Going on a long flight and wondering what helpful items will make your journey more smooth and comfortable? Check out my long flight essentials I must bring in order to enjoy my flight in ultimate comfort.
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Long-haul Flight Essentials
Long-haul flights can be exhausting, loud, and extremely uncomfortable. To feel more at ease and comfy on your long flight, bringing the right essentials is key. I gathered my top 15 essentials I always bring with me on a long flight. These have always provided me peace, proper entertainment, and a comfortable seat I otherwise would not have had without them.
1. Neck Pillow
I have tried many neck pillows and none have really done it for me unlike this TRTL neck pillow. It’s not a conventional U-shaped neck pillow, but allows you to actually be able to sleep on a side and comfortably have your head rest.
Real Sleeping Experience on Long Flights - Neck and Shoulder Support - Super-Soft, Lightweight, Easy-to-Carry, and Machine-Washable Flight Pillow
2. Eye Mask Head Strap
Sleeping on a plane is super uncomfortable, especially when you get the head bobs. You’ll wake up with neck and back pains you wish you hadn’t gotten in the first place. To avoid this, get this head strap to keep your head connected to the plane seat’s head rest. It will keep you from bobbing your head forward and to the sides. It also comes with an eye mask to blacken out the surrounding lights.
Airplane Pillow for Long Flight, Airplane Head Strap with Eye Mask for Sleep, Travel Neck Pillow for Car Road Trip, 360° Support Headrest, Stop Bobblehead
3. Foot Hammock
If you’re a shortie like I am, then sitting in plane seats can be extra uncomfortable because our feet don’t fully touch the ground, which inevitably strains the knee joints. However, regardless if you’re a shortie and don’t experience this sort of knee pain but want to fly and sleep in comfort, then look into getting a foot hammock! They will keep your feet in an ergonomic position so that you can fall asleep easily and comfortably.
Adjustable Foot Hammock for Airplane Travel Accessories, Desk Foot Hammock, Travel Foot Rest, Comfy Foot Hanger Airplane
4. Seat Cushion
Sitting on a plane seat for long hours can be very uncomfortable. This compact seat cushion can make your flight a bit more comfortable, and it nicely folds up to easily fit in your bag or backpack.
(14.5" x 10.6") Foldable Travel Cushion, for Airplane Seats, Camping, Stadium, Cinema, Garden Benches Seat Cushion, Relieve Sedentary Pain
5. Sleep Aids – Supplement & Lotion
If you have problems falling asleep on a flight, then explore sleeping aids such as sleep supplements and sleep lotion.
Sleep Supplement
Sleep supplements, such as Melatonin, can help put you to sleep on long haul flights. I recommend testing out different dosages on nights before your flight to figure out what dosage works best for you.
5mg Fast Dissolve Tablets, Nighttime Sleep Aid for Adults, 200 Strawberry-Flavored Melatonin Tablets, 200 Day Supply
Sleep Lotion
In addition to sleep supplements, or if you prefer to not ingest anything to aid with sleep, then check out sleep lotion. I always pair this with sleep supplements and the scent is so soothing where you’ll feel calm and relaxed, making you fall asleep with ease.
6. Noise-Cancelling Headphones or Earbuds
To drown out the ambient sounds of the plan and people, invest in a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds. You’ll be able to enjoy your favorite music, TV show/movies, and audiobooks without any external distractions.
Noise-cancelling Headphones
Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Headphones - Personalized Spatial Audio, USB-C Lossless Audio, Apple & Android Compatibility, Up to 40 Hours Battery Life
Noise-cancelling Earbuds
True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds - Compatible with Apple & Android, Built-in Microphone, IPX4 Rating, Sweat Resistant Earphones, Class 1 Bluetooth Headphones
Noise-cancelling Earbuds (budget)
(Compact Ergonomic Edition) Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth 5.3 Headphones, Call ENC Noise Cancelling Mic, 55Hrs Playtime App Customize EQ IPX8 Waterproof LED Digital Display Premium Sound Headset
7. Ear Plugs
In case you prefer to not listen to music or the sounds of a music/TV show, then get a pair of ear plugs to drown the surrounding noise out. They will allow you to go to sleep in the peace you seek when there is constant noise around you.
8. Compression Socks
Sitting in a plane for long periods of time can lead to swollen feet and ankles. To help prevent this from happening so that you can put your shoes back on and keep your legs feeling refreshed when arriving at your destination, try wearing compression socks.
9. Comfortable Clothes
Okay one of the most practical things to do on a long flight is to wear comfortable clothes. Think loose and airy tops, and breathable and flexible fabrics for your bottoms, like loungewear or leggings. This type of clothing is crucial in feeling cozy and comfortable on long flights.
10. Entertainment
For the times on your long flight where you’re wide awake and need to kill time, bringing some entertainment becomes essentials to do so. Bring a book/e-book to read, a portable gaming platform like a switch, download some games on your phone you can play offline, or download some movies or TV shows onto your phone or tablet. Having these available for you will make the time go by faster where you’ll get to your destination in no time.
11. Phone Holder
If you downloaded movies and TV shows onto your phone as one of your forms of entertainment on your long flight, then a phone holder to prop your phone up for easy viewing will quickly become one of your essentials. It literally takes up almost no space and is super practical.
For Desk Phone Holder Foldable Portable Adjustable Compatible with iPhone 15 14 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12 11 Plus SE XS XR 8 7, Office Desk Travel Accessories
12. Travel Wipes
I always bring a few of the below wipes with me where these have become essentials whenever I fly on a long haul flight. They can be used to clean your plane seat area of germs and bacteria, making you feel a bit more at ease in your own plane-space, or they can be used to cleanse and freshen up.
For freshening up: The facial wipes acts as a way to cleanse and freshen my face, the antibacterial wipes for hands and arms, then I follow up with the water wipes to essentially wash-wipe my face, hands and arms to feel even more fresh and clean. These are so handy so that I don’t have to cramp over the small plane bathroom sink in the already-small bathroom space. I usually bring a face moisturizer and sunscreen with me on the flight too as part of my post-wash-wipe routine.
Facial Wipes
Not only are these great makeup wipes, they are also great facial cleanser wipes to help freshen up as if you just washed your face.
Gentle Individual Face Wipes with Moisture-rich Soy Extract to help leave your skin looking bright, Hypoallergenic Formula, Non-Comedogenic (Pack of 25)
Antibacterial Wipes
Perfect for cleaning public use surfaces (like plane seat areas), and cleaning hands of germs and dirt.
Fresh Scent Wipes | Travel Wipes Case, Antibacterial Wipes | 20 ct. Travel Size Wipes
Water Wipes
These are 99% water-base so they’re perfect for a quick wash-wipe when you’re not near a water source. I usually pair using these after using one of the previous wipes for an even more fresh feel
Plastic-Free XL Bathing Wipes for Toddlers & Babies, 99.9% Water Based Wipes, Unscented & Hypoallergenic for Sensitive Skin, 16 Count (1 pack),
13. Travel Sanitizer
Travel-size Hand Sanitizer
Absolute must for a quick way to sanitize your hands from bacteria and germs. Comes in a rubber holder you can attach to your bag or carryon for easy accessibility.
Cute Hand Sanitizer Holder
In case you think the jelly/rubber sanitizer holders are an eyesore, this cute sanitize holder can hide and carry your travel-size sanitizer. It comes with a refillable bottle, or you can replace the bottle with a pre-filled/store-bought one.
Fits 2-Ounce Bottles of Hand Sanitizer (Not Included); Clips to Diaper Bag, Purse or Travel Bag
14. Travel Mouthwash
You can bring a toothbrush and toothpaste on a long flight if you prefer, but if you’re like me and nonsensically don’t trust putting plane water in your mouth to rinse with, then the next best thing is to bring a travel-size mouthwash!
15. Pen & Travel Journal
Bringing a pen and notebook used to be something I overlooked or forgot bringing, but now these have become one of my top long flight essentials. A pen is required to fill in any customs or immigrations forms when landing in another country, and a notebook (aka travel journal) is a great way to jot down trip notes and any fun stories, memories, and facts.
If you’re interested in a way to record your adventures, check out my Amazon Author Page and treat yourself (or your adventurous friends and family) with a new travel journal!
Final Words
Long-haul flights can be both challenging and exciting. Be well-prepared by packing some of these long flight essentials to maximize your comfort enjoyment, and feel relaxed and at ease before your next adventure. Bon Voyage!
