By Beth Stackpole

Unless you're privileged enough to travel first-class (or have racked up some serious frequent flyer miles), flying can hardly be called a luxurious, let alone comfortable experience. Cramped quarters, screaming babies and a smorgasbord of airborne germs are just a few of the indignities travelers must regularly endure. Luckily, there is an array of new merchandise designed to enrich every part of the road warrior's journey. Consider the most basic part of the travel experience: the seating. Most plane or train seats are not conducive for relaxing or sleeping, let alone working the laptop without some level of distress. Inflatable lumbar-back pillows like those offered at Lewis and Clark, neck pillows like the Bucky U-Travel and portable air cushions like FlowCushion can provide much-needed support and give passengers a greater level of comfort during their journey.

For those requiring surroundings comfortable enough to grab some shut-eye, the 1st Class Sleeper, priced at $44.95, is a great option. Designed by an airline pilot, the gadget, which is no bigger than an umbrella, requires 10 or 11 big breaths to create a cushion that transforms the seat into something that rivals an easy chair.

Another common problem, particularly for the long-legged, is limited leg room—especially if the passenger in front of you is an avid seat recliner. If that's the case, consider the Knee Defender. This handy device, about the size of a house key, hooks between the back of the seat in front of you and your seat tray to keep the reclining enthusiast at bay.

Air quality is another big issue for travelers. With so many people trapped in such a confined space, germs are always a concern as is stale, re-circulated air, or worse, noxious odors. The Plane Clean Air Filter is a compact device that attaches to the overhead air nozzle to clean the air of bacteria and other particles within your direct air space.

Flight001's F1 Germ Free Pak, bundles the essentials in a carry-on approved package, including anti-bacterial hand soap sheets, toilet seat covers, a plane defense inhalation pouch, no-cooties spray and E-boost immunity boosters. Another option: Travelsmith's $129 Ultra-Mini Personal Air Purifier, a gadget that fits around your neck and uses plasma technology to destroy allergens, pollutants and viruses while running for a good 50 hours off a Lithium battery.

If noise or a chatty seat companion is your main pain point, there are dozens of new noise-reduction headphones to drown out unwanted sounds. On the high end is the Bose QuietComfort 3 acoustic noise canceling headphones, which fade background distractions while offering hours of high performance audio listening. NoiseFreeHeadphones.com claims to be the noise canceling headquarters where travelers can pick from dozens of models, some priced as low as under $50.

Finally, for those travelers just looking for a little TLC (tender love and care) and pampering to make their journey less stressful, try Flight001's F-1 Jet Comfort Kit or Travelsmith's Silk Airplane Comfort Kit. Flight001's option comes with ear plugs, a dental kit, a neck rest, slipper socks, an eye shade, moist towelettes and the best part—a deck of cards and chocolate bars from Dylan's Candy Store. The Travelsmith offering includes a silk pillowcase, adjustable eye shades and blanket.

So go ahead and indulge. With the right gear, the next trip might just feel like a vacation.