Travel pillows / blankets?
 

What brand/ type have you found that you like the best? I figure we will be happy to have it with us on a 10 hour flight

We are a total of 5 people traveling and am trying to minimize on how much stuff to bring on the plane with me

These were a hot item a couple weeks ago: (down travel pillowcases)

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34754881

Airlines give those things to you.

Yes the airline does have them but not enough for each person and not always wrapped so you don't know if they are clean

I'd take my chances and forgo the extra weight.

I go to walmart, buy a big 5 dollar pillow, bring it with me on the plane. I than use it at the hotels cause there pillows are horrible. I use it on return flight and when I get home I throw it out.

Depends on the airline. British Air most certainly does give every single person a wrapped blanket, pillow, eye shades, etc. on overseas flights.

I would ask this question of your carrier, before toting 5 pillows & 5 blankets on vacation with you! There goes your carry-on allowance!!

The down travel pillows/cases from Restoration Hardware are great. They weigh almost nothing and can be opened and smooshed flat. Mine is definitely going with me to Italy.
((c))

I rest well on flights with an inflatible travel neck pillow, available at any store that sells travel products. The most comfortable models have an extra part that folds down on top of the main ring, to give extra support to one side of the head (the Rick Steves travel store sells two choices). If you're inflating the pillow before takeoff, be sure to leave a little room for the air to expand!

I was wondering if anyone had tried and liked that type of pillow, Ashields--the inflatable one with the extra part. Think that's the one I'll get. I'm allergic to down, and for the plane, I prefer a pillow that isn't going to be slipping everywhere. Thanks.

Makes you wonder how people who are that worried about "clean" manage to even sit on an airplane seat doesn't it?

I've really gone overboard. I'm taking a Walmart travel pillow (about 16x20") AND a fiberfilled pillowcase. I use that on the flight over, leaning into it on my tray, and then at the hotels as a supplement to the flat and 'dead' pillows many hotels have. If I need space, I'll toss the Walmart pillow (sacrified it for boxes of cookies once). I make a loop on one end of the pillow so I can hang it from my bag to keep my hands free. No one counts it as 'carryon'.

You don't know if a LOT of things are clean when you're traveling -LOL!airplane seats and tray tables, seats and railings on public transportation, hotel bedspreads and carpets, etc. etc.

On the other hand, taking a small pillow for the extra *comfort* sounds possibly worth the effort and space to me.

I don't travel without my horse-shoe-shaped pillow which I can blow up as soft or hard as needed. It helps me sleep and doesn't slip off my neck.

Deflated, it folds down into its own pocket. The fleece cover can be taken off to wash.

Mine is Eagle Creek, but they must sell different brands everywhere luggage is sold.

I like having that extra 'bit' for support in an inflatible pillow. Otherwise, I always used to use the small pillow the airlines give out underneath one side of my inflatible pillow for extra head support. I would recommend getting the more 'deluxe' travel pillow--the extra rest is worth it!

I don't carry any extra "stuff". My clothes and toiletries for nearly three weeks, along with a couple of guidebooks and at least one book to read, pretty much max out my checked roll-aboard and carry-on tote bag.

Can't sleep on planes anyway, even when flights are 16 hours. (Curses.) I do pack a pashmina shawl in my carry-on, and use that as a blanket if I'm chilly.

Ashields...if I may ask, is your pillow the deluxe Rick Steves' one, or another brand? Thanks.

If there's anyone out there who just doesn't like that straitjacket feel of the horseshoe neck pillows, I took a chance on a Headbed (or Hedbed?), which is the same idea, but is more wedge-shaped than circular. I suspect this might be intended for side sleepers (which I am).

Loved it - slept better on my last trans-Atlantic than ever before (of course, I remembered my eyeshade this time, too).

It has a nice, fleecey cover that comes off for washing and is inflatable, meaning it's not a big space hog. Got mine online for about $15.

Worktowander, you describe how I feel about those U-shaped pillows. I bought one but it didn't make a difference. Actually, it made me more uncomfortable!

It is funny, I've seen a few people who keep it around their neck (I assume) between flights or while waiting for luggage.

Here's a website that carries the Hedbed: http://traveloasis.com/hedtravpil.html
Worktowander...does the pillow stay in place? I hate it when my pillow ends up someplace where my head isn't! Thanks.

I still like this one that Xenos recommended a few months ago. I even use it at home! One the plane it was wonderful, the only thing I might do is sew a strap on it to attach to my carryon. I carried it on on this last trip and they didn't count it but with a strap I could just attach it and forget about it.

http://tinyurl.com/89kzc

http://dpstyle.com/shop/catalog/index.php

might work better

Maire, I use the Rick Steves deluxe pillow.

Thanks, Ashields. SeaUrchin--that looks like an interesting pillow. Can you turn your head to the side without the pillow sliding around? I looked it up on the link you gave and it shows that it comes with a case with a strap: http://www.dpstyle.com/TravelProduct...s/otp_case.jpg

Yes, you can turn your head, the thin part is behind your neck. I hate the U shaped pillows, they are so thick behind my neck that it gives me a neckache. This one is used for putting your head to the side. The case with the strap is plastic and a pita, so I took the pillow out but I was afraid of losing it all the time. I hope I remember to sew on a little elastic strap before my next trip!

Maire -

My Hedbed didn't get away from me, but your mileage may vary. I like it a lot.

Thanks, SeaUrchin and Worktowander.

I actually make travel neck pillows. They are perfect for car, air planee, and train trips. Plus you don't have to share =)
http://sygnetcreations.etsy.com