Do you need a neck pillow to sleep on a plane?

As a general rule, travel neck pillows don't offer any support, alignment, or comfort and are not recommended for travel. Even though neck pillows have existed for almost 100 years, there is no evidence, either personal or scientific, to suggest that these travel neck pillows have any efficacy.



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Though neck pillows could be seen as not completely necessary, they are excellent to have when on a long flight, especially for those red-eye flights. If you're one who can easily fall asleep sitting up on a plane, I really recommend a neck pillow to avoid any painful neck aches when you wake up.

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Sleeping with a travel pillow in bed may help neck pain, but it may not be enough to make up for a poor mattress that's long past its best. If this happens, a change of mattress coupled with side sleeping and proper alignment are both worth considering.

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Sleeping must-haves for long flights
  • EverSnug Travel Blanket and Pillow. ...
  • Imily Bela Women's Knitted Wrap Cardigan. ...
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  • Bucky 40 Blinks No Pressure Beauty & Travel Eye Mask. ...
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  • Huzi Infinity Pillow. ...
  • Bose QuietComfort 45 Noise-Canceling Headphones.


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A travel pillow aligns your body to the seat, thus improving your posture. This helps avoid neck strain; thus, you may rest easy while sleeping. Neck pain is one major health concern among plane travelers. This occurs especially when a traveler sits in an incorrect position for prolonged hours.

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Once you board a plane, you may be in for quite a long flight, depending on your destination. To make yourself comfortable for the next however many hours, you might want to make use of some of the amenities being offered to you, including the complimentary pillows and blankets that are often left on your seat.

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Our top tips for sleeping on a plane
  1. Bring your own pillow and/or blanket.
  2. Wear comfortable clothes.
  3. Use a sleep mask.
  4. Follow your usual bedtime routine as close as possible when you're on the plane.
  5. Invest in a pair of noise-canceling headphones or earplugs.


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As American TV personality and sleep expert Dr Michael Breus explained to one outlet in 2019: “By rotating the pillow it stops your head from bobbing. If you have a U-shaped pillow, turn it around so the bottom of the U is under your chin.”

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The Solution? Using a rolled up towel as a substitute for a pillow. Fold the towel in half and roll up all the way for extra loft. You can even use two towels if you sleep on the side and have broad shoulders!

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Tips to Avoid Neck Pain On An Airplane
  1. Carry over-the-counter medication.
  2. Use a travel neck-pillow.
  3. Get up and walk around while flying.
  4. Relax.
  5. Stretch out.
  6. Try a self-massage tool.
  7. Apply heat / cold therapy.


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Others still provide them on a limited basis, as upscale amenities for passengers in premium seats. And several airlines that do provide pillows and blankets also reuse them. But reps from those airlines told us that the items are laundered and repackaged between uses to eliminate any health concerns.

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  1. Noise canceling headphones for when watching / listening to movies / music.
  2. ear plugs if you get tired of said headphones.
  3. sleeping mask.
  4. melatonin / some other sort of sleeping pills.
  5. eat on the flight, it helps fall asleep.
  6. wear comfortable clothing; something loose.


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“The main comfort I find lacking in economy airline seats isn't space, which is sorely lacking, but proper lumbar support,” says Will Pattiz, co-founder of More Than Just Parks. “Simply wearing a jacket that you can take off during flight and tucking behind your lower back during flight makes a huge difference.

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“If you're landing when people are awake in the middle of the day, that's what you want to do, too. Sleep as much as you can on the plane,” she says. “If you're going to be landing at night, do your best to stay awake on the plane and sleep at your destination.”

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A sleeping kit can include essential travel items to heighten the chances of falling asleep, such as eye masks, travel pillows and noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs. Consider investing in a supportive memory foam travel pillow to prevent neck strain and help you maintain a more comfortable position for sleeping.

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Some studies suggest that the cabin pressure changes in the airplane, which are more pronounced during takeoff and landing, affects the head and sinuses in a way that triggers a headache. Another possible explanation for AHs is a fear of flying, which can cause stress and anxiety and subsequently trigger a headache.

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