The Ultimate Long Haul Flight Essentials: Travel Tips and Checklist

As much as we love being on the move and exploring the world, there’s no denying that long-haul flights can be absolutely exhausting. The combination of relentless noise, dry air and cramped seating can be a lot to deal with, especially for unexperienced travellers.

To help you make your next long-haul flight less tiring and easier to manage, we’ve gathered a list of gear and items we use ourselves when travelling over long distances, as well as essential tips and tricks to make your trip more comfortable.

From basics such as the best clothes to wear, to how to decide where to sit and what to eat, our guide will show you the ins-and-out of getting through your next long-haul flight trouble-free!

Don’t forget to download our free Long Haul Flight Survival Checklist, which you can find at the end of this article. We’re sure it will be super useful when packing for your longer trips!

Let’s get started. 

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Clothing

Loose, breathable and comfortable clothes are absolutely essential when travelling over long distances.

Since you’ll be sitting down for extended periods of time, loose clothing will help your blood flow more easily and reduce cramping. Also, because of the pressurised cabin, it’s perfectly normal to feel a little bloated when flying long-haul, so loose clothing will be a great help in reducing the pressure on your digestive system!

In addition, we really recommend packing an extra change of clothes in your carry-on bag. Not only will you be able to change into something clean and fresh when you arrive, you’ll also have something to wear in the unfortunate case your airline loses your luggage.

Sweaters and hoodies

Planes can get pretty chilly, and you’ll probably notice it even more since you won’t be moving much for long periods of time, so a comfy sweater is a great way to keep yourself nice and toasty. A hoodie is also a great alternative to keep your head and ears warm at the same time!

Joggers

Because they are light, loose and breathable, a light pair of joggers or track pants are ideal to wear in a plane. They won’t limit your movement like a pair of jeans, and will also promote your blood flow by not constricting your legs as much.

Compression socks

Sitting down for long periods of time can mess with your blood flow, causing cramping and swelling in your legs. Compression socks, along with regular stretching and walking, help keep your blood circulation normal, which will reduce symptoms and make your more comfortable during your flight!

Sleeping gear

Sleeping in a plane is never really comfortable, unless you’re travelling business class and have an actual bed to lay down in. The rest of us will probably have to make do with a standard economy seat, so here are a few essentials to make your naps in the air more manageable.

Travel pillows

Since you’ll be sleeping while sitting upright, having something soft to lean on will be great for your overall comfort.

While most travellers prefer to go for the classic neck pillow, your choice should depend mainly on where you sit; if you’re by the window, a square pillow will be easier to prop against the wall and will provide better support and cushioning, while a neck pillow will be the better choice if you sit in the middle or aisle seat, as you won’t have anything to lean on.

Eye mask

Light coming in from the windows during the day and cabin lights during the night can be extremely bothersome while trying to sleep, so that’s why a good eye mask is absolutely a must-have!

We recommend you choose a model that blocks out the light entirely, but is also not so tight as to put pressure on your eyes.

A light blanket

A light blanket is a great way to keep your legs warm during your flight. Alternatively, we find that a simple scarf is a good item to have during our travels, and doubles perfectly as a blanket during long flights!

Earplugs

If you want to block out the cabin noise and the sound of the engines, you might want to consider investing in a good pair of earplugs. There are different models with various levels of noise reduction, so you can choose what best suits you. Just remember that the higher the noise reduction the more likely you’ll miss out on important communication such as turbulence warnings.

Entertainment

Sitting for several hours straight without anything to do except sleep will drive you insane, so make sure you bring something to entertain yourself and keep busy during your flight!

Download movies and music

While most long-haul flights have some form of on-board entertainment such as movies and TV series, it’s always a good idea to download a couple of your own favourites in case you don’t like what’s on offer. Also, don’t forget to download your favourite travel playlist to listen to during your flight!

Bring a book or an e-reader

Reading a book is a great way to calm your mind and get yourself ready for sleep. We also recommend investing in an e-reader, a lighter and more practical alternative to lugging heavy books around!

Portable video games

We’re massive geeks, so we always make sure to have our portable console with favourite games to pass the time on long flights!

Cards, sudoku and notebooks

Having cards or mental games such as sudoku or crosswords is a great way to pass the time and take your eyes off screens. Also, games that challenge your thinking skills are a great way to tire yourself out and have a good night sleep!

Electronics

To power your entertainment or to help you relax and sleep better, here are a few essential electronics that cannot miss from your cabin bag during a long-haul flight.

Power bank

A power-bank is a must-have to keep your devices charged during a long flight!

If you only need to recharge your phone we recommend choosing a 10.000 mAh power bank, as it will be the best in terms of  battery size and weight. If you plan on recharging your laptop as well, you’ll need a larger power-bank with a capacity of at least 20.000 mAh and a power output matching what your device requires.

Noise-cancelling earphones or headphones

Noise-cancelling earphones and headphones are a must-have to block out the constant droning noise of the engines, allowing you to get some proper sleep. They’re also an essential for watching movies and listening to music without being bothered by the noise around you!

Hygiene and toiletries

Planes are notoriously dirty places, and you’ll probably want to freshen up a little when you arrive at your destination. For those reasons, these hygiene and toiletry items can never miss from our cabin bag when flying long-haul!

Wet wipes

These are super useful to wipe your tray table and your chair’s armrests, as these are usually one of the dirtiest parts of the plane. In addition, travel sized wet wipes are a great way to freshen up during or after your flight!

Hand sanitizer

A small bottle of hand sanitizer is essential for you hygiene, especially after using the lavatory and before eating. We always make sure to have one each, with a couple more in our bags.

Moisturising cream

The air inside plane cabins is extremely dry, which might cause some discomfort after several hours. A good cream will be great to moisturise your hands and face, and make the trip more comfortable.

Lip balm

While using a cream for your hands a face, don’t forget to take care of your lips with a good lip balm.

Toothbrush and toothpaste tablets

Don’t forget to pack your toothbrush in your carry-on bag, you’ll be glad you did after a long flight. Toothpaste tablets are also a more lighter and more practical alternative to bringing a tub of toothpaste with you.

Food and drinks

Most airlines will have included meals, while on others like Scoot you’ll have to pay an extra fee. Regardless, we always like bringing a couple of extras to have during the flight.

Water bottle

A water bottle is a must-have for long flights, since you can fill up before boarding your flight and have all the water you need without having to rely on the tiny cups that the airline gives you.
Our favourite choice for long-haul flights is a collapsible water bottle, since they take up less space for a larger volume than reusable steel and aluminium bottles.

Light snacks

Having a tasty snack like a Cliff cereal bar is a great way to keep up your mood. However, try to avoid very salty or sugary food, as they can cause you to become more dehydrated and might mess with your digestion.

Our Pro-Tips

Travel during the night

For an easier flight, consider travelling at night. This way you’ll be following your body’s own circadian rhythm, and will have an easier time sleeping throughout your flight and arriving at your destination fresh and rested!

Don’t over-eat

Binging on all the snacks you brought is a good way to pass the time, but your stomach will likely not appreciate it. In addition, the seated position doesn’t really help your digestion either. Ideally you should eat when you’re served meals, and have a few small snacks in between.

Pick the right seat

Picking the best seat for you depends on what kind of flyer you are. If you’re the type of traveller who is likely to sleep throughout the entire flight, you’ll definitely want to go for a window seat; that way, you won’t have to move for anyone trying to get up and shuffle past you. If you’re likely to wake up often or feel the need to stretch more frequently, you should instead opt for the aisle or middle seat.

Make sure your seatbelt is always visible

Before you doze off, make sure your seatbelt is visible above your clothing. This way, you’ll avoid having an attendant wake you up before landing or in case of turbulence.

Stretch often

Getting up for a walk and stretching for a few minutes at least once every few hours is extremely important not only for your comfort, but also for your general health. It will promote your blood flow, stretch your muscles and loosen your joints, preventing cramping, swelling and tail-bone pain.

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And there you go, these are our essential must-have items and tips to survive a long-haul flight.

From packing comfy clothes and your favourite snacks, to bringing enough entertainment, we hope these tips will help make your next trip more fun and easier to manage!

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