An inflatable cushion and compression socks: nine travel upgrades we rely on to survive long flights
Essentials for comfort, sleep and entertainment worth packing so your long-haul flight flies by
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Airline seats feel more cramped as the years go by. Nosy seat neighbors seem interested in your life story just as you’re about to drift off. For long-haul flights, it takes real preparation to arrive at your destination rested and unscathed.
Whether or not you can spring for a business class upgrade, we’ve tracked down nine air travel upgrades to help your flight feel restorative and even spa-like, transporting you to that nebulous “better place.” Here are essentials for comfort, sleep and entertainment worth packing so your long-haul flight flies by.
Get more comfortable
Fitrell Compression Socks, Pack of Three
Swap your usual fuzzy socks on your long-haul flight for these breathable and moisture-wicking compression socks, and you’ll be treating your feet and calves to much-needed support. “This type of footwear is designed to help with joint and muscle stiffness and avoid any blood pooling in your feet – all of which can happen if you sit still for too long on a plane,” according to travel expert Lydia Mansel.
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Relispo Self-inflating Travel Seat Cushion
Airline seats are hardly designed for comfort. For a little extra plushness, resort to our best-tested travel seat cushion with an inflatable air and foam construction. “As a frequent traveler, it’s nice to have a compact cushion I can take with me,” says tester Adam Doud of this compact option that packs seamlessly into the water bottle holder of his backpack.
Read the story: You need to sit down for this – the best seat cushions in the US to relieve your back
Abib Mild pH Balancing Face Mask, 10-Pack
The ventilation – or lack thereof – in your flight’s cabin has this magical way of depleting skin of moisture. Bring it back to life with this hydrating face mask coated in albumin and made from bamboo fabric, which Filter commissioning editor Karen Yuan says comes loaded “with a ton of serum” worth repurposing as a cooling balm the next morning. “After a long, drying flight, the pH-balancing face masks never fail to help rehydrate my skin,” she says.
Read the story: These five K-beauty products really worked for me, and they’re on sale now
Women’s Forever Fleece Relaxed Crew Sweatshirt
Choosing what to wear on a flight involves tons of “travel math” – do I have enough space in my carry-on? Will I need an extra layer in an over-air conditioned cabin? Luckily, Mansel picked the perfect plane staple to make the trip far cozier, and it’s now on final sale. “I tend to stick with sweats and loungewear in solid, neutral colors, like the Forever Fleece Relaxed Crew Sweatshirt from Athleta,” she says of the sweatshirt that transcends trends and climates.
Read the story: The 33+ best US holiday travel deals on luggage, backpacks, travel adapters and more
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Get more entertained
Sunday Club Newspaper
There’s something distinguished about cracking open a newspaper when settling into your seat. But Sunday Club isn’t your typical newspaper. Instead, Filter contributor Paige Triola likes to treat herself to its pages of “cleverly created puzzles and beautiful illustrations commissioned from independent artists” for an analog escape as she skips town.
Read the story: A ‘Mary Poppins bag’ and a travel tin of salt: 21 products our writers always pack on a trip
Twelve South AirFly SE
Our contributor Sal Vaglica appreciates this wireless adapter, which allows you to connect your Bluetooth headphones to an in-flight entertainment system and simultaneously stream audio to two pairs of headphones. “It’s especially handy for families,” he says, “allowing kids to watch the same movie without sharing earbuds.”
Read the story: A ‘Mary Poppins bag’ and a travel tin of salt: 21 products our writers always pack on a trip
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Get more sleep
Trtl Travel Pillow
Squeezing in some extra shuteye on that red-eye is a sacred use of your time, and this Filter-vetted travel pillow makes a few restorative hours within reach. Sure, its allure lies in its neatly packable silhouette, but where it really shines is its ability to provide “a very particular type of support, bracing the neck as the wearer rests their head to one side,” says contributor Pete Wise after testing over a dozen options.
Read the story: I tested 13 travel pillows on buses, trains and arcade machines: here are my favourites
Mzoo Luxury Sleep Mask
If there’s one sleep mask that comfortably blocks out daylight and other passengers’ pesky overhead reading lights and screens, it’s the best one we’ve ever tried, out of a total of 32 options. “Unlike many of the other masks I tested, it didn’t budge all night long,” says reviewer Juno DeMelo. “The eye cups are surrounded by foam padding that is so soft, I could barely feel any pressure around the perimeter of my eye sockets.”
Read the story: The best sleep masks in the US in 2026: I spent nine weeks testing 32 masks, and these are my favorites
Soundcore P30i by Anker Noise Canceling Earbuds
Flying solo, or looking to feel like you are? These earbuds use adaptive noise-cancelling technology to automatically minimize ambient sounds (and when it comes to air travel, there are plenty). Their charging case extends their battery life up to 45 hours – and operates as a phone stand for hands-free viewing.
Read the story: The 33+ best US holiday travel deals on luggage, backpacks, travel adapters and more
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Other pieces you might enjoy from the Filter, the Guardian’s guide to buying fewer, better things:
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