Travel Pillows

Best Travel Pillow For Long Flights UK (2024)

Last updated: 19.04.2024 Reading time: 4 Min.

Imagine transforming your travel experience with a pillow that promises not just comfort but the ultimate support, versatility, and practicality on the go. ✈️

Forget the bulky, awkward U-shaped pillows you're used to seeing at airports.

For the first time, you can experience unparalleled comfort and restful sleep with our selection of the best neck pillows for travelling on long flights, road trips or train journeys.

Journey on to discover how! 👇

Travel pillows

The best travel pillows UK for long haul flights:

Sleep Hero Favourite

Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow

The Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow offers unparalleled neck support and a compact, travel-friendly design.
  • ‎Responsive memory foam core & polyester cover
  • Carry case included 
  • 24.13 x 25.4 x 12.7 cm (9.5 x 10 x 5 inches)

The Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow stands out for its innovative design endorsed by orthopaedic surgeons. 

It includes straps to secure onto your seat's headrest and prevent your head from falling forward or swaying, ensuring 360-degree support and minimising neck strain.

The unique structure maintains the cervical spine's neutral alignment, promoting uninterrupted sleep.

The pillow's moisture-wicking fabric cover not only keeps the neck dry but also combats bacteria, dust mites, and odours, ensuring it's always ready for your next journey.

Additionally, its travel case significantly reduces the pillow's size for effortless packing, and a quick-release clasp allows for easy attachment to your carry-on, saving valuable space.

Reasons to buy

Highly rated by customers 

The compact bag makes travelling easy 

Great neck support

Reasons to avoid

No trial or guarantee

Best For The Window Seat

Ostrichpillow Light Versatile Pillow

The Ostrichpillow Light Versatile Pillow is a comfy travel pillow and sleep mask in one.
  • Viscose-elastomer blend cover with polystyrene microbead filling
  • Soft feel
  • 31.5 x 16.5 x 7 cm (12.4 x 6.5 x 3.9 inches)

Tell me more about the Ostrichpillow Light Versatile Pillow

The Ostrichpillow Light Versatile Pillow is a pillow for any occasion, and it can be used as a travel pillow, reading pillow, day pillow, or a simple eye cover to shut out the world. 

Since the pillow is so squishy and adjustable, there are really a dozen ways you could make it work.

It definitely feels quite mouldable, and you can squish and squash the pillow in any direction you like.

With the integrated fit adjuster, we found the pillow very easy to operate, and it was simple to find the most comfortable fit.

This is our top recommendation if you're looking for the most convenient and easy-to-transport travel pillow option.

Conveniently, the pillow is also fully reversible, so you can showcase either one of the two different featured colours. 

Reasons to buy

2-year guarantee

Lightweight for easy travelling

Versatile design

Reasons to avoid

No trial 

Not machine-washable

A travel bag would be convenient

Best For The Middle Seat

Trtl Trtl Travel Pillow

The Trtl Travel Pillow offers unmatched ergonomic support in a compact, machine-washable design.
  • Hypoallergenic fleece & foam
  • Soft feel
  • Compact size

Tell me more about the Trtl Travel Pillow

The Trtl Travel Pillow has been developed for ergonomic sleep and outperforms standard U-shaped designs. 

A unique support system is cleverly hidden in a scarf.

The Trtl pillow provides ideal neck support, easing your spine, muscles, and shoulders. 

Compact and lightweight, it’s a space-saver and easily attaches to your bag, making travel hassle-free. 

The fleece cover is machine-washable so you can keep it clean while you're on the go. 

Reasons to buy

Highly portable as it can be wrapped around your luggage 

Machine-washable cover 

Discreet scarf-like design 

Reasons to avoid

No trial or guarantee

Best Neck Support

Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow

The Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow is a memory foam product that offers full neck support for on-the-go comfort.
  • Viscose-elastomer blend cover & memory foam core
  • Soft feel
  • 25 x 17 x 7 cm (9.8 x 6.7 x 2.7 inches)

Tell me more about the Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow

In contrast to standard U-shaped travel pillows, the Go pillow has a 360° design that offers all-around ergonomic neck support.. 

The adjustable straps allow you to wrap the pillow around your whole neck, providing full support to maintain proper posture and prevent back and neck pain.

Even though the pillow is quite thick and supportive, it feels very soft and comfortable.

The Go Neck pillow is so supportive, in fact, that dropping the head down to either side feels completely comfortable.

The product is delivered compressed in its travel bag and squeezed into a convenient FSC-approved cardboard cylinder, which you could either repurpose or recycle. 

Reasons to buy

2-year guarantee

Includes a carry bag & can be compressed by 60%

The cover is removable & washable 

Reasons to avoid

No trial period 

Small builds may find this pillow too bulky

How do I choose a good travel pillow?

Choosing the best pillow for travelling can turn the daunting prospect of sleeping in transit into a comfortable and restful experience. 😌

We unpack the key features to look out for below.

Supports your head and neck

To ensure you find a travel pillow that meets your needs, look for one that allows you to maintain upright sleep in a comfortable position. ⬆️

The best travel neck pillow cradles your head, neck, and chin, preventing your head from tilting uncomfortably as you snooze in your seat.

Materials like memory foam, microbeads, and even inflatable options are available to help maintain proper support on the neck.

The best travel pillows often have a versatile ergonomic design, allowing the flexibility for sleepers to adjust positions and keep muscle stiffness at bay. 💪

Multifunctional travel pillow
Some travel pillows have versatile designs.

The Ostrichpillow Go Neck pillow is made with memory foam and adjustable velcro straps and offers 360° ergonomic neck support.

BUY OSTRICHPILLOW GO NECK PILLOW£ 69

Blocks out light

In addition to physical support, the best travel pillows also cater to sensory comfort by blocking out light.

This feature is invaluable for nappers in bright, bustling train or plane environments, offering a private retreat from the surrounding commotion. 🌑

Light blocking travel pillows
Some travel pillows block out light.

Pairing your pillow with earplugs, such as Loop Earplugs, enhances this secluded, serene sleep space even further.

The Ostrichpillow Light Versatile Pillow stands out for its ability to block light, promoting a secluded naptime oasis. 🙈

BUY OSTRICHPILLOW LIGHT VERSATILE PILLOW£ 49

Can be transported easily

Your travel pillow should be practical to carry and store.

Look for options that compress down into a travel-friendly size, possibly with a carry bag for easy transport and cleanliness. 🧳

Inflatable travel pillow
Inflatable travel pillows are easy to compress for travel.

The Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel pillow on Amazon can be compressed into a small bag and even attached to your carry-on luggage, optimising your travel space.

BUY CABEAU S3 EVOLUTION PILLOW£ 37.32

Easy to clean

Lastly, cleanliness cannot be overlooked.

Travel exposes your pillow to dirt and sweat, making easy cleaning a must.

It should also be breathable and moisture-wicking to prevent the build-up of sweat and bacteria. 🦠

A washable pillow or cover, such as the Trtl Travel Pillow's machine-washable cover, ensures that your pillow remains fresh and ready for your next adventure.

BUY TRTL TRAVEL PILLOW£ 59.99

What is the best travel pillow for kids?

The best kid's travel pillow will support the shape of your child’s head and neck when sleeping upright in a car or plane.

Unlike adult travel pillows, the design may also consider a booster or car seat that your child may nap in when wearing the pillow.

It should also be easy to wash and transport so your child can use it frequently without worrying about any accidents. 💦

Our favourite choice is the Bcozzy neck pillow for kids, which provides excellent head, neck, and chin support when on the go.

These pillows are available in a small size for 3 - 7 year olds or a medium size for 8 - 12 year olds.

Other travelling tips and accessories

Beyond the quest for the perfect travel pillow, several other accessories can significantly enhance your journey and ensure it’s as stress-free as possible. 🧘

Add these travel accessories to your wishlist:

  • Eye masks: Sleep masks are a traveller's best friend for creating a personal oasis of darkness, enabling you to catch some Z's even when your surroundings are flooded with light.
  • Earplugs: Mute the cacophony of travel noises, from the roar of the aeroplane engine to the chatter of fellow passengers, allowing you to find your peace amidst the chaos.
  • Noise-cancelling headphones: Alternatively, consider noise-cancelling headphones so you can drown out the surrounding noise with your favourite music or podcast.
  • Compression socks: Compression socks prevent swelling by improving blood flow in your legs during long flights. They also reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis.

These products often work great in unison with a travel pillow when you’re trying to transport yourself to a more tranquil place and take a good nap. 😴

Our favourite travel products:

Do aeroplane travel pillows work?

Yes, the right travel pillow really can make a world of difference on your travels. 👍

It may be time to ditch the traditional U-shaped pillow, which doesn’t always provide the best support and is bulky and awkward to transport.

Instead, consider a pillow that maintains proper neck support and allows you to move freely while you nap.

The right travel pillow can significantly improve neck and head support in an upright position and block out unwanted light and noise for a more private and restful journey.

Here’s a reminder of the best travel pillow UK for long flights:

Frequently asked questions

  • Other popular travel pillows


    In our article, we unpack our favourite pillows for travelling, but you can also consider these runner-ups below: 

    • Travelrest pillow: an inflatable body sling that cradles your neck and upper body. It's great for leaning to one side to sleep.
    • Cabeau Evolution Classic pillow: This pillow has a more traditional U-shape design and provides adjustable neck support. However, we love the seat straps that come with the Cabeau S3 to keep it fixed in place. 
    • Infinity Travel Pillow: It is softer and more cosy, and its duvet-like scarf gently wraps around the neck or behind your back for lumbar support. 
    • The J-pillow: It has a unique three-pronged design, which is ideal for window seats and side sleepers. 

    While we think these options can also be great, we believe the top picks in our article offer more versatility, support and a travel-friendly experience. 

  • Which travel pillow is better, inflatable or foam?


    When it comes to choosing between inflatable and foam travel pillows, the best option truly depends on your personal travel needs and preferences. 

    Inflatable pillows have the edge in terms of affordability and portability

    Their ability to compress fully when not in use means they can easily fit into your travel bag without taking up much space. 

    However, they might not always hit the mark on providing the ergonomic support needed for a restful sleep, and there's the risk they could deflate over time

    On the other hand, memory foam travel pillows are often considered the gold standard for quality and comfort. 

    They offer superior support that conforms to the shape of your neck and head

    While they're on the pricier side, and some models can be compressed to a degree, they are generally bulkier than their inflatable counterparts, which could make them a bit more challenging to pack. 

    Each type has its own set of benefits, so your choice should align with what matters most to you.

  • What is the airport pillow hack?


    The airport pillow hack is a sneaky tip that went viral on TikTok.

    The idea is to pack extra clothing into a pillowcase and bring the pillow on as your personal item. 

    This allows you to bring extra luggage when you’re travelling. 

    However, we wouldn’t recommend using the clothes-stuffed pillow as a travel pillow, as it may lack the necessary support for upright sleeping. 

    But it’s a great hack if you’ve run out of suitcase space! 

Holly

Holly Matthews

Senior Content Writer

Holly has been a content writer at Sleep Hero UK since 2021. With an MA degree in literature and previous experience working at a leading UK bed retailer, she is committed to using her skills to guide others towards making better sleep choices.

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