Helpful Products to Use During Long Flights

Long flights can be extremely uncomfortable.  Being in a plane for more than a couple of hours is not something that anyone enjoys.  It is more about enduring the trip than about finding enjoyment.  Luckily there are thousands of products to choose from when it comes to making your air travels more comfortable.  Unfortunately, many of them rely on gimmicks to sell and do not offer any real relief from the monotony and discomfort of sitting upright in a crowded, confined space for a long period of time.

The Cabin Cuddler is a micro-fleece blanket that is shaped to fit perfectly around a seated passenger.  It zips up like a sleeping bag and offers full body warmth.  With most airline blankets being of inadequate size or costing extra to rent, the Cuddler can be a good investment.  The fact that you can completely zip and unzip it easily from a seated position is a major plus.  On the downside, it restricts movement (it may be awkward to get up to let the passenger in the middle seat get to the lavatory).

The Travelon 1^st Class Sleeper is a  simple cushion that is placed on the seat back of an airplane seat to give greater back support.  The  cushion is inflatable so it is easy to pack it in a carry-on bag or even in a briefcase or purse.  This cushion offers a little more support than one of those inflatable neck-brace-like pillows that were once popular amongst fliers.  The 1^st Class Sleeper might not actually provide the same feel as a fully-reclining first class seat, but it can help long haul fliers who suffer from back soreness or those who simply want a higher level of comfort than their economy class seat can offer.

The Power Executive Bundle is an answer to one of the great problems of air travel.  Trans-Ocean flights often last longer than the battery in your iPod or laptop.  This device plugs into the audio jack of any airline seat and provides electricity through a USB cord.  At $45, it is expensive, but probably not as expensive as a second battery for your laptop or some sort of high tech solar power charger or hand-crank charger (good luck getting either of those through security without some serious questioning).

The iTrans Motion-Relief Wristbands are somewhat controversial because they are an unproven natural remedy.  But many chronic air-sickness sufferers swear by them.  The band works by putting gentle pressure on acupressure points that are used to relieve motion sickness in traditional Chinese medicine.  At $60-$90, a wristband is more expensive than a bottle of Dramamine, but offers no side effects and can be reused over and over again.

The Cheniile Footsies are ultra-plush slipper/socks that are perfect for keeping your feet warm on long flights.  Their flexible construction makes them easy to pack in a purse or briefcase (or even in your pocket).  Most people don’t think about it, but footwear can go a long way towards providing shoe-less comfort.  Since it is too cold to go barefoot, these socks are the next best thing.

The Lights Out Sleep Mask claims to allow rapid-eye-movement during sleep.  Traditional eye-covers are usually made of soft material, but can press against the eyes of the wearer.  The Lights Out has a rigid shape while maintaining a soft feel.  This keeps the eyes covered, but also lifts the mask off of the eyes.  Even if you are not concerned about natural rapid-eye-movement during your nap, it is nice not to have a mask pressing on your eyes while you try to drift off.

Earplanes Ear Plugs offer much more protection than the standard ear plugs.  Some people have given up on commercially produced ear-plugs altogether and rely on home-made remedies like stuffing cotton balls in their ears.  Earplanes use a unique filter to help regulate pressure as well as softening harsh noises.  These ear-plugs are approved by flight attendants.  They are made of high-end material (latex-free silicon) but cost under $10.  That’s a small price to pay for those who want relief from the pressure of air travel but have not yet found an effective ear plug.