A travel pillow dangling from luggage can be a common sight in airports up and down the country but experts say travellers wanting a good sleep are wearing them in the wrong way
Trying to get a decent sleep while flying can sometimes feel like an impossible task. But plane passengers seeking a bit of extra comfort are now being told they have been using their neck pillows all “wrong”.
The U-shaped pillows are a familiar sight for flyers with many people wrapping them so the opening sits at the front. But experts at the YouTube channel Global Flow say there is actually a more comfortable way to wear the pillows.
Instead, passengers should consider placing the thicker part of the pillow under their chin, they explain. While it might appear a bit unusual at first, they say it helps keep your head from moving around.
Global Flow said: “You’ve seen it a hundred times, people walking through the terminal with a giant U-shaped pillow wrapped around the back of their neck like it’s a neckbrace, and guess what? Most of them are using it wrong.
“That U-shaped pillow is designed to support your chin, not your neck. When you wear it the other way, your head drops forward when you sleep, and you wake up with a stiff neck and a crumpled boarding pass.
“Flip it around, put the thick part under your chin. It keeps your head upright and actually lets you rest without bobbing like a dashboard hula doll.
“It looks a little weird. But it works. And once you try it, you’ll wonder why no one told you sooner. Your neck will thank you.”
Posture specialist Matt Hsu also believes that most people are wearing their neck pillows wrong. He believes leaving the opening at the front leads to sitting with a “weird neck posture”.
He recommends getting a travel pillow that has a closing mechanism so it can be moved into a position where you prop your head up. He explained: “You’ll notice that your head and neck are super supported and you can sleep. On a recent trip to Japan, I got better aeroplane sleep than I’d got in a long time.
For passengers wanting the ultimate comfort during their flight, Global Flow also warns against wearing shorts when travelling. It says this is because plane seats aren’t always the cleanest and that cabin temperatures can drop fast.
It explained: “They seem like the perfect travel outfit, light, breezy, and comfortable, but airplane seats aren’t exactly clean. Hundreds of passengers use them every week and between flights, deepcleaning isn’t always part of the turnaround.
“So when you sit in shorts, you’re putting your bare skin right where who-knows-what has been. Add in the fact that cabin temperatures can drop fast and suddenly your easy summer outfit feels cold, exposed, and kind of regrettable.”
Instead the experts say jeans, jogging bottoms, or “travel pants” can be better options for people travelling on a plane.