Although traveling can be fun and exciting, long flights can be uncomfortable and exhausting. Here are 25 long flight essentials to make your next flight more enjoyable.
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Long Flight Essentials
Essential Documents
Passport and Driver's License
Whether flying domestic or international you will need to have the required identification.
Boarding Passes, Confirmations, and Itineraries
Whether you print your boarding pass or use an electronic boarding pass make sure it is easily accessible when passing through security or at the boarding gate.
It is also important to have paper or electronic versions of all confirmations. I always bring one document that includes all of our flight, lodging, and activity confirmations, as well as contact information. This is beneficial in case your phone is lost while traveling. Yes, we have had this happen.
Backpack
This is one of the handiest backpacks I’ve owned and is perfect for a long flight, so you have everything you need handy.
It opens from the top to conveniently access your items and includes 19 pockets, a padded laptop compartment, and a water bottle holder inside. The luggage strap on the back allows you to slip it over your luggage handle.
There is plenty of room for everything you need in this backpack and it is small enough to meet the personal item size requirements for most European airlines and comes in a wide variety of designs and colors.
3-1-1 Bags
A 3-1-1 liquids bag is essential for any liquid or cream item you bring on the plane.
I also like to have another one for any smaller personal items or snacks I want easy access to during the flight. If it’s not overpacked, it will fit in the seat’s back pocket without worrying about germs touching your items inside.
Travel Organizer
This travel organizer has been one of my long-flight essentials for several years.
When we travel as a family I don’t want to take the chance of someone’s passport getting misplaced. This organizer allows me to easily keep everyone’s passports and boarding passes in one place. This ensures we have everything we need when passing through security.
I also like that it fits nicely in my purse or personal item, which I keep with me on the plane.
Mini Wallet
When traveling I always bring a small coin purse or wallet that holds my license, insurance cards, credit card, debit card, driver’s license, and cash. I like this small option because it is light and fits perfectly in any bag I have while we are exploring.
The version on the right has a see through pocket on the back for your driver’s license.
Travel Wallet and Organizer
A travel wallet is another great option because it is large enough to keep your passport, boarding pass, and other wallet items in one place.
Essential Electronics
Smart Phone
As cell phone technology has improved we have become increasingly reliant on them. Travelers are now relying on their phones to serve as an alarm, itinerary, boarding pass, confirmation holder, map, camera and more. This is not an item you want to forget.
Smart Phone Apps
Two of my favorite apps when flying are the MyTSA App and a White Noise App.
My favorite features of this app are the security checkpoint wait times, and the “Can I Bring” section. Check out How to Get Through Airport Security Like a Pro for more tips on this great app.
The White Noise App has become one of my favorite long flight essentials. This app is great on planes or in hotel rooms when you want to drown out other noises or if you like to have ambient noise while you sleep.
It has options including a fan, rain, ocean waves, birds, relaxing music, meditation sounds as well as various colored noises such as brown, white and pink which have been shown to be good for relaxation and sleep.
Fire Kindle HD
The Kindle Fire HD is my go-to for entertainment on the plane. Download the books you want prior to boarding the plane and then you have access to them during the flight.
It also has apps for games and with the high-definition display, it is also great for watching movies.
Trudy Tip: I use the black background and white text when reading, especially on overnight flights when the cabin lights are off. The black background and white text feel better in darker situations.
Phone and Tablet Stand
This flex flap stand was created by a flight attendant and is handy for propping up your phone or tablet. Its convenient size makes it easy to stash in your personal item bag.
Phone Mount
This is a great travel item if you or your kids watch movies or videos on a phone. It easily attaches to a seat back, or tray table during the flight as well as other items throughout your trip like a luggage handle, table, shelf, etc. Even better the mount swivels 360 degrees, so you can easily see the screen.
iPad, Tablet or Laptop
Headphones or Earbuds
I have to admit that this year I tried Noise Cancelling Headphones and they have become my absolute favorite long flight essential. The Beats and Boise Noise Cancelling Headphones are absolute game-changers for long flights.
I was concerned that they would be too bulky to carry and I didn’t believe they would make much of a difference but they absolutely do. I was shocked at how well they block out talking and crying babies, and loud plane noise.
If you travel regularly I would highly recommend investing in a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones. I did try a couple of less expensive options before settling on these. This is an example of you get what you pay for.
If you aren’t interested in headphones you might like the Apple Airpods Pro which is also noise canceling. They are small, easy to pack, and have great sound.
You should definitely pick up this AirFly In Flight Wireless Headphone Adapter to wirelessly connect your earbuds or wireless headphones to the in-flight entertainment. It can be used with your AirPods, earbuds, or wireless headphones with no more cords getting in the way.
Unlike other adaptors, AirFly has a battery life of 20+ hours to cover even the longest flight. The AirFly can also be used while charging with the included cable.
You can also connect two sets of earbuds or headphones to one transmitter if you and your travel buddy want to watch a movie together.
The AirFly In Flight Wireless Headphone Adapter is one of the best long-flight essentials.
Wireless Phone Chargers
Let’s be honest, with so many electronics in our lives we end up with all types of chargers each with its own cord that easily gets tangled in the close quarters of a plane. Don’t hesitate to get yourself one of these wireless phone chargers available for both Android and Apple phones. They are also great if you need to charge your phone on the go and don’t want the hassle of that pesky charger cord.
Electronic Accessory Organizer
A travel cable organizer is a great long flight essential to make sure you have everything you need and to ensure everything is easy to find. This will hold electronics chargers and cords as well as power chargers, earbuds, and other electronic accessories.
Here’s another travel cable and electronics organizer that also holds a lot but is slightly smaller.
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Health Essentials
Disinfecting Wipes
Clorox Wipes, have been an absolute game-changer for me. Planes are covered in germs. Lots and lots of germs.
Historically, I have gotten sick every time we travel. I mean every time! So, anything I can do to stay healthy is an essential item.
Since adding them to my long flight essentials list I haven’t gotten sick. Not once. This is why Clorox Disinfecting Wipes is one of my most important long-flight essentials.
These can often be found in travel sizes at your local variety store.
Trudy Tip: Once seated on the plane wipe down the seat belt buckle, armrests, tray table, tray table latch, and the entertainment screen if there is one.
Medication Holder
It’s important to make sure that you have all prescription medications with you on the plane. First, you don’t want to take the chance of prescription medications being stolen out of checked luggage, nor do you want to risk being without it if your luggage is lost. These small pill organizers are great for long-flight needs.
Motion Sickness Aid
Reed’s Ginger Candy Chews are great and I prefer them to motion sickness medication. These individually wrapped ginger chews do the trick at settling an upset stomach from indigestion or motion sickness.
I will admit that the ginger flavor is strong and they are very chewy, which may not be liked by everyone.
I’m prone to motion sickness and these are handy to have in my bag. They are convenient because you don’t need to take with water like with some motion sickness medicines.
Jet Lag Prevention
These JetZone Jet Lag Prevention chewable pills quickly became one of our long-flight essentials. We have used this product both ways on long international flights and can honestly report that neither of us experienced fatigue or exhaustion.
The chewable tablets don’t have any significant taste and do not have any side effects such as feeling wired or jittery like with caffeine.
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Planes are Dehydrating
The humidity inside a plane cabin is low, which is why our skin, eyes, nose, and mouth become drier on a plane. Here are my favorite long flight essentials to combat dryness on the plane.
Lotion
I keep lotion handy on every flight as my skin dries out quickly with the low humidity. My favorite on-the-go hand cream is the L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream. It smells great, absorbs quickly, and leaves my hands feeling soft but not greasy. This is one of the many reasons it has become one of my top long flight essentials.
Lip Balm
I absolutely love this Blistex Lip Medix lip balm! It leaves your lips feeling moisturized and the coverage lasts. It also doesn’t leave my lips feeling dry or with the feeling of needing to frequently reapply it like some lip balms.
Eye Drops
My favorite eye drops are the Refresh Celluvisc Eye Gel. It is thick and is the only eye drop that hasn’t made my eyes feel drier. It comes in individual tubes so you can easily place one or two in your bag.
Water Bottle
Bring an empty water bottle with you to the airport. Once you’ve passed through security you can fill it up at a water station or you can ask the flight attendant for water once on the plane.
I personally like the Hydro Flask Water Bottles when I travel. They have a variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and lid styles. They are great because they keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours and warm for up to 6 hours.
Face or Body Wipes
Face or body wipes are nice to have in your bag so you can freshen up on long flights.
I personally like the Simple Micellar Make-Up Remover Wipes because they don’t have any artificial dyes or chemicals and do not leave your skin feeling dry.
Facial Spray
This Mario Badescu facial spray is perfect when your skin is feeling dry or if you want to freshen up your makeup. It also comes in a variety of fragrances.
Personal Essentials
Jewelry Holder
Similar to medication, your jewelry should be placed in your carry-on or brought on the plane as your personal item. This first travel jewelry organizer does a great job of keeping everything separate and organized. I like it because it is thin and about the size of a Kindle so it easily fits in a purse, backpack, or bag. If you are only bringing a few jewelry items then this compact organizer is a great option.
Pillows
A neck pillow can make sleeping on a plane more manageable. We have had a couple of different neck pillows but they have not worked. The best ones we have tried come higher up your neck and provide more support.
I found this neck pillow on Amazon and everyone raves about how well it holds your head in place. The other nice thing about this neck pillow is that it comes with a small bag.
Here’s a handy 2-in-1 pillow and blanket set that is definitely one of my favorite travel essentials for drafty planes.
Just unzip this plush pillow and pull out the blanket.
When you are done with the blanket you can easily fold it up and place it back in the cover
The attached hook makes it easy to clip to your bag or you can use the trolley sleeve to hook it over your luggage handle.
Book or Magazine
A book or magazine is a great way to entertain yourself on a long flight.
Eye Mask
An eye mask can be helpful when trying to sleep on a plane. We have been on several flights where they provide them and we’ve continued to use them over and over.
Ear Plugs
Earplugs can also come in handy when trying to sleep on a plane.
Compression Socks
Long flights can increase the risk of developing blood clots in your legs. Compression socks help increase circulation and reduce swelling and blood clots on a long flight. I have an old pair that I’ve used when running and I’ve found my legs do feel better when I wear them.
Snacks
Snacks are one of the most important long flight essentials. On long flights, you never know what food or how much will be available.
We always bring some type of bar. Currently, the Kind Caramel Almond & Sea Salt are my favorite. I like that they are sweet, slightly salty and chewy.
Gum or Mints
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Helpful tips thanks for sharing…
I’m glad they were helpful. Happy Travels!
Great info-thank you!! Going to Sweden in May. Nervous😬
You’ll have a great time! I’m glad the information was helpful. Happy Travels! 🙂
Always take a hydrating face mask, wipes to remove makeup and freshen up. Small size deodorant and dry shampoo. Travel tooth brush and toothpaste…. the essentials.
Great additions! Thanks for sharing.
Wonderful tips! One thought, it is always considerate to avoid packing snacks that contain NUTS in them for those on the plane who are severely allergic. It’s not fun to be on a flight that has to divert to help a passenger get immediate medical attention because of accidental exposure from a stranger in your row.
Even if it’s not your problems and you don’t care about a fellow passenger you might care about getting to your destination late if an emergency arises on the plane from your KIND bar or snack. Something to consider. There are a million other snack options to choose from and promote.
Great point! Thanks for sharing a tip that not everyone would think of. Happy Travels!
Does your link still work? I tried to download the 25 Long Flight Essentials…but it came up with 404 Error…not found! Your list looks amazing and I would love to have it in a form I can save. I have saved the article to Pinterest.
Hi Sarah, Thank you so much for reaching out. It is now working again. 🙂 Also if you are interested in being added to my email list, you’ll get our Ultimate Packing Checklist for free. There’s a link for that on the same page. I’ve been using both of them for years. Happy Travels!
Thank you so much. I’ve just signed up and downloaded the checklists!
Great! Enjoy!
I have a thermos that’s the size of a water bottle. Fill it up after security, and can have my morning coffee whenever I want. The plane coffee isn’t the best, and it’s always served late.
That’s a great idea!
I have tried various options to not have bare feet going through security and it depends who is screening you. I took cheap disposable knee highs once for this purpose and was made to take them off and be totally barefoot – so good luck with socks.
I have always worn compression socks and never had to removve them.
WOW, this was so thorough and helpful! I am planning my first international trip and I hadn’t thought about most of the things you mentioned. Thank you so much!
Great list! I always carry an empty water bottle with me. But this will be the first time in 30yrs that I’m flying internationally. I’ve heard that airplane water is terrible. So in addition to filling up my water bottle, should I buy more bottled water in the airport after security?? Thanks!!
Thank you for this comprehensive list. I really liked the tip about the coin purse, there are some good ones around that have an RFID component, saves carrying huge wallet type purse.
I thought that water bottles weren’t allowed to be taken on board planes. I must admit I’m an Australian, so maybe the rules are different/changed for international travel. All in all great tips & advice.
Kindest regards
Reet
I’m glad you find them helpful. I can’t so for sure world wide, but in the US you can take an empty water bottle through TSA Security, and then once through security you can fill up the water bottle. Happy Travels!
This list is the best one I’ve read, Trudy. Thank you.
I’m glad it was helpful. Happy Travels!
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Hello, Trudy,
Enjoyed this post and those concerning Cabo since my husband and I are retired, going there this April and to Croatia, Greece and Italy in September (fingers crossed). We have been to Europe, Caribbean a couple of times. Like you we live to travel. I am going to upgrade my headphones and get a Kindle based on your suggestions. Will check out all of your articles on Pinterest. Thanks!
I think you will enjoy Cabo! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you that you can travel o Eruope this Fall. Greece is AMAZING you will love it! Croatia is high on our list. Happy Travels 🙂