Travel

8 Absolute Must-Haves for A Long Flight

By
Lauren Adley
on
January 16, 2024

Traveling to exotic locations and far-off lands can be a very exciting and enriching experience, but the act of actually getting there is never particularly thrilling. Long haul flights can be very dull and tiring, especially when you’re sitting in a cramped seat for many hours without too much to do to pass the time.

Fortunately, there are ways to deal with the boredom and discomfort that can often set in on long flights. As long as you remember to pack the right items in your carry-on luggage, you can actually turn any long flight into a more enjoyable, relaxing, entertaining, and even productive experience. Here are 8 of the absolute must-haves for any long haul flight.

Travel Pillow 

We all know that plane seats typically aren't going to win any awards for comfort, so it's a great idea to take along a travel pillow to help you feel more at ease and potentially get some rest on your long flight. Many people find it quite challenging to fall asleep on a plane, but with a good travel pillow, the process can become so much easier. Travel pillows come in various shapes, sizes, and styles, so you can always find one that works for you.

Mini Toiletries

Many people step off the plane and into the airport and simply cannot wait to get to their accommodation or back home in order to freshen up. However, if you choose to travel with some toiletries, you won’t have to deal with those kinds of feelings while you wait around in the passport lines. Simple lotions can help to moisturize and revitalize your skin, while a mini tube of toothpaste can make all the difference at the end of a tiring flight.

Laptop or Tablet 

A laptop or tablet can be loaded up with movies to watch or games to play, and it’s also a great option for those who want to be productive on a plane. Maybe you've got an essay to write or project to finish, and you can use your laptop or tablet to write it all up over the course of your flight. Of course, if you'd prefer to relax, you can also search for custom essay writing and dissertation help from trusted sources. 

A Pen and Paper 

Everyone packs electronic devices for long flights these days, with the likes of laptops, smartphones, and tablets being found in almost every single carry-on bag in any airport, but there's something to be said for more traditional items like a classic pen and paper too. With a pen and paper, you’re only limited by your imagination, able to write anything you like, make useful notes, play simple games with your fellow travelers, and more. A pen can also be useful if you need to fill in any forms during the flight.

An Eye Mask and Earplugs

Having a travel pillow can help a lot for anyone wishing to fall asleep on a long flight, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Items like an eye mask and a set of earplugs can also make sleeping on a plane so much easier. The eye mask, for example, helps to block out all those reading lights and bright glares from the phones and tablets of other passengers. The earplugs, meanwhile, will drown out the noise of the plane’s engines and the chatter of the people around you. 

Hand Sanitizer

Statistics show that a lot of people get ill after long flights, and it’s easy to see exactly how this happens. On a flight, you’re stuck in a cramped space with a lot of other people for a long period of time. These kinds of conditions are perfect for the propagation of bacteria and viruses, but a little hand sanitizer can go a long way towards protecting yourself, as well as any friends or family you might be traveling with.

A Journal 

A journal is a great item to pass the time on a long flight by making plans or writing down notes. Again, just like with the laptop or tablet, a journal can also be used to do any homework or projects you need to finish. Otherwise, you could simply search for the best dissertation help online, letting experienced professionals write the best essays for you while you use your writing time in a more interesting and relaxing way.

Food and Drink

If you don’t want to feel tired by the end of a flight, staying hydrated and energized is so important. A bottle of water is essential, and it’s vital to keep drinking during the flight as it’s easy to forget how much time is passing and allow yourself to become dehydrated. A selection of snacks can also help to keep one’s energy levels up, helping to ensure you feel less fatigued when the plane finally lands.

Compression Socks 

Being bored or tired on a long flight is something many of us worry about, but one of the more serious issues that can truly affect your health is deep vein thrombosis. Also known as DVT, this condition can easily set in when sitting in a little airplane seat for a long time. It can be a very painful condition, but the right pair of compression socks can help to prevent it. Be sure to move your legs often too and walk around the cabin every now and then.

Few people really look forward to long haul flights. In fact, many of us simply wish them to be over as quickly as possible. However, with the right items in your carry-on bag, any long flight can become much more pleasant. So the next time you’re preparing for a big trip, be sure to add these must-haves to your list.

Lauren Adley
Lauren Adley has been working as a writer at a publishing agency in Boston, USA for 3 years. She is an expert in such topics as education, motivation, blogging, and social media.

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