One of the latest trends in travel and commuting are noise cancelling headphones. These unique devices will cancel background noise in plane, train, or car and make the trip much more relaxing and enjoyable. There are a number of competing technologies in the noise cancelling headphone market, but the hands down leader is Bose. They have a line of full ear noise cancelling headphones that do an excellent job of stopping much of the background noise that is normal in plane travel. They are pricey however and you can expect to pay about $250 for a pair of these gems. They are comfortable and perform perfectly.

You should also consider the new earbud style noise cancelling headphones that provide excellent performance at a much-reduced cost. I have to admit that when I tried these small units and while they are very effective, they can be uncomfortable on long flights. It is also important to note that the earbud style that slips completely in your ear like an earplug is more effective at reducing noise, but they can make your ear canal a bit sore after extended use.