Have you ever wondered which face mask provides the best protection for international travel? You are not alone.

As a person who is immunocompromised, I am afraid of flying during the Covid-19 pandemic. I took the plunge and flew across the country for our youngest son’s graduation from college. Flying nationally is actually scarier than flying internationally as we no longer have any federal regulation about mask-wearing in the United States. 

Despite my fear, we headed out. Better yet, I managed the entire trip without getting sick. I credit these two masks for making my trip a safer one. Now, a few years after the pandemic, we still use these facemasks – especially when boarding a plan with sniffling, coughing companions. Better safe than sorry.

When I first published this article, we had included different recommendations that are no longer available today. We are still trying and testing facemasks and have updated our recommendations so that you can purchase quality facemasks without a lot of hassle.

Best Mask for Air Travel

When I mentioned to a friend that we were embarking on our first plane trip since the onset of Covid-19, she immediately told me that I needed to wear a comfortable mask on the airplane. And I agreed. My experience with most N-95s has been anything but comfortable.

Maybe it’s because I have glasses and few N-95 masks sit nicely on my nose. Also, the elastic straps of most N-95 masks pull on my hair. And make the tops of my ears sore from the constant rubbing of the elastic strap on bare skin. You get my drift. Very few N-95s have been designed for comfort.

However, it is important to use an N-95 when forced to sit for long periods of time in an enclosed space with limited air circulation. In other words, while sitting in an airplane cabin, especially before and after take-off. That’s when many airlines do not use their air circulation systems.

My friend recommended using a duck-billed mask. My husband went to the internet to find the best deal and we purchased the Jackson Safety N95 Mask. Since then, we found a new mask as Jackson no longer makes this mask. We recommend the Kimtech N95 Pouch Respirator, a duck-billed mask with many of the same qualities as Jackson that is made here in the USA. 

I was surprised to find that the straps were made of a soft, stretchy material that is much kinder to my hair and the tops of my ears. The flexible nose band also fits the bridge of my nose better than most traditional N-95s. Additionally, the duckbill shape adds space for my breathe to exist. I felt less claustrophobic and didn’t feel like I was constantly smelling the interior of a mask.

Another selling point for us is that these masks are made in the United States.

In short, I highly recommend this mask or another that is very similar, the Kimberly-Clark Professional N95 Pouch Respirator, also available on Amazon.

Best Mask for Daily Wear

Even I find a duck-billed mask overkill for every day where. I prefer a mask that has loops that go over my ears rather than behind my head. So, if I’m not sitting in a single location like that airplane cabin, I opt for the Keangs KN95 below. It has many of the same features of the PureMSK we originally recommended (and has since gone out of business). In short, we think Keangs KN95 is a great replacement.

Keangs Masks use N95 technology. However, they are not certified by NIOSH. We believe that certification is lacking because NIOSH requires straps that go behind the head, a design that supposedly pulls the mask more tightly to the face.

Keangs are lightweight, comfortable to wear, and come in multiple colors. I prefer white while my husband prefers black. That also helps us avoid mixing up our masks! 

Have a better “best face mask” to recommend?

If you have a mask that you prefer and would like to recommend, let us know! Technology is constantly changing and adapting. We will be happy to try out a new version so that we can honestly say we’re using the best face mask for travel!