The new toilet seat-shaped travel pillow that’s ‘the next best thing to a flat bed’
JUST how far would you go to get a decent sleep on a flight?
If the answer is very far, then there’ s a toilet seat-shaped travel pillow on the market that the inventor claims is ‘the next best thing to a flat bed’.
The pillow in question is called the FaceCradle and it uses its two cushions to support your head and body.
The two pillows can be moved 180 degrees away from one another in a variety of different positions.
It can be worn around the neck, like a traditional travel pillow, or the two different cushion parts can be manipulated in a series of positions to accommodate different comfort needs.
When it’s not being used, the two pillows can be brought back together so it can easily be carried.
The FaceCradle was invented by frequent flyer and winner of multiple international design awards, David Scrimshaw, after his wife moaned about the lack of support from a travel pillow during a flight.
Its website claims: “The result truly provides an upgrade to sleeping class and has finally changed long haul travel forever. In transit, FaceCradle is the next best thing to a flatbed seat.”
David explained in a video online that the difference between his invention and regular travel pillows is that your head stays in contact with the FaceCradle, meaning you can sleep for longer.
He said: “It’s about being able to have many more comfort positions and the support you get in those positions. The pillow can’t fall away from you and you can’t fall off it.
“When you attach the strap in various different modes, the pillow does not fall away from you, so you can fall asleep and stay asleep.”
The pillow can be bought from £38.40 via the FaceCradle website.
But it’s not without its issues – namely the occasional shame for the person the user of the pillow is travelling with.
One woman was left embarrassed on a recent flight after her husband decided to bring a FaceCradle on board.
Alyssa Fernandez shared a video online of her travel buddy with the cushion, and wrote: “POV: You’re stuck in economy on a 15 hour flight.
“Your husband bought a super cool and not at all embarrassing toilet seat cushion head strap contraption so you can sleep sitting up…”
She then asked if it was a “beige flag” – behaviour that suggests someone is kind of dull or a bit of a dork.
However, plenty of Instagram users were inspired by the innovative selection, with one person commenting: “If it looks stupid and it works, it’s not stupid. I would use this.”
Another added: “Aesthetics don’t matter on planes, especially super long flights.“
The Sun’s travel team has tried out plenty of different travel pillows to help you choose which is the best one to take on your flight.
Tallgo travel pillow
The Tallgo is the pick of the bunch, according to Julia Etherington, who gave it a 5/5 rating.
She was really impressed with its softer feel and firm memory foam curves.
Julia described the pillow as “a real bargain” with it available for £10.99 from Amazon.
Trtl pillow original
A lot of people have raved about the Trtl pillow, which Lisa Burn gave a 4/5.
Lisa said it stops passengers’ heads from falling to one side while they sleep, and keeps necks supported and in a neutral position.
However, it’s “a bit fiddly” and costs £54.99 on Amazon.
AirGoods inflatable pillow
The box-shaped inflatable pillow really took off on Tiktok, but is it actually worth buying?
Julia Etherington gave it a go on a flight, leaving a 3/5 review.
The darkness provided by putting your face into the box’s hole impressed, as did the extra comfort of the armholes.
However, it requires passengers to keep a bent over position for an entire flight, which “isn’t great for your posture” according to Julia.
The AirGoods pillow can be found on Amazon from £16.59.
Meanwhile, this expert revealed three ways in which people can sleep on planes.
And this is the best way to get comfortable during a flight.