Long Haul Essentials: Unlock The Secret To Comfortable Flights
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When I talk to folks who are unsure about traveling to Europe, they all mention the same thing holding them back: the long haul international flight required to get there.
Exploring the Louvre, or eating gelato in Rome?
THEY LOVE THE IDEA OF TRAVELING THROUGH EUROPE.
But it’s the getting there that has them worried.
HONESTLY, I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THEIR CONCERN.
If you don’t routinely travel by air, it can seem like an overwhelming experience to take a cross-country flight within the United States, let alone a transatlantic flight to Europe.
Any flight longer than five hours can be a lot, and most of the flight routes that take you to Europe can last between eight and twelve hours.
With that said, air travel has never been safer, more efficient, and, believe it or not, more comfortable.
AS AN AMERICAN LIVING IN EUROPE, I ROUTINELY TRAVEL ON LONG HAUL FLIGHTS MULTIPLE TIMES A YEAR.
To make your long haul flights more comfortable, I’ve compiled my list of the carry-on essentials to pack for a long flight.
These items will help you stay hydrated, comfortable, and entertained during your time in the sky.
Long Haul Essentials: Unlock The Secret To Comfortable Flights
Long Haul Flight Essentials
Compression socks
Noise-canceling headphones
Silk sleep mask
Soft silicone earplugs
Cashmere shawl or wrap
Neck pillow
Wow, I wish I could start this list with something more glamorous than compression socks, but the truth is, long-haul flights used to leave me with terribly swollen ankles and lower calves which lasted for days after arrival.
Ever since I’ve started wearing compression socks during long-haul flights, my ankles have been as taut and trim as they were pre-flight.
(I’ve also read that compression socks are used by supermodels when they fly to Paris Fashion Week. 😉)
I’M NOT THE KIND OF PERSON WHO BUYS FANCY HEADPHONES.
But once I started flying internationally so often, I decided it was time for an upgrade.
I vowed to find the best affordable pair, since the price of high-end models by Bose or Sony was too rich for how seldom I planned to use them.
These Soundcore headphones are an affordably-priced solid option with noise canceling functionality.
(Plus, this bluetooth adapter allows you to connect your headphones to the in-flight entertainment, so you don’t need to use those cheap earbud headphones they pass out. 🎧 )
AN EYE MASK IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST ON AN INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT!
Even if you find it difficult to sleep on planes, I find that slipping on an eye mask forces a moment of relaxation.
Airlines provide complimentary eye masks in premium or first class, but they’re often made of itchy synthetic materials.
Silk feels divine on the skin, blocks out light, and elevates this “do not disturb” accessory to a complete sensory deprivation experience.
Eye masks are essential for sleeping on an long-haul flight.
Noise cancelling headphones are a must; thankfully, masks are not.
Ear plugs are also frequently offered as a complimentary amenity on international flights, but all of the ones I’ve received over the years were made of a tough, foam-like plastic that I found incredibly uncomfortable.
Ear plugs only need to achieve two things: block out sound, like the cries of a baby sitting three rows in front of you, and fit snugly yet comfortably for prolonged periods of time.
On my first few flights, I decided to just wear my noise canceling headphones for the entire flight — wow, I did not realize how uncomfortable that would get after a few hours.
FINALLY I BOUGHT MY OWN BOUGIE EAR PLUGS MADE OUT OF SOFT SILICONE THAT FIT PERFECTLY AND DRASTICALLY REDUCED THE CABIN NOISE I COULD HEAR.
They come in a bunch of colors and include different ear tips so that you can find the perfect fit for your ears.
The golden rule of any environment with unpredictable temperature?
Dress in layers.
I’ve found that even after layers, though, there’s usually something missing, whether it’s just that extra bit of warmth or a cozier material than those small, scratchy airplane blankets.
This cashmere wrap shawl checks both boxes - warming when the air-con is unrelenting, and comforting against the skin.
Don't let packing stress ruin your trip!
I created this downloadable ⬇️ Packing Checklist ⬇️ that you can snag right now.
It helps you plan what you’ll pack, and then keeps you organized as you cross things off once they’ve been packed.
In Flight Skincare
Hydrating face moisturizer with SPF
Marula oil or facial oil
Moisturizing eye drops
Hydration supplement
Lip balm with SPF
Hand cream
Refillable water bottle
PLANES ARE NOT AN IDEAL ENVIRONMENT FOR SKIN.
The low humidity, pressurized cabin, and UV exposure all stress the skin and leave it dry and dull.
I never get on a plane without first slathering on a thick hydrating moisturizer with added SPF like this version from La Roche-Posay.
On flights longer than five hours, I like to reapply half-way through or whenever I feel my skin getting that tight, parched feeling.
In winter, when my skin is already stressed and dry from the weather, I’ll bring a bottle of The Ordinary’s Cold-Pressed Marula Oil for an added boost of moisture.
As a contact wearer, dry airplane cabins inevitably start to irritate my eyes about half-way through any long-haul flight.
THESE GEL EYE DROPS ARE INCREDIBLY HYDRATING WITH A THICKER TEXTURE THAN TRADITIONAL DROPS.
When flying to Europe on the red-eye, these drops literally bring me back to life after waking up, just before landing.
DESPITE THE COMPLIMENTARY BEER AND WINE OFFERED ON INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS, IT’S BEST TO AVOID DRINKING ALCOHOL ON A LONG-HAUL FLIGHT.
Aircraft cabins have a dry atmosphere, so even without a couple glasses of Pinot, you’re going to find yourself dehydrated when you land.
Imbibing in alcohol will only make that dehydration worse, resulting in headaches, fatigue, and dry mouth.
(One exception: when flying business or first class, I always enjoy the champagne offered during boarding. Everything in moderation, including moderation, right?)
To help stave off dehydration while flying, I pack a hydration supplement like Liquid IV.
It has electrolytes that help your body absorb water, and it’s helpful for rehydration after you land.
Things To Do On a Long Flight
Battery power bank for phones, tablets, and laptops
Phone charging cable
Bluetooth adapter
Tablet or e-reader
Download for offline: playlists, podcasts, or movies
Notebook or journal
NOTHING IS WORSE THAN HAVING YOUR CELL PHONE BATTERY DIE HALFWAY THROUGH AN INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT.
The simple solution is to start carrying a reliable power bank to ensure your phone battery doesn’t die when it’s needed most.
This model from Anker is compact and easy to pack in a carry-on.
If you need more power for things like laptops and tablets, then I recommend this larger capacity Anker battery pack.
I USED IT ON A RECENT INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT FROM LONDON AND WAS SURPRISED HOW QUICKLY IT BROUGHT MY LAPTOP BACK TO LIFE.
A power bank ensures you’ll have a battery charge during the flight.
Use your own headphones to watch in-flight movies with bluetooth adapters.
If you want to use your own bluetooth headphones with the plane’s in-flight entertainment console, this bluetooth adapter makes it happen.
Packing an e-reader can also entertain you during a long flight, as can jotting down some thoughts in a notebook or journal.
And be sure to download music playlists, podcasts, or movies to your devices so that you can access them even in Airplane mode.
Other Carry On Essentials
Compact toiletries kit
Travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste
Snacks
Face mask
Disinfectant wipes or hand sanitizer
Tissues
Melatonin or sleep aid
Travel hairbrush
Pen for notebooks
This last group of items won’t apply to everyone, but if you’re like me, a few of these will make your long haul flight more comfortable.
I ALWAYS LIKE TO WIPE DOWN THE ARMREST, TRAY TABLE, AND ENTERTAINMENT CONSOLE WITH A DISINFECTANT WIPE ONCE I GET TO MY SEAT.
Skip the expensive airport fare and pack your own snacks for your long-haul flight.
And even though the pandemic is over, I try to carry a face mask just in case someone in my general area is overtly coughing and sneezing.
Having snacks on hand is always nice, and when I’m flying from the U.S. to Europe I like to use melatonin as a sleep aid.
Conclusion
I know that long haul flights can seem intimidating, but with the right essentials in your carry-on, they truly become just another part of the adventure.
Once you’ve got your cozy layers, skincare saviors, and a few in-flight comforts packed, those eight to twelve hours in the air won’t feel nearly as daunting.
YOU MIGHT EVEN FIND YOURSELF LOOKING FORWARD TO THE UNINTERRUPTED TIME TO RELAX, WATCH MOVIES, OR CATCH SOME SLEEP.
The journey to Europe doesn’t have to be something you dread — with a little preparation, it’s simply the on-ramp to all those amazing experiences waiting for you on the other side.
Safe travels,
Angela ✈️
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