Best Overall Travel Pillow: Travelrest Nest Ultimate Memory Foam Travel Pillow
• Best Hot-Sleeper Travel Pillow: Cabeau Evolution S3 Memory Foam
• Best Bargain Travel Pillow: Cloudz Dual Comfort Microbead Travel Neck Pillow
• Best Splurge Travel Pillow: Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow
• Best Side-Sleeper Travel Pillow: Trtl Pillow Plus

The Expert: Taking multiple plane, train, and bus rides every year, I’m familiar with necessary on-the-go accessories like a travel pillow. For instance, I am based in Colorado and last year I flew to Alaska, Oregon, and Washington, D.C. My car travels included a road trip to Zion National Park with a buddy. My average trip takes about seven hours between the trains to and from the airport and the plane ride itself. After using quite a few travel pillows, I’ve found that I enjoy a side-sleeping pillow like the J-Pillow for plane rides since I tend to loll off to one side, and I like the traditionally shaped rectangular pillow, the NEMO Fillo, for other types of excursions like bus and car rides as well as car camping. Its combination of padding and inflate-ability make it versatile for many types of trips.

Many of the travel pillows below don’t look like the traditional U-shaped ones with microbeads—and for good reason. The U-shape doesn't work for everyone as it has a tendency to push the neck forward. Also, if the cushioning isn’t high enough on each side, it may cause your head to flop from left to right instead providing a stationary space. Any neck wobble may result in kinks, stiffness, and soreness.

Those designs that are squared or have flat cushioning behind the neck with more coverage under the chin help keep the head upright. Contoured areas to accommodate the shoulders and help keep the pillows properly aligned.

Depending on how you prefer to rest, the right pillows will ensure some shut-eye on the plane, in the car, or on the train. Here are some factors to consider.

.css-zjsofe{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;background-color:#ffffff;border:0;border-bottom:none;border-top:thin solid #CDCDCD;color:#000;cursor:pointer;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;padding-bottom:0.3125rem;padding-top:0.3125rem;scroll-margin-top:0rem;text-align:left;width:100%;}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-zjsofe{scroll-margin-top:3.375rem;}} .css-jtmji2{border-radius:50%;width:1.875rem;border:thin solid #6F6F6F;height:1.875rem;padding:0.4rem;margin-right:0.625rem;} .css-jlx6sx{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;width:0.9375rem;height:0.9375rem;margin-right:0.625rem;-webkit-transform:rotate(90deg);-moz-transform:rotate(90deg);-ms-transform:rotate(90deg);transform:rotate(90deg);-webkit-transition:-webkit-transform 250ms ease-in-out;transition:transform 250ms ease-in-out;} Packability

While many are compact, this will be a factor depending on how light you like to travel. The most compact of all neck pillows is one that’s inflatable. These can deflate to a size smaller than a baseball. Bulkier memory foam pillows, on the other hand, will compress down to about the size of a football.

Most travel pillows weigh under 1 pound, so they’re manageable enough to bring along and to use without putting downward pressure on your shoulders.

U-shape is most common, but it’s not the only form factor out there. Some travel pillows are mini-sized traditionally shaped pillows. Others are coil or donut-shaped to allow for better chin support for slumping sleepers, and at least a few, like the J-Pillow, are designed to offer extra head support for those of us who love to sleep with our head against the wall of a plane or train.

Just like your pillow at home, travel pillows have a range of different fills. Microbeads are likely the stiffest and least compressible while memory foam offers solid support and adjusts to the shape of your head. Inflatable pillows also offer customized cushioning but are sometimes cheaper in design.

Most travel pillows have a soft, fleecy fabric made of polyester, nylon or micro fleece that’s designed for comfort against the face. The fabric of the pillow can also go a long way to describe its washability. Some have covers that are easy to take off and wash. Even some with integrated covers are still machine washable.

The recommendations below are based on my own travel experiences in the air, car, bus, and train. I also looked at customer reviews to gauge what pillows have performed well for most people. Additionally, I considered the work of Paige Szmodis , who investigated pillow options for the previous version of this article.

Overall, these pillows made their way onto red-eye flights, along for road trips (in cars and buses), camping, and even lounging on the couch. Neck support and comfort were factored in as well as portability, durability, washability, and usage. I also considered if pillows came with a storage bag, how well each pillow retained its shape, and what the packed dimensions were versus overall size.

These pillows represent the top options for travelers who go by car, plane, bus, train, or even those who need a good lightweight pillow for laying horizontal in the airport while waiting for their next flight.

Travelrest Nest Ultimate Memory Foam Travel Pillow

With limited space for a bulky pillow when on-the-go, packability is key. The Travelrest Nest packs an amazing amount of memory-foam cushioning into the smallest stuff sack. Even after being compressed in its bag for over a week, the pillow immediately puffed right back into its original shape.

While compact, it doesn’t compromise on support. With 5-inches of thermo-sensitive memory foam on all sides, it conforms to the shape of your neck and shoulders and keeps your head in place no matter if you tend to loll to the front, back, or sides. Unlike many U-shaped pillows, its angled back sits flush against any seat surface without pushing your head forward. Bonu: the nonslip panel helps prevent it from sliding off airplane seats.

At a reasonable price—Travelrest even throws in a travel bag and memory foam earplugs to sweeten the deal—its removable cover retains its velvety softness after cycles in the washer and dryer, though it’s a bit of a tight fit to pull the cover back on over the foam’s contours. The dense foam also makes it a little challenging to fold up into its bag, but once you get it in there, it can compress down to a quarter of its original size. On the down side, its high cushioning could pinch earrings or interfere with larger headphones.

Cabeau Evolution S3 Memory Foam

The Cabeau Evolution S3, which has many of the same top features as our Best Overall, is ideal if you sleep a bit on the hot side. Its breathable, moisture-wicking fabric helps to keep you cool and comfortable.

With its U-shaped design, this memory foam pillow prevents lateral movement—your head falling to either side—and features a slimmed flat back so it won’t push your head forward. While the back surface isn’t angled and grippy like the Travelrest, the Cabeau comes with straps to loop around your headrest to keep it in place. Note: These straps may not be compatible with all seat designs and might possibly disturb the person behind you on a flight. Also, with its thick cushioning, the Evolution's height may interfere with certain headphones.

The dense memory foam will take a few seconds to roll up into the travel case but it will hold its shape well after packing away many times. Plus, the polyester cover was easy to slip on and off to wash and dry. A bonus is the travel case which can easily be clipped onto the outside of your bags and luggage.

Cloudz Dual Comfort Microbead Travel Neck Pillow

One of the most well-known neck pillows out there, Cloudz is the one you’re most likely to find in an airport. It’s inexpensive and will do the trick for most flights and other travel, but isn’t as comfortable or as well designed as some of the other picks in our roundup.

The spandex fabric on one side allows the pillow to conform to your shoulders and keeps you cool, while the cozy plush on the other side helps you drift off to sleep. The snap in front keeps the pillow properly oriented while traveling. It’s not machine washable, and over time the small polystyrene beads will compress, ultimately reducing cushioning. As such, it’ll do in a pinch but won't have the durability as some of the other choices here.

Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow

The makers of the Ostrichpillow Go believe resting shouldn’t require any effort, which is why they pride themselves on designs that are minimalist and easy to use as well as sustainably made. The ergonomic and sleek Go neck pillow promotes 360-degree comfort with a memory foam core, yet it packs down into a stuff sack just over half of its original size. Even after being stored away for a week, it easily expanded back to its circular shape.

While other options may compress into slightly smaller packs, I like this pillow's dense memory foam padding and the Velcro fastener, which allows for a custom fit. Since its cushion height is higher on one side than the other, the taller side may interfere with headphones. For comfort, the cover is luxuriously soft and holds up after machine washing.

Trtl Pillow Plus

Trtl might have the most unconventional looking travel pillow—loop, wrap and nap, as the company says—but plenty of people—especially side sleepers—swear by it. Inside the fleece fabric that gets wrapped around your neck is a cushioned plastic brace that rests on one shoulder and props your head up. Some may find the fleece gets a little too warm, but if you’re always cold on the plane, this could work for you. The fleece wrap also detaches easily from the plastic brace for washing.

While the Trtl Plus is expensive (the costliest of the ones recommended here), it does offer a custom fit courtesy of two plastic knobs that adjust both sides of the plastic panel. It comes with a travel bag which is handy if you don’t want to lug it around on the outside of your bag when traveling.

If you’re still intrigued, but put off by the price, the original Trtl costs about $40 less and is a bit more subtle in styling than the Plus. It looks more like a fleece scarf than a neck brace. There’s no case but it folds almost flat with a Velcro latch, to about the size of a large book, so you can fit it in your bag.

Bcozzy Chin Supporting Travel Neck Pillow

If your head tends to fall forward when you try to sleep upright, the Bcozzy keeps your head up by curling around your whole neck with the ends overlapping under the chin. There are also a few more ways you can wear it, such as folded in half to elevate just one side of your head.

The Bcozzy, available in children's and extra-large sizing, doesn’t come with a removable cover, but the whole pillow is machine washable. A travel case is included.

Sunany Inflatable Neck Pillow

According to some studies, passengers shift positions on a plane every 15 minutes, so this travel pillow is ideal for anyone who changes it up frequently on a flight. It works for forward slumpers, side sleepers, and even couples who want to position it between themselves. It's also perfect for those who want to read or watch a program in privacy.

To make the most of this unique pillow, you'll need a tray table to rest it on. The Sunany pillow can be used at either 19.6- or 11.8-inches high depending on how it is oriented. One downside, considering its inflated size is so large, is that it can be cumbersome to reposition.

AirComfy Ease Inflatable Travel Pillow

This dog bone-shaped, inflatable travel pillow is as ideal for the skies as it is for the roads. Take it in the plane or the car since its adjustable strap easily fits around most headrests, and thanks to its basic shape and adjustability via inflation, you can customize how soft or firm it is depending on your needs.

The foam backed bladder helps reduce the balloon-like feel of some inflatable travel pillows. Use it behind the neck and shoulder or behind the lower back for lumbar support. Extra points for the plush cover that is machine washable.

With so many travel specific pillows and U-shaped design styles, why pick a traditional rectangle option as the most versatile? It’s simple—you can’t reinvent the wheel. With foam and an inflatable bladder, travelers can adjust its firmness, roll it up for neck support on a plane, press it against a wall or window, use it as a normal pillow, or take it along for car travel or camping.

This is the versatile pillow I bring on trips when I am doing multiple types of adventure and know I will need a pillow that can handle the travel itself and anything after. I appreciate the use of both the foam and the air bladder, which means I can adjust the cushioning and the support. With NEMO’s combination, it creates a pillow that doesn’t feel like you’re sleeping on a balloon like some inflatable pillows do. It also easily stuffs down into a sack—about the size of a big Chipotle burrito—that’s integrated into the removable, machine washable cover.

J-Pillow Travel Pillow

The J-Pillow diverges from the traditional U-shape, co-opting another letter for its design. The curve of the “J” cradles your chin while the rest of the pillow supports one side of your head.

While this design is best-suited for passengers at a window seat, I found the J-Pillow didn’t slip off my shoulder even when I wasn't leaning against a window. There is plenty of cushioning, so it's comfortable, but its biggest flaw is its slightly awkward and bulky shape.

Though it comes with a travel sack, it doesn’t compress nearly as much as other travel pillows. Because it didn’t fit into my backpack, I had to carry it separately—not exactly ideal for frequent fliers—though you could use its snap loop to attach to luggage or tie the bag’s drawstring to a gear loop.

What is typically the best way to clean a travel pillow? Should I look for one that is machine-washable?

Always follow the manufacturers’ recommendations. Many inflatable and foam pillows aren’t designed for machine washing and can get damaged in the process. Some of my favorite travel pillows have removable covers that are machine washable.

If given the choice of an inflatable, microbead, or memory foam travel pillow, what do you prefer and why?

If I'm not worried about packing space and my travel plans include a flight, I like memory foam since it cradles the head softly. If you’re traveling and doing multiple things while away, an inflatable pillow might be best since it takes up less space while packed and can be customized for different types of resting.

How do you know if a travel pillow is the right fit?

Think about how you rest while traveling and look for a pillow that fits those needs. You’ll want one with enough support to cradle your head as you nod off, whether that’s off to the side, straight back, or slumping forward.

Chris Meehan is an internationally published writer, author, and editor with more than two decades of professional experience. He has authored multiple adventure guidebooks with Falcon Guides and his work focusses primarily on the nexus between sustainability and outdoor adventure. He is an experienced gear reviewer, tester, and travel writer who has explored multiple continents. 

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Ryanair passenger reveals cunning hack in viral TikTok video to make flights more comfortable and avoid excess luggage charges - use your clothes to fashion a DIY neck pillow

• The clip has been viewed over 10million times - and Ryanair commented on it
• It was made by Kristen Black from Atlanta before she flew to Paris from Dublin
• She is seen rolling excess clothing into the jumper and tying it around her neck 

By Sadie Whitelocks for MailOnline

Published: 12:00 EST, 19 May 2022 | Updated: 14:28 EST, 19 May 2022

View comments

A seasoned traveller has revealed an ingenious hack for making a flight more comfortable if you don't have a neck pillow - fashioning a DIY one from clothing.

Kristen Black from Atlanta, Georgia, uploaded a video to TikTok in which she rolls a jumper around various other items of clothing and then wraps it around her neck in a 'ta-da' moment before boarding a Ryanair flight.

The 25-year-old told MailOnline Travel that she used the hack before boarding a plane from Dublin to Paris to make the flight more bearable and to make room in her bag for souvenirs and avoid paying for excess luggage. 

Ryanair passenger Kristen Black from Atlanta, Georgia, uploaded a video to TikTok in which she rolls a jumper around various other items of clothing to form a makeshift travel pillow

She explained: 'I came up with the idea while sleeping in the airport. My friend Aya and I had been travelling a lot and booking the cheapest flights we could find, which of course are always at odd hours. 

'I grabbed a sweater from my bookbag to rest my head on, but since we were sleeping somewhat upright in chairs, I needed it to stay around my neck. 

'I had the idea to throw a few other articles of clothing in it, roll it up, and tie it around my neck to make for a better pillow. 

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'I then realised that this would also be the perfect packing hack, since I had extra bags of souvenirs that I purchased during my trip. I was not sure how I was going to fit it all in my backpack to board the plane. 

'My initial plan was to wear a bunch of the clothes on the return trip, to make room for the souvenirs, but coming up with the "neck pillow" killed two birds with one stone.'

To date Kristen's travel hack video , which also shows her stuffing her coat pockets with items and even putting souvenirs under her beanie hat, has been viewed more than 10.2million times. 

To date, Kristen's TikTok video showing her travel accessory hack has been viewed more than 10.2million times 

The 25-year-old told MailOnline Travel that she used the hack before boarding a plane from Dublin to Paris to make the flight more bearable and to make room in her bag for souvenirs and avoid paying for excess luggage. Ryanair responded to her TikTok clip with a touch of humour, commenting 'bestie I’m scared' 

Kristen said that she 'got some weird looks from other passengers' but the airline staff didn't notice her makeshift neck pillow, which apparently worked like a dream for the duration of the flight. She said: 'It was really convenient since I did not have a pillow. I would do it again not even to save space in my bag, but just to sleep better on the plane'

Ryanair even responded to the clip - and with a touch of humour. It commented 'bestie I’m scared', while hundreds of Kristen's fans thanked her for sharing the tip.

Kristen said that she 'got some weird looks from other passengers' but the airline staff didn't notice her makeshift neck pillow, which apparently worked like a dream for the duration of the flight. 

She said: 'It was really convenient since I did not have a pillow. I would do it again not even to save space in my bag, but just to sleep better on the plane.'

The freelance graphic designer and content creator, who plans to return to Paris soon, says others should definitely try her hack, perhaps using a pillowcase as an alternative to a jumper.

She concluded: 'Honestly, I think if you are sitting in the aisle seat you should try it, since you don't have much to rest your head on. 

'If you are sitting by the window, I think just bringing a pillowcase would work, like many of my followers mentioned. Stuffing your clothes inside this would probably be even better than my makeshift neck pillow.'

• Kristen Black / TikTok neck pillow video
• www.instagram.com/kristenashleyblack

Share or comment on this article: Ryanair passenger reveals cunning hack for making a DIY neck pillow on viral TikTok video

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Ryanair passenger shares viral pillow hack to sneak free extra luggage on flight

A savvy Ryanair passenger was able to sneak extra luggage on board their flight without paying an additional fee using a hack involving a pillow — and Ryanair have since responded

• 18:08, 4 MAY 2022

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A Ryanair passenger has shared a video detailing how they were able to sneak extra luggage on board their flight without paying for it.

The TikTok clip , which has since gone viral, shows the traveller holding what appears to be an ordinary pillow case at an airport.

However, after arriving at their destination they begin taking clothes out of the pillow case — revealing that they only pretended it was a pillow when in fact they were using it to store luggage.

READ MORE — Glasgow Airport Jet2 flights to Kos in Greece launch ahead of summer

According to Ryanair's website , all passenger fare types include a small personal bag, which must fit under the seat in front of them.

These include rucksacks, handbags , and small luggage bags.

In order to be allowed to take more baggage onto your flight, you are required to pay an additional cost.

By disguising their extra baggage as a pillow, the traveller was able to take additional luggage without paying a fee.

Since being posted, the TikTok has gained nearly 600,000 likes and thousands of comments from users sharing their thoughts.

After going viral, the clip caught the attention of Ryanair themselves, who commented: "Bestie PLEASEEEE what is this?"

The person who shared the clip then responded: "Uhm... Hope we're still friends?"

Another TikTok user wrote: "Yeah I've worked at the airport, they can see it all in the X-ray we just don't care."

"Course they know, it goes through the scanner," agreed a second.

"Ryanair deffo having your picture at every check-in desk," a third joked.

A fourth commented: "Thank you! You're my god!"

"Haha this is brilliant," echoed a fifth.

A sixth simply said: "Genius."

• Most Recent

German bed pillows give me nightmares. Next time I go to Berlin, I'm bringing my own.

• We need to talk about the German "crumple pillow" that baffles foreigners.
• On a recent trip to Berlin , this massive square pillow made getting a good night's sleep impossible.
• It doesn't seem to have redeeming health benefits, so I'm bringing my own next time I'm in Germany. 

I never paid much mind to the pillow I rest my head on at night until I went to Berlin.

Germany's capital is known for its cool vibes, artsy cultural scene, and unique history, but the country's truly terrible bed pillows are seared into my memory.

They drove my boyfriend and me to distraction — first because of the discomfort, then over the lunacy of it all.

A classic German bed pillow is a monstrosity measuring 31 by 31 inches (80 by 80 centimeters if you're local). In comparison, a standard US pillow is 20 by 26 inches. I don't know how big your head is, but I daresay that's plenty of space for it.

The first night in Berlin, we shrugged at the unusual format and went to bed, our heads teetering on the edges of two giant pillows that stretched out far above. We chuckled — experiencing different cultures is the fun of travel!

But a few hours later, I woke up. Why was my head resting on the mattress? The pillow was still there, but it didn't look the same. All the stuffing had somehow migrated into a halo, hugging the corners of the pillowcase, leaving the center empty and flat.

No wonder my neck was complaining: This pillow provided no more support than a T-shirt. Confused, I scooped it up, tucked the edges in like a bread loaf, and went back to sleep. But the same thing happened a few more times that night, and the next night too.

The pillow kept unfurling, and with it, my sanity.

Fighting his own nocturnal pillow battle, my boyfriend got a tip from the Germany subreddit that worked OK: Take the bottom corners of the pillow and push them upwards inside the cover, until they meet the top corners.

This gave us a pillow that more resembled a standard US one, and crucially, it mostly stayed in place, so we only had to repeat the process once or twice per night.

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But we were perplexed. It was the first thing we discussed each morning, freshly frustrated and unable to let it go.

A lot of people have beef with the pillows of Germany — but some like them for cuddling

We weren't alone in our struggle.

The first Google result for "German pillows" is " German pillows are a crime against sleep, " an article by travel blogger Ryan Murdock who writes: "I've devoted a considerable amount of time to thinking about those giant square pillows. … Only a giraffe could use one of those square sleep thieves without suffering acute spinal discomfort."

I kept digging, and I learned that although the giant marshmallow pillow is the German standard, other sizes are now also available across the country.

This made the pillows even more confusing: Why would a pragmatic people like the Germans continue to choose this miserable situation? Instead of a nightly tucking project, you could just have a pillow that stays put, leaving you to sleep in blessed peace.

Back in the Germany subreddit, defenders explained that they enjoy laying flat on the mattress actually, while others said they really like "cuddling" these pillows.

Before you say that's just some weirdos on the internet, these pillows are actually known as "knautschkissen," which can roughly translate to "crumple cushion." The restlessness created by these ridiculous things may actually be by design.

"I like to cuddle my pillow. But I also like to fight and box it at night," Juliane Hedderich, managing director of the Association of the German Down and Feather Industry, told The Wall Street Journal in 2022.

The article then postulates that Germany's large pillows are a heritage of the country's love of feather and down, a habit they picked up from the Romans.

That's cool and all, but I'll just point out that present-day Romans in Italy have perfectly pleasant and unremarkable pillows.

Sorry, Berlin, I've crumpled my last pillow.

Wanting to keep an open mind, I called Dr. Kien Vuu , assistant professor of Health Sciences at UCLA. Maybe there's a health benefit to these mega pillows I'm not aware of.

"There's no one size fits all for pillows," said Vuu, author of " Thrive State: Your Blueprint for Optimal Health, Longevity and Peak Performance ." He recommends choosing a pillow that will "allow your body to best fit in its natural alignment."

A low-profile pillow like a slack German specimen may suit a stomach sleeper, as it won't cause neck strain. But Vuu doesn't think it would do much for back or side sleepers , who seem to make up the majority of adults .

"You probably do need some support to support that normal curvature of the neck," said Vuu, who recommends choosing a pillow based on how your body feels in the morning: If you're in pain, you probably need to change things up.

That's certainly what I'll be doing. We're living in the time of a growing multibillion-dollar sleeping-pillow market — we don't need to sacrifice a good night's sleep even when we're traveling.

Next time I go to Germany, I'm bringing a pillow from home. As silly as that may sound, the improved sleep will be worth the extra checked-bag charge.

• Main content

Ryanair cancels 300 flights affecting 50,000 passengers

• Passengers have been warned that around half of today's flights may be delayed
• Spain is likely to bear the brunt of the strikes, The Association of Airlines said 
• Has YOUR flight been affected? Email [email protected]

Thousands of British passengers face travel chaos today after Ryanair cancelled more than 300 flights across Europe.

The Irish airline has warned 50,000 of its customers will be impacted by the scrapped services, including many Brits heading on trips to Spain and Italy.

Dublin Airport confirmed some 36 flights have been axed today as a result of the disruption, with other airlines including Aer Lingus  warning passengers there may be delays and cancellations, and to check their flight status before departing.

The last minute disruption, which includes a flight from Belfast to Paris not going ahead, came as a result of air traffic control strikes taking place in France today.

France 's civil aviation authority (DGAC) had asked airlines to cancel 75 per cent of Thursday's flights at Paris Orly airport as well as over half of flights at both Paris Charles-De-Gaulle and Marseille airports.

Air traffic control strikes across the Channel frequently impact travel throughout the continent, as they don't just limit flights into France but also across its airspace.

Several journeys have been cancelled because they would be flying through French airspace whilst venturing to other locations such as Italy , Greece  and Spain .

Ryanair allege France has 'failed to protect overflights during its national air strikes', whilst also urging the EU to place more pressure on France to limit the impact of labour actions. 

Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said on Wednesday: 'French air traffic controllers are free to go on strike, that's their right. 

'But we should be cancelling French flights, not flights leaving Ireland, going to Italy, or flights from  Germany  to Spain or Scandinavia to Portugal,' 

The Association of Airlines told Birmingham Mail that Spain is likely to bear the brunt of the aviation strikes in France.

They have also warned travellers that around half of flights taking off today can expect some kind of delay.

This comes shortly after France's largest air traffic control union - SNCTA - announced they were calling off the industrial action on April 25 after striking a deal regarding working conditions with bosses.

However the agreements came too late to prevent traffic disruptions as many talks with other unions had not been finalised, the DGAC reports.  

Head of Airlines for Europe (A4E), Ourania Georgoutsakou said on Wednesday: 'While the withdrawing of strike notice may offer some relief for some passengers, its last-minute nature means that there will still be significant disruption to flights in France and across parts of Europe.'

Last year 85,000 flights were delayed and another 16,000 were cancellled due to air traffic control strikes in Europe according to A4E. 

Airline officials have also voiced concerns that air traffic control strikes could pose a risk to the Paris Olympics if sufficient deals aren't struck in advance.

With over a million travellers expected to pass in and out of Paris during the Games, strikes could cause even wider spread disruption.

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I’m a frequent flyer and I always get around Ryanair’s strict luggage rules

• Kara Godfrey
• Published : 13:33, 24 Feb 2022
• Updated : 13:42, 24 Feb 2022
• Published : Invalid Date,

A WOMAN has revealed the clever way she gets around Ryanair's hand luggage rules.

The low-cost airline has some of the strictest rules when it comes to taking suitcases onboard, with Brits only able to take a small personal item without paying extra.

This means a small rucksack or bag which can fit underneath the seat in front.

This has resulted in travellers trying to find clever ways to get around the rules to take more on holiday with them.

TikTok user roadbunnies shared their own trick - the video, which was captioned "when you booked flights with Ryanair ," shows her taking a pillow with her on a flight alongside her rucksack.

As she laughed on camera, she then walks through the airport with it, appearing to get away with it.

The video then cuts to her in her hotel room unpacking loads of her clothes.

The video has been liked more than 317k times, with lots praising the clever trick.

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One person said: "Omg I’m so doing this ok my next flight."

Another person said: "I've done this so many times with Ryanair."

Some people pointed out it would show up at airport security, but thankfully it is the airline's strict rules, not the airport.

Even Ryanair replied to the video, commenting: "Bestie please what is this."

She isn't the first traveller to try this trick with Ryanair.

Traveller Anya Iakovlieva revealed how she got away with putting all her clothes in her pillow while Kristen Black revealed she rolled them all to make a neck pillow to get around strict hand luggage rules.

And a frequent traveller shared the one thing that she always uses to pack more into her suitcase .

• International edition
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French strike forces Ryanair to cancel more than 300 flights across Europe

Ryanair urges European Commission to protect overflights and keep EU skies open

Ryanair has demanded that the EU reform its skies after the airline was forced to cancel more than 300 flights across Europe scheduled for Thursday because of a strike by French air traffic controllers.

The cancellations come in spite of the withdrawal of strike action by one of the biggest unions, the SNCTA, which came too late to avoid disruption after France’s civil aviation authority asked airlines to cut flights.

Ryanair said 50,000 of its passengers would be affected because of France’s failure to protect overflights – where planes fly over the country without landing there – during industrial action.

It said most of the disrupted passengers would be simply flying over French airspace en route to the likes of Greece or Spain.

The airline called on the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen , to take action to protect overflights by law during air traffic control strikes, to allow Europe’s other controllers to manage flights over France during the strikes, and limit the power of unions to call strikes immediately.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary said: “French air traffic controllers are free to go on strike, that’s their right, but we should be cancelling French flights, not flights leaving Ireland, going to Italy, or flights from Germany to Spain or Scandinavia to Portugal.

“The European Commission under Ursula von der Leyen has failed for five years to take any action to protect overflights and the single market for air travel. We’re again calling on her to take action to protect overflights which will eliminate over 90% of these flight cancellations.”

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Despite the French strike this week, O’Leary said he believed air travellers would see significantly less disruption over summer 2024 than during the past two years, when labour shortages and strikes limited capacity.

• Airline industry
• Michael O'Leary
• European Commission
• Ursula von der Leyen
• European Union

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Tel Aviv flights resuming on Ryanair for summer – but Israel remains on ‘no-go’ list for tourists

‘i don’t think tel aviv will be a significant tourism destination this year’ – ryanair boss michael o'leary, article bookmarked.

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Low-cost airline Ryanair has confirmed to The Independent that flights will resume in June from around a dozen points in Europe to Tel Aviv.

The airline’s chief executive, Michael O’Leary, said the crucial issue is if the authorities at Ben Gurion International Airport reopen the low-cost Terminal 1.

“If they reopen Terminal 1, we will be able to restart our operations,” he said. “We would hope to go back, and would expect to go back, unless the security situation changes.

“I don’t think Tel Aviv will be a significant tourism destination this year, but there’s lots of people who have friends or relatives living and working in Tel Aviv, or living and working in the UK , and they do need to reunite.”

Five years ago, competition between airlines flying from the UK to Israel stepped up with Virgin Atlantic entering the fray – offering long-haul standards on the link between London Heathrow and Tel Aviv .

Sir Richard Branson even took to the street markets in Jaffa to promote the new route.

But since the attack by Hamas on Israel on 7 October 2023, and the subsequent conflict in Gaza, links between the UK and Israel have shrunk drastically.

Virgin Atlantic now says: “We have taken the difficult decision to extend our pause on flying to and from Tel Aviv up to and including 4 September 2024.

“The safety and security of our customers and our people are our number one priority and our flying programme to Israel remains under constant review.”

Earlier this month British Airways said its much-reduced schedule from London Heathrow to Tel Aviv will continue through the summer. At present only a daily short-haul Airbus A320 flies the route – with an additional en route stop at Larnaca in Cyprus, which extends journey times by 80 minutes.

This was due to go nonstop from the start of June, but the plan has now been deferred until July.

BA says: “This extension will mean that some existing bookings from London Heathrow to Tel Aviv between end of May and end of June will no longer meet minimum connection times and will need to re-booked.”

In addition, a planned new overnight service by British Airways on the route between 23 June and 1 September has been axed.

Britain’s biggest budget airline, easyJet , has cancelled all its Israel flights until the start of the aviation winter season at the end of October. An airline spokesperson said: “As a result of the continued evolving situation in Israel, easyJet has now taken the decision to suspend its flights to Tel Aviv for the remainder of the summer season until 27 October.”

Wizz Air is offering regular low-cost flights between London Gatwick and Tel Aviv .

The Israeli airline El Al has continued to fly between London and Tel Aviv throughout the conflict, except when events such as the attack by Iran have closed Ben Gurion airport.

The Foreign Office advises against travel to Israel.

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