Long-haul flights may sound like uncomfortable ordeals, but packing a handful of long-flight essentials can improve the experience dramatically. With just a bit of planning and some savvy tips, you can easily bring everything you need to significantly improve your inflight experience and arrive more refreshed than you think, even in a middle seat.
Comfort items for long flights
It may sound obvious, but keeping your body comfortable is the best thing you can do to improve your long-haul experience. Concern yourself with maximum personal comfort first, then use your remaining carry-on space for additional items.
On your body
Start with loose-fitting, comfortable clothes that won’t restrict blood flow or cause discomfort from bloating, a common experience when flying. The only tight garments you wear should be compression socks, which can help improve circulation in your dangling legs, relieving discomfort and swelling.
Sudden noises can easily ruin your slumber, so invest in high-quality noise-canceling headphones to minimize jarring sounds, and consider a long playlist of classical music to help lull you to sleep and keep you there. Even if you typically can’t sleep on planes, over-ear headphones are still long-fight essentials to reduce stress and help keep you as relaxed as possible (earbuds may irritate your ears over time).
Improve your sleep potential with an eye mask to block ambient light (silk is best for your skin). A neck pillow is great for supporting your head while both asleep and awake, too.
Around your body
Airplane seats are notoriously cramped and rarely made of luxury materials, so help yourself out by upgrading your surroundings. I always bring at least one additional travel pillow to cushion an elbow against a firm armrest, and a thin blanket that can cushion the other if not needed for warmth. These also help keep your neighbors a bit further from your body. They can also be used behind your back for lumbar support, or to sit on.
I pack pillows even when flying in premium cabins where they may already be provided. There’s no such thing as too much cushioning, so having two of each is even better.
Long flight travel essentials for entertainment
Most airlines offer inflight entertainment for long-haul journeys, including films, TV series, music, and games. Some even provide a few podcasts and audiobooks. While the selections are often large, you can also pre-download your favorite entertainment on your own devices.
Remember to bring chargers for any devices you’ll use, and fully-charged portable battery packs are invaluable when your seat’s power outlet is malfunctioning or doesn’t exist. Books can help pass large chunks of time but aim for lighter paperbacks or digital copies to reduce your carry-on burden.
Long flight essentials for health and wellness
No matter why you’re flying, you’ll want to arrive in the best physical and mental condition you can. These long-flight essentials will help keep you in peak form.
Reducing jetlag on long-haul flights
Most jetlag reduction techniques begin long before a flight, but there are some things you can still do onboard. Proper hydration is key to sleeping on the flight and arriving with as little discomfort as possible. Drink water rather than beverages containing alcohol or caffeine, both of which are dehydrating sleep disruptors. Similarly, pack healthy snacks that are low in carbs, salt, and sugar to reduce discomfort and improve sleep.
Additionally, begin following your destination’s local time as soon as you board and follow its respective sleeping schedule. When it’s time to sleep there, it’s time to sleep on your flight, or at least reduce mentally stimulating activity if you can’t sleep. Light exercise in your seat and short walks will also reduce discomfort and help condition you to the local time.
Don’t skip your skincare
You may not be able to carry out your daily skincare routine while flying, but a couple of long-flight essentials can go a long way in the sky.
Ideally, don’t wear makeup on a long-haul flight. If you must, remove it before sleeping, as you would at home. This is also the time to apply a facial moisturizer. It helps to moisturize your hands and any other skin exposed to cabin air, too. Brushing your teeth will help avoid bad tastes (and breath) when waking, and don’t forget a moisturizing lip balm, which should be applied regularly.
Some of our favorite flight routes
If you’re ready to fly but don’t yet know where you want to go, consider some of these top long-haul routes from the United States. Flights to London are the most common arrivals in all of Europe, but you can also search for flights to Paris or flights to Amsterdam for information on other popular European routes.
Packing and organization for long flights
When it comes to how to pack your carry-on, less is more. A small suitcase can go overhead, but anything you want to access regularly should be in a flexible bag small enough to fit under the seat in front of you. There isn’t much space there, so try not to over-stuff it because this is also your legroom.
Keep wires and small items organized in designated containers rather than jumbled all together, and store food and liquid items in sealed plastic bags to prevent spillage on other items. Create a carry-on packing list in advance, and try not to add unnecessary items at the last second.
Use this list when re-packing so your return journey is just as comfortable. Try these additional travel packing tips for making the most of your suitcase and saving more space for your long flight essentials.
How KAYAK knows what to put in this guide
With more than 100 flights every year, I fly completely around the globe at least five times annually. It takes a lot of long-haul flights to reach that mileage, and sitting in a chair for hours only gets more difficult the more you do it. To make my constant travel something to look forward to rather than dread, I’ve mastered the art of packing for comfort on long-haul flights. I’ve combined years of this frequent flying experience with KAYAK’s expert tips and tools to create this guide of long flight essentials.
How to survive a long-haul flight
Now that you know all the long flight essentials and how to pack them, it’s time to put these expert tips to use. After you’ve gathered your comfort musts, take a look at these additional tips for long flights that go beyond packing.
And if you’re still worried about getting bored on your journey, try some of these top things to do on a plane to pass the time. KAYAK’s comprehensive flight guide compiles all the information you need for every step of a journey, from research and planning through flying and arriving, so feel free to find additional inspiration among this wealth of expert advice.
My favorite feature is the Bag Measurement tool, that lets me measure my bags with my phone’s camera, and tells me if they’re size compliant on my airline.
