These Travel Accessories Make Sleeping on Airplanes Way Easier (Video)

There are two types of travelers in this world: those who can sleep on planes and those who can’t.

This one ability — or lack thereof — can make a world of difference, particularly for flights any longer than six hours. It’s a matter of landing and feeling functional (albeit a bit groggy and stiff) versus arriving at your destination and feeling as if you’ve undergone some twisted form of sleep deprivation in an otherworldly dimension of crying babies, armrest battles, and movies with a max rating of 55 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

Related: More travel accessories

For travelers who fall into the latter category, it’s worth exploring any avenue to secure some precious in-flight shut-eye — even if the methods elicit more than a couple raised eyebrows from fellow passengers.

These products may look a little ridiculous, but they'll also help you finally slip into a glorious, elusive slumber in the skies.

The internet has gone wild for a variety of oddly-shaped travel pillows from Ostrich, and while they may look a little strange, customers swear by them for successful airplane sleep. This soft, circular-shaped pillow provides neck support and doubles as a surprisingly comfortable eye mask.

To buy: amazon.com, from $40

This memory foam pillow has just about everything you could want in a travel pillow: It provides plenty of neck support, is made with breathable fabric, and comes with a convenient carrying case. This product is a major upgrade from the standard, bead-filled neck pillows that have become synonymous with overpriced airport gift shops. With a sturdy, ergonomic design and real memory foam, it's effective enough to be worth the investment.

To buy: amazon.com, from $40

This portable footrest secures around the seatback tray table to solve the where-the-heck-do-I-put-my-feet issue that’s all too common in an era of limited legroom and oversized carry-ons.

To buy: amazon.com, from $10

This Bucky eye mask is a vast improvement from the flimsy option that came with your last international flight care package. It may look a little Martian, but it's available in a variety of colors and patterns — some that actually verge on stylish. Plus, it comes equipped with a strong strap that won’t lose elasticity the third time you use it.

To buy: amazon.com, $8 (originally $10)

A pair of noise-canceling headphones is a must-have while traveling. For serious travelers who are willing to drop a pretty penny for a night of sound sleep, these may be worth it. For those seeking the noise-canceling power of these headphones for a fraction of the cost, consider the Rohm portable white-noise machine. Although this product is more suited for a hotel room than an airplane, it gets high reviews for effectiveness.

To buy: amazon.com, $399

Before you scoff at the seemingly superfluous nature of this product, it’s worth giving it a try on your next long flight. This mist by Kiehl’s contains a combination of lavender, geranium, and rosemary that moisturizes and refreshes sensitive skin in dry conditions (like inside a plane cabin). Lavender is also known for its calming, slumber-inducing effects.

To buy: kiehls.com, $27

We’ll do you a favor and refrain from delving into the statistics behind bacteria and germs on the average commercial airliner. If you’re losing sleep on planes because of the mental ick factor of traveling in a less-than-sterile environment, carrying these on-the-go Clorox wipes for your tray table and armrests may help ease your mind.

To buy: amazon.com, $14

You might not have ever thought to bring your own blanket on an airplane, but doing so is a real game changer. You can wear this travel blanket from Travelrest as a poncho, so there's no question that you'll be warm and cozy during your flight. It can also be folded up and used as a neck or lumbar support pillow.

To buy: amazon.com, $30

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