How to Stay Warm on a Plane
Staying warm on a plane comes down to three things: layers you can take off, something over your legs, and warm feet. The cabin feels cold because you sit still for hours under an air vent, and the airline blanket, if there is one, is too thin and too small to fix that. Here's what frequent flyers actually do.
Why planes feel so cold
You're not imagining it. A few things add up:
- You're sitting still. Your body makes less heat when you don't move, and on a plane you don't move for hours.
- The vents. Cabin air comes out of the overhead nozzles and the panels along the floor. Window seats and exit rows get more of it, and cold air settles at your feet.
- Night flights. When the lights go down and everyone sleeps, the cabin usually feels colder than it did at boarding.
- You boarded warm. Walking through the terminal, you were fine. Then you sat down and cooled off.
You can't change the thermostat. You can close the air nozzle above you, and the rest is what you bring.
Dress in layers you can peel off
Planes swing from warm on the ground to cold in the air. One thick coat is wrong both times. Instead:
- Wear a thin base layer like a long-sleeve tee.
- Add a mid layer you can take off: a fleece, a cardigan or a hoodie. A hood also keeps the vent off your neck.
- Pack a packable layer as backup. A packable down vest or a light puffer squashes to nothing in a bag and is warm for its size. This is the layer regulars on flyer forums mention most.
A big scarf or wrap is the other favorite. It's a scarf at the gate, a blanket on your lap, and a wrap at dinner.
Keep your feet warm
Cold feet make everything feel colder, and feet are where the cold air collects. Wool socks are the simplest fix. If you take your shoes off to sleep, put on a thick pair of socks first; some flyers pack a dedicated pair just for the plane.
Don't put bare feet on the floor. A small blanket draped over your legs and feet helps more than you'd think.
Bring a blanket that packs small
The airline blanket, when there is one, is thin and about the size of a bath towel. Some airlines don't hand them out in economy anymore. A travel blanket of your own is warmer, cleaner and bigger. The trick is picking one that doesn't cost you half your bag:
- A case that doubles as a pillow. Many travel blankets fold into a plush zip case. On the plane, the case is your pillow; in the airport, it's one tidy bundle.
- A luggage sleeve or clip. A sleeve on the back of the case slides over your suitcase handle. A carabiner or strap hangs it from your backpack. It rides outside your bag.
- About 65 inches long. Sitting up, that covers you from shoulders to feet. A 50 inch blanket only covers your lap.
- Machine washable. Wash it when you get home.
The EverSnug Travel Blanket and Pillow is our top pick for exactly these reasons: a 65 x 40 inch microplush blanket, a case that becomes a pillow, a luggage sleeve and a carabiner.
Pick a warmer seat
If you can choose, a middle or aisle seat away from the exit rows and the galley is usually warmer than a window seat, where the cabin wall is cold to lean on. Bulkhead and exit rows have more legroom but also more cold air at floor level. Close the air nozzle over your seat as soon as you sit down.
Warm up from the inside
- Ask for a hot drink. Tea or coffee warms your hands and your core.
- Eat something. Digesting food makes heat. Skipping the meal and sleeping hungry leaves you colder.
- Go easy on alcohol. It can make you feel warm for a few minutes, then colder.
- Move a little. Walk the aisle once in a while, or roll your ankles and shoulders in your seat.
A simple packing list
- A thin long-sleeve top and a mid layer you can remove
- A packable vest or light puffer in your personal item
- Wool socks, plus a spare pair if you sleep without shoes
- A travel blanket that packs into a pillow case and clips to your bag
- A big scarf if you'd rather have one item that does several jobs
Keep the blanket and socks in the seat pocket or under the seat, not in the overhead bin. Once you're cold, you won't want to stand up and dig for them.
The bottom line: layers, covered feet and a packable blanket
To stay warm on a plane, dress in layers you can peel off, keep your feet covered, close the vent, and bring a blanket that packs into its own case so it doesn't cost you bag space. For five travel blankets compared on size, warmth and how they attach to your luggage, see our best travel blankets for airplanes.