Long Haul Flight Essentials: Your Ultimate Guide
Long-haul flights can be a bit of a challenge. Whether you're embarking on a 10-hour journey or a lengthy 12-hour flight, preparation is key to ensuring a comfortable and stress-free experience. From choosing the right clothing to packing the right products, let me guide will walk you through everything you need to know about surviving and thriving during long haul flights. After around 10 long haul flights per month for 15 years here are my top recommendations!
What to Bring with You on a Long Haul Flight
Comfortable Clothing
Pack layers: Airplanes can get chilly, so bring a light sweater or scarf that you can easily slip on if it gets cold. For maximum comfort, aim for breathable fabrics like cotton or moisture-wicking materials.
Comfortable Shoes: Your feet can swell during long flights, so choose comfortable slip-on shoes or slides. Avoid tight shoes and heels. Comfort should be your top priority!
Compression Stockings: A must-have for preventing leg swelling and improving circulation during long flights. Compression stockings help reduce the risk of blood clots, especially on flights that last over 10 hours.
Entertainment
Noise-Cancelling Headphones: A pair of high-quality headphones is an absolute game-changer. Noise-canceling headphones help you block out the background noise of the plane, allowing you to enjoy your music, movies, or podcasts in peace. I personally recommend the Sonos Ace headphones, which offer up to 30 hours of battery life and have incredible sound quality. What I love about these headphones is the rapid charging that gives you 3 hours of battery life in just 3 minutes!
I just flew with Emirates in Premium cabin surrounded by infants! Luckily I had noise cancelling headphones and didn't notice the little darlings!
Check out my review of Emirates Premium Economy HERE
Books or E-readers: Download a book or two before your flight. If you're an avid reader, consider investing in an e-reader, as it's easy to carry multiple books in one compact device.
TOP TIP: Get an Amazon Audible trial before you jet off, trust me they are so good when you're so over watching ay more movies, or stuck waiting around to board.
Sign up here for a free trial.
Card Games: Not into electronics? Bring along a deck of cards or a travel-sized game like Uno or Monopoly Deal. These are perfect for passing the time and can provide hours of entertainment without draining your phone's battery.
Snacks
Protein Bars: You don’t want to be stuck with airline snacks, so bring your own! Protein bars like Huel are a great option, especially if you're vegan or have dietary restrictions.
Peppermint Tea: Perfect for settling your stomach, especially with the altitude changes. Peppermint is known to help with bloating, indigestion, and nausea.
Toiletries and Personal Care Items
Moisturiser: Flying at high altitudes can dry out your skin, so bring a rich moisturiser. My personal favourite is ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, which is hydrating and helps prevent wrinkles. For a more budget-friendly option, L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Aloe Water is great for a refreshed, glowing look.
Facial Spritz: A facial spray like Evian Facial Spray can help hydrate your skin and give you an instant fresh feeling during the flight.
Dry Shampoo: Perfect for freshening up your hair after a nap. It saves you from looking like you just woke up in a different time zone.
Toothbrush and Toothpaste: Keep your mouth feeling fresh by packing travel-sized toothpaste and a toothbrush.
This is my current toothbrush so compact and perfect for travelling, check it out on Amazon here
Hydration
Reusable Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is essential, especially on long flights. Bring an empty reusable bottle through security, and refill it before boarding. This way, you can sip water throughout the flight to keep your skin and body hydrated.
Electrolyte Drops: ElectroFlytes is a fantastic product that helps you stay hydrated by replenishing vital minerals like magnesium and potassium. A couple of drops in your water can help reduce fatigue and keep you feeling energised.
Travel Pillows and Cushions
Travel Pillow: Sleeping on planes can be difficult, but a high-quality travel pillow can make a huge difference. SARISUN Travel Pillow is an innovative pillow that supports your head and prevents your neck from moving around, ensuring a restful sleep even in economy class. If you're someone who struggles with sleep on flights, this is a must-have. You can tie it to the back of the seat so it keeps your had firmly in place giving lots of support. It's a gamechanger!!
Inflatable Pillow and Blanket Set: The Cabin Max 2-in-1 Travel Blanket and Pillow Set is perfect for long flights. The pillow inflates to provide neck support, and the blanket is cosy enough to keep you warm during chilly flights. Some airlines like Norse Atlantic Airways don't provide blankets on their long haul flightsI
Power and Charging Essentials
Portable Charger: With your phone, tablet, e-reader, and headphones needing a charge, a portable charger is essential. I love the Charmast Power Bank with built-in cables, perfect for charging multiple devices simultaneously.
I recently went to Bruges and made the silly mistake of travelling with Flixbus, so the bus home was cancelled, my battery had died, so there i was stranded in the middle of Belgium, now I was smart enough to have a power-bank with me, but not quite smart enough to have a charging cable. So I invested in this beauty!
Airplane Bluetooth Adapter: The Avantree Relay is a Bluetooth adapter that allows you to connect two Bluetooth devices (like AirPods) to the airplane’s audio system. This is great if you're flying on an older plane with outdated entertainment systems.
Sleep Essentials
Essential Oils for Sleep: If you’re having trouble sleeping on the plane, Stressed Mind Sensory Point Sleep Oil is a calming oil blend of lavender and other relaxing oils that helps reduce stress and anxiety. Apply it to your temples or wrists for a more peaceful relaxing long haul flight.
How to Make a 10-Hour Flight Comfortable
10-hour flights can seem endless, but with the right planning, you can make your flight experience far more pleasant. Here are some tips for surviving a 10-hour flight in comfort:
Adjust to the Time Zone: Try to sleep at the right time based on your destination's time zone. This can help you avoid jet lag when you arrive.
Move Around: Take breaks to stand up, stretch, and walk around. This will reduce the risk of blood clots and help you stay comfortable.
Stay Hydrated: The dry air on long flights can dehydrate you quickly. Drink water regularly to keep your body refreshed.
Layer Up: Temperatures on planes can fluctuate, so it’s important to dress in layers that you can adjust as needed. A scarf or blanket can also come in handy for extra warmth.
What to Do on a 12-Hour Flight
A 12-hour flight can feel like a marathon, but with the right mindset and the right essentials, you can breeze through it:
Watch Movies and TV Shows: Plan ahead by downloading a few movies or shows to keep you entertained during the long haul.
Take Naps: Sleep is one of the best ways to make the time pass quickly. Bring a neck pillow, eye mask, and some essential oils to help you drift off to sleep more easily.
Engage in In-Flight Activities: Many airlines provide in-flight entertainment, such as games or trivia. These can be a great way to pass the time and challenge yourself.
Luxury Long Haul Flight Essentials
If you’re flying in a premium cabin or just want to treat yourself on your next long haul flight, here are some luxury essentials to pack:
High-Quality Skincare: Invest in some premium skincare like ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Marine Cream to keep your skin hydrated and looking its best.
Noise-Canceling Headphones: Noise-canceling headphones like the Sonos Ace are a must for a luxurious in-flight experience. They block out all the noise, leaving you immersed in your music or movies.
For those who want to relax before their flight, consider purchasing a Priority Pass for access to airport lounges. This will allow you to enjoy a quiet space, freshen up, and have a meal before you board.
Airport Lounges can actually save you money at the airport and you can relax in style before your long flight, charge up your gadgets download some last minute movies for the flight.
Lounges are around £38 and upwards to enter, but don’t worry if you’re not keen on paying full price, I’ve got you covered! Thanks to my friends at Priority Pass, you can snag a 30% discount on an annual membership. This brings the cost down to just £48 for the year, giving you access to over 1,400 lounges worldwide! For this lounge you would just pay £24 (prices can change)
If you travel with your friend, partner, mother, brother from another mother etc, If one of you has the Priority Pass then you can both use it for the reduced entrance fee! YAY!
Click here for your discounted Priority Pass and start enjoying lounges like this one.
Long Haul Flight Must-Haves
To make your long haul flight as smooth as possible, don’t forget these must-haves:
Pen: Some countries require you to fill out landing cards, so don’t forget to pack a pen in your carry-on bag.
Magnesium Gummies: These can help you relax your muscles, making it easier to sleep on your flight.
Hand Sanitizer: Make sure you keep a small bottle of hand sanitizer to clean your hands before eating or touching your face.
AirTags: Keep your checked luggage secure by placing an Apple AirTag in your bag. This will allow you to track your luggage in case it gets lost during your travels.
Why You NEED an Apple AirTag in Your Luggage for Travel (And the New Feature That Makes It Even Better)
Apple AirTag. Track your keys, wallet, luggage, backpack. Replaceable battery. Water-resistant. One-tap set up with iPhone or iPad
Or it's much more cost effective to buy them in a 4 pack
Apple AirTag (4 pack). Track and find your keys, wallet, luggage, backpack and more. Simple one-tap set up with iPhone or iPad
Long Haul Flight Carry on Luggage
Now of course you will need the perfect cary on bag to pop all of these items in
Cabin Max Anode 40L Cabin Suitcase: this trolley bag is a great choice. It’s lightweight, has 360-degree spinning wheels, and offers plenty of room.
I've been using the Cabin Max Anode for around a year and its the perfect fit for so many airlines even Ryanair and Wizz Air, especially if you pay extra for Priority.
For those who need more space, the Cabin Max Anode 40L is a fantastic option.
Spacious and Lightweight: Perfect for trips up to 7 days, with enough room for clothing, toiletries, and extras.
Durable and Stylish: Available in various colours, so you can travel in style.
Also Convenient for short haul low cost airlines: No worries about your bag arriving separately, as you can keep it with you.
It comes in so many colours!!
Ready for take off?
Long haul flights don’t have to be uncomfortable or stressful. With the right preparation, you can enjoy a smooth and relaxing journey. From comfortable clothing and sleep essentials to entertainment and hydration, these long haul flight essentials will ensure you’re ready for anything. So, the next time you're heading off on a 10-hour, 12-hour, or even longer flight, remember to pack these must-haves and travel like a pro!
Related links
This is Why I Hated Emirates Premium Economy Onboard Their New A350
Check out my full Norse Atlantic Airways review of both Premium and Economy
Why You NEED an Apple AirTag in Your Luggage for Travel
Is this the BEST Airport Lounges at London Gatwick South Terminal?
What Is British Airways Euroflyer? How are they different to BA?
Is Flying British Airways Business Class in Europe Worth the Extra Cost?
Flying in Style: My Qatar Airways Business Class Experience on the 787 from Doha to London
Hello I’m Paul a travel and flight expert, I spent most of my career working in and around planes with 15 years providing top-notch service with a London-based airline. I became an expert in travel after soaring across the Atlantic up to 10 times a month!
I’m now, producing travel content, reaching millions of viewers monthly. Reporting on travel news, sharing travel tips, reviews, and deals with a sprinkle of humour and a whole lot of authenticity!
I hope you enjoyed this Long Haul Flight Essentials: Your Ultimate Guide do let me know in the comments if you have any questions or send me a DM on instagram and I will get back to you........
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