Trtl Travel Pillow: Tips for travelling long-haul for Australians from Michael Corrigan

The co-founder and CEO of one of the world’s most popular travel brands has shared his secrets to a comfortable flight every time – even if you’re in the middle seat.

Founded in 2013 by mechanical engineers Michael Corrigan and David Kellock, Trtl has fast become the most recognisable companies in the travel industry thanks to its uniquely designed neck pillow.

The pair had travelled in economy countless times and wanted to find a solution for sleeping on the go that was different to the traditional neck pillow options. And 80 prototypes later they launched what is now the Trtl Pillow.

The $72.99 gadget has more than 30,000 positive reviews on Amazon and hundreds of thousands of five-star reviews worldwide and is popular thanks to its internal support system.

The hidden support provides ‘premium comfort’ using the ‘loop wrap and nap’ method and keeps your head and neck in an ergonomic position while you sleep – preventing the dreaded ‘head bobbing’. 

The hidden support provides ‘premium comfort’ using the ‘loop wrap and nap’ method and keeps your head and neck in an ergonomic position while you sleep – preventing the dreaded ‘head bobbing’

‘Our travel pillows are scientifically proven to provide better neck support than standard U-shaped pillows. The versatility and design of this product is one of its key features,’ Mr Corrigan told FEMAIL.

‘It can be adjusted to fit any neck size, and can be worn in different ways. And its compact nature makes for easy storage. They’re also made with different materials from warm fleece to dry-fit mesh cotton, which is breathable and cool to the touch.

Since the launch and the pillow’s skyrocketing popularity, the brand has also launched two new pillows – the $135 Travel Plus with breathable mesh material, and the $105 Pillow Cool with bio-blended fabrics.

The reviews for the viral pillows speak for themselves, with regular travellers refusing to fly with anything else. 

‘Our travel pillows are scientifically proven to provide better neck support than standard U-shaped pillows. The versatility and design of this product is one of its key features,’ Mr Corrigan told FEMAIL

Founded in 2013 by mechanical engineers Michael Corrigan (pictured) and David Kellock, Trtl has fast become the most recognisable companies in the travel industry thanks to its uniquely designed neck pillow

‘Simple to adapt to personal preference and the softness of the fabric scarf kept me nice and warm. I highly recommend this as your go to pillow for any flight not just night flights,’ a Sydney to Singapore passenger wrote.

‘I recently travelled to Singapore, Morocco and Spain, the travel pillow was a game changer. I was able to sleep longer in comfort, no neck problems. I am always freezing on the plane and the blanket came in handy and love the design. I am never traveling without these items again,’ another added.

He also shared his simple yet often forgotten ‘must-dos’ while travelling long-haul for Australians used to booking flights 14 hours or more.   

Try organising your carry-on belongings into separate bags based on when they will be needed: pre-flight, during, and after

USE PACKING CUBES IN YOUR CARRY-ON

This makes it easier to locate items exactly when you need them. 

Try organising your belongings into separate bags based on when they will be needed: pre-flight, during, and after. 

PACK A SMALL TOOTHBRUSH AND TOOTHPASTE  

Keep a small toothbrush and toothpaste on hand to freshen up after snacks or meals, particularly during take-off and landing.

WRAP YOUR TRAVEL PILLOW AROUND THE HANDLE OF YOUR LUGGAGE

You can conveniently wrap it around the handle of your suitcase or bag strap, freeing up space inside your carry-on. 

This allows you to pack more essentials or even leave extra room so you don’t have to dig through everything to find items at the bottom of your bag, like those sweet treats you brought along for the trip.

DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE PERSON BEHIND YOU 

Always utilise the reclining seats for added comfort, even if it means feeling slightly guilty towards the person behind you.

PACK SLIDES 

Bring sliders to wear during the flight to avoid discomfort and the hassle of putting on and taking off shoes when using the restroom.

PACK/WEAR LAYERS  

Be prepared for different temperatures by wearing comfortable clothing and layers that can easily be added or removed to find the perfect level of warmth.

INVEST IN PROPER NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES  

Invest in noise-cancelling headphones, especially if seated in the aisle, to block out distractions and allow for a more peaceful flight.