CanadianJane

Travelling to Europe next week and wanting advice about travel pillows since the flight is overnight. We used the kind you blow up previously and found them somewhat lacking. Are other kinds worth the extra cost and space they take up? Thx...

If anyone has any other tips about sleeping on planes, it would be appreciated. I am going to try resetting my clock here by going to bed earlier every night and see how that works for my jet lag.

meggles

where in Canada will you be flying from?

i personally take a u-shaped non-blowup pillow with me. and eye shades. and ear plugs. for me it's worth the extra carryon

CanadianJane

toronto-frankfurt-venice! Can't wait!

luvtotravel

I use the u-shape pillow with microbeads. Bought it at Brookstone's, although many shops now carry similar ones. The piece of luggage I use the most has an outside attachment and I hook it there or I carry it. Haven't had a problem with security or the airlines -- yet. Earplugs are a must, and tranquilizers help me a great deal.

canterbury

Hi Jane

I don't use a traditional travel pillow. I bring a small down blanket/comforter (52x70 or so).

It folds up very small and I can fit it in a carry on (or a large purse). I can then use it as a pillow or as a blanket as I like to have my own cover in a plane. I can use it as a lumbar or neck support, also. In a hotel, I can use it to boost my pillow as I find European pillows to be too soft for me. I have also used it to pad a too-hard mattress.

It comes in very handy and I never travel without it.

Celiaanne

canturbury,

How small does your blanket fold? Can it fit inside an extra-large (2.5 gallon) baggie, for instance?

I travel with just a down pillow, which is pretty small, and I still have a hard time jamming in a regular (1 gallon) size baggie. I'd love not to take it with me to Italy (in 3 weeks!), but I am afraid to leave it behind..

Barbara_in_CT

I plug the music in, take a Benadryl, and at least rest and at times actually sleep. I don't want to lug blankets or pillows no matter how tiny.

Celticharper

Celiaanne,
Try putting the pillow in the larger 2 1/2 gallon size zip-lock baggie. You can squeeze the air out and pop it onto the top of your carryon, to unpack when you get on the plane.

I pack just about everything in these larger 1 & 2 1/2 gallon bags when I travel and it make packing so much easier.

suze

I am of the thinking that they are not worth the extra space they take up. I use the airline provided pillow & blanket. Also the eye mask (British Air hands out). I listen to music thru the airline provided headphone. I take a prescription anti-anxiety. I always fly the overnight flight.

Travelnut

We just buy the slightly larger 'travel' pillows at Walmart, around $3 each. If you want to keep it you can also get small zip covers to put over it. If you don't want to keep it, it's cheap enough to leave on the plane.
It's actually more comfortable to doze leaning forward into the pillow (braced on the tray and your folded arms) than it is trying to subconsciously keep your head from falling to the side.

katharineclifton

I look like an idiot but I tuck the pillow under my chin and around my neck. It stops my head from falling forward and waking me up. This method also keeps my mouth from gaping open. I use the airline pillows behind my head. Very comfortable.

tcreath

I have one of those FOM neck pillows that I purchased from Brookstone. To be honest they are more of a hinderence than a benefit for me. First of all, it is somewhat bulky and doesn't fit into my carry-on very easily. And then its just not too comfortable around my neck. I usually end up sqwishing it together and positioninig it between the window and my head. I've brought it on most of my overseas flights but for our next trip, to Croatia, its staying home.

Tracy

pavfec

I have an inflatable neck pillow and found it really useful on our trip to Spain last year. I shared it with my DH, and now he's going out to buy one for our trip on Thursday. We found it really convienent to just inflate and deflate it. Although the ones with beans look nice, they look cumbersome!

moldyhotelsaregross

I do the same thing as katherineclifton with the inflatable pillow around the front of the neck.

I like to bring a favorite jacket aboard and bypass the airline issued blanket. We've not begun discussing how often they get washed!

carrolldf

Celianne -- I use a brighly colored pillowcase on my travel pillow. Makes it stand out so among the standard hotel linens so I've never forgotten it.

canterbury

Celiaanne

Alas, the blanket does not fit into a 2.5 qt Baggie - I just tried.

Previously, I have put it in a small "Space Bag" and vacuumed out the air - when I travel by car and don't need the blanket en route. It gets really small and flat - maybe you can try that??

I haven't traveled to Europe since the latest terrorism regulations so I don't know if I can even bring it now. (I'm hoping!)

katharineclifton

I agree with moldyhotelsaregross. The blankets come in little sealed plastic bags but mine smelled like rancid oil.
My headrest had firm things like wings that coould be bent on either side of my head to stop it from moving. What a great innovation. Until it fell off and then I had to rest my had on a metal bracket. Flight attendant looked at it and proclaimed, "It's broken."

zwho

I used to use an inflatable travel pillow, but I always broke them after 1 or 2 uses. Then I started using the micro bead ones, but they do take up more (precious) room and I'm always afraid the seams will pop! I didn't see anyone mention what I use now that I think is perfact. I use a hand towel. I fold it in half length wise and roll it up. It doesn't go around my neck, but perfectly behind it and it folds to nothing in my backpack. Can also use it on the small of your back and adjust to the right width accordingly.

annw

I just got a travel pillow from Travelsmith that has that "memory foam" stuff for my trip day after tomorrow. It's mostly for the hotel pillows rather than the plane however.

take_time_2_travel

Definately the BEST $40 I could have spent to help make an overseas flight as comfortable as possible is the "first class sleeper," which was invented by a pilot. It folds to about 4x4x8...can't remember for sure, but the website should tell. I will always save room in my carry-on for mine! You can find them at:

http://www.travelessentials.com/page...1.html?src=ysm