What to Pack for a Long Haul Flight

Over the past decade I’ve spent countless hours in the air and finally found a convenient way to organize my luggage and its content. Whether you’re flying for 4 hours or 15+, these tips will help you have a more comfortable flight every time.

–> Skip the details and go straight to my packing list.

Before any trip the first thing to decide is whether you’ll bring a carry-on or checked bag. There is a fair debate for each, but nonetheless, my tips in this article will apply to both. Regardless of which one you choose I’d recommend you bring a small backpack or purse to keep under the seat in front of you with the items below included in the bag for easy access.

Backpack / Purse (Easy Access)

Choose a backpack or purse that is big enough to store anything you’ll need easy access to – but small enough to fit under the seat. I currently use the Monos commuter bag.

Make use of Pouches

Pack in pouches. Packing in pouches makes organization and accessing your items a breeze in tight spaces. You can choose a backpack with multiple compartments, or use pouches in a tote or standard backpack to separate items. I’ll usually have 3-4 small pouches for: toiletries + medicine, snacks, electronics, and misc items.

Skincare Pouch

Long flights dry our your skin and dehydrate our bodies. I started doing this earlier in the year because I noticed how dry my skin was and how gross my face felt without being able to wash it for a hours. Having easy access to skincare is a great way to keep your skin hydrated and refreshed on long flights, and it can also help you to stay feeling clean and comfortable. Check out my ultimate travel skincare routine for a full list of product recommendations.

I pack my essential skincare items in a small toiletry bag, which includes:

Cotton pads
Moisturizing toner
Hand lotion
Sunscreen (stick or cream) – make sure to apply before and during the flight, I like cream before and the stick for touch-ups.
Eye drops (if you wear contacts, though normally I wear glasses)
Hair tie
Chapstick
Face mask (optional)
Hand sanitizer
Hair comb
Travel-size Advil

Snack & Refreshments Pouch

Long-haul flights will serve snacks and meals throughout the flight, but it’s hard to know when and what will be served ahead of time. In my experience keeping a small pouch with snacks I enjoy keeps me feeling satisfied without starving myself between meals or if the meals aren’t appetizing. I personally prefer simple snacks, some salty and some sweet, and ideally a few high in protein. I also choose snacks that aren’t particularly strong smelling to respect other passengers. If you’ve ever been on a flight that serves tuna sandwiches…you’ll know what I mean. That should be a criminal offense. I usually choose a few protein bars, pretzels, and a sweet candy. If I have a layover I’ll usually pick up a snack for the final leg of the trip.

Protein Bars
Pretzels
Candy – something sweet
Toothbrush, mouthwash, or mints. Something to freshen my breath.

Electronics Pouch

Wired headphones
USB charger for devices (phone, headphones, etc).
External battery

Wired Headphones: Noise-cancelling headphones

Long flights often provide cheap in-ear headphones for their entertainment systems, but I recommend bringing your own wired headphones or a converter for wireless headphones. Personally, I prefer wired headphones because I don’t have to worry about charging them, but Bluetooth headphones are convenient because they don’t get tangled cords. If you choose Bluetooth headphones, I still recommend bringing a spare wired pair or at least the charger for the flight. Also important to consider is your headphones comfort and quality. I believe a high quality set is a great travel and personal investment and will make a big difference in your enjoyment of your flight.

USB charger for devices

Most long flights have USB ports, and there are also charging stations in airports. I recommend bringing a charging cable that is at least 3 feet long for your phone and any other devices you need to charge on the plane or that need to be fully charged when you land. This way, you can be ready to go as soon as you step off the plane.

Pro Tip: You can check airplane specs to see what is provided on board.

External Battery

While most long flights have USB ports, it’s best not to rely on them. Some planes may not have them, they may not work, or they may charge slowly. As a precaution, I always pack an external battery to charge my devices on the go. This is useful not only on the plane, but also at the airport, where charging stations can be few and far between, and out in town after a long day of exploring. An external battery is a must-pack safety essential for any trip.

NOTE: External batteries are only allowed in carry-on bags and cannot be checked.

What to Wear on a Long Haul Flight:

Compression Socks

Compression socks are a great way to reduce swelling, inflammation, and the risk of blood clots on long flights. (“>these are my favorite) They work by squeezing the veins in your legs, which helps to keep blood flowing smoothly back to your heart. This is important because when you sit for long periods of time, blood can pool in your legs, which can lead to swelling, inflammation, and blood clots.

Compression socks are especially important for people who are at increased risk of blood clots, such as pregnant women, people with a history of blood clots, and people who are taking certain medications. Even if you’re not at increased risk of blood clots, compression socks can still make your flight more comfortable by reducing swelling and improving circulation.

Pro Tip: Put on your compression socks in the morning before you get out of bed. This will help to prevent swelling throughout the day. But make sure they are not too tight or folded over, they should not cause any pain or discomfort while wearing them.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, and this is not medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns about wearing compression socks, please talk to your doctor.

Layers

Lately I’ve seen a lot of people wearing shorts, sports bras, and generally surprising attire choices on airplanes. Personally, I want to avoid having the least amount of my bare skin touching the seats as possible, because – let’s face it – planes are nasty. The less I’m exposed to, the better. Plus – airplane temperatures fluctuate and tend to be very cold for me. So what should you wear? I recommend layering your clothes, especially if you’re going from a cold to hot environments or vise-versa. I also think dark colors are best, in tight spaces it’s easy to spill or stain your clothing or accidentally sit in something on the plane or airport.

A comfortable jacket with a hood (I prefer a hood because I can wear it over my head if I feel too much cold air circulating above me, it also helps keep me warm and block out the ambient light)
A cotton t-shirt
Sweatpants with cuffed bottoms (prevents my pants from touching the bathroom floor)
Compression socks
Tennis shoes or slip-ons (I don’t usually take my shoes off on flights so I’ll typically wear the same shoes I’ll be wearing throughout my trip)

Other Considerations:

YouTube Premium/Streaming Services- Most streaming services like Netflix and YouTube Premium let you download videos. Personally, I like to use YouTube because I can download a wide assortment of videos to watch or listen to throughout the flight in contrast to the in-flight entertainment.
Reusable water bottle – Most airports (in the States) have refillable water stations – overseas they are a little hit-or-miss. But it’s always a good idea, both on the airplane and throughout your trip to have a water bottle. You don’t need anything too big, 12-16oz is a good size. Anything larger could be too big for backpacks or to carry all day. You can also add some Liquid IV to boost hydration on dehydrating flights.
Spotify – Any music streaming service is a must for me. Make sure to have your music downloaded for offline access.
Pillow/Blanket – Most flights provide these but if you’re looking for ultimate comfort and have space then feel free to pack it.
Eye Mask – A small luxury that I love to use, it blocks out the light and I also hate when people can watch me sleep!
If you are checking a bag, include a spare change of clothes in your carry on as a precaution for lost luggage + anything else you would absolutely need for your first day of the trip.
Eye drops & glasses – if it’s a shorter flight I’ll wear my contacts but my eyes do dry out fast so I always have eye drops handy. Otherwise I’ll bring my glasses.