Travel blanket

Even in Business Class I do not trust the blanket! I take one of these from Amazon on our flights in a pallet to match my travel wardrobe and use it as a wrap as well as an in-flight blanket.

I have the same wrap in black as Laurel and it works great as a blanket on the plane, shawl or scarf. It washes good by hand or in the washer on delicate in cold water, hang to dry.

I find a ruana more useful on a trip than a special blanket. They tend to be long enough for a blanket but I can wrap it around my arms and wear as an evening wrap if needed.

Amazon has a ton of ruana choices as well as travel blankets with their own storage bags. Ruanas can also be found at big box stores, dept stores, etc from $20 and up. I do try and pick one that can be machine washed.

I hope for a cold plane. I pack very light but always include at least one warm layer and a rain shell. I wear my warm stuff on the plane both to keep my bag light and to be warm.

Normally it's a good plan. I flew on Aer Lingus last May and the plane was uncomfortably warm with extra layers on.

If I wanted to pack a travel blanket, I would go with the idea of a Pashmina shawl.

Laurel, thanks for posting the link to the wrap you use. I ordered one yesterday. I'm always cold, so it can serve multiple purposes. A blanket can't.

Ginger, I use the Lululemon Vinyasa Scarf, it is a heavier scarf that can be used lots of different ways, but as a blanket is my favorite. I never travel without it, I can bundle it up and use as a pillow, as a blanket on trains, planes and to snuggle up in in hotel rooms. It fits perfect in my carry on. Plus it is a really nice looking piece. I got the suggestion from a Flight Attendant I follow on Instagram. I purchased mine pre-loved on Poshmark for a fraction of the cost new.

Laurel, great idea on the shawl/scarf/blanket. Will get one for my mom on our Christmas Markets Tour this coming Nov/Dec.

Thanks everyone. I am looking into all the suggestions to see which would work for me. Would you believe, that the flight from the Caribbean on my last 3 trips, felt as if I were in an icebox??? I was freezing!

I have no problem with the airline blankets that come in a sealed package.

I always feel chilled on planes. Years ago I purchased a Cashmere Pashmina (on sale) at Nordstrom. It's similar to the one Laurel recommended. It's lightweight, warm & cozy.

Ginger, I use a cashmere scarf that is always on sale ($59) at Macy’s online. It is Charter Club Oversized Cashmere Scarf measuring 30x78 and is great as a lower back pillow as well as blanket wrap. Macy’s has them further reduced in November/December for $49 when they have a wider selection of colors. They make great gifts. I just purchased a blue one as I have almost left my black one (Garnet Hill) on the plane since it blends with the upholstery. I pack mine in a gallon zip lock bag and place it in outer pocket of carryon roller bag until I need it once airborne.

My wife uses a fleece blanket that some charitable entity sent as a 'free gift' in one of their donation requests.

A piece of fleece from a fabric store would do the same thing. Folds up well and if something happens, it is only a small loss.

Easy to wash and dries quickly.

I bought a remnant piece of fleece then folded over and seamed the edges. It was cheap ($5-$6) and I intended to use it once and get rid of it. However, I liked the softness and weight of the fabric so much that I still have it after three trips!

I have two recommendations, the first is Rumpl, which is available at REI. This is basically a blanket made of the same materials as a higher end sleeping bag. In its stuff sack it can be used as a pillow, and out it's the same size as the average living room throw. They are kind of expensive, but much better than fleece.

The second is a product I've used for over 30 years now, a military poncho liner. Despite the name it's a very thin, quilted, synthetic blanket. I have slept under one of these in every kind of environment there is, and it will keep you warm. I keep one on my bed at home even. It's larger than most fleece blankets or throw, about the size of a twin blanket, and it's my one thing I take everywhere. Get one from the surplus store. They last for years.

Another vote for a big scarf/pashmina/multiple use item. I found a huge silk print scarf (at a thrift store, win!) - weighs nothing, looks gorgeous, tucks me in like a blankie, feels luxurious, even works as a pareo or bathrobe-y wrap. #2 favorite is a huge cotton scarf, ditto everything. Fleece is great but bulky, & not so much of a wardrobe accessory ;) A super-lightweight scarf can also go over your head for airplane sleeping (if we're ever on a plane again...) to block out light without feeling heavy or breath-impeding.

PS Re the airplane's sealed blankets - an attendant once said that used ones are just re-bagged unless they clearly need cleaning. Caveat emptor.

Timely to bring this thread back since blankets and pillows are now eliminated. Thanks.

I had never taken my own blanket to use on the plane/train, etc. until after my last Europe trip with my daughter and granddaughter. They both brought thin, cozy fleece blankets and used them all the time. When I flew to Israel last year I brought a blanket like that and loved it. So many uses for it!

I would rather freeze than use an airplane blanket.....ick!
I take a blanket scarf and use that as my blanket. I can then use it as a wrap, scarf, blanket, shawl. You can also use to wrap around your waist if you wear shorts but want to enter a church or monestary that requires you to be covered.

I use a big (28x80) cashmere scarf, too. I never travel without one.

Years ago, I made travel blankets for my kids for a car trip. I purchased a yard and a half of lightweight merino wool fabric for each blanket and just hemmed the edges.

Since then, they’ve gone on every plane, train, or car trip we’ve taken. They are lightweight, warm, washable (drip dry), and seemingly indestructible. They zip up into a tiny compression cube and stuff into a corner of each kid’s carryon or backpack.

Well, I wasn't concerned about the blankets provided on planes until I read some of the comments here!

I was all prepared for my RS tour in Ireland in early May, sandwiched between an early arrival in Dublin and a late departure from Belfast. Maybe next year.

Having lost a lot of weight, the new clothes I bought were specifically for that trip. My palette was olive and black with a camouflage twist.

The problem was planning for the weather. So I got 2 camo scarves. I can't wear wool and I like my scarves to be patterned.

This Fall Winter Travel Scarf was my first choice. It is definitely warmer than anything I normally wear. I love the colors. Unlike the instructions, I machine washed it on cold and dried it on low with a dryer sheet and it came out great. Whether or not blankets are provided by the time I finally get to go on that trip, it will work great for the cold plane.

The Amazon link is to a variety of scarves by the same company, Gerinly. The other one I got is much lighter, a different pattern and a slightly different size, even though the description is similar. This is it.

Haha, Lo! I like that 2nd scarf - not much for traditional camo but the black/gray/white one doesn't look too camo-y (I live in N. Idaho after all) but goes with my general travel capsule wardrobe. Thanks for that!