Beach Ball headrest?
 

This might be a silly question but ... we will be flying KLM international preferred seating - basically it's economy, but with only two seats instead of three. It's the 747-400. Preferred economy is in the back of the plane. The "window" seat is set away from the sidewall of the plane, and since I like to have something to lean against to sleep on a ten-hour trip, I am considering bringing along an inexpensive 24" inflatable beach ball to put between my head and the window/wall. I figure I can partially inflate it, enough to have a place to rest my head sideways, if that makes sense.

Has anyone tried this? Is there a better option?

Haven't tried that, but a caution: Don't inflate the beachball until the flight nearly reaches its cruising altitude.

<begin brief physics lesson>

If you inflate the ball while on the ground, it could explode (seriously!!) as the plane increases altitude. That's because the air is much thinner at altitude (even with pressurization), which causes the air inside an airtight environment to, in effect, expand. In fact, it's a great trick when traveling with a kid to give them a half-blown-up balloon and then watch it expand to fully blown-up as the plane rises.

More proof of this: ever notice how a empty or half-empty plastic bottle of water or soda has shrunken up as you descend and land? That's because the air does the opposite of when you ascend: the air inside the bottle contracts, and the plastic bottle tries to implode.

<mercifully end brief physics lesson>

Haha - yes, I know about that. In years past (before security stopped us from bringing liquids past checkpoints) I have brought on my own reusable water bottle, and opened it for a drink after the first hour on board. Water spurted everywhere - !

I was thinking to only partially inflate the beach ball even after we were at flying altitude. Would make a better leaning headrest that way.

It'll be sweaty, use a coat or jumper

Why not use a normal travel pillow?

>> use a coat or jumper<< coat or sweater (if anyone needs translation) ;)

I agree w/ suze. a beach ball doesn't seem as comfortable or as practical as a travel pillow.

Well I never bother with anything like that, but I'm pretty sure the beach ball isn't going to work very well!!

Seems to me that the beachball might work, but please report back to us about how many odd looks and snickers you get from fellow passengers. :-)

>Why not use a normal travel pillow?

Because of the extra long distance between the seat and the window wall.

NoFly~ So you think the beach ball idea would work?

Well, I really don't care if I get odd looks from other travelers - do you really worry about stuff like that?

A normal pillow probably wouldn't work in this situation - the seat is set about a foot in from the window/wall. I want something I can adjust to put in the space to lean on. May or may not work - but it only costs about $2 and weighs practically nothing. Worth a try ...

If it works it might be an idea that could be a commercial success. You might apply for a patent. Not really joking, here.

>NoFly~ So you think the beach ball idea would work?

No idea, even though I've been in those seats. This needs someone to actually try it out and report back.

>You might apply for a patent.

Not really a patentable. Ideas for different uses of something that's already patented (either registered or de facto) won't fly.

Here is a product that won an award for best British invention of the year. It might serve your needs, scdreamer. http://www.jpillow.com/

but this is not the first time I've read about the idea... I've seen it mentioned before (other forums? here? travel magazine?) I just don't know anyone who's tried it and reported back. It just seems like it would be too bouncy to work, even under-inflated, but I say give it a go!

Oh, or maybe they were using the beach ball as a foot rest?

nukesafe - that British pillow looks like it might work in a typical seat (I don't think I want to pay $60 to try it out, though).

The seat I will be in is 63B on a Boeing 747-400 (744) New Business plane. If you look at it, you can see that is it set in and away from the wall/window. A pillow doesn't seem as if it will be big enough to fill in that space and offer support for leaning. That's why I am thinking a large $2 (24-inch) beach ball might work, especially if it can be under-inflated and still large enough to fill the gap. I'll cover it with whatever "blanket" they give me, or a jacket. If it doesn't work, I can toss it and not worry that I've wasted a lot of money.

No plans to do anything more than lean on it - no patent -haha! I'll report back after the light - not going until April 2016, though.

No, you are right. The "J" pillow does look much too bulky and expensive to be an option for anyone. I couldn't imagine having to pack that thing and carry it around on my travels, much less pay that much for it. Though I was a bit snide in my earlier remarks, I think your $2 beach ball idea is innovative, and certainly worth a try.

I would certainly try it. Inflatable to your comfort level but I would for sure put something between my head and the ball as it is plastic and could be uncomfortable. That being said, have you ever tried blowing up a beach ball? It isn't easy and you might pop an ear drum with all the pressure of blowing it up. Deflating it isn't easy either. You almost have to have something pushing down on the inside of the air hole to release the air. The J Pillow is way to bulky and very strange looking!

I think the J pillow might work better in normal seats than my neck pillow or flat pillow--sort of both in one--but sometimes a combo doesn't work as well as either of the originals.

As for the ball and wide space--if you shift your head, the ball might slide into the open space. That's what constantly happens when I try to put a pillow between my head and window/wall in standard seat. Everytime I shift or wakeup, my pillow is gone.