Is it just me, or does a 4-hour flight seem exponentially longer than a 12-hour one?  Maybe I’m weird, but I prefer the longer flight.  There’s just something about a lengthy journey that I love!

Settling into my seat, organizing the 18-inches I’ll call home for the next 10+ hours, and indulging in some courtesy small talk with my neighbor (who will soon know intimate details about me, like my tendency to fall asleep with my mouth open).  Then, before I know it, the seatbelt light is on and I’m hurtling down the runway towards my next adventure!

But to really enjoy my time in the air, I always bring a few long-haul flight essentials.

Carry On Bag

It all starts with the bag.  It’s important to choose one that keeps you organized while maximizing space.  That’s why I’m obsessed with my Vera Bradley Go Anywhere Carry All!  It conveniently fits under the seat in front of me and has multiple pockets for all my things.

It’s also water resistant so contents are safe when you hit turbulence and drinks start to spill.

Plus, with a back pocket that unzips at the bottom to slide over a suitcase handle, it’s easy to tote around.  Pretty handy for someone like me who never checks their luggage!

Wet Ones

The first thing I do when I sit down is use Wet Ones to sanitize my seating area.  I wipe down things like the tray table, seatbelt, armrest, window shade, and headrest.  I’m sure it makes me look like a germophobe, but you’d be amazed at how dirty planes are.  The tray table alone has eight times more bacteria per square inch than a public toilet seat!

Yeah.

Let that sink in the next time you’re eating off it or laying your head down for a nap.

By wiping everything down, I significantly lower my risk of getting sick.  Plus, the wipes come in handy when I’m done snacking and want to clean my hands without a trip to the bathroom.

Bonus – the citrus scent masks odors swirling around the cabin (and always gets lots of compliments from my neighbors!)

Medications

If you don’t want to catch whatever lovely illness is passing through the plane’s recycled air, you should start taking Airborne a week before your trip and while you’re en route.  It boosts your immune system and keeps you healthy as you jet set around the globe.

Additionally, bring some Tylenol and Dramamine (which not only helps with motions sickness but will also knock you out if you have trouble sleeping).

Finally, pack any prescription medications you’re on, since many need to be taken at the same time every day.  This includes birth control pills, heart medications, or prescriptions specific to your trip (such as Malaria meds).

Expert Tip:

If you tend to get motion sickness and don’t want to risk becoming a Dramamine zombie, I recommend wearing a Relief Band.  When powered on, the band releases a specific pattern of pulses to the median nerve.  Those pulses create a signal to your nervous system, easing nausea and vomiting within 5-10 minutes.

It’s amazing if you want relief from motion sickness without any meds.

Hydration

The #1 rule for any long-haul flight is to stay hydrated.  That’s because the climate-controlled environment on a plane has very low humidity (as in 10-15%, which is three times drier than the Sahara Desert!)  As a result, you lose about 1.5-2.0 liters of water on an average 10-hour flight.  And that loss wreaks havoc on your body, including dehydrating your mucus membranes (which makes you more susceptible to illness).

Just what everyone wants on their trip.

To combat the substantial loss in water, bring a collapsible water bottle!  And while it’s tempting to partake in a cocktail at the airport, and maybe a few on the plane, just say “No.”  The alcohol will further dehydrate you, making you miserable by the time you reach your destination.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

Sleep Essentials

I’m blessed with the stature of a Keebler elf, so I don’t have a hard time getting comfy on planes.  But for those that do, a few sleep essentials will really help you catch some Zs.

First and foremost, a comfy eye mask.  It will shut out the world (along with that annoying woman in the next row who decided to flood the cabin with her reading light at 3:00am so she could journal.  True story).

Next, a comfy neck pillow.  I’ve gone through many over the years, and while some were quite comfy, they all took up a lot of room in my bag.  Now I use a Trtl travel pillow and absolutely love it!  The compact design fits right on my bag and it keeps me from sustaining whiplash while I sleep.

Finally, a set of earplugs.  Because no one wants an unwelcome wake-up call from the screaming toddler in 23B.

Beauty Basics

A long-haul flight can leave you feeling less than human.  Your back aches, your hair looks like a bird’s nest, and you slip into a state of confusion where you forget what day it is (along with your basic social etiquette).

An easy way to bring you back to the land of the living is by simply not wallowing in your own filth.  It’s amazing how a fresh face, minty teeth, and a little D.O. for the B.O. can turn things around.

That’s why I always pack a small zipper bag with a few toiletries.  Things like facial wipes, lotion, lip balm, deodorant, a travel brush, and a toothbrush with toothpaste.  After a quick 5-minutes in the airplane bathroom, I emerge feeling like a million bucks (and strut back down the aisle to my seat the same way a supermodel walks the runway at Fashion Week.  Ok, maybe not… but you get the idea).

Expert Tip:

Depending on your ticket type, you may have access to the airport lounge (or you can often pay a minimal fee for entry).  Inside, you’ll usually find free food, drinks, and… a shower!

(Insert singing angels) 

Popping in for a quick rinse during a long layover is the perfect opportunity to freshen up, and is well worth the cost!

Entertainment

A must on any long-haul flight is a good pair of headphones.  I recommend Bose Quiet Comfort Noise-Cancelling Headphones because they easily drown out the roar of the engines (along with the chatty Cathy behind you), and are pillow soft against your ears.  Sure they take up more room than earbuds, but I guarantee they’ll be a lot more comfortable.

And to avoid depleting power panic, bring an external battery charger so you can recharge electronics on the go.  Because nothing says misery like six more hours in the air and 3% battery life.

Finally, an iPad or Kindle is a great way to have reading material without packing a bulky book.  Space in your bag is at a premium, so use it wisely!

Snacks

It’s no secret that airline food leaves a little something to be desired.  The meals are a bit suspect and the snacks are, well, underwhelming (seriously, how tiny are those crackers that come with the hummus?!)

So, a good way to avoid getting hangry is to bring some snacks.  I suggest foods high in protein so you’re not starving 10-minutes after eating, and something you can reseal to eat later.  Things like nuts and dried fruits are a good place to start.

Then, grab something at the airport for your journey.  It will make fellow passengers, choking down the airline’s sketchy chicken dinner, green with envy (or they’re just green from the chicken?  Either way…)

Expert Tip:

To avoid the disdain of everyone around you, don’t bring stinky foods onboard.  No one wants to smell your curry, steak fajitas, or mushroom burger.  As the obnoxious smell wafts through the cabin, you’ll have everyone running for the emergency exits.  Sure, I love good Chinese food as much as the next person.  But, would I ever bring my lo mein on the plane with me?  No.

Do your fellow passengers a favor and opt for a less offensive culinary delight, like a deli sandwich.

And, if your meal has the potential to drip, squirt, leak, or get grease all over the place, take a step back and rethink your life choices.

Comfort

When deciding what to wear on a long-haul flight, comfort is key!  Of course, we all fantasize about stepping off the plane in a cute dress and high heels (looking impossibly fresh), but let’s be honest.  It may happen in Hollywood, but that’s not the real world.

I’m not saying abandon all human decency and roll off the plane looking like you’ve given up on life.  But it’s possible to look good and be comfortable with the right wardrobe choices.

First, ditch the jeans.  Having a button crammed into your stomach for 10+ hours will lead to nothing but misery.  Instead, opt for some yoga pants or loose fitting bottoms you’ll be comfortable sleeping in.  Then, pair that with a flowy top and a sweater or cardigan to keep you warm.  Because while temperatures can be a bit toasty on the tarmac, they’ll quickly dip when you’re up in the air.  So, layering is essential!

Finally, wear practical footwear.  As someone who never wears appropriate shoes I’m a frequent offender (ballet flats with no tread in Iceland?  Why not?)  But, when it comes to air travel, I always opt for comfy footwear I can easily sprint to my next gate in.

Expert Tip:

Bring some compression socks to keep you warm and prevent DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis).  DVT can occur when you’re in the same position for a long period of time, leading to blood clots and all kinds of problems.

That’s why periodically getting up to walk around the cabin is extremely important.  And if you feel you’re at risk for DVT, wearing compression pants as well isn’t a bad idea.

And there you have it!  These long-haul flight essentials will make your journey more enjoyable, and ensure you arrive looking bright-eyed and bushy-tailed!

What are some things you always bring on your long-haul flights?  Comment below, I’d love to hear about them!

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