Sleeping on the plane
 

If anyone has tried this Komfort Kollar, I'd like to know what you think of it: http://www.magellans.com/store/In_Fl...etsIF383?Args=

I can usually sleep on the plane but get a stiff neck and wake frequently to move my head/neck. The half-moon type of collars I find don't work for me, and the small pillows keep slipping away. Flying to Singapore and Hong Kong in a month, a long flight, so it would be nice to find something that works.

I purchased this item and returned it. It is a very large collar and felt like an actual neck brace. Also, the outer lining made my neck too warm. I purchased a Dr. Scholl's neck collar at Wal-Mart for a trip to China 2 years ago. It is about 1/2 the size of the Magellan with a memory foam insert. It doesn't have the strap to hold both ends of the collar together, however like the Magellan did. I prefer that since I have used this collar on all my plane trips the last 2 years and frequently fold it up & wedge it between the seat and window. That way I can rest my head without using one of the airline pillows!

Thank you very much, TMP, it's helpful to know your experience. I'll get a Dr. Scholl's neck collar this weekend.

I am using a similar one, but a different brand, probably Eagle Creek. The one in this link looks too big.

The one I have I can blow up as stiff or soft as I like, there is a valve to adjust, and it has a removable cover I wash. After landing I let the air out and roll it up.

Overall it's convenient, but if it's hot on the plane, it makes you feel hot. You know if you put ice to your neck, you can stand any heat? This pillow has an opposite effect. But it lets you sleep :)

Did your plane have the pull out (head guards) that's what I call them for the lack of a better word, they were wonderful as they kept my head from moving from one side to the other and it was quit comfortable. I had to show the folks in the seats around me how they worked.
They don't have them on all planes but I believe it was the 777 or the 767 that has them. So much better then the neck "braces".

On CO, what directions describe are called "winged" headrests. Yes, I like them, and I never feel a need for a neck pillow/brace.

I'm not sure if it will have pull-out winged headrests--like you (directions and rkkwan) I love those. It is a Boeing 747-400 on Cathay Pacific. I'll let you all know when I return. I couldn't find the Dr. Scholl's neck brace today, but will keep looking and, like FainaAgain recommends, I'll also look at Eagle Creek. I'm a good sleeper on planes, but would like to be more comfortable. I did find this SkyRest Travel Inflatable Pillow http://www.skyrest.com/home that I think will work well on the tray table--I've often found myself trying to use it when I'm tired of leaning backwards, but it has always been too low, and when I've put my jacket, the plane blanket and pillow on it, not only is it still too low, they slide off! Thank you all very much for your advice.

For skyrest, two things: you have to have good lungs to blow air into it, and you cannot have a big belly.

I think if the person in front of you reclines all the way ....

Walmart has travel pillows costing $3 - they are the light blue and white thin striped ones same size as the airline pillow but more filling - good for window seat passengers.

I like the wingtips but I need something to support my neck when sleeping.

Sorry you were unable to find the Dr. Scholl's product I have. I tried a Google search for it, but don't seem to find it anywhere. Perhaps it was discontinued. It seems Target has a "Invacare memory foam neck pillow" on line for $27.99 that looks very similar to my Dr. Scholl's. Perhaps that would be a good alternative. Happy travels!

And don't forget those EAR-PLUGS!

I've also found those collars to be very uncomfortable. I just bought the Rick Steves Deluxe inflatable neck pillow which has a really weird configuration, but it actually works very well with good head support. You can buy it from Rick Steves site but I actually found it a little cheaper on amazon.com. Just make sure it's the "deluxe" design.

BlueSea: I'd already gone ahead and ordered the SkyRest pillow before I read your message and it arrived yesterday. I think they must have improved the design because it only took 6 breaths to get it inflated. I was beginning to feel embarrassed about using it even before I had(!) because it looked so massive in the picture, but it isn't too bad in real life. I'm going to give it a try.

As far as a neck rest for when I'm leaning back, thank you, happy tourist; the one you suggest looks like it would solve the problem of the "crick in the neck". I've sent away for something else that is coming from the U.K. and, when it arrives, if it doesn't look like it will work, I'll order the one from Rick Steves. I like his products, everything my husband and I have ordered has been most satisfactory and good quality.

I've found out that the plane will have the kind of seats that the seat bottom slides forward rather than the back reclining. I've flown on that kind one time before and even though one doesn't get much of a "recline", there also aren't the problems that can happen with the back-reclining seats.

I know what you mean, FainaAgain, about putting ice on the neck to cool down. I've bought a couple of those neck scarves that have the little beads in them which one soaks in water and they hold their chill for hours, and they work well.

And yes, Mamamia, I've got my earplugs!!

The SkyRest was useful though bulky, taking up quite a lot of space in my carryon. Because the seats in coach were so close together, with it on the tray table there wasn’t any forward lean for me, more like sleeping sitting straight up, but it was a nice change from leaning backwards. I was fortunate, both ways on my 13-hour flight, to have no one sitting next to me, so could take advantage of putting the SkyRest on the empty seat which allowed me to sleep in another position. All-in-all, I found it helpful and slept more than I would have without it. I wouldn’t bother to take it on a shorter “overnight” flight, say 9 hours or less, because I can sleep for 5 hours without needing to change from the leaning-back position. On the return flight I was more experienced and less self-conscious about it and consequently did better and felt more favorable about it than I had at the end of the first flight. My friend tried the SkyRest. Unfortunately, she is going through the hot-flash stage and found she got too hot leaning on it.

Just buy a comfortable neck-roll pillow with an extra cover; the length makes the pillow very comfortable to lean against the seat or, ideally, window.