Airline fleece blankets are notoriously thin, questionable when it comes to hygiene, and almost guaranteed to slip off your shoulders the moment you nod off to sleep. They’re also not even that warm. On virtually every count, they fail. However, given how cold it gets on a long-haul flight, you still definitely need one – and all the more so on a red-eye.
So, with a 12-hour flight to Vietnam looming, I took the opportunity to try Trtl’s Mini Wrap Travel Blanket to see if it’s worth the £75 price tag; a substantial price to pay for a blanket, and especially so when there is a free alternative. Trtl is best known for its innovative wrap-style travel pillow, which has a built-in neck support to prevent the dreaded head bob, even in the middle seat. Its blanket is less innovative – it is just a blanket, after all – but it does still offer some useful features, plus a far warmer material than the standard airline option.
Firstly, this lightweight travel blanket is larger than your average plane coverup, at 140cm x 110cm, and provides good coverage without feeling overwhelming or annoying your neighbours in a cramped economy seat. It’s made from a soft-to-the-touch, quilted, water-resistant material that offers impressive thermal insulation against the ferocious aircon. This is genuinely impressive – on my long, long flight, I did stay much warmer tucked up under this than I usually do on a long haul. On several occasions I’ve woken up shivering before after the plane’s blanket has fallen off me when I’ve dozed off, but not so in this instance.
Then there’s the front pocket, where you can stash your valuables for extra peace of mind. I’ve accidentally left my passport in the front pocket of a plane seat before on one occasion, and had to sprint back onto the plane to retrieve it when I realised. If I’d have kept it in this throw blanket, this couldn’t have happened – so for that reason alone I think this is a handy feature. There’s space for your book, phone, travel documents or to store your headphones, ready for when you wake from your nap.