Long-haul flights are a category of their own. Thousands of products are sold just to make you more comfortable on your journey from airport to airport.
Some are overpriced tech gadgets that you love in pictures but then find out you don’t need them. But there are a couple of must-haves for travel that will make a difference.
My longest flight itinerary yet was 30 hours, including an 18-hour layover at the Dubai airport. Without the items included in this list, It would have been a nightmare.
Most of these are my personal favorites, but I also included a few things that might be useful even if I don’t regularly pack them.
Every person’s needs, destination, and itinerary are different. That’s why, after following this list, you’ll not only make sure you’re prepared for your flight. You’ll also have plenty of space left for anything else you want to take with you.
In This Article
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1. Important documents
First things first, the only thing you won’t even be allowed on board without is your passport or ID and your boarding pass.
You also want to print out any visa confirmation if needed.
In some countries, they might ask for confirmation of vaccination, in case of yellow fever, in the form of an “International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis“ (ICVP).
Keep a copy of your travel insurance details handy, on your phone and printed in your wallet. Make sure to have a digital copy of your passport, ideally on a safe cloud accessible online.
2. Travel Pillow
A good travel pillow helps you sleep comfortably during a long flight. You will also use it in case of layover or on long car or bus drives at the destination.
I use the inflatable option to save space. Machine washable cover is a must as the places where you use it are not the cleanest ones.
3. Eye Mask
An eye mask blocks out light to help you sleep even in uncomfortable situations. You might want to use it when sleeping on different schedules while crossing many time zones.
Your accommodation can be too bright because of street lights. Or you’re sleeping in a hostel where people arrive at different times, flashing the light around.
To get a good night’s sleep, always carry an eye mask. Pick a silk one for extra comfort.
4. Earplugs or Noise-Canceling Headphones
Another must-have to fall asleep on an airplane. Just two small pieces of foam to create a silent and peaceful environment anywhere.
You’ll need these while sitting next to crying children on a plane, but also sleeping in the jungle, next to a busy road, or any place that has street dogs, and that’s pretty much everywhere in the world.
5. Compression Socks
Do you know how to identify experienced travelers? They wear compression stocks.
Long immobilization, along with dehydration, are the most important things to avoid while flying. Wear these to improve circulation and prevent swelling in your legs.
It adds an extra layer of protection against deep vein thrombosis (blood clot) too. Aim for ankle pressure of 17-30 mm Hg (pressure unit). You can find great variety of colors and styles on Amazon.
6. Charger
Keep your charger in your hand luggage to charge all your tech. Not to scroll through social media but to be prepared to look up your flight info, find documents for airport controls, or communicate with the hotel or taxi.
7. Power Bank
In some airports, there are three sockets available for 200 people waiting. Be prepared with your portable power source.
Current regulations allow you to bring a power bank only in a carry-on bag and with a limit of 100Wh or 20,000mAh. You can bring more than one power bank as long as they are for personal use only.
8. Travel Adapter
Ensure your devices can be charged abroad. Check the destination’s socket type and use the right adapter. If you travel often, consider a universal adapter suitable for every country.
9. Reusable Water Bottle
Stay hydrated by refilling a reusable water bottle after passing security. Reduce your plastic waste and save money at the same time.
You can refill it with drinking water if available. Never drink tap water at the airport, except with a high-quality filtration bottle.
10. Snacks
Pack healthy snacks to avoid hunger during the flight. Choose protein-dense products to save space. Nuts, beef jerky, protein, or oat bars are great options.
I avoid peanut snacks on the plane. Although highly improbable, you could cause a strong allergic reaction to the person next to you. No one wants that emergency landing.
11. Moisturizer and Lip Balm
The dry cabin air can dehydrate your skin, so keep it moisturized. As a man who needs maybe 5 products from the drugstore, I don’t carry these. But I know for many people, including my wife, lip balm is a must-have.
12. Travel-Sized Toiletries
Bring essentials like toothpaste, deodorant, and face wash for freshness. For liquids and gels, make sure to carry them in a transparent resealable plastic bag with a maximum capacity of one quartz or one liter.
The package must not exceed 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Keep in mind that a bottle with 4.5 ounces capacity half filled is also restricted.
New CT scans using 3D imaging are introduced. Thanks to these, carrying an unlimited amount of liquids could soon be possible. It’s already applied in a few airports.
13. Hand Sanitizer and Wipes
Keep your hands and surfaces clean with sanitizer and wipes. Avoid getting sick by using hand disinfection often while traveling.
14. Books or E-Reader
A good book or an e-reader loaded with your favorite titles helps pass the time. At home, I still prefer printed books, but while traveling, saving space is more important. Having hundreds of books in your pocket is just awesome.
15. Face Mask
To wear or not to wear a face mask while traveling by plane is an individual decision. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, I have always carried at least one face mask in case there is some new restriction or airport rule I didn’t know about.
16. Neck Pouch / Money Belt / Belt Bag
Keep your passport, cash, and important documents secure. Choose which type of small bag that’s close to your body you like the most. Some money belts even have RFID blocking, which prevents scammers from making contactless payments without your knowledge.
My favorite is a belt bag (fanny pack/bum bag). I wear it across my chest all the time. Seriously, it’s almost impossible to find a picture from my travels where I don’t wear it. I just love my fanny pack.
17. Comfortable Clothing
Dress in layers with comfortable, breathable fabrics. Pack a sweatshirt, spare socks, and underwear. It gets cold in the airport, and on board, be prepared for it.
18. Medication and Prescriptions
Keep essential medications in your carry-on for easy access. Be prepared for medical emergencies such as diarrhea or acute pain with a small medical kit.
If you carry drugs that are not available OTC, carry the prescription or a report from your medical specialist. Check the list of prohibited medications at the destination to avoid problems.
19. Entertainment
Download movies, music, or podcasts on your devices to stay entertained. Don’t rely on airport wifi.
20. Pen and Notebook
For jotting down thoughts, filling out forms, or passing time. Many countries have different arrival forms you must fill out before the immigration check.
Usually, you get the paper without a pen from the cabin crew. If you carry a pen, you don’t need to bother others or stress at the arrival hall to find some.
21. Gum or Mints
Helps relieve ear pressure during takeoff and landing, and freshens breath. A pack of gums has its special place in my fanny pack.
22. Sunglasses
Protect your eyes from bright light. You might also want to use the sunglasses to avoid or induce timeshift while managing jet lag.
23. Bonus: Bluetooth wireless adapter
We live in an era of wireless headphones. The entertainment systems on planes still use classic wire input so to watch movies on these you’d need to carry extra headphones. Yes, you’ll get one-use plastic ones from the airline, but they sound exactly like you’d expect.
There is one more option I haven’t tried yet. Wireless adapter with 3.5mm jack that connects your phone to whatever it’s plugged in. You can enjoy the quality sound with noise canceling while on a plane for a fair price. I can’t wait to use it on my next trip.
Feel free to use this list while packing your carry-on for your next adventure.
This post was all about long-haul flight essentials. It’s not just about the things you bring though. To stay comfortable and healthy during the flight, follow the advice in this blog post.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this blog post is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any health problem. The use or reliance on any information provided in this blog post is solely at your own risk.
