I come to you this week from New York, where I am visiting the original Guggenheim Museum before the opening of the Abu Dhabi branch this year.
There will be much to be said about my trip in the coming weeks, but for now my focus is squarely on on-board comfort. It is front of my mind, as I have taken a few plane trips recently, both long- and short-haul.
There is much to be said for in-flight comfort. I am not talking about first, business or even premium economy - comfort in those cabins is something of a paid-for given.
I am talking about economy comfort. Looking around on a recent flight, I took note of the rituals of passengers around me – some with noise-cancelling headphones, many with eye masks, more with travel pillows. I have even spied a handful of passengers with red light masks, bringing beauty and wellness practices with them in the air.
I have my own on-board essentials – Sony headphones, which I haven’t been without while travelling for about 10 years; a Cabeau travel pillow that folds up to a third of its full size, ensuring it’s no hand-luggage burden; and 111 Skin Cryo De-Puffing Eye Masks – they’re not cheap, but worth their weight in gold when it comes to landing without under-eye bags to match my checked baggage. I have not quite stretched to a red light mask for my hand luggage, but it is certainly not out of the question for future transatlantic journeys.
I may soon have no need for my neck pillow, however, as Emirates airline has officially launched its much-teased economy class headrest, which went viral last month. The Dubai airline has confirmed that the adjustable design will be introduced across much of its fleet as part of a major investment to improve passenger comfort.
Emirates calls it the U-Dream Headrest and describes it as a world first designed to give economy class passengers significantly greater support while sleeping or relaxing on board. It features wing-like side supports that cradle a passenger's head while sleeping, looking like a true upgrade when it comes to economy comfort.
“The U-Dream changes the game if the person wants to sleep – by supporting the neck in full. No more neck pillows needed. It's another innovation that shows our commitment to customers and cements our economy class as the best,” said Emirates president Tim Clark.
All Emirates A350s are expected to feature the U-Dream Headrest by the end of the year. Read more here.
Emirates isn’t the only airline investing in passengers' comfort.
Earlier this year, Evelyn Lau looked at the different ways airlines offer a good night’s sleep in economy. From Air New Zealand’s Skynest bunk-style pods to Vietnam Airlines’ Sky Sofa, airlines are getting creative with the ways they’re offering comfort. Read more here.
Until next time, safe travels.
Travel news you may have missed
• Qantas's Project Sunrise reached a major milestone this week, flying from Melbourne directly to Toulouse, with a flight that lasted 24 hours and 24 minutes. The record-breaking journey is the longest ever by a commercial plane, and part of the airline's plan to launch a new non-stop route from Australia to London in October 2027.
• Airlines face higher charges at Heathrow to pay for expansion plans. Read more here.
• In partnership with Crypto.com, Emirates has started accepting crypto payments for flights. Read more here.
A fashion editor's guide to holiday packing
Summer spells the holiday season for many, yet packing for an extended trip is rarely a serene experience. It is far more likely to involve an open suitcase, clothes strewn around the room and the dawning realisation that perhaps you should have started earlier.
However, there are a few tricks that will not only ensure you look good throughout the holiday but also help you to maintain your patience.
Here, our in-house fashion expert Sarah Maisey shares the expertise that comes with years spent working as a stylist and editor – roles that come with their fair share of travel. From picking (and sticking to) a colour palette to leaving behind the shoes, get her full packing rundown here.
Travel buy
Getting caught short of charge when you're on the road is at best inconvenient, but can be much worse if you're left without maps, translators and ways to pay, as many of us now rely heavily on our phones when travelling. That's where a reliable power bank comes in very handy. The 165W Ultra-Fast Portable Charger by Anker has enough charge for four devices at once, including phones and laptops, and comes with retractable cables, meaning you can pack one fewer thing.
It is important to note that many airlines have strict power bank regulations, which should be checked before packing them for trips.
Spotlight destination: JA Manafaru, the Maldives
Sparkling blue waters, a sense of tranquillity and luxurious experiences are synonymous with an island-resort holiday in the Maldives.
With hundreds of properties to select from, how do you choose? Aarti Jhurani recently checked into JA Manafaru on Haa Alif, the northern-most atoll in the country. Part of Dubai hospitality group JA Resorts and Hotels' international portfolio, JA Manafaru is a secluded island retreat offering personalised hospitality, Maldivian spa treatments and plenty of fish-spotting opportunities.
Read more here.
Top tip
Look into travel insurance, specifically for any lost or delayed luggage. Many policies will compensate passengers for time wasted and anything they need to buy to tide them over while their luggage takes a holiday of its own. But reading (and understanding) the small print is essential.
In the headlines
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