When I asked her what she meant, she explained that “if you get a medium to medium-firm memory-foam sort of pillow, it accommodates you, but it doesn’t let you dig into it too much. It’s also rather handy: You can compress the pillow to half its size in a carry bag, then use its loops to attach it to your luggage.

This stunning neck cushion can be folded down to the size of a passport and will fit inside your pocket without any issue. It sounds fancy but it’s just a strap at the back of the pillow which attaches around the headrest behind you to keep your head from rocking forwards. I have never checked ahead and usually inflate them once the flight is well underway and without drawing attention to it! The soft pillow is far more comfortable than a regular inflatable camping pillow, instead made from recycled polyester. Designed to provide support and relaxation, this pillow is perfect for use on planes, trains, and other forms of transport.And the Points Guy’s travel editor, Madison Blancaflor, told me, “It’s the only way I can survive long-haul flights in economy.

While most use synthetic fibres and fillings, some are more sustainable – for example, using recycled polyester or natural bamboo fibre. We've integrated an ergonomic, no fuss inflation valve into this U-shape pillow which inflates the cushion with little to no effort. Even with the soft fleece covering, I didn’t find it quite as cosy as a u-shaped travel pillow and the bottom of the brace slightly dug into my shoulder. The usefulness of a travel pillow ultimately depends on the individual traveller’s preferences and comfort needs,” says Kallen. I think they’re a really useful kids’ travel gadget to own and I wish we’d learned about them before we took the flight to Australia when we came out here.There is a hole for your mouth so you can breathe, but otherwise it’s a pillow, eye mask, and noise-canceling headphones all in one.

Below you’ll find pillows made with memory foam, filled with beads, or just air if they’re inflatable — each of which has its own pros.

It promises a firm and stable structure – unlike some of the other inflatable travel pillows for kids, this one doesn’t blow up on all sides like a balloon. Yes, the sausage-style travel pillow still reigns supreme, although it’s now a much more crowded market, with travel pillows coming in a multitude of shapes, sizes and materials. As an expat family we travelled at least once a year between Australian and the UK with our twins from baby to preschool years. Hidden inside the soft fabric is an internal support system, essentially a brace, which curves inwards towards the neck and holds your head up.