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Old Apr 16th, 2006 | 07:06 AM
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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
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Old Apr 16th, 2006 | 07:47 AM
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These were a hot item a couple weeks ago: (down travel pillowcases)

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34754881
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Old Apr 16th, 2006 | 08:36 AM
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Airlines give those things to you.
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Old Apr 16th, 2006 | 08:38 AM
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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

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Old Apr 16th, 2006 | 08:40 AM
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I'd take my chances and forgo the extra weight.
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Old Apr 16th, 2006 | 09:09 AM
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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.

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Old Apr 16th, 2006 | 09:55 AM
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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!!
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Old Apr 16th, 2006 | 07:25 PM
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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.
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Old Apr 16th, 2006 | 07:39 PM
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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!
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Old Apr 16th, 2006 | 07:56 PM
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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.
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Old Apr 17th, 2006 | 03:23 AM
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Makes you wonder how people who are that worried about "clean" manage to even sit on an airplane seat doesn't it?
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Old Apr 17th, 2006 | 04:48 AM
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I've really gone overboard. I'm taking a Walmart travel pillow (about 16x20&quot 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'.
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Old Apr 17th, 2006 | 12:01 PM
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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.
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Old Apr 17th, 2006 | 12:08 PM
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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.
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Old Apr 17th, 2006 | 12:40 PM
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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!
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Old Apr 17th, 2006 | 12:54 PM
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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.
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Old Apr 17th, 2006 | 01:48 PM
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Ashields...if I may ask, is your pillow the deluxe Rick Steves' one, or another brand? Thanks.
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Old Apr 17th, 2006 | 02:25 PM
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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.
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Old Apr 17th, 2006 | 02:39 PM
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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.
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Old Apr 17th, 2006 | 02:41 PM
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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.
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