Forget cozy comforts on a long-haul flight—what do you actually need to have with you to get through a long-haul flight in one piece?
Videos by TravelAwaits
While I’m a big fan of optimizing difficult, multi-leg journeys by air with travel products that make a difference when it comes to maintaining my comfort and sanity, anyone can put together a set of in-flight essentials that fit in a small bag.
You don’t need any super-secret tricks to nail a long flight, in other words. No need to pay for fancy gadgets, either.
Whether you’re a frequent flyer who wants to skim the fat off your in-flight essentials or a newbie to intercontinental flights, consider this your one-stop guide. Here’s what you actually need to get through a flight. It’ll all fit in a small bag, and you can order these products on Amazon right now.
Easy-to-pack in-flight essentials for long flights
Vitamin-Electrolyte packets
Set yourself up for success on a long flight by prepping your immune system. Ideally, you’ll drink a brand like Emergen-C the day before your flight to give your body a much-needed boost. That way, when you’re encountering thousands of germs on the flight, your immune system is better able to fight off colds and viruses.
The right kind of snacks
Even if you’re normally fine eating plane food, having a few healthy snacks in your back pocket is always a good idea. While you might not get hungry enough on the plane to need them, they’ll come in handy after a rough landing or a hectic layover when your blood sugar drops.
Lip/skin balm
Airplane air is drier than a desert. Whether or not you keep lip balm or lotion with you on your day-to-day, a long-haul flight will push your skin to the limit. Stay prepared with separate skin and lip moisturizers, or go for a two-in-one solution. Cocoa Butter is the way to go.
Socks: regular, compression, fuzzy
Your feet are likely to get cold on a flight. Even if they aren’t, you might want to work with your vascular system by slipping on a pair of compression socks. They constrict your blood vessels to improve blood circulation, helping you avoid issues like blood clots.
Neck pillow
You don’t need to buy a fancy neck pillow to get through a long-haul flight—although you have plenty of options. Just make sure you have some type of head support solution when you board a long-haul flight. I usually use a neck scarf to wrap around the head support and create a type of neck-cradle. Is it pretty? No. Does it work better than any neck pillow I’ve bought? For now.
Headphones: earbuds or over-ear
You need headphones to survive airports and long-haul flights. They’re useful for blocking out noise, distracting you with music or a podcast, and passing the time when inevitable delays pop up. I recommend investing in a nice pair of over-ear headphones if you fly a lot. Most also come with an audio cord that you can use to plug into the in-flight entertainment console, meaning you can use them even if the battery runs out.
Charging bank
Speaking of battery, all travelers should have a solid charging bank in their arsenal. These help you keep your electronics charged up even when you’re on the road—or in an airplane. Just make sure to keep your charging bank in sight. They’re made from lithium-ion compounds that are prone to overheating and, in some cases, catching fire.
A few more optional in-flight essentials that will help on long flights
- Water bottle. You can get away with buying plastic water bottles when you travel, especially at the airport. But they cost an arm and a leg. If you like to stay hydrated, bring your own water bottle with you to the airport, and fill it up before your flight. Remember: You want to drink plenty of water on the plane to account for that desert-dry air.
- Eye mask. If you want to guarantee some shut-eye on your long-haul flight, I highly recommend bringing an eye mask. I always bring one with me to ensure I get better sleep at the hotel, so I make sure to keep it handy with my other in-flight essentials. Up to you, but if you’re bringing one on your trip, it doesn’t hurt to have it on the plane.
- Blanket-sized scarf. I’m a big fan of keeping a large scarf with me when I travel to cooler places. First, it acts as a blanket, seat cover, shawl, and more whenever I need it. Second, I can create my aforementioned DIY neck pillow by slinging it around my seat’s headrest to make a baby bjorn for my face.
- Entertainment: book, podcast, etc. Again, this is optional, but since you’ll have your smartphone and your charging bank with you, don’t forget to download an audiobook, podcast, TV show, or other just-in-case entertainment. Even if you don’t need it on the plane, you’ll be happy to have it at the gate in case of delays. If you have a Kindle or other small e-reader, bring that along, too.
- Face mask. If avoiding colds and viruses is a top priority for you, then bring a mask on the plane. I still bust one out when the plane air feels particularly cold and dry, even if I’m not particularly worried about catching a cold. I’ve found it’s also nice to have one in case a passenger seated close to me is obviously sick.
[Just a heads-up: We may earn an affiliate commission when you make a purchase from a link in our articles.]
