Looking for some airplane essentials for long flights to make your life easier on your next trip? Stop searching, you are in the right place! Keep reading and enjoy your next travel day!
As much as we all love traveling, there is nothing more annoying than a 10 hours flight. And it can be even worst if you are not properly prepared… Keep reading to find the 7 airplane essentials for long flights that will make your life easier and your journey more enjoyable!
This post is all about 7 airplane essentials for long flights that will make your life easier!
LONG HAUL FLIGHT OUTFIT TO STAY COMFY
We’ve all seen these gorgeous persons at the airport, flying in a suit or in a dress with high heels. Honestly, I don’t know how they do it. Find comfy and breathable clothes for your long flight, and half of your troubles will go away.
Chances are, you are not going to meet the love of your life at the airport. And if you do (LUCKY YOU!), they should love you, even in a long haul flight outfit.
Sweat or flare pants, leggings, baggy trousers… Anything you feel comfortable in! After all, you are going to spend hours sitting and probably trying to sleep. You wouldn’t go to bed in a skinny jean, would you?
SNACKS AND DRINKS
If you are going on a long flight, the airplane crew will give you food and drinks. Obviously. But there is nothing more annoying (and sometimes uncomfortable) than to have to call the flight attendant every time you are thirsty or want a snack. And on a long flight, you are probably going to want A LOT of snack to kill time.
I am not suggesting that you bring a full three-course meal with you, but some snacks and some water will be more than welcome. Be careful at what you eat, though. Some foods are not recommended to be eaten during a flight as the pressure exerted on your body is higher up there.
Take a look at this article to know what you should avoid eating on long flights (according to nutritionists) and understand why!
Long Flight ESSENTIAL TO KEEP YOU WARM: LAYERS
Who’s never gone on a long flight wearing shorts and tee-shirt because the weather was warm and sunny before embarking? Well, I did. And that’s how you learn your lessons!
You might be surprised to learn that the average temperature on a plane is between 22 and 24 °C. So why does it always feel colder than that? It’s been said that as you are sitting still in your seat and don’t move for hours, your body cool down. And that’s why it always feels like being outside during winter on your long flights.
So be smart, be on the safe side and bring layers. Sweater, socks, blankets… Anything you feel will be welcome on a long flight to keep you warm and comfy. For overnight flights, some companies will provide you blankets, but not all of them. So plan ahead and don’t forget to add layers to your airplane essentials for long flights list!
ENTERTAINMENT TO KEEP YOU BUSY IF YOU ARE FLYING DURING THE DAY
Even though, on long flights, the airline will give you access to a large selection of movies and series to keep you entertained, sometimes you just want to do something else.
Watching movies after movies for 8 or 10 hours can be boring, so bring some entertainment of your own.
If you like writing or drawing, bring a note pad and a pen, if you like music, download your playlist before your flight, or if you like reading, bring your kindle or a book… You can even bring board games! Nowadays, most of the most popular board games exist in “travel size”. It won’t take too much space in your bag, and it won’t be annoying to settle on the airplane’s tiny trails!
TOILETRY BAG: An Airplane essential for long flights
Bringing with you your essentials toiletry items is a must! And especially if you are flying overnight. Cleaning up before going to sleep and after waking up is going to make you feel a million times better. And even though you will be tired and bored, you will feel clean!
Don’t overpack and bring all the products you need for your 15 steps bedtime routine, though. Just some micellar water (or face wash), hydrating cream, deodorant, tooth brush, toothpaste, and a hairbrush along with hair ties will be more than enough.
Most of your favorite products come in travel-size format, and if they don’t just put them in travel-size containers, so security won’t take them away from you when going through the security checkpoint.
COMPRESSION SOCKS TO PREVENT ANY FURTHER ISSUE
If you are still not convinced that you should wear compression socks during long flights, here are the reason that will convince you!
- Compression socks boost blood circulation in your legs while you are sitting still for hours.
- They help prevent swelling in the legs and ankles.
- They significantly improve lymphatic drainage. This way, you won’t have to massage your legs for hours after your flight in order for them to feel normal again.
- And last, but not least! Compression socks prevent blood from pooling in the leg veins.
So… Even though they are not sexy, get yourself a pair of compression socks and wear them the entire duration of your flight! Better be safe than sorry!
SLEEPING ESSENTIALS
If you are the kind of person who needs to feel comfortable to sleep, you should definitely bring your sleeping essentials with you.
After quickly cleaning up thanks to your toiletry bag, you want to feel as comfortable as you can in order to get some sleep before landing.
But what should you bring, you might ask? Well, don’t bring all your bedroom with you as it will be inconvenient to carry around the airport, and might disturb the persons sitting next to you.
Here are the three sleeping essentials you will need to sleep like a baby on the plane:
- Sleeping mask: There are so many small lights everywhere on a plane that if you are sensitive, it might disturb you. Also, you might be flying during daytime but still want to take a nap to kill time. So bring a sleeping mask with you just in case!
- Earplugs: I don’t know for you but, to me, there is nothing worse than being woken up by a baby crying or someone laughing too loud. Bring some earplugs! They won’t take up much space and might be the thing that change your whole flight!
- Travel pillow: To avoid any neck pain, a travel pillow will be your best friend! There is a multitude to choose from. Just find the one that keep your neck in place and enjoy!