Travel pillows can help you get some rest in the air, but they also take up valuable space in your carry-on. What if the airline you’re flying eliminates the need to bring travel pillows on the plane in the first place, though? One airline is aiming to do just that by unveiling built-in headrests that function the same way as a travel pillow. Take a look at the airline in question and how these innovative new headrests work.

The Emirates U-Dream Headrest

Emirates, already one of the world’s top airlines, introduced the U-Dream Headrest in July. At first glance, the headrest looks like any standard economy seat headrest. But when it’s time to rest, the flexible wings can be folded down to support your head and neck. Passengers simply grab onto the wings and angle them inward, then bend them down at a 90-degree angle so they sit just above the shoulders. When tilting your head to the side, the wings will provide sturdy support, similar to a travel pillow.

Given that seemingly everything about flying costs extra these days, you might assume this feature will be reserved for passengers who pay a premium. But we have good news: These headrests will be available to all Emirates flyers in economy class on planes that feature them.

The U-Dream Headrest only recently launched, though, so you’ll find it on just a handful of the carrier’s Airbus A350 aircraft currently. However, according to the airline’s press release, the plan is to install more “as quickly as possible,” with the goal of having the headrests on all A350 models by the end of 2026. 

Emirates also plans to retrofit these headrests on “most of” its Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, and will have them installed on all Boeing 777X aircraft that are currently on order. The airline didn’t share a timeline for when the project will be complete, but that should leave only a small number of long-haul planes without the U-Dream headrests. 

If you’re looking to try these headrests in the near future, flying aboard an Emirates A350 is your only option. Unfortunately for U.S.-based travelers, Emirates doesn’t operate any A350s here — at least for now. The closest airport  where you’ll find the new headrests is in Montreal, Canada, where you can hop aboard an aircraft headed toward Dubai.

But if you’re connecting in Dubai, you may find the headrests on flights to destinations such as Adelaide and Brisbane in Australia; Delhi, India; and Jakarta, Indonesia. Keep an eye out for Emirates to introduce the headrests on other planes and routes in the future. And if we’re lucky, additional airlines may follow suit and install a similar version on their planes, too.

Travel Pillows Worth Considering

For now, unless you’re flying with Emirates into or out of Dubai on a retrofitted aircraft, you’ll have to settle for the same old travel pillows instead of these innovative headrests. While many pillows are bulky and overpriced, we’ve found a few comfortable and compact options.

If you’re looking for value, this Samsonite travel pillow provides basic comfort at a competitive price. On the more luxurious end of the spectrum, the three-in-one Hest travel pillow can function as either a neck, body, or regular pillow. If the most important consideration is luggage space, this inflatable travel pillow from Coop Home Goods is a solid option. When uninflated, the pillow takes up barely any space and can easily be stashed in your carry-on.