17 Items That Will Make Long-Haul Flights a Lot More Comfortable
Whoever said, "It's not about the destination, but the journey," obviously never had to sit through a long-haul flight. Spending hours crammed into a tightly packed airplane filled with recycled air and surrounded by strangers isn't everyone's idea of a good time. Unfortunately, it's a necessary part of traveling, especially if you're trying to knock a few faraway destinations off your bucket list. But luckily, there are lots of ways you can make your long flight more enjoyable — and, most importantly, more comfortable. So load up your carry-on with some of these travel essentials and you'll be well-rested and ready to explore when you reach your final destination.
Compression Socks
Avoid swollen legs and feet, and keep your feet warm, with a pair of Comfortiva Compression Socks ($40 for three pairs).
Travel Pillow
Sleep is essential on a long flight, so try the Trtl Travel Pillow ($30) to get some shut-eye and avoid getting a sore neck.
Facial Spray
Give your skin a refresh before you de-plane with one of these soothing Mario Badescu Facial Sprays ($21 for set of three).
Blanket Scarf
Get cozy, stay warm, and look stylish on your long flight with this Hat Attack Windowpane Blanket Scarf ($52, originally $74).
Sleep Mask
A Slip Silk Sleepmask ($50) will help you block out that fluorescent plane light (and the glare from your neighbor's screen) so you can get some rest.
Earplugs
Whether it's screaming children or ambient noise from the plane's engine, these Eargasm Aviation Earplugs ($22) will block out all of the sounds on the plane.
Noise-Canceling Headphones
Enjoy your movies and TV shows without disturbances with a set of Sony Noise Canceling Headphones ($50).
Lip Balm
The recycled air in planes is notoriously dry, so keep your lips hydrated with moisturizing Kiehl's No-Shine Lip Balm ($9).
Facial Moisturizer
Likewise, your face will thank you for using this Neutrogena Hydro Boost Face Moisturizer ($17, originally $19) full of hyaluronic acid to prevent your skin from drying out on your flight.
Tablet
Load up a Samsung Galaxy Tablet ($200, originally $230) with your favorite movies, TV shows, and e-books to pass the time on your long flight.
Face Wipes
You can't wash your face properly in an airplane bathroom, so give your face a refresh and remove makeup with some Biossance Squalane + Antioxidant Cleansing Cloths ($18).
Pill Box
Keep any medications you might need safe and organized in this Vintage Floral Pill Box ($11).
Pens
It's always a good idea to have writing utensils, like these Madeline Pens ($18 for set of six) on hand when you travel, and they'll come in handy when filling out customs forms and landing cards on the plane.
Dry Shampoo
After a long flight, your hair may need a pick-me-up, so pack this travel-sized Klorane Dry Shampoo ($10) and you'll feel good as new.
Travel Wallet
Keep all of your travel documents, foreign currency, credit cards, and other important items in a Audrey Leather Travel Wallet ($74, originally $99) so you don't misplace anything on your flight.
Collapsible Water Bottle
This Chicmoda Collapsible Water Bottle ($15) is great for taking in your carry-on so you can stay hydrated on your flight — just be sure it's empty when you go through security.
Portable Charger
If you're flying with a budget airline or very basic economy, your seat might not have a plug, so keep this Anker Powercore Portable Charger ($38) on hand just in case.