I can't remember if I bought the SkyRest pillow directly from their site or off of eBay (but I think that they were the vendor there as well). My seatmates had already nodded off and the lights had been turned down; if there was any reaction from anyone, I didn't notice. The pillow has a flocked surface like many of the inflatable neck pillows, so I think it would be more comfortable than a beachball . When first opened it did have a plasticy smell, so I recommend inflating it at home first and letting it air out, plus then you can familiarize yourself with the inflation and deflation techniques. By the time I used it on the plane there was no noticable aroma.