The best and worst aspects of long-haul travel are long-haul flights.
The best thing about long-haul travel is the possibility of visiting exotic places.
However, the worst thing is being constrained to a narrow seat in an enclosed metal tube with hundreds of strangers for hours.
It’s possible to fly long distances without feeling uncomfortable, even if your plane is not first-class.
Based on my personal experience with long flights, these are the essential travel items that you should have in your carry-on.
1. COZY TRAVEL CLOTHES
Like you, I like to look great while traveling. But I also want comfortable clothes that are stretchy and allow me to rest comfortably. I have switched to technical clothing in recent years that looks great from Anatomie and ditched the uncomfortable jeans and sloppy sweats.
Their clothes make me feel amazing and they look great on me. When I am well dressed, I feel better. Even if the day is spent on board long-haul flights.
These are my recommendations:
- Skyler Travel Pant
- Luisa Stripe Skinny Pant
- Hadley Cashmere Hoodie
- Kim Mesh Sleeve Top
2. LOUNGE PASS
A great airport experience is a key to a great flight. An airport lounge is what makes me feel more prepared for a great flight.
Showers are a great option for long-haul flights. I use the lounge showers to refresh myself before taking off to Asia or the Middle East when flying from the US.
Travelers can also enjoy free food and beverages in the lounges. You will find more charging points than you would find in the main terminal and fewer people.
Lounges have been the best investments for me when I travel.
Priority Pass is my favorite way to get into airport lounges. Priority Pass gives you access to more than 1,300 airport lounges around the world.
Priority Pass has allowed me to access lounges in the smallest of airports around the world, making long flights more bearable.
3. NECK PILLOW
For long flights, a good neck pillow is essential. They are as odd-looking as they sound, but I find them to be an essential item on long-haul flights.
There are many options for neck pillows, so it might take some trial and error before you find the right one.
There are many options, including memory foam, microbeads, and inflatables.
The traditional U-shaped neck pillow design is no longer the norm. This is not the case with the Trtl pillow. It looks almost like a scarf but provides internal support for your head, neck, and head.
Cabeau Evolution is made with memory foam and can be folded up for storage.
4. BLANKET SCARF
Although temperatures can vary wildly on an airplane, they are generally kept cool. A scarf that doubles up as a blanket can make it difficult to sleep on long flights.
Some airlines still provide blankets on long flights. However, they aren’t always washed between flights. A blanket scarf can be used as a fashion accessory for your travel wardrobe.
I recommend the Cabeau fold and Go or Cashmere scarf
5. EYE MASK
It is important to get a little sleep before taking off on a redeye flight. You can take a cue from the first-class amenity kit – all come with an eye mask to help passengers catch a few snores before landing.
You will get better sleep if you cover your eyes from cabin lights, regardless of whether you’re a light sleeper.
This sends a clear signal to all passengers that you aren’t to be disturbed.
I recommend Cabeau or 41 Winks sleep masks
6. NOISE-CANCELING HEADPHONES
After you have blocked out light sources that could wake you up, you should also block out noises that could keep you awake.
Nothing is worse than a loud neighbor or a crying baby while you’re trying to fall asleep. Earbuds, noise-canceling headphones, or low-tech earplugs are all options.
If you are looking to listen to audiobooks or music, headphones can serve two purposes.
Bose Quiet Comfort headphones are my recommendation
7. ENTERTAINMENT
You won’t be able to sleep the whole time you’re on a long-haul flight. This is especially true if it’s longer than 12 hours.
It’s likely that you will need to entertain yourself during your long-haul flight.
To find out what is available in-flight, first, check with your airline. Many airlines offer movies for free in their seat-back displays or through their smartphone app.
Long-haul flights are a great way to listen to audiobooks, read a book, and enjoy podcasts.
You don’t have to pay for WiFi onboard, so make sure that you download all the information you require offline.
I recommend: Kindle Paperwhite Waterproof
8. POWER BANK
Although many airlines offer power outlets at every seat, others don’t. It can be difficult to determine what your options will be.
The ones that do offer power outlets at each seat are not always the most efficient charging and may not work at all.
Do not leave your battery running halfway through a 14-hour flight.
These power banks are very cost-effective and compact, so you don’t have to lug around a lot of space.
Anker Powerbank is a recommendation
9. COMPRESSION SOCKS
For long-haul flights, compression socks are vital. Compression socks are not only beneficial for reducing swelling and discomfort but they can even save your life.
Long periods of sitting on an airplane can cause blood clots that can be life-threatening, especially in the legs.
Deep vein thrombosis, also known as DVT, can lead to serious complications. DVT can be reduced by wearing compression socks, which increase circulation to your legs.
I recommend: Sockwell from SmartWool
10. WATER BOTTLE
Your body can lose up to 2 liters of water for every ten hours spent in the air. To stay healthy and feel good after long-haul flights, it is important to keep hydrated.
Do not rely on the small cups that are handed by flight attendants every few hours. You should always have your own water bottle.
You can now buy water bottles that have a filter so that you can use tap water from all countries. This will also reduce the amount of single-use plastics.
I recommend: LifeStraw GoWater Filter
11. SNACKS
It’s a good idea to keep a few snacks in your bag, just like you have your own water supply.
You can choose from nuts, crackers, or trail mix. This will save you the hassle of waiting for flight attendants to bring food to your seat.
You can go to sleep whenever you like, or snack when you wish.
I recommend: WOLO BARB
12. AMENITY KIT
Take a cue from first-class and consider what is in the amenity bag. Then, make your own.
A small, fashionable bag is a great way to keep my essentials for long flights, so it’s always with me. These are the things I keep in my amenity bags:
- Toothbrush and toothbrush: Fresh breath and clean teeth after a 14-hour flight can make it feel like a million dollars!
- Pen – Long-haul flights will invariably require customs forms. It’s not easy to ask your neighbors for a pen.
- Hand soap- Because planes can be gross, it is important to wash your hands before you order.
- A good thing to bring on long-haul flights is a moisturizer, hand lotion, lip balm, and facial moisturizer. It can also help you feel refreshed before you depart.
13. EARPLUGS
It’s true, even if you have the best noise-canceling headphones, sometimes the sounds of screaming babies or snoring seatmates can wake you up on long flights.
Earplugs are a must-have.
Not all earplugs will be the same. Sometimes, you have to make do with ear noise or pain. After much research, I finally found the most comfortable earplugs.
These earplugs are great for blocking unwanted sounds and they don’t cause earache like other earplugs. I carry a small zip-lock in my bag to keep them in.
My recommendation: Hearos Ultimate Softness Series
