Taking a long flight can be an ordeal. Spending ten, twelve, or even fifteen hours in a cramped airplane seat is nobody’s idea of a good time. However, with a little preparation, these hours can be at least tolerable and sometimes even enjoyable.
Here is a comprehensive list of everything you need to bring on a long flight: travel documents and necessities, comfort items, entertainment, health essentials, and even some tried and true tips and tricks from seasoned travelers. Bookmark this page or print this guide and refer to it when you have your next long-haul trip in the works.
1. Travel Documents and Essentials
The very first thing you need to get on that airplane is proper documentation. Without it, you will be turned back at airport security and your flight will be over before it has begun.
Passport and Visa: Make sure your passport is not going to expire within six months of your arrival and confirm the visa requirements for your destination.
Boarding Pass: Print out your boarding pass if your airline does not send digital versions. (Airline apps do occasionally crash, so it is better to be safe than sorry.)
Travel Insurance Documents: Print or have electronic access to your travel insurance policy.
ID and Wallet: Bring your driver’s license, some local currency, and at least one credit card.
Pen: It goes without saying that a pen is an essential for filling out customs declaration forms.
Tip: Keep all travel documents in one pouch or travel wallet. Some travelers like to use RFID-blocking passport wallets.
2. Comfort Items
Try as they might, airlines cannot make it comfortable to sit in one chair for hours on end. However, there are some small and light items that will turn your flight experience from dreary to pleasant.
Neck Pillow: Make sure to get a good one (memory foam) with proper neck support. (Inflatable neck pillows are a space saver, but they are not as comfortable.)
Eye Mask: Useful for sleeping in the daytime even when the cabin lights are on.
Noise-Canceling Headphones or Earplugs: Blocking out babies crying, engine noise, or talkative passengers is a must.
Blanket or Shawl: Cabin temperatures in airplanes can be cool, and although you will be provided with a blanket, they are often flimsy and not very warm.
Compression Socks: These will improve circulation and reduce the risk of swelling or deep vein thrombosis.
3. Clothing
It may not seem like a big deal, but what you wear on a plane can make or break your level of comfort over hours of travel.
Layers: It may be cool in the cabin and then you are warmed up with direct sunlight from the window. Wear a breathable top, a light sweater, and a jacket or scarf you can remove easily.
Loose-Fitting Clothes: Avoid tight jeans or stiff materials that can chafe or restrict movement and become unbearable after hours of sitting.
Slip-On Shoes: You will have to remove your shoes at security, and it is nice to take them off during the flight too. Make sure to wear warm socks.
Light Scents: Avoid using cologne or perfume on planes, but if you must, keep it light.
Try to think of your flight outfit as a cross between pajamas and real clothes.
4. Hydration and Snacks
Dry airplane cabins are notorious for making travelers dehydrated. Do not let this be you, and remember to bring:
Reusable Water Bottle: Take it empty through security and fill up at a water fountain before you board. (Being hydrated also helps reduce the effects of jet lag.)
Electrolyte Packets: Add electrolytes to your water for better hydration during your long flight.
Snacks: Even though your flight will probably offer meals, you may not like the timing or the meal options. Bring nuts, granola bars, dried fruit, and a sandwich or two as backups.
Avoid: Too much alcohol and caffeine, which will dehydrate you further and make sleeping in your seat a challenge.
Tip: Bring a small pack of chewing gum or mints. They can help freshen your breath and also with pressure changes in your ears during takeoff and landing.
5. In-Flight Entertainment
Trust us when we say that you still need to bring your own entertainment and keep busy. Technology is your friend for long flights.
Movies and Shows: Load your tablet, laptop, or smartphone with some movies and a few episodes of your favorite TV series before the flight.
E-Reader or Books: Reading is always great to pass the time on long flights. Load your e-reader with some digital books, or pack a real book.
Podcasts and Audiobooks: Download a few of your favorite podcasts or audiobooks.
Music: Put together a relaxing or an uplifting playlist.
Games and Puzzles: Download some apps, crosswords, or Sudoku to help with the monotony.
Remember to bring a portable charger and charging cable. Some airplanes have USB ports, but do not count on them.
6. Health and Hygiene Essentials
Flying in close proximity to hundreds of strangers is the perfect recipe for avoiding germs and taking care of your health.
Hand Sanitizer: Use this before meals and after using shared surfaces.
Antibacterial Wipes: For wiping down your tray table, armrests, seatbelts, and window blinds.
Face Mask: Some airlines still recommend or require them, and they can help you from catching colds or flu.
Toothbrush and Toothpaste: Brushing your teeth mid-flight is a quick way to feel human again.
Moisturizer and Lip Balm: Help fight off dry skin and chapped lips caused by airplane cabin air.
Pain Relievers and Medicine: Ibuprofen, aspirin, and all your regular prescriptions go in your carry-on bag.
Eye Drops: Dry eyes are common in flight, and eye drops will prevent this.
Tip: Keep a small toiletry kit in your personal bag for feeling refreshed when you arrive.
7. Sleep Essentials
Sleeping on airplanes can be a challenge, but it is not impossible, and you really want to at least try, especially on overnight flights.
Travel Pillow, Blanket, Eye Mask: The trifecta for airplane sleeping.
Melatonin or Natural Sleep Aids: Consult your physician first, but melatonin is a popular natural way to reset your body clock.
White Noise Apps or Playlists: Helpful for drowning out surrounding sounds.
If you can’t sleep the whole time, a few hours of quality sleep can make jet lag more manageable.
8. Tech Gadgets
Modern technology can make travel and airplanes more fun. Keep in mind these great gadgets.
Portable Charger or Power Bank: Never let your devices die on a long flight.
Universal Travel Adapter: For destinations with different types of outlets.
Tablet or Laptop: Perfect for work, entertainment, or staying connected.
Noise-Canceling Headphones: We mentioned these above, and it is for a reason. Noise-canceling headphones are a game changer and worth the investment.
Devices: Be sure to charge all your devices before leaving home. Don’t pack chargers in checked luggage (always in your carry-on).
9. Personal Care Items
Hours in an airplane can make anyone feel not exactly their best. It doesn’t have to be this way. Here are some simple care items you can bring.
Deodorant: Try a travel size deodorant to help you feel less grimy.
Hairbrush or Comb: Keeps your hair from looking like a bird’s nest after hours of resting against the headrest.
Facial Wipes: A quick way to freshen up when there is no sink or water.
Change of Clothes: At the very minimum, pack a fresh shirt and pair of underwear for after landing.
Bonus confidence tip: Take these few extra steps to feel ready for the customs and immigration line, baggage claim, and your destination.
10. Safety and Security
Traveling is a lot more fun when you have peace of mind about your safety and security.
Money Belt or Hidden Pouch: Keeps your cash and credit cards safe from pickpockets in airports.
Luggage Locks: TSA-approved locks for your checked luggage.
Luggage Tracker: A Bluetooth luggage tracker will help you locate your lost bag.
Tip: Give yourself one less thing to worry about when you travel by making sure your safety and security.
11. Mental Preparation and Tips
Last but not least, a few mental preparation tips and tricks can help you survive long flights.
Move Around: Get up from your seat every couple of hours to stretch your legs and walk around. Helps avoid stiffness and blood clots.
Adjust Your Watch: Set your watch to your destination time as soon as you get on the flight. It will help with the jet lag.
Relaxation Techniques: Practice deep breathing, meditation apps, or visualization to help you relax.
Accept Inconveniences: Flights can rarely go exactly as planned—delays, turbulence, talkative seatmates. Mentally prepare for inconveniences and you will be more patient.
12. Packing for Long Flights
Carry-on packing and organization are often as important as what you actually pack.
Packing Cubes or Pouches: Keep items organized so you don’t have to dig through your bag.
Accessibility: Keep essentials such as headphones, charger, snacks, and documents in easy reach (in a pocket or near the top).
Do Not Overpack: A heavy carry-on is a chore when you are already facing long lines and layovers.
The right organization can save you time, reduce stress, and keep you from misplacing important items.
Conclusion
Long flights do not have to be part of your travel story that you dread. With a few essential items: travel documents, comfort items, in-flight entertainment, healthy snacks and water, health and hygiene, the right mindset, and a touch of preparation, you can make the hours in the air more comfortable and even enjoyable.
Instead of dreading the long hours in the sky, look at them as a chance to recharge, a break on your way to an exciting journey, or a time for quality sleep. If you take a few minutes before your flight to think and plan ahead, and if you bring all the essentials with you, you will arrive at your destination refreshed and ready to explore it, not exhausted.
So next time you have a long-haul flight coming up, bookmark this page or print out this packing list and use it as your reference guide. Pack wisely and enjoy the journey.
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