This Neck Pillow Is Perfect for Long Flights

I recently traveled to Singapore for the first time, and despite being overjoyed, I found myself ridden with more anxiety (than usual). It wasn’t culture shock or being all alone in a foreign country that had me worried. Instead, I was nervous about embarking on one of the world’s longest commercial flightsdirect from San Francisco to Singapore, in economy.

I’m no snob, but being stuck anywhere for 14-plus hours next to anyone is going to make me a little upset. I could be on a private island with my partner, and I’d probably be on edge if we had to stay seated the whole time. When you add the fact that the seat only goes back 15 degrees, and there’s potential for a screaming kid somewhere aboard the aircraft, I was ready to have a meltdown (bigger and better than the one the imaginary kid would have, easily).

So, I started searching for things that might make my flight more enjoyable. Noise-canceling headphones topped the list, then a good book, and the last thing I needed was the kicker that helped me make it back from Southeast Asia in one piece: a neck pillow. But not just any neck pillow—the Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillowto be exact.

Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow

This luxurious, ergonomic memory foam pillow is different than any other travel pillow you’ve tried: it hugs your neck with 360-degree coverage, meaning no matter which way your head tilts on the plane, you’re covered. The 10.5-inch by 9.5-inch by 6-inch pillow also compresses up to 60 percent, making it a compact, easily packable addition that can fit right in a carry-on. And best of all, it’s got a machine-washable cover, too.

I was—and still am—the first person to judge anyone in an airport wearing any old neck pillow, but I’ve seen the light. They are brilliant—well, at least, this one is. The Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow is more of a wrap than your typical travel pillow, and the result is something that is shaped more like the neck brace I had to wear in high school after getting whiplash during a snowboarding accident (which makes it seem way cooler than it was). It has a somewhat eccentric design that you would expect someone like Moira Rose to wear to the airport.

But flying has something uniquely in common with “Schitt’s Creek:” We’re all just trying to get out of there. This makes the endeavor all about comfort, especially when, as I mentioned earlier, you’re saddled in economy. And while I might’ve looked silly, I slept way better than the guy next to me. How do I know? He asked me if he could borrow the neck pillow halfway through the flight.

Not a chance, dude. This thing is a memory foam wonder. Because of the supportive cushioning and the velcro to ensure a tight wrap, my (big) head stayed upright and in a comfortable position. I didn’t have any neck pain the next day, which was honestly strange because I’ve had neck pain every day since I turned 25.

For style preferences, I opted for the gray color to match my sweats (because I’m classy). But if you prefer a black onewhich screams that you’re traveling for business, not pleasure, in my opinion, you can have it. Here’s a picture of me sporting the neck pillow in all of my glamour.

Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow

Beyond being comfortable, one of my favorite things about the pillow is that it packs down small. You roll it up, kind of like a cinnamon bun, and put it inside a little pouch. It’s much sleeker than its counterparts that dangle off of backpacks, whipping around aimlessly throughout baggage claim, and because it nestles inside of my bag, I like to think it’s much more hygienic, too.

I won’t go as far as saying this neck pillow prevented jet lag (there are other cures for that), but the Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow did get me through the flight of a lifetime twice. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m even considering bringing it on a flight from LA to San Francisco. Couldn’t hurt, right?

And if you’re in the market for more packable accessories to elevate your next flight, keep reading to find the best deals available at Amazon right now.

More Long-haul Flight Accessories at Amazon

Basic Concepts Airplane Foot Hammock

Mzoo Sleep Eye Mask

Perilogics Universal in Flight Phone Holder

Eversnug Travel Blanket and Pillow

Charmast Portable Charger

At the time of publishing, the price was $69.

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