Seasoned airline travelers: neck pillow advice!

[cscmc1]

So wife and I are headed back to Garmisch after Christmas, and I am dreading the 8-hour flight across the pond. If I can sleep at all, I always get a cramped neck. Does anyone have a favorite (or least favorite, for that matter) neck pillow brand/style? I had one of the inflatable ones once, but the seam ran around the INSIDE of the neck and was very uncomfortable.

I see Dr. Scholls has a memory foam version (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=300176979571&Category=115627&_trksid=p3907.m29), which would take up more space in the carry-on, but probably would work nicely. Then there's a "bendable" memory foam version on eBay that might be interesting (http://cgi.ebay.com/Contour-Twist-Neck-Pillow-Travel-Home-Bendable-bl_W0QQitemZ140183538496QQihZ004QQcategoryZ20445QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem).

Thoughts?

[MTI]

Having to fly across a 2500 mile moat on a regular basis, I've tried a couple of the neck pillows, but they never worked as well as taking the "blanket" the airline provides and rolling it to whatever thickness you need and placing it behind the head. I really like the planes that have the bendable flaps on the headrest. I also use the tiny pillow they give as a lumbar support.

[cscmc1]

Thanks, MTI. I have tried using the little pillow and blanket, too, but my head invariably leans to one side or the other and my neck cramps. Last few commercial flights I have just stayed up and watched the movies. The fact that I sat through "The Lake House" rather than get some shuteye should tell you just how bad things can get.

When I fly TDY with my Guard unit, we're on our own planes. They're COLD at altitude, but I can bring a sleeping bag and actually stretch out more often than not!

[LaughingGravy]

I bought a cheapie inflatable one at Staples. Nice and soft outer covering, easy to inflate/under-inflate to my needs. Easy to fit in an outer pocket of the carry on. I think it was around $5. Grey. Square looking when fully inflated.

[KarTek]

I've tried different pillows and on planes, it seems that the seats don't recline quite far enough to keep your head from tipping forward when dozing. I bought a "horseshoe" shaped pillow for my London trip but it just didn't cut it. It was fine in the car though, because the seat could lean back much more. I'd suggest something with chin support so your head doesn't loll around.

Another strategy for the long flights is to book your seats in the center section of the plane with one seat between you. If no one buys that seat, you're home free. You can lift the arms up and take turns lying across the seats using the other's lap for a pillow. If the seat ends up occupied, just sit and use your travel pillows as planned. On our flight, when the plane was in the air, we just moved over and picked 3 open seats in the center section since it ws a light load.

[MTI]

Originally Posted by KarTek

Another strategy for the long flights is to book your seats in the center section of the plane with one seat between you. If no one buys that seat, you're home free.

I wonder how many routes still have that luxury, since nearly all of the flights I've had around the country in the past year have either been oversold or at least 90% full.

[R Leo]

I have a small, bean bag neck pillow but it just doesn't cut it that well and on the way back from Austria this week it never left the bag; it's bulky to carry too so this is it's last trip. I used the KLM supplied blanket and the headrest wings...worked great. Remember the headrests adjust in height too. I do the foam earplug thing as well...if I want to listen to music or a movie, I have a noise cancelling headset that works great with my iPod or the onboard system.

FWIW, I travel like an old woman, using a cheap shopping bag that I throw all my stuff into and jam under the seat. Makes it a breeze going through security too.

[R Leo]

Originally Posted by MTI

I wonder how many routes still have that luxury, since nearly all of the flights I've had around the country in the past year have either been oversold or at least 90% full.

I was on a KLM IAH to AMS flight on the 20th that was about 3/4 full. The return was damned near SRO but it was aboard a 747-400M combi that was part freighter.

[cscmc1]

Thanks for the advice, gents. I'm going to need to round SOMETHING up for this trip!