This travel “pillow” has me unconscious in coach before takeoff every time

I plan trips obsessively. Seats are strategically selected, my carry-on is packed like a controlled experiment, and my trtl neck pillow (more like a cozy brace than a pillow, but hear me out) is accessible within seconds of buckling my seatbelt.

Sleep on a flight is typically something you either suffer through or don’t bother attempting at all. Arriving stiff, foggy, and a little resentful has historically been baked into the price of travel. At the risk of sounding like an infomercial…suffer no more, folks!

Most travel pillows are decorative at best. Once I started using the trtl — which had to be part of my routine product testing because, frankly, I did not understand how it worked or could be remotely comfortable — sleep stopped being a gamble and started being… inevitable. Now my trtl is as non-negotiable as my passport. If it’s not in my bag, sorry folks. I’m not leaving.

The trtl Travel Pillow Cool is the version that sealed the deal for one of my long-time travel buddies. He runs warm, and the planes run warmer, but this neck pillow keeps him from sweating, or even getting a little too toasty. It’s got the same supportive design, same upright-sleep magic, just lighter, more breathable, and better-suited material for warm sleepers, long-haul flights, summer travel, and overheated cabins where normal neck pillows fail.

trtl Travel Pillow Cool

Amazon

The trtl Travel Pillow Cool uses a patented internal support system to cradle the head and support the neck in an ergonomic position while sleeping upright. Instead of plush filling, it relies on structured support, wrapped in a breathable mesh fabric that improves airflow and reduces heat buildup.

It’s lightweight, compact, machine-washable, and easy to pack, making it ideal for frequent travelers who want real neck support without bulk. Unlike traditional U-shaped pillows, it keeps your head stable and your sleep cycle intact.

Yes, she’s expensive. Yes, I’d buy her at full price without a second thought. The amount not spent on bad in-flight wine or sleep medication has allowed my trtl to pay for itself 10x over. And it’s so compact and easy to pack that it’s never gotten left behind in our years of traveling together.

Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

This article was written by Kendall Cornish, New York Post Commerce Editor & Reporter. Kendall, who moonlights as a private chef in the Hamptons for New York elites, lends her expertise to testing and recommending cooking products – for beginners and aspiring sous chefs alike. Simmering and seasoning her way through both jobs, Kendall dishes on everything from the best cookware for your kitchen to chef-approved gourmet meal kits to the full suite of Ninja appliances. Prior to joining the Post’s shopping team in 2023, Kendall previously held positions at Apartment Therapy and at Dotdash Meredith’s Travel + Leisure and Departures magazines.