Are inflatable travel pillows better than memory foam for flying?

Inflatable pillows pack down far smaller and weigh much less, which is why they dominate backpacking and carry-on use. Memory foam options tend to score well on plush comfort but take up bulk in a bag. If packability is your priority, an inflatable model wins; if you want the softest feel and don't mind the bulk, foam is the tradeoff. Note that several popular 'travel pillows' in this category are actually memory foam, so check the description before buying.