A Man Says You’re Wearing Your Airplane Neck Pillow Wrong And His Simple Fix Makes Flights Way More Comfy

Last updated on May 01, 2026

A happy man resting on an airplane with his neck pillow adjusted for maximum support, capturing the 'secret' to avoiding neck pain while sleeping on a plane.AI Generated
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Traveling is a luxury, but getting to your destination doesn’t always feel great. Going through security is stressful. Flights are delayed more often than ever before. Airplane cabins are crowded, and the seats are cramped. 

As safety and health concerns make air travel increasingly stressful, a study has explored better ways to manage passenger anxiety by looking at how travelers protect their limited resources and peace of mind. Researchers tracked stress throughout a trip. 

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The study highlighted that when passengers feel their time and peace of mind are threatened or wasted, their stress levels rise. Though airports and airlines have yet to develop better services to help passengers feel more comfortable during their journey, not all hope is lost for traveling in comfort — and style. One man’s genius neck pillow hack will let you sleep like a baby the next time you fly.

A man says you’re wearing your airplane neck pillow wrong, and his simple fix makes flights way more comfortable

The man, whose name is Lawrence and who bills himself as one half of The Part-Time Traveling Family, shared his neck pillow revelation on his Instagram account, which was then reposted by Gate Access, an account that offers tips for traveling and making it through the airport smoothly. According to the post, we’ve all been wearing our neck pillows wrong, and we have the aches and pains to prove it. Lawrence showed the right way to wear a neck pillow — by turning it around, so the opening faces the back.

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Lawrence filmed himself wearing his neck pillow the way our society has collectively assumed it goes, putting the U-shaped accessory around his neck so it opened beneath his chin. He then blew everyone’s mind by turning the pillow around, showing off a way to wear it that is way more comfortable and supportive. He closed his eyes and rested his head on the side of the pillow as his chin nestled into the plush curve. 

RELATED: The Funny-Looking Trick For Relaxing Your Stiff, Sore Neck

The mind-blowing pillow hack makes travel more comfortable by creating a perfect little hug for your neck

There are aspects of plane travel that no one can control, like crying babies or fellow passengers being rude. 

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Why not control what we can and change how we wear our neck pillows?

One of the major perils of long-distance travel is feeling jet-lagged, which happens when your body’s circadian rhythms haven’t changed to match your new time zone. The more time zones you move across, the more likely you are to experience jet lag. While jet lag is temporary, the brain fog and fatigue that come with it can make it hard to adjust to your new location or enjoy whatever trip you’re taking. 

According to The Mayo Clinic, jet lag symptoms usually occur within one or two days after traveling across at least two time zones. Symptoms can include trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, inability to focus, mood changes, and generally feeling sick. The farther you travel, the worse your symptoms might be, which is especially true if you’re flying east, as you lose time when the time zones change.

RELATED: People Who Feel Most Alive When They Travel Have One Specific Brain Quirk, According to Research

Recovering from jet lag usually takes about a day for each time zone crossed. There are simple and effective ways to stave off jet lag, including drinking lots of water to avoid dehydration, which can occur because of low humidity levels in plane cabins. Resting up before taking a trip, sleeping on the plane, and making sure you adjust to your new schedule can also help alleviate jet lag symptoms.

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As the neck pillow hack shows, trying a new approach to getting some rest on the plane works wonders, and sets the tone for whatever fun adventure you’re embarking on once you land.

RELATED: We Traveled 10,000 Miles To Fix Our Marriage But That’s Not What Actually Saved It

Alexandra Blogier is a writer on YourTango's news and entertainment team. She covers travel, pop culture analysis, and all things to do with the entertainment industry.

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