{"id":3337,"date":"2025-05-19T06:01:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-19T06:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/?p=3337"},"modified":"2025-05-21T21:44:30","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T21:44:30","slug":"these-7-travel-buys-made-my-economy-long-haul-flights-feel-bearable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/19\/these-7-travel-buys-made-my-economy-long-haul-flights-feel-bearable\/","title":{"rendered":"These 7 travel buys made my economy long-haul flights feel bearable"},"content":{"rendered":"
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These are the affordable essentials I can’t be without for long-haul flights – including neck pillows, clever tech and more (Picture: Metro\/Getty\/trtl\/Drowsy\/Amazon)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Planning your next long-haul holiday but can\u2019t stand the thought of those endless, uncomfortable flights?<\/p>\n

Between crying babies, cramped conditions and uncomfortable seats (not to mention the person next to you with the pointiest elbows known to man), economy<\/a> flying can take a toll on even the most resilient of travellers.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve recently just come back from a trip to Sri Lanka<\/a>, with each leg there and back consisting of two arduous six-hour flights \u2013 and while to some that might not sound too bad, living through it is no walk in the park.<\/p>\n

Being a fairly seasoned traveller, however, I\u2019ve learned there\u2019s a few things I can invest in<\/a> that\u2019ll totally change how my flights go, helping to ensure I get at least a few hours kip and feel decently comfortable while I do.<\/p>\n

From revolutionary neck pillows<\/a> to the one tool <\/a>that means you never have to use a flimsy pair of plane headphones again, I\u2019ve found some of the best product hacks that\u2019ll make you dread flights that bit less.<\/p>\n

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Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration.\u00a0Sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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trtl Travel Pillow<\/h2>\n

shop \u00a349.99<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

I\u2019d always wanted to try the trtl neck pillow<\/a> but only got around to it on my most recent trip. Needless to say, I\u2019ve been totally missing out by not having this in my travel repertoire earlier.<\/p>\n

This clever, adjustable neck pillow<\/a> is nothing like the U-shaped pillows of times gone by (which, by the way, I never found to be comfortable), instead featuring a patented, wrap-around design that keeps your head upright as you nap.<\/p>\n

That means that you\u2019re not left with any painful cricks in your neck or a sore back after an awkward snooze. Instead, you\u2019re supported and comfortable all flight long \u2013 even if you\u2019ve got the middle seat. Total game-changer.<\/p>\n

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Opaceluuk Airplane Footrest<\/h2>\n

shop \u00a36.99 (save \u00a31)<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

If, like me, you love having your legs up on your chair and hate that restless feeling in your legs when you can\u2019t get them up (like when you\u2019re on an endless plane journey), then you need to invest in a plane footrest<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Totally affordable but transformative for long and short flights alike, an airplane footrest <\/a>will help to take the stress and weight off your knees and back, supporting your feet for unparalleled relief.<\/p>\n

In truth, part of me thought this rest <\/a>would be a gimmick when I packed it in my hand luggage. I\u2019ve never eaten my words so heartily.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s as easy as slipping it over your tray table and getting comfy, and I found myself so much better prepared for sleep and relaxation when I had the ability to bring up my legs.<\/p>\n

Better yet, its compact and easy to slip in your bag. I honestly couldn\u2019t fly without this anymore. 10\/10.<\/p>\n

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Avantree Relay – Premium Airplane Bluetooth 5.3 Adapter<\/h2>\n

shop \u00a329.99 (save \u00a37)<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Sick of crumby plane headphones that leave movie audio purely to the imagination? Sorry, but I simply can\u2019t relate anymore now I have this super-clever piece of tech.<\/a><\/p>\n

This adapter <\/a>is designed to seamlessly connect any Bluetooth headphones or earbuds to your in-flight entertainment system, allowing you to use your own, likely better quality and more comfortable headphones on the plane TV.<\/p>\n

With just a touch of a button, I can connect my noise-cancelling AirPods and really properly enjoy my plane movies. There\u2019s not much else to say apart from this one is an essential in my travel kit now.<\/p>\n

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation<\/h2>\n

shop \u00a3179<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Related to the above, this pair of Apple AirPods with Active Noise Cancellation<\/a> changed the game when it comes to travel.<\/p>\n

Planes are notoriously loud, which can be a drag when you\u2019re trying to have a zizz or watch some in-flight entertainment.<\/p>\n

These AirPods<\/a>, however, boast pretty sensational noise cancelling, meaning I can block out all the unwanted noise from the flight (screaming baby three rows behind, I\u2019m looking at you) and catch a few winks or watch Bridget Jones again in utter peace.<\/p>\n

The fact that the audio quality is second to none is just an added bonus.<\/p>\n

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Drowsy Moonlight Shadow Eyelash Protecting Sleep Mask<\/h2>\n

shop \u00a379<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Never underestimate the power of a really <\/em>good face mask<\/a> like this one from Drowsy.<\/p>\n

Totally blocking out the light while remaining silky soft and cushioned against your face, it creates the perfect environment for a great, undisturbed sleep \u2013 even if the person in the window seat insists that it stay open all flight long.<\/p>\n

Ideal for longer lashes or those who hate sleep masks pressing against the eye, this Drowsy mask <\/a>has fully contoured eyecups that block off light while keeping your eye area protected. Made with mulberry silk for total luxury, it\u2019s a must in my travel repertoire.<\/p>\n

Plus, this mask combined with noise-cancelling AirPods, trtl neck pillow and footrest? Chef\u2019s kiss.<\/p>\n

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SURI Sustainable Electric Toothbrush with UV Case<\/h2>\n

shop \u00a380.75 (save \u00a314.25)<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Sometimes on those long flights you need just a shred of semblance of things being normal \u2013 and keeping your oral hygiene up us a great way to do just that.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve loved the SURI Electric Toothbrush<\/a> for a while now thanks to its excellent cleaning power and near-endless battery life (one charge lasted me three weeks in Sri Lanka).<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s the handy case that makes it so perfect for travel. Sleek and compact, it not only keeps your brush safe and sound, but, when plugged in, charges your brush as well. Huge win for those post plane-dinner brushes.<\/p>\n

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E45 Lips & Dry Skin Lip Balm<\/h2>\n

shop \u00a38.99<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

If you\u2019re anything like me, planes dry you out like nothing else. It\u2019s the artificial, AC air that does it, and my lips are usually first to fall victim to its moisture-stealing ways.<\/p>\n

I always make sure to have an E45 Lips & Dry Skin Lip Balm<\/a> on me when I hop on the plane now, as its deeply softening and moisturising properties rescue dry lips (and any other dry areas on your face and body) in a flash.<\/p>\n

With these must-haves you’re guaranteed better, more restful and far more comfortable flights henceforth. You’re welcome.<\/p>\n

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Share your views in the comments below<\/strong><\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title><span class=\"mor-link\" data-track-module=\"mor-link_article\">MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/05\/14\/this-brand-new-dermatologist-approved-moisturiser-skin-a-huge-16-000-waitlist-23076506\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\">This brand-new dermatologist-approved moisturiser from Skin+Me has a huge 16,000+ waitlist<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\"><title>Arrow<\/title><span class=\"mor-link\" data-track-module=\"mor-link_article\">MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/05\/14\/setting-sprays-keep-makeup-flawless-even-hot-23069459\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\">These setting sprays keep your makeup flawless – even when it\u2019s hot!<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\"><title>Arrow<\/title><span class=\"mor-link\" data-track-module=\"mor-link_article\">MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/05\/12\/boots-launches-premium-hair-edit-beauty-box-itll-save-150-23067541\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\">Boots launches Premium Hair Edit Beauty Box – and it\u2019ll save you over \u00a3150<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>These are the affordable essentials I can’t be without for long-haul flights – including neck pillows, clever tech and more (Picture: Metro\/Getty\/trtl\/Drowsy\/Amazon) Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more Planning your next long-haul […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3339,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[11],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3337"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3337"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3337\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3348,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3337\/revisions\/3348"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3339"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3337"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3337"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3337"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}