35 Flight Essentials for a Long Haul Flight (+ Checklist pdf)

Ah, the exquisite thrill of a new adventure! You’ve meticulously planned your escape to a faraway land, your heart buzzing with anticipation. You’ve envisioned yourself strolling cobblestone streets, indulging in exotic cuisine, and collecting memories that shimmer like precious jewels.

But wait! A niggling worry creeps in, a serpent twisting in your stomach. What if you forget something crucial? What if you’re stuck on a long flight, a prisoner of discomfort?

Fear not, my lovely, anxious traveler, because I, your friendly, super-organized Queen of anxiety, Valentina, am here to banish those travel anxieties with a wave of my trusty packing list!

Consider your carry-on a magic portal to serenity. Pack it with intention, my dear, and transform your flight into an extension of your pre-adventure bliss. Think of it as a cozy haven, 30,000 feet above the clouds, where you can unwind, recharge, and arrive at your destination feeling refreshed and ready to conquer.

But before you toss everything in at once, let’s delve into the essentials, those little lifesavers that will make your journey a breeze. Remember, my lovely anxious traveler; we’re not just about practicality; we’re about weaving a tapestry of comfort and delight!

So, grab your favorite travel mug filled with your favorite drink (mine is always Hibiscus tea), settle in, and let’s embark on a journey of packing preparation in a super-organized style!

Let’s start with the items you absolutely cannot bring on a plane with you, which documents are required for domestic and international flights, and what is the 311 flight rule:

What can I not bring on a plane?

There are some written and unwritten rules about what you cannot bring on a plane with you, things that can ruin your travel:

• Weapons
• Sports Equipments (some of them can be identified as a weapon) 
• Batteries (It is better to remove all your batteries from your electric gadgets)
• Cheese and Meat (they are allowed only on domestic flights, so keep that in mind) 
• Liquids over 3.4 ounces/100 ml
• Smelly food (this is the unwritten rule. Keep in mind you can not open a window to refresh the air. Probably the other travelers won’t be happy to smell your too much garlic and onion lunch bag) 

What things are required for domestic and international flights?

Well, there are some items you cannot leave at home when traveling. These are:

• Valid ID or Passport (make sure your passport is still valid for another six months minimum)
• Valid Driving Licence (even if you are not planning to rent a car, it is always better to have it with you. It is an extra ID, just in case) 
• Travel Insurance (never travel without one)
• Vaccination Certificate
• All your Travel Tickets (flights, ferries, car rentals, etc.)
• Accommodation reservation

What is the 311 rule when on a plane?

This is a fundamental rule if you don’t want to see all your cosmetics ending up in the bin. The 311 rule refers to how many liquids you are allowed to bring in a carry-on bag on a plane:

• 3: 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or smaller containers of gel or liquid (you can bring a bigger container only inside a checked bag)
• 1: 1 stand for the quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag where to keep all your 3.4 ounces/100 ml or smaller liquids containers
• 1: 1 stands for only one bag of liquids allowed for travelers.

35 Flight Essentials for a Long Haul Flight

1. Travel with a carry-on bag:

Always pack a carry-on bag, even if you travel with a check-in suitcase. Make sure to board the plane with everything you might need while traveling and some essential clothes in case your check-in luggage gets lost. In this way, you will at least have some different clothes to wear until they find your luggage.

I always take a carry-on trolley or an anti-theft backpack with me on a plane to have everything I might need during a flight. If traveling to a summer destination for only one week, a carry-on trolley and a backpack are enough to have everything you need with you. 

Carry on essentials to sleep on a flight

2. Compression socks for airplane travel:

It can sometimes be freezing on a plane, mainly if your seat is near the window (keep this in mind if you prefer a warmer seat). If you travel from a hot place to another hot destination, always carry warm compression socks in your travel bag if your feet get cold.

These compression socks are perfect if you have a pre-existing medical condition or are taking a long-haul flight. They are perfect for blood circulation, prevent leg swelling, and help against deep vein thrombosis. Fortunately, some don’t look at all like medical socks so that you will feel comfortable and good-looking at the same time.

Shop my favorite compressed socks.

3. Travel pillow:

Initially, I didn’t carry a travel pillow because I always wanted to save room in my luggage. I was using my jacket instead (perfectly rolled to look like a pillow, kind of), but then a friend gave me a travel pillow as a gift, and from then on, I never traveled without it. I just hang it on my backpack, and it doesn’t take any space inside my luggage. 

Oh my! They are so comfortable. It makes me fall asleep so quickly that I wonder why I didn’t get one earlier. I also use it to take a short nap during my private airport transfer (booking an airport transfer is a great way to manage travel anxiety) on my way to the airport for a very early flight.

See my favorite travel pillow.

4. Ear-plugs:

Honestly, there are many kinds of earplugs you can buy. But I think the best ones are the Loop earplugs, which help you avoid the discomfort you feel in your ears while on a plane and reduce the noise so you can sleep much better.

Shop the most comfortable earplugs.

5. Eye mask:

How many times have you tried covering your eyes with a scarf or a hoodie? Those can be useful, but nothing can beat a good eye mask. It will keep out all the light, so you will feel like you’re in a dark room and fall asleep in no time.

Shop my silky eye mask.

6. Glasses:

For those who must wear glasses to avoid being like a blind mole (like me), never forget your glasses at home. Mostly while traveling, they are the best option for your eyes to feel rested. Airplane air can dehydrate, so wearing glasses instead of contact lenses can be a great way to care for your eyes.

7. Sunglasses: 

I know you are not at your super sunny destination yet, but sometimes the sun can be pretty annoying on a plane, especially when it hits your eye straight from the window, and your travel mate doesn’t want to close it. Sunglasses can save your eyes.

Health & Beauty to take care of yourself

8. Contact lenses with case and saline solution:

I always prefer to wear my contact lenses, but the air on a plane is always so dry that I can do it just for a few hours. For more extended travels, I must remove them and wear glasses, or my eyes will get so dry they start to be painful, like having sand in them. 

So always carry the contact case with a new saline solution with you. Take care of your eyes!

Shop a fancy contact lens case.

Packing Tip: Remember to pack all these essentials inside slide-lock bags to keep them dry and in one place.

9. Refreshing eye spray:

Oh, a refreshing eye spray is what we all need after a long flight! They make your eyes feel so much better. They will feel like an eye spa treatment. You can thank me later.

Shop for good eye spray for the plane.

10. Medicine and your prescriptions:

If you take any prescriptions, never forget to bring them in your carry-on bag. For other medicine, I honestly prefer to carry with me some travel medication that I have already tried, and I know they don’t give me collateral effects like aspirin, paracetamol, motion sickness tablets, and Imodium. 

11. Antibacterial tissues:

Before COVID-19, I always had antibacterial tissue to clean my hands and airplane table seats. Many people advise buying antibacterial gel, but I wouldn’t say I like it. 

It leaves my hands so sticky and doesn’t clean your hands. It kills bacteria, which means that if your hands are dirty, they will keep being dirty. So if you cannot wash your hands with water and soap (that is ALWAYS the best solution), have antibacterial wipes. They remove the dirt. 

Shop good travel anti-bacterial wipes.

12. Not perfumed deodorant:

After a long flight, you might want to refresh yourself and your underarms with wet tissues (I always use biodegradable tissues). After that, a good deodorant will finish the job.

I always use the best natural deodorant: crystal deodorant stone (salt) or a natural deodorant made with good ingredients. These are solid, so I can take them on a plane anytime I travel and even use them at home.

Shop the most natural and safe deodorant here and here.

Travel Tip: If you arrive at your destination too early for your check-in or your departure time is too many hours after your check-out, and you need a place to store your luggage, check out Radical Storage, a website that shows you all the safe places to keep your bags while still exploring.

13. Super moisturizing cream:

While traveling, I always carry all my favorite creams in little containers to save as much room as possible. I would never travel without them.

The air inside a plane is so dry that your face skin will thank you. For this reason, I never wear makeup while on a long flight. It is also not suitable for your skin because there is a high chance you will sleep with an eye mask on. 

You don’t want to wake up looking like a clown or a lovely panda bear. For a perfect moisturizing cream for your entire body while traveling, check out the Aveeno Moisturizing cream.

Shop a good travel body cream for dry skin.

14. Toothbrush and toothpaste tablets:

On a long-haul flight, you will eat, drink, and sleep. So before landing, you must brush your teeth and refresh your breath. Don’t do it only for yourself; do it also for your partner (they will thank you for that, and hopefully, they will do the same for you).

I always try to reduce the liquids I carry while traveling, so I never forget to take enough Toothpaste Tablets. 

Travel tips

How to Avoid Travel Sickness
49 Tips for Travelling as a Couple
21 Tips to Sleep Better on Vacation

15. Hairbrushes:

I always pack a normal-size hairbrush to use in my room and a smaller hairbrush to carry with me while exploring my destination.

You will sleep on a plane, so who knows how your hair will look when you wake up (mine is usually very messy).

Shop my favorite travel hairbrush. 

16. Pantyliners and wipes:

If you are about to have a long flight, having a couple of pantyliners and some flushable Plant-Based Wipes with Botanicals is always a good idea. This way, you can refresh yourself and feel clean.

17. Thermal Spring Water:

A thermal spring water spray is an excellent carryable solution during your long-haul flight. This incredible thermal water has the power to soothe and soften your skin. 

It helps to minimize your skin sensitivity and provides anti-oxidant protection. 

Shop my favorite travel Thermal water spray.

Entertainment

18. Snacks:

Yes, I know I added them as entertainment, but honestly, guys, how many of you eat when bored? I do, and I am sure most of you do it too. 

So, before leaving for a trip, go to your local supermarket and buy your favorite snacks. I always carry nuts and popcorn because I love eating them while watching a movie on a plane. Buying snacks on a plane is too expensive, and the selection is always minimal.

19. Newspapers or magazines you have at home:

I’m pretty sure we all have some newspapers or magazines at home that we keep just in case one day we have some spare time to read them. 

I do, so take them with you and read them on the plane. Free magazines are available at the gates in big airports (like in London), so grab some.

20. E-reader:

The e-reader is my favorite travel companion; I love mine. I have filled it up with so many novels that I have no idea when I can read them all. 

If you like reading but don’t want to carry heavy books while traveling, buy an E-reader. It is light, and you can take it with you anywhere. It keeps you company while traveling and at night before going to sleep. Some of them also have a nightlight to read in the dark.

Shop my favorite E-reader.

21. A Phone or tablet with movies:

If you don’t want to take your tablet or laptop, downloading movies on your smartphone is a good option. I have both the Netflix app and Amazon Prime on my device, and the day before departure, I always download movies to enjoy on the plane with Lajos (if he doesn’t fall asleep as soon as he takes his seat).

22. Noise-cancelling headphones:

Do you like listening to music while traveling? I do, too. That is why I always travel with good noise-canceling headphones. They are the best to listen to music and watch a movie. Avoid those cheap ones some airlines give you; they just hurt your ears, and the sound is terrible most of the time.

Shop my favorite Bluetooth headphones.

Travel Tip: Most phone providers charge extra fees to use your data plan abroad. If you don’t want to pay a fortune to use the internet, buying an eSIM on Airalo is the fastest and easiest way to have all the data you need while traveling. Check it out here!

23. Cards or travel games:

If you like to play cards or other games, you are lucky because you have another excellent way to spend time in an airport or on a plane. Luckily, they have made a travel version of the most famous tabletop game nowadays so that you can carry them anytime and anywhere.

Shop the best travel games.

24. Power bank: 

Having a Power Bank when traveling is a must. After watching movies and listening to music for hours, you don’t want to get to your destination without enough battery in your phone.

Shop my favorite Power Bank.

Clothes you should always have on a plane

25. Comfortable clothes:

Comfortable clothes are essential when you are in an uncomfortable seat on a plane for many hours. Plan what to wear; being comfortable wins against being stylish when traveling (at least in my opinion).

26. Outfit change:

Leaving a cold place to get to a much warmer one? I don’t think getting out of your plane and still wearing winter clothes in the Caribbean is a good choice, so always pack a more appropriate outfit before landing in your carry-on bag.

Welcome to my travel guide, my lovely anxious traveler! Want to know who is behind Valentina’s Travel Guide? Let me tell you more about myself.

27. A scarf can protect your neck from the air conditioning:

In case the air-conditioning is too strong on the plane, a scarf can save you from getting a cold or some neck pain and, in this way, also avoid ruining your travel because you got sick. No one wants to start their vacation with a cold.

Extra items to always carry with you on a plane

28. A reusable water bottle:

I never travel without a reusable bottle. You can refill it as soon as you pass the security check at the free water fountains inside the airport. This reduces plastic waste and saves much money on bottled water (basically just filtered tap water most of the time, anyway).

Shop my favorite stainless steel reusable water bottle.

29. Travel Insurance:

This is a must if you want to travel. Please never leave without one. I did it once, and I regret it. 

As soon as you book your next adventure, buy good travel insurance in case you need to “unfortunately” delay, extend, or cancel your trip. I recommend VisitorsCoverage for short trips and SafetyWing for trips longer than a month. An excellent insurance company to cover everything about your travel.

30. Travel Apps:

Traveling was tricky many years ago without smartphones. I have pictures of myself with my nose inside a city map or a list of places to visit, restaurants, etc., trying to understand which way to go. Now, it is so easy to plan a trip that even a child can do it. 

Look at CityMapper; it will make exploring worldwide cities more manageable than ever! So, let’s make it easier for you, too, shall we? Look at my Travel Tips Section, where I have many travel tips posts to help you plan and travel in the most organized way and avoid that horrible travel anxiety that we all hate so much and can ruin our journey!

Extra items

31. First Aid kit:

Having a first aid kit with you when traveling is essential. You might have a small cut or just a headache, and the best thing to do is always use medicines that you have already used and you are sure they don’t give you any side effects that could ruin your vacation.

Here’s what to pack: Bandaids in different sizes. Wet wipes kill germs because sometimes you touch something that is not so clean. Some painkillers you usually use at home are perfect for those headaches that happen when you are tired. And if you take any medicines daily, don’t forget to pack those too! With this little doctor’s bag, you’ll be prepared for almost anything and can keep having fun on your trip!

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Disclaimer: This article contains some general information about natural remedies. Before using any of the items featured here, it is strongly recommended that you consult a medical practitioner to check that it is appropriate. This is particularly important if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have an existing medical condition, and/or are taking prescription drugs.

32. Ginger capsules for travel sickness relief:

I’ve been suffering from motion sickness for the last ten years; I have no idea why this happened so suddenly because my parents owned a small boat when I was a child, and we spent every summer on it. I never felt sick, not for once.

A few years ago, I started to feel sick while in a car if I sat in the back seat and the roads were not so straight (which is why I prefer to drive most of the time; that way, I don’t get sick at all. Can someone explain that? Could it be my anxiety?).

I’m all about natural remedies; I avoid taking medicines as much as possible, so I had to find a solution. When visiting a seaside destination, I love to book a b oat trip to see everything from a different perspective, but feeling seasick could ruin all the fun.

So, I discovered some tiny ginger tablets that can solve this problem. They are 100% natural, and you need to take one or two before boarding a boat or getting into a car—job done! And they also helped me during some turbulence while on a plane.

Shop my favorite ginger tablets.

33. Aloe vera sunscreen SPF 50:

Airplanes cruise at high altitudes, where the atmosphere thins and lets in more ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. This means you’re exposed to stronger UV radiation than when lounging on the beach – sneaky, right?

To keep your skin glowing (in a healthy way!), pack a travel-sized, broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Apply it liberally to your face, neck, and exposed arms before takeoff, and reapply every two hours, especially if you’re basking in a window seat. This step will shield your precious skin from sunburn and potential long-term damage.

Shop my favorite aloe vera sunscreen.

34. Natural remedies for anxiety:

Travel anxiety? I know it all too well. It’s been a shadow companion since childhood, something even my parents experience (my father even has to take medication for it, unfortunately). That’s why this blog exists, to share the magic weapon I discovered: super-organization. It’s become my travel anxiety kryptonite!

But listen, even with the most detailed plans (and let’s say I’ve become a pro at organization!), those pre-trip jitters can still sneak in. Maybe it’s a few days before the flight or a random moment on vacation. My approach? Natural remedies.

It’s worked wonders for me, but everyone’s journey is unique. If anxiety is a constant battle, talking to your doctor is always the first step, just like I did. They might recommend exploring natural solutions before considering medication, which is what my doctor did, too.

Thankfully, that’s been enough for me so far. But my real secret weapon? The meticulous organization grants me a feeling of control, keeping anxiety at bay, most of the time.

So, fellow traveler, if travel anxiety or daily anxiety disrupts your peace, remember that your doctor is your best resource. Together, you can find the solution that works for you.

35. Allergy Relief:

This is crucial if you’re like me, a walking, talking sneeze machine thanks to hay fever, dust, and those adorable but oh-so-allergenic felines. You must pack your allergy meds. Seriously, don’t even think about leaving home without them.

Here’s the thing: airplanes, bless their hearts, can be dust factories. I swear, sometimes I feel like I’m breathing in a year’s worth of dust bunnies in one flight. And now, with pets joining the travel party (which is cute, I admit!), there’s a whole new level of allergy potential. Can you imagine? Me, stuck next to a cat for hours? It would be a full-blown allergy apocalypse! Without trusty allergy relief, I’d be a sniffling, itchy-eyed mess. A travel nightmare.

And it’s not just the plane; think about your destination! You might arrive somewhere, and BAM! Hay fever kicks in full force. So, do yourself a favor and stash your favorite allergy meds in your carry-on. Keep them close and handy, and keep those allergies at bay. Trust me, your future, sneeze-free self will thank you.

Before you go…

Imagine you’ve settled into your comfy window seat, a fluffy travel pillow cradling your neck, a steaming cup of tea warming your chilled fingers. You’ve downloaded a captivating audiobook for the flight, and a delicious local pastry from the airport tempts your taste buds. Ah, pure bliss!

But what if you forgot your headphones or your water bottle remained stubbornly nestled in your checked luggage? A small oversight can unravel that peaceful pre-vacation state we all crave. Don’t fret, darling travelers!

A carry-on checklist ensures you have everything to transform your flight into a cozy haven. Remember, organization is the key to unlocking a stress-free travel experience. And for even more tips on becoming a super-organized traveler and conquering pre-trip jitters, don’t forget to download my free 42-page guide to fight travel anxiety – it’s your ticket to smooth sailing (or, should I say, soaring?) skies!

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