Long Haul Flight Essentials

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Six hours or longer in a small, cramped seat can feel like an eternity. And, the older you get, the more stress it can put on your body. As an older person myself (cough, cough), I always bring the following travel essentials to help make the flight a little more bearable.

The Essentials

In addition to the items below, I cannot stress enough how important it is to get up and move periodically on long haul flights. And don't forget your lip balm, lotion, and toothbrush!

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Carry On Bag

lululemon 23L Cruiser Backpack

My go-to bag is Lululemon's 23L Cruiser Backpack. This is the most perfect travel bag I have found. It had lots of exterior pockets to make things accessible during travel and a ton of space on the inside, a sleeve to hook onto your roller bag, and more pockets on the inside.

Blanket or Wrap

J. Crew Oversized Cashmere Wrap

While the airline may provide a blanket, I prefer to bring a wrap and a scarf to stay warm. My go-to wrap is J.Crew's Oversized Cashmere Wrap. For a more budget friendly option, this Travel Blanket with Bag is a lightweight, warm alternative, and it includes a attachable packing sleeve.

Eye Mask

Silk Sleep Mask

An eye mask can help send the signal to your brain that it is time to sleep by blocking out all the light. I like this Alaska Bear Silk Contour Sleep Mask. It fits snug and blocks out all of the light.

Ear Plugs

Loop Quiet 2 Ear Plugs

I never fly without ear plugs. Personal preference is the way to go here but having some sort of noise canceling definitely contributes to a more serene flight. My go-to ear plugs are the Loop Quiet or the basic Soft Foam.

Headphones

Bose Quiet Comfort

Noise cancelling headphones are the way to go on airplanes and my favorites are Bose's Quiet Comfort headphones. Alternately, for a more budget friendly option, try these Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones. I do not recommend air pod style for air travel as they can fall out easily never to be found again. I've learned this the hard way.

Bluetooth Adapter

AirFly Wireless Bluetooth Adapter

Listen to in-flight entertainment, gaming devices, or any 3.5mm audio jack with your Air Pods, earbuds, or other wireless headphones with this handy AirFly Wireless Bluetooth Adapter. No more relying on airline headphones - just use your own with this adapter. Trust me, it is worth the expense.

Tablet and Phone Holder

Flight Flap Tablet Holder

Space is hard to come by when flying. This airplane tablet holder allows users to view their tablet at eye-level. This tablet holder allows you to maximize your precious economy seating space.

Tech Case

Flight Flap Tablet Holder

Traveling often involves cords for many different devices - iPads, laptops, a mouse, adapters, cellphones, etc. BAGSMART's Electronics Organizer Travel Case is a smart way to keep your cords organized and in one place.

Jet Lag Gummies

jet lag relief

Travel can take a toll on your body and if your long haul flight involves multiple time zones, these jet lag relief gummies help support your body's natural adjustment to new time zones.

Foot Rest

Everlasting Foot Hammock

One of my favorite items for long-haul economy flights is a foot hammock. The Everlasting Comfort Airplane Foot Hammock with Memory Foam helps provide leg support and includes a handy travel storage bag for when not in use. This is definitely a must for me when I need to try and get some rest and need leg comfort.

Foot Rest

Everlasting Foot Hammock

My go-to neck pillow is the Cabeau Airplane Travel Pillow for Long Flights. It comes with its own carrying case that you can hook to your bag and it attaches to your seat to prevent you from slouching or falling forward.

Slippers

Memory Foam Slippers

If you are planning to take your shoes off, please get some slippers. It's common courtesy not to go barefoot. They also come in handy at your hotel. These Memory Foam Slippers come with a packing sleeve and won't break the bank.

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Compression Socks

Bombas

Compression socks are great for flying because they improve circulation and help prevent swelling of the feet, ankles, and legs. This pair for Bombas are a fantastic option. I also love PRO Compression's Marathon Socks, which have a compression rating of 20-30mmHg.