I need to talk about something real. Something that unites travelers across all backgrounds, budgets, and boarding zones: the U-shaped neck pillow.
You know the one. Soft. Squishy. Memory foam. Looks like luxury. Feels like a promise. And then — ten minutes into the flight — betrays you completely.
Let’s be honest: these things are basically the statement necklaces of travel. You wear them to say, “Yup, I’m going somewhere.”
They serve no actual purpose beyond that. They look great dangling from your carry-on in Duty Free, and then once you’re on board… it’s chaos.
I’ve invested real money into mine. Memory foam, velvet-touch fabric, ergonomic design… the works quite frankly! But halfway through every long-haul flight, I end up lying on it like a normal cushion, wondering how I fell for it again. Meanwhile, everyone around me looks peaceful and supported, and I’m sitting there thinking, it cannot only be me who thinks these are rubbish.
Honestly, I’ve come to accept that for most of us, the U-shaped pillow isn’t a comfort item. It’s an accessory. It’s the travel equivalent of buying gym clothes when you haven’t actually joined the gym.
But now kids.. I’ve done the research (and the suffering), and I’m here to tell you: there’s hope.
If you’re a side sleeper like me, the answer might just be the Trtl Pillow Plus. It looks like a soft neck brace. Not exactly chic — but apparently, it’s the one.
It supports your head from one side, keeps your chin up, and actually lets you sleep without snapping awake like a startled pigeon. I’m ordering it as we speak.
I refuse to go through another 12-hour flight to Brazil with false promises and neck pain.
So, here’s to 2025: the year we stop pretending our U-shaped pillows are anything but overpriced scarves.
Honestly, if you’ve suffered through the Great Neck Pillow Betrayal like me… don’t do another long-haul dirty.
This is the one I’m trying next — the only pillow that might actually let me sleep like a human instead of a confused pigeon 😂👇🏽

Leave a Reply