One of the worst things about traveling internationally is the long plane ride. You are confined for many hours in a small seat without access to things you are used to having at your disposal. This is why packing your carry on luggage with your long haul flight essentials makes a huge difference.
First of all, you should choose a carry-on bag that will fit under the seat in front of you. This way you will have all your long-haul flight essentials at your fingertips.
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It will not serve you well to have to exit your seat and get your bag out of the overhead storage area several times during your flight to get what you need.
Instead, make sure you have a bag at your feet that has plenty of easy-to-access pockets.
15 Long Haul Flight Essentials
There are certain items that will make your flight a little easier. These are our top essential items for long haul flights:
1. Snack & Water
Depending on the airline that you take and how long your flight is, you might find yourself hungry and thirsty. Food (even candy) on airlines can
be a budget buster. Bring your own. While you cannot travel with liquids through security, you can bring snacks.
Choose snacks that will also have protein so that in the event that your plane isn’t on time or a short layover doesn’t give you time for a meal you have something to keep you going.
And while some airlines will give you free bottled water on International flights (because they want you to stay hydrated) it isn’t a given.
You are better off purchasing water bottles in the airport store before you board your flight.
2. Travel Pillow
Even if you aren’t taking a red-eye, a long flight is a great way to catch up on a little sleep. Packing a travel pillow is an absolute must!
Choose one that fits around your neck and is lightweight and ergonomic.
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Our favorite is the BCOZZY Travel Neck Pillow because it not only supports your neck, it also wraps under your chin to prevent your head from dropping forward.
3. Eye Mask
Again, even if you don’t plan on sleeping on the plane, an eye mask is a lightweight item that you never know you need until you do!
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While these YIVIEW sleep masks look more like a mini bra than an eyemask, they are so comfortable and totally block light.
4. Blanket Scarf
Most airlines will give you a blanket if you ask for one, but who knows how clean it really is.
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I ALWAYS travel with a blanket scarf because it is so versatile that it can be worn onto the plane as a scarf (no need to waste valuable luggage space) and it doubles as a blanket if you get chilly on the flight.
5. Kindle
Not only can you download books to read, but you can also download TV shows and movies to watch during your flight. While most airlines have movies on board, some of the budget airlines cut costs by ditching the onboard video screens.
- 7” touchscreen; 16 GB or 32GB of storage (add up to 1TB of expandable storage with microSD).
- Up to 10 hours of reading, browsing the web, watching videos and listening to music.
- Enhanced performance – up to 30% faster quad-core processor and 2 GB of RAM (double compared to Fire 7—9th generation).
- Unwind with your favorite content from Netflix, Facebook, Hulu, Instagram, TikTok, and more through Amazon’s Appstore (Google Play not supported. Subscription for some apps required).
- Stay in touch with Zoom, or ask Alexa to make video calls to friends and family.
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The other great thing about traveling with a Kindle is that it also allows you to surf the internet (when you have access to wifi).
6. AirFly SE Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter
AirPods and Wireless earbuds are must-haves for more than one reason. First, you will need them to watch a movie or listen to music.
Some airlines will give them to you so you can watch their onboard movies, but many will not.
If you want to be able to use your own Airpods or wireless earbuds on a flight showing movies, you will need a device that will allow you the ability to connect them.
- Wireless Freedom – Say goodbye to tangled cords with the Twelve South AirFly. Listen to audio from in-flight entertainment, gym equipment, gaming devices, or any 3.5mm audio jack to your AirPods, earbuds, or wireless headphones.
- Extended Battery Life – Enjoy uninterrupted audio for over 20 hours on a single charge, perfect for long-haul flights. Plus, the AirFly can be used while charging with the included USB-C cable, ensuring you never run out of battery life.
- Compact and Portable – Designed for convenience, the Twelve South AirFly is lightweight and easy to carry, making it an essential travel accessory for anyone who values comfort and high-quality audio on the go.
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AirFly SE Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter wirelessly transmits audio from in-flight entertainment to your earphones.
7. Gum
Even if you don’t always experience ear pressure, you are better to be safe than sorry. The act of moving your jaw in a chewing motion opens up the ear canal allowing the pressure to release naturally.
I always chew gum when we fly because the last thing you want to deal with is vertigo or plugged sinuses once you de-board the plane and start your vacation.
8. Lip Balm
Airplane rides are notorious for drying out your skin. The same is true for your lips. Keep those lips hydrated with Burt’s Bees lip balm.
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My favorite is the Burt’s Bees Coconut and Pear.
9. Contact Lens Case & Pair of Glasses
Remember how I said airplane rides dry out your skin? Well, the same is true for your eyes. If you are a contact lens wearer, you will want to remove them on a long flight.
One thing to be sure to pack in your carry-on luggage for a long plane ride is your glasses so that you can still see when you remove your contacts.
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A small travel-size bottle of eye solution is also a good idea! I love this little contact lens kit that has everything you need to take your contacts out during a flight and will also store your glasses.
10. Tissues
If you are someone whose sinuses get aggravated on flights, you will want to make sure that you have a small pack of tissues with you so you don’t have to go to the bathroom for tissues or blow your nose in a hard napkin left over from drink service.
11. Compression Socks
You probably think compression socks are for old people, but think again. While studies have shown that wearing compression socks during long-haul flights can reduce the risk of blood clots, they can also help prevent ankle and leg swelling due to poor blood circulation.
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If you have a problem with swelling when you are on your feet too much, you might want to bring a pair of compression socks to keep your legs in the best shape possible.
12. Sleep Aid
If you have a red-eye flight and plan on sleeping during your long flight, you may look into sleep aids.
One thing that I use to help me sleep when I fly is Melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone in the body that helps to regulate sleep cycles and can be taken orally in the form of a pill to help you sleep or combat jet lag.
Another option is Magnesium chews. These can offer similar benefits to Melatonin.
Be sure to consult your doctor before taking any type of medication because some supplements can interfere with certain medications and conditions.
13. Portable Charger
Most likely, there will be a way for you to charge your phone & other devices in flight. But there are cheaper airlines that don’t offer charging outlets.
One of our long haul flight essentials is a portable charger.
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My personal favorite is the Anker PowerCore which has more than one charging port.
14. Pen & Pad
I know, it seems very old school. First off, the pen will come in totally handy when you have to fill out your customs declaration form.
No one EVER has enough pens when you need them.
Secondly, if you are in a jam and need to write a flight number down or if your connecting flight moves terminals, you will want to write it down.
15. Wet Wipes
Okay, I am a germ freak. So many people come on & off planes and no one really cleans them properly.
That is why I always bring hand sanitizer and wet wipes. Wet wipes are great to clean airplane trays, movie screens and the armrests.
- Towel/wipe_Type – Hand/Body Wet Wipe
- Application – Personal Care
- Applicable_Material – Skin
- Number_Of_Plies – 1
- Colors – White
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These little packs have 20+ wipes each and are so easy to pack in your carry on luggage for a long plane ride.
There are plenty of other things you should travel with in your carry on bag, but these are some of the things we think are long haul flight essentials.
Do you have certain things you pack in your carry on luggage for a long plane ride?