Achieving a proper rest while flying can often feel like an insurmountable task. However, air travellers seeking extra comfort are now being told they’ve been using their neck cushions entirely “wrong”. The U-shaped cushions are a familiar sight among travellers, with the majority placing them so that the opening faces forward. But experts from the YouTube channel Global Flow suggest there’s actually a much more comfortable way to use these cushions.
Instead of the traditional method, passengers should consider positioning the thicker part of the cushion under their chin, they reveal, according to the Mirror. While it may appear somewhat odd at first, they assert it stops your head from moving around. Global Flow clarified: “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.”, reports Bristol Live.
“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 expert Matt Hsu also reckons that most travellers are using their neck pillows incorrectly. He believes positioning the opening at the front results in an awkward neck stance. He suggests purchasing a travel pillow featuring a closure system, allowing it to be adjusted to properly support your head.
He said: “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 travellers seeking maximum comfort whilst flying, Global Flow also advises against donning shorts during journeys.
This is because aircraft seats aren’t necessarily the most hygienic and cabin temperatures can plummet rapidly. The organisation explained: “They seem like the perfect travel outfit, light, breezy, and comfortable, but airplane seats aren’t exactly clean.” Countless passengers occupy them weekly and thorough cleaning isn’t always included in the aircraft turnaround process between flights.
“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.” Rather, the specialists recommend jeans, tracksuit bottoms, or “travel trousers” as superior alternatives for air passengers.