9 Shameless Ways to Make a Flight Comfortable

With that in mind, here's a list of travel products that get the job done, in spite of their (sometimes) goofy appearances. Below are nine shameless ways to make your flight a little more comfortable, from butt pads to foldable footrests.

Trick humanity into thinking you're not a slob with comfy pants that have been designed to look more respectable outside-the-house pants. There's a version for men from Public Rec that are aptly called the Gamechanger Pant. These dress sweatpants, made from a signature nylon and spandex blend, will deceive anyone who can't spot the difference between plainly dissimilar types of fabric, and will be a gamechanger for your travel wardrobe.

This is a thing. I haven't seen anyone use this product before, so I can't offer empirical data on the popularity of seat cushions and other items meant to support a flyer's posterior. I'd venture to guess that, in light of the uncomfortable contortions to which the legs and necks of coach flyers are subjected, measly padding under the butt is comparatively not so unpleasant. ComfiLife’s Ergo-Gel Airplane Seat Cushion is foldable and compact, and will give you the relief you need on longer flights.

Why is a wearable blanket better than a traditional one? Good question. I don't know the answer to that. But for some people, it seems, the strange fusion of clothing and bedding that is The Slanket reaches the apex of comfort. Clearly, you don't have to bother with rearranging the thing after you get up and go to the bathroom; I guess that's a plus. You could also wear it around the airport if you're comfortable with public humiliation.

I've curated a list of more socially acceptable travel pillows. These are not conversation starters. These are normal-looking travel pillows that will have a neutral effect on your personal cool factor. First there's the oxygen pillow, a small, white latex foam number that converts into an easy-to-carry bundle. The Cushion Lab Travel Deep Sleep Pillow is a more expensive option, but it becomes an even tinier bundle when rolled up.

For the truly shameless, a range of creatively designed, weird-looking travel pillows is available. These are products that would make even your Captain Kirk pajama set cringe. They may allow you to get more comfortable, but they will not help you win first prize in any popularity contests to be held on the aircraft. There's the notorious Ostrich Pillow, which slips over your entire head and makes you look like a praying mantis. Then there's the telephone-shaped Travelrest, my personal favorite. I received some judgmental looks while inflating my Travelrest on a plane; I'm happy to report that this had no bearing on the efficacy of the pillow.

Some aircraft seats come with little metal fold-down footrests. Some don't. For petite passengers whose legs dangle above the floor, compressing their upper thighs into the seat, a footrest is particularly helpful. You could put your feet on your carry-on bag, which is what I do. Alternatively, you could purchase a specialized product. Amazon even sells a massaging footrest. The more compact foot hammock hangs from the tray in front of you and gives you that lift your legs need.

Lumbar support is just as important as leg and butt comfort. Get yourself an inflatable lumbar pillow to give your back the support it needs, without the bulk. You could also bring a regular lumbar pillow which is bulkier than the inflatable but will likely give you better support, so consider it for longer flights.

While compression socks may not seem like they are overly embarrassing, they can be. I’ve had to don them while wearing shorts and capris, not exactly a flattering look. I’ve also had to whip them out while on the plane because it was a later flight and I didn’t want to have them on all day beforehand. However, if you’ve ever taken your shoes off after a long flight and saw your feet had swollen, compression socks are a good idea. VIM & VIGR Cotton 15-20 mmHg Graduated Compression Socks come in cool colors and patterns so you can make a statement.

If you want to sip your drink while staying comfortable with the tray infront of you up, get yourself a tray that slips into the shade hole. You can put your drink in the holder, and store your earbud case, phone, and chargers on the little tray- making it a lot easier to remember to take all of the little things that you otherwise might store in the seat pocket infront of you (or maybe that is just me because I have left my earbuds on the plane TWICE.) Whatever the reason, this organizer can make your trip a whole lot more comfortable if you’ve got the window seat.