Long haul flights can be summed up in seven words: SO MANY HOURS TRAPPED IN A PLANE. Of course, these flights get you to new and exciting places…but it’s easy to go a little stir crazy (or actually crazy) in the process.
If you have an upcoming long flight, then this long haul flight essentials guide is for you! I’ve spent a lot of time flying economy long haul from the US to Europe, Asia, and Africa, and let’s just say I’ve learned a thing or two that can make your life easier.
Are long haul flights still miserable? Occasionally. Are they less miserable? Most definitely! So let’s take a look at some of the essentials you need to pack in order to survive and thrive on your next long haul flight.
Long Haul Flight Essentials Packing List
If you’re wondering how to make long flights more comfortable, there are a few items you will want to bring with you. These items will help you make the most of the tiny space you have in economy, and will help you feel better rested upon arrival at your destination!
1. Long Flight Survival Kit
One of the most necessary items to pack is a “survival kit” to help you make it through the flight. Flying can be tough because it can dry you out, make you feel gross after eating airline food and sleeping on the plane, etc. so this kit aims to combat that by making sure you have all the little things you’ll need to survive and make yourself feel like a decent human being again. Here’s the items I can’t live without:
- Lip Balm: A necessity because planes can dry you out so much. If your hands get dry easily, you may also want to consider packing a tiny hand lotion.
- Micellar Water: Micellar water is a staple for me at home and away, and it is great for travel because it’s a cleanser that won’t dry you out! Some people prefer makeup wipes while traveling, but I like to bring a travel-sized micellar water plus some cotton balls because this cleanser leaves me feeling a lot less greasy and gross than any of the makeup wipes I’ve ever tried.
- Travel Size Deodorant: Depending on your travel time and how many layovers you have, a travel size deodorant can be a nice item to have on hand.
- Hair Ties: I like to tie my hair back when flying to keep it out of my face and keep it from knotting when sitting/sleeping in one cramped position for so long. These hair ties are my favorite as they’re the only ones that don’t get knotted up in my hair.
- Kleenex Packs: It’s always a good idea to have a few tissues on hand in case you need them!
- Hand Sanitizer: This is nice to have on hand during your flight especially to use before eating. Airplanes can be gross! It can also be a good idea to have wet wipes on hand to wipe down your seat space before a flight as well.
- Water Bottle: I always pack an empty water bottle for my flights. Once I’m through security, I head to the nearest water fountain and fill it up. It saves spending money on buying water, doesn’t contribute to single-use plastic waste, and makes sure I don’t have to bother the flight attendants constantly whenever I need water on the plane. This collapsible water bottle is perfect as it doesn’t take up much space when it’s empty and rolled up!
- Medicine Bag: Always bring a small medicine bag with you, in case you start getting sick on your flight or once you’re at your final destination. Pro tip: Sudafed is nice to have on hand in case you get a stabbing pain when the pressure changes right before landing, and Dramamine is a necessity if you get motion sick easily.
- Gum: Gum also helps with the airplane descent pressure and keeps your ears from hurting or popping. Plus, it’s nice to have during your flight (and travels) whenever you need to freshen up a bit.
- Food and Snacks: While most airlines do feed you regular meals on long haul flights, they’re usually very salty and may not sit well if you have a sensitive stomach. So it’s always a good idea to pack some snacks in case you need them on the plane (and it’s also a good idea in case you have a long layover, delay, or other wait at the airport). Granola or protein bars, dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, fresh fruits and vegetables, etc. all make great snacks and won’t stink up the plane and annoy your fellow passengers.
- A Pen: If you’re traveling long haul to another country, you’ll often be required to fill out an immigration or customs form. Bringing your own pen helps you avoid the scramble for the half-working, chained-down pens that airports usually provide.
Flight Tip: Remember that any liquids you carry on with you need to be in a travel-friendly size for TSA. You don’t want to have to throw out an expensive bottle of your favorite lotion, shampoo, or other liquids!
2. Noise-Canceling Headphones
Now that you’ve got your survival kit packed, it’s time to think about some of the other items that can make or break your time in the air. One of these is noise-canceling headphones.
Depending on the people on your flight, your airplane ride can either be really quiet…or very noisy due to a howling baby or overly talkative seatmates. It’s a gamble. But you know what’s not a gamble? Bringing your own noise-canceling headphones and creating your own peace and tranquility! (Ok, yes, I’m an introvert. If you’re an introvert too then you should check out my introvert travel tips!)
The Bose QuietComfort Noise-Canceling Headphones are the absolute best on the market to help block out noise and upgrade your serenity and happiness. They’re great for when you’re trying to rest, and for when you want to listen to your own music instead of listening to your seatmates. So if you’re someone who, like me, dislikes constant noise and finds it hard to sleep when you’re always being woken up by the noise of everyone around you, then these are the best investment you could ever make!
Check out the Bose Noise-Canceling Headphones and buy them for your next long haul flight!
3. Earbuds
Even if you bring noise-canceling headphones, you may want to throw in a pair of wired earbuds for use with the in-flight entertainment system. These are my favorite inexpensive option.
Many airlines do provide earbuds along with a blanket and pillow on your seat, but these earbuds are rarely comfortable to use and using them does help contribute to more plastic waste in the world as they’re just thrown away after use. So spending a few bucks to invest in your own pair that you can use again and again is a really good way to invest in your own comfort and in the health of the environment!
Buy a pair of Panasonic earbuds for your next flight!
4. Sleep Mask/Eye Mask
Bringing an eye mask is an essential if you want to try to sleep on the plane but have trouble sleeping while there are lights around you. Of course, on long haul flights they always dim the lights to allow for rest…but there’s still low lighting to allow flight attendants and passengers to move about the cabin, plus all the lit up personal TV screens as passengers watch movies.
So if you are a light sleeper and bothered by the constant light on airplanes, you should definitely bring an eye mask with you. And if you’re looking for a good one to bring, then check out these best selling sleep masks to find the perfect one for you!
5. Compression Socks
If you haven’t heard of compression socks before, your life is about to be changed! Essentially, compression socks help reduce swelling, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and blood clotting risk during long flights. This makes them high up on my list of long haul flight essentials!
Of course, you can also help yourself avoid DVT and blood clotting by regularly moving about the cabin during your flight…but that’s not always feasible, especially when you’re in the window or middle seat on the plane. This is where compression socks come in as an aid to help you stay healthy and not swollen during your flight.
You can choose from a wide variety of amazing compression socks, but I also find that a slightly tight pair of SmartWool socks like these are the perfect way to combat swollen feet on a plane.
Check out compression socks and find a pair you like before your next flight!
6. Neck Pillow
Airlines do usually provide small pillows for use during the flight, but sometimes you want your own additional neck pillow to make sure you’re fully comfortable (and then you can use the provided pillow for your back instead!) My favorite pillow is the Trtl travel pillow.
I used to not like bringing a travel pillow because they’re so bulky and a pain to carry throughout the airport and on the rest of the trip. But the trtl pillow solves this by being a pillow/scarf combination that folds up quite small and can be easily wrapped around any handle on your personal item or luggage. You’ll barely notice it’s there, and then you have a great little pillow to use on the flight!
This pillow is not exactly like sleeping on a luxurious down pillow, but it is made of a super soft (and washable) fleece material. Inside this material is a structural support system, and you just wrap the pillow around your neck and it holds your head in place while you sleep. No more nodding off and waking yourself up when your head drops!
It’s a great investment and can even help you sleep when you’re in the dreaded middle seat. And because it wraps around your neck like a scarf, it helps you stay warm on those long, cold flights.
Check out the Trtl travel pillow for yourself and experience its life changing magic!
7. Universal Plug Adapter
If you’re traveling on a long haul flight, it’s likely you’re traveling internationally…and this often means you will need a plug adapter in order to charge your electronic devices at your destination. While you could buy individual adapters for each destination, this quickly adds up in cost if you do any amount of traveling. That’s why I recommend going ahead and buying a universal plug adapter so you can use it anywhere in the world!
My favorite is the Skross Pro World Adapter, and I take it with me everywhere. It’s suitable for use in pretty much every country (and even comes with an adapter so people from outside of the United States can use it when traveling the US).
This adapter is still really small for all that it does, and it’s especially nice for when you have layovers in different countries on the way to your final destination. It was super nice to have when I stopped through Switzerland on my way to Kenya this year, and I can’t recommend it enough!
Click here to buy the Skross Pro universal adapter now!
8. Surge Protector
Next to having a plug adapter on hand, my favorite charging accessory is a travel-sized surge protector. It’s great to have on hand to protect your devices from any possible electricity surges while traveling, and is also an excellent solution to the always-too-few outlets in airports.
If you’ve traveled through airports at all, you’ll already know exactly what I mean. Looking for an outlet is like trying to find water in the desert or a needle in a haystack! And when you do find one, they’re usually already taken by other travelers. But if you have a surge protector with you, you’ll be able to multiply the number of outlets available and share the outlet wealth between your devices or with other travelers!
My favorite surge protector for travel is this small Belkin surge protector because it is compact enough to keep easily in a purse or backpack but can also swivel so you can plug it in anywhere…even if the outlet is literally centimeters from the floor (yes, that’s a real and very annoying thing). So picking up a travel surge protector can be a lifesaver for a ton of different traveling situations!
Click here to purchase a Belkin surge protector now!
9. Charging Cords
This is just a reminder—double check that you have all the charging cords for all your devices before you leave for the airport! Phone chargers, computer chargers, watch or Fitbit chargers…anything you have that needs to be charged needs to have a cord. There’s nothing worse than realizing you left the charging cords at home!
And if you want to use any of these devices on a long flight or during a long layover, you’re going to want to have those chargers with you. So put them in your personal item or carry on (not your checked luggage!) because no one likes to be stuck on a plane or in an airport and have their devices run out of charge!
10. Portable Charger
Portable chargers can be a lifesaver while flying or in airports, and even if you have a plug adapter and surge protector with you it is still a good idea to have one of these on hand. There will be times when you won’t be able to find an outlet when you need one, or when there’s no outlets available near open seats, or any number of other scenarios. And that’s where a portable charger comes in!
Having a portable charger means that charging on the go is a breeze! This Anker candy-bar sized charger is my favorite, as it is super small but has enough charge to last my phone through a full day of travel when necessary. It’s easy to just plug in your phone when you need to recharge it, so for convenience this is a must-have!
Buy an Anker portable charger now!
11. Personal Item Bag
Now that you have all the items you need to keep you happy and sane on a long haul flight, you need somewhere to put everything so you can access it all on-the-go. That’s where the personal item bag comes in!
Many airlines allow you to bring a personal item alongside a larger carry on bag (think something like the Osprey Farpoint 40 or a small suitcase). Personal item bags, meanwhile, can be any small bag, tote, backpack etc. as long as it fits within your airline’s size guidelines and fits under the seat in front of you.
I’ve tried out a lot of personal item bags, but my favorite one is my Pacsafe Citysafe CX Anti-Theft Backpack. This bag is only 17L, but you can pack a lot of long haul flight essentials in it! I also love it because it’s stylish enough to wear in urban settings, but also great for day hikes and other exploring adventures. Plus, it has lots of amazing anti-theft features to make sure all my stuff stays safe from pickpockets!
Whether you go with a bag you already have or choose a new one with anti-theft capabilities to keep your belongings safe while traveling, this is definitely a long haul essential so you have access to everything you need while you’re in the air!
What to Wear on a Long Haul Flight
After making sure you have all the right items to keep you happy, healthy, and sane on your long haul flight, you’ll also want to think about the outfit you choose to wear on your travel day.
International and overnight flights can be long and cold, so you’ll want to dress with comfort and warmth in mind. This means no clothes that cut off your circulation or clothes that will be uncomfortable to wear in a confined space for the duration of your flight.
And as far as warmth, even if you’re flying to or from a really warm place, the plane is always cold and I can guarantee that a few hours in you’ll regret wearing that cute sundress or tank top. You can always pack something cute to change into upon arrival in a warm destination, but in general it’s not a practical choice for flying because you will be COLD. I speak from experience.
But just because you want to be comfortable and warm doesn’t mean you can’t have a sense of style too. So here are some fun, stylish, and practical options…from the best travel pants for long flights to the best shirt options to stay warm and stylish!
1. Travel Pants
The perfect travel pants are comfortable and long pants. This can mean jeans, leggings, sweats, or anything else you’re comfortable in and will keep you warm and cozy in cold airports and cold planes!
2. Shirts
Shirts, again, should be chosen to keep you comfortable and warm. This could mean wearing long sleeve shirts, or it could mean wearing short sleeve shirts depending on the season and whether you have a good jacket in case you get cold.
3. Jacket or Sweater
Did I mention that airplanes are always cold? Always, always, always. Occasionally they’re deceptively warm when you first board, but by the time you’ve been up in the air for an hour you’ll start to turn into an ice cube. That’s why you should always have a jacket, sweatshirt, or sweater on hand!
4. Shoes
When choosing what shoes to wear, you’ll want to go with ones that are easy to take off and put on again. Why? Well, first you have to make it through TSA and you’ll have to take off your shoes (unless you have special access through a program like TSA PreCheck or Global Entry).
And then once you’re on the plane, you might want to take off your shoes because you’re going to be in there for a loooong time. But then any time you want to get up you have to put them on again…and this cycle continues over and over again. And if you wear shoes that are difficult to get on and off, you’re going to hate yourself.
You’ll also want to make sure you wear shoes with socks because a) you’ll have to take your shoes off to walk through the security checkpoint, and b) your plane neighbors would really strongly prefer you wear socks. So if you look for shoes that are easy to put on and off and allow you to wear socks, you’ll be golden!
Entertainment on Long Haul Flights
Wondering about fun things to do on a long flight to keep you occupied? Check out my recommendations below for the best things to do on a long flight.
1. Use the In-Flight Entertainment System
Any long haul airline carrier worth their salt should have a built-in entertainment center for you to use for free. These entertainment centers are on the seat back in front of you and usually have a variety of recent and old movies to watch as well as games to play and music to listen to.
This is one of my favorite ways to keep entertained on a long flight, as I don’t go to the theaters often when I’m at home…which means I’m usually behind on seeing all the latest movies. So I like to sit back and see how many new movies I can watch before I get to my destination (or before I get sick of watching movies…or before I fall asleep…). It’s also a great time to catch up on any TV episodes you may have missed!
2. Bring Your Own Movies
If you have a Netflix subscription, you can download your own movies or TV shows that you’ve been dying to watch. Then you can watch them on the plane or while waiting at the airport! I believe you can also download some movies or TV shows when using Amazon Prime, so that may be an option to look into as well.
3. Read a Book
Reading on a flight or at the airport is an excellent way to pass the time. You can bring physical books, read on your phone, or read on a Kindle. Reading on your phone or a Kindle is a good option because you can bring more books in less space (and you can even get a free 30-day subscription of Kindle Unlimited!). It’s also easier to read on an electronic device while on a plane, as the device emits light so you don’t have to try to angle the overhead light on your book in order to see. (Your seatmates who are trying to sleep will thank you for not using the light too!)
The best books for long flights are, of course, books that you are interested in. I like to read cool books about travel while I fly, like Around the World in 72 Days by Nellie Bly. What you read is up to you, but hopefully it’s something entertaining and fun!
4. Play Games
Games are a good way to pass the time on long flights. These can be game apps you download on your phone and play by yourself, or if you’re traveling with a group (or are brave and want to ask your seatmate to play with you) then physical games are also a fun option.
If you plan to bring physical games, you will want them to be small and fairly portable and easily played on the trays in front of you. My favorites for airplane travel are regular playing cards, Uno, and Bananagrams.
5. Listen to a Podcast or Audiobook
If you’re looking for another way to pass the time, consider downloading the latest episodes of your favorite podcast or finding a new audiobook to listen to. This is a good option if you aren’t a huge fan of reading, as you can still listen and learn or listen and have fun.
If you’re looking for a good place to find audiobooks, Audible is the best on the market and you can try it now for free!
6. Color in a Coloring Book
Have you joined the adult coloring book trend yet? If not, your next long haul flight is the perfect time to give it a try! Coloring in a coloring book can be a fun and relaxing way to spend the time. Plus, there’s a range of coloring books to choose from so you can decide whether you want to color in funny ones or artistic and beautiful ones!
7. Sleep
Last but not least, sleeping is a nice way to pass the time on a long haul flight. Some people might even argue it’s the best way…but I think that depends on a) if you’ve already seen all the recent movies you care about, b) if you’re sleeping on the schedule of the place you’ve left or the place you’re going to.
Beating jet lag is one of the hardest things to do after a long haul flight, so it’s best to start early. If you need to take a short nap, fine. But if it’s not nighttime where you’re going…then try to stay awake until it is. The sooner you get on your new time schedule the better!
Apps to Improve Your Travel Life Quality
With technology, there are a few great apps that can make your long haul flight and your time in airports more enjoyable. Make sure to download these before you leave for your flight!
1. TripIt
If you only download one app for your long haul flight, this is the one to choose! TripIt automatically aggregates all your flight and hotel data so you have all your trip information in one handy app. This way you can look up your departure times and all sorts of other information easily instead of desperately sorting through your emails.
It also has a pin-protected section where you can keep a digital copy of your travel documents such as your passport or visa. And it has one of my favorite features—travel stats! This one might not be as useful as the other features, but I love looking at how many days I’ve traveled, how many trips I’ve taken, countries and cities I’ve visited, and how many total miles I’ve traveled by plane during the year. It’s really fun to see!
2. Google Maps
After GateGuru’s demise in January 2019, I’ve been searching for a good replacement to map out airports and see all the food options throughout the terminals. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be anything on the market that quite stacks up.
Fortunately, though, Google Maps has recently been mapping out airports so this app will help you navigate inside. And if you zoom in close enough on the map, you can usually see most of the food options across the terminals. (It’s the absolute worst when you walk past food places thinking there will be more restaurants later on but then you realize that you already passed all the decent options and have to walk back if you want to eat!)
Google Maps is also useful for navigating your destination city, so it’s a good idea to download it today for easy airport and destination navigation.
3. Mobile Passport
For U.S. Citizens and Canadian visitors, the Mobile Passport app will streamline and expedite your entry into the United States.
In order to use the app, all you have to do is download it and create a profile with your passport information, name, date of birth, and other required personal information. When you land in the United States for entry or re-entry, you complete the “New Trip” section and answer some Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspection questions (you can even do this while still on the plane!). Then you receive an electronic receipt from the app and take this to a CBP officer in an expedited line.
Because you’re allowed into the expedited line, this means you don’t have to wait in the usual long lines in order to answer the CBP inspection questions. You can answer as soon as you land and then go directly to an officer. It’s really useful, and honestly I’m a big fan of anything that gets me through lines and out of the airport faster! Check out the 25 airports where you can currently use mobile passport control, and read more about the app here.
4. MyTSA
With the MyTSA app, you have access to all sorts of TSA-related information right at your fingertips. You can use it to search for what you are allowed to bring in your carry on, use AskTSA to get your questions answered live, see how busy the TSA line usually is at the airport you will be visiting, and check crowd-sourced TSA security wait times.
One of the most useful features for TSA PreCheck users, though, is the ability to see which airports have TSA PreCheck lanes and where you can find them. This is especially useful for your first time in an unfamiliar airport!
5. LoungeBuddy
If you have a long layover at an airport, you may want to consider visiting a lounge while you wait. These lounges are gaining in popularity—and for good reason! At many of them you can shower, have unlimited food and drinks, and maybe even get some WiFi that actually works. It’s a dream for anyone taking a long haul flight!
Lounge amenities will vary by country and by airport, so if you want to check if your airport’s lounges are worth visiting then you can check out the LoungeBuddy website. This way you can view the hours they are open, see photos and amenities, check prices, and decide if you want to go in.
Some credit cards and memberships include airport lounges as a free perk, so it may be worth inquiring if any of your credit cards offer this. Because if it’s free, why not take advantage of it at your next layover?
Unfortunately, LoungeBuddy currently only has an app for iOS, but Android users like me can still use their website on-the-go.
Download: iOS
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Thank you for all this excellent advice!
You’re welcome, Bianca! I’m happy you found it helpful.