yo, i feel u on those 14-hour flights... they are seriously brutal if u cant sleep. honestly, ive been in ur shoes many times and i actually think the older model is better for ur specific situation, especially since u mentioned space and budget. sooo let me break it down real quick based on my experience:

• Option A: Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones

Around $250-$280 usually. These are honestly the travel king because they actually FOLD. Like, they get really small and fit into the side pocket of my bag no problem. Over the years, I've found the comfort is perfect for sleeping because the ear cups are nice and plush. Plus, the battery lasts forever... basically plenty for a round trip and then some.

• Option B: Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones

Usually $399, though sometimes they hit $348 on sale. Look, these are amazing, dont get me wrong. The noise canceling is slightly better at higher frequencies, but the price jump is highkey a lot. Also, they dont fold! The case is huge and takes up so much room in ur personal item. It is kinda annoying when ur already packed tight. In my experience, you should definitely go for the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones. You get almost the same performance but save like $120 or more. I mean, i saw them for $248 recently and that is a total steal. Use that extra money for a nice dinner on ur trip instead! If ur worried about ear fatigue, both are great, but the XM4 just feels more rugged for travel. seriously, save the money and get the older ones. anyway, hope that helps and good luck with the flight! 👍

Seconding the recommendation above!

• Sony WH-1000XM4 folds way smaller.
• Sony WH-1000XM5 hinges feel kinda fragile. I guess its safer for tight bags... works sooo well tho! You got enough space?

Re: "Seconding the recommendation above!Sony WH-1000XM4 folds way smaller.Sony..." - yeah, hitting the nail on the head there. I have used almost every Sony set over the last decade and it is honestly unfortunate how much they changed the design on the newer ones. I tried the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones on a trip recently and they just felt... cheap? For that massive price tag, I really expected way more durability and better materials. They dont even fold, which is just a huge letdown for anyone trying to pack light. If you are looking to save some cash and still get that Sony sound without the fragile hinges, I would actually suggest looking at the Sony WH-CH720N Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones. They are super light, so they do not give you that head clamp feeling people mention, and they wont break the bank. Honestly, the ANC is not as god-tier as the XM4, but for the price, they are way more reliable as a beater pair for travel. You get most of the tech for like a third of the cost. Plus the battery life is actually insane for a budget model... kinda makes the expensive ones look bad tho.

Respectfully, I'd consider another option before you go all in on those bulky over-ears. Over the years, I've tried many different setups for these brutal flights, and in my experience, the big headphones always end up giving me a massive head clamp feeling after like six hours. Plus, even if they fold up, they still take up a ton of space in a small personal item... it's kinda annoying tbh. I've actually found that the high-end noise-canceling earbuds from Sony are a much better value for long-haul travel. I'm still learning all the technical specs, but the weight difference is literally night and day. You're looking at just a few grams in your ear versus a whole heavy unit on your head. The battery life with the charging cases is pretty insane now too, so you probably wont run out of juice halfway over the ocean. But before you decide, I gotta ask a couple questions to see what fits your needs:

• What's your actual budget for this, since the earbud versions are usually way cheaper than those flagship over-ears?
• Are you looking to plug into the airplane's seatback screen or just use your phone via Bluetooth? Going the earbud route solves the portability issue entirely. They basically disappear in your pocket, which leaves room for more snacks lol. Also, I feel like the passive isolation you get from a good silicone tip helps drown out that engine hum way better than just the active tech alone. Just my two cents!! Good luck with the flight!!