I’ve spent more time in economy class than I care to admit — and I’ve tested so many things to see if they could help me to sleep in those terrible seats. Here are the simple switches that completely worked for me that no one talks about. Every influencers on every platform want us to buy all sorts of gadgets and crap — but they all cost money and most don’t help you sleep. They are merely distractions.
That stiff neck, the ache in my lower back, the tossing and turning (in a seat that barely reclines) — I figured it out and it’s DAMN SO SIMPLE.
Let’s do this! Here are the 4 things I started doing that completely changed my in-flight comfort, especially in economy:
1. Swap your sweater or jackets for a cozy and comfortable hoodie, especially one with a zipper front.
Why? The zipper acts like a personal climate control. Too cold? Zip it up. Too warm? Unzip or take off the hoodie completely.
This sounds so basic, but trust me — there’s something about having a soft hood to pull up that instantly gives you a sense of privacy — especially once you pull that hood over your head. You block out the cabin lights, the people around you, even the weird cold air blowing from above. It’s a comfort move and a mental one.
2. Ditch the free cheap flat eye masks. Upgrade to blackout with 3D eye cups.
I didn’t know this mattered until I tried it. The free ones press against your eyes and let in light around the edges. A blackout mask with contoured eye cups doesn’t touch your eyelids, so you can blink, rest, and actually drift off — even if the person next to you has their screen on full blast.
3. Trade clunky headphones for soft earbuds.
I love my over-ear headphones for sound quality, but not for sleeping. First, they add weight to your head. Second, the tight pressure at my ears gives me such a headache. My temples were constantly throbbing. No wonder I can’t sleep. When I switched to wrap around the ear earbuds, my headache was gone. Earbuds don’t put pressure anywhere, and if you find a pair that fits comfortably, you’ll forget you’re even wearing them. I bring those cheap ones and the sound is amazing. If I happened to lose them, no big deal — they are cheap.
4. Last but most importantly, throw away that U-shaped neck pillow — and stuff a Bolstie instead.
This one’s personal.
I created Bolstie because I was sick of travel pillows that looked like they helped but didn’t actually support my body. Most of them squeeze your neck, trap heat, or force your head into an awkward angle.
Bolstie is different.
It’s a washable travel pillow for long haul flights, but also your packing cube. Before I leave, I stuff it with my softest clothes — t-shirts, sweatpants, other soft clothes— and shape it into exactly the right support for my neck and upper body. On the flight, I wear it diagonally like a sling across my torso, so it supports my head without pushing it forward.
It also doubles as lumbar support when I lean back, or a soft cushion under my thighs when my legs need relief. And the best part? It fits in a personal item, so I never have to worry about bag fees or extra carry-ons.
If you’ve ever searched for the best travel pillow for neck pain, or wondered if there’s actually a comfortable travel pillow for economy class, Bolstie is the one I designed for us — the ones who don’t upgrade seats, but still deserve rest.
How This Changed My Whole Travel Experience
Once I made these swaps, I started landing refreshed. No more post-flight Advil. No more needing a full day to recover. I could hit the ground running — even after 12 hours in the sky or after a 5 hour red-eye to the east coast.
More than anything, I realized that comfort is a form of self-respect.
Especially when you’re traveling on a budget.
Especially when your body’s working hard just to hold itself up in a cramped seat.
With Bolstie, you’re not just surviving the flight — you’re reclaiming wellness in motion. You’re supporting your spine, resting your muscles, calming your nervous system — all without foam, straps, or gimmicks.
So yeah, economy class still isn’t glamorous.
But it doesn’t have to be unbearable.
If you’re looking for the best travel pillow for flights that actually honors your body — give Bolstie a try.
I made it because I needed it.
Now I don’t travel without it.
— Ethan
