Latest news with #MDR-EX155AP
Sydney Morning Herald
27-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Ten items I always take when flying long-haul in economy class
Zen-like powers of endurance are required when you're wedged into an economy class seat halfway between Australia and Dubai, seven hours down and seven more to go. Long-haul economy class flights are where travel dreams stumble, but there are ways to make them more bearable. Pack a few life-enhancing items in your carry-on and you can turn your cattle-class cabin into something close to comfort, but take care. The quest for a more comfortable flight has produced some weird ideas. The knee defender, a wedge designed to prevent the passenger in front reclining their seat, made a brief appearance over a decade ago until fights erupted and airlines banned it. The foot hammock is a sling that suspends from your tray table, guaranteed to raise eyebrows, but the gold medallist in the absurdist stakes has to be the Ostrichpillow, a sleep aid which looks like an octopus latched onto your head, recommended only if you want to amuse your fellow passengers. And it seems some travellers just can't face a long flight without the pillow from their bed. I mean, really? The sound that comes through those cheap in-ear headphones the airlines hand out take the shine off even the best inflight movies. You can pick up a set of Sony MDR-EX155AP In-Ear Headphones that offer a much improved audio connection for about $30, but for a truly sublime audio experience nothing beats noise-cancelling headphones. The sound comes crisp and clear, and engine noise or a shouty child are reduced to whispers, a big plus for snooze time. Even high-spec items from Bose can be yours for about $250 while Sonictrek QuietMix II, which do a very decent job, and you can find for under $200. Cheap, throwaway slippers are the perfect inflight footwear. If you've overnighted in a medium posh hotel, those towelling slippers are ideal, and the hotel bins them after they're used once so why not pack them in your cabin bag? They're fine even for visits to the toilet, and you're losing them as soon as you leave the aircraft. They're also available from online retailers from about $3 a pair. As well as a carry-on case, most airlines allow a personal item, a small bag or case, provided it fits under the seat in front. The maximum size for underseat cabin storage varies by airline, but generally, a personal item such as a small backpack or handbag should fit within dimensions around 40cm x 30cm x 20cm. That gives you a respectable pack size of 24 litres, which can swallow everything you need for a comfortable inflight experience right up to a laptop, and several luggage makers sell underseat bags. Some have rigid frames, or even wheels and extendable handles and that's a mistake. In some aircraft the housing box for the inflight entertainment system is located under the seat. If you find yourself seated behind one of these boxes your storage space is compromised and a solid case isn't going to fit. What you want is a soft-sided, squishable pack, and a daypack is ideal. The 28 litre Cabin Zero backpack is available on the Qantas Marketplace website for $89.95, but there's a lot to like about the 20 litre Decathlon Sports Shoulder Bag Essential, a steal at under $20.
The Age
27-07-2025
- The Age
Ten items I always take when flying long-haul in economy class
Zen-like powers of endurance are required when you're wedged into an economy class seat halfway between Australia and Dubai, seven hours down and seven more to go. Long-haul economy class flights are where travel dreams stumble, but there are ways to make them more bearable. Pack a few life-enhancing items in your carry-on and you can turn your cattle-class cabin into something close to comfort, but take care. The quest for a more comfortable flight has produced some weird ideas. The knee defender, a wedge designed to prevent the passenger in front reclining their seat, made a brief appearance over a decade ago until fights erupted and airlines banned it. The foot hammock is a sling that suspends from your tray table, guaranteed to raise eyebrows, but the gold medallist in the absurdist stakes has to be the Ostrichpillow, a sleep aid which looks like an octopus latched onto your head, recommended only if you want to amuse your fellow passengers. And it seems some travellers just can't face a long flight without the pillow from their bed. I mean, really? The sound that comes through those cheap in-ear headphones the airlines hand out take the shine off even the best inflight movies. You can pick up a set of Sony MDR-EX155AP In-Ear Headphones that offer a much improved audio connection for about $30, but for a truly sublime audio experience nothing beats noise-cancelling headphones. The sound comes crisp and clear, and engine noise or a shouty child are reduced to whispers, a big plus for snooze time. Even high-spec items from Bose can be yours for about $250 while Sonictrek QuietMix II, which do a very decent job, and you can find for under $200. Cheap, throwaway slippers are the perfect inflight footwear. If you've overnighted in a medium posh hotel, those towelling slippers are ideal, and the hotel bins them after they're used once so why not pack them in your cabin bag? They're fine even for visits to the toilet, and you're losing them as soon as you leave the aircraft. They're also available from online retailers from about $3 a pair. As well as a carry-on case, most airlines allow a personal item, a small bag or case, provided it fits under the seat in front. The maximum size for underseat cabin storage varies by airline, but generally, a personal item such as a small backpack or handbag should fit within dimensions around 40cm x 30cm x 20cm. That gives you a respectable pack size of 24 litres, which can swallow everything you need for a comfortable inflight experience right up to a laptop, and several luggage makers sell underseat bags. Some have rigid frames, or even wheels and extendable handles and that's a mistake. In some aircraft the housing box for the inflight entertainment system is located under the seat. If you find yourself seated behind one of these boxes your storage space is compromised and a solid case isn't going to fit. What you want is a soft-sided, squishable pack, and a daypack is ideal. The 28 litre Cabin Zero backpack is available on the Qantas Marketplace website for $89.95, but there's a lot to like about the 20 litre Decathlon Sports Shoulder Bag Essential, a steal at under $20.
