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The Ultimate Packing List for Long-haul Flights

Here’s all the gear, toiletries, and accessories you need for long-haul flights.

Alesandra Dubin is an LA-based lifestyle writer and editor. As a veteran digital journalist, she's covered travel, food, parenting, and more for over 15 years. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy, and countless other online and print outlets. An avid traveler, she often trots the globe with her husband and their twins. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter at @alicedubin. Alesandra holds a master's degree in journalism with an emphasis on cultural reporting and criticism from NYU, and a bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley.

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Travel + Leisure / Alli Waataja

The golden age of flying — when travelers dressed in their finest as flight attendants manned carving stations in the aisles — is long gone. Nowadays, it’s more often about enduring cartoonishly cramped conditions without so much as a meal included in some à la carte tickets.

These circumstances make it all the more important to prepare adequately for a long-haul flight and bring your own comforts and conveniences because you can’t always count on airline-issued perks. However, packing and dressing in anticipation of how you’ll feel at hour 10 takes careful planning.

Packing Checklist for a Long-haul Flight

Here's a list of things to pack for a long-haul flight including supplies to strategically carry stuff, picks for grooming and cleaning mid-flight, and other items to help you get shut-eye or generally stay comfortable in the air. Use this as a checklist and read on for everything you need — and need to consider — when you know you’ll be spending many (many) hours on a plane.

Clothing and Shoes

• Best Lounge Set: Spanx AirEssentials Crew and Wide-leg Pants
• Best Leggings: Elastique L'Original 27-inch Leggings
• Best Cozy Socks: Comrad Knee-high Compression Socks
• Best Slip-on Shoes: Naturalizer Women's Marianne Loafer
• Best Slippers: Bearpaw Shorty Boots
• Best Wearable Wrap: White+Warren Cashmere Travel Wrap

Sleep Essentials

• Best Travel Pillow: Cabeau TNE S3 Travel Pillow
• Best Ear Plugs: Loop Quiet Ear Plugs
• Best Sleep Mask: Manta Sleep Mask Pro
• Best Travel Blanket: Away The Travel Blanket
• Best Lip Balm: Eos Organic Lip Balm 4-pack
• Best Under-eye Mask: RéVive Masque Des Yeux Gel Eye Mask
• Best Hand Cream: Weleda Skin-food Extra Rich Cream
• Best Dental Kit: Kulusion Dental Travel Kit
• Best Hand Sanitizer: Touchland Power Mist Hand Sanitizer
• Best Facial Mist: Mario Badescu Facial Spray Collection
• Best Portable Charger: Anker Portable Charger
• Best Airplane Footrest: Everlasting Comfort Airplane Footrest
• Best Headphones: Bose Noise-canceling Headphones 700
• Best Phone Mount: Universal In-flight Plane Holder Mount
• Best eReader: Kobo Libra 2 eReader
• Best Reusable Water Bottle: ThermoFlask Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle
• Best Carry-on: July Carry On
• Best Underseat Bag: Calpak Luka Duffel Bag
• Best Backpack: Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack
• Best Tote: MZ Wallace Deluxe Tote
• Best Fanny Pack: Dagne Dover Ace Fanny Pack

Long gone are the days of dressing up to fly. Now, especially under no-frills coach-class conditions, comfort is the name of the game. Dress for relaxation, warmth, and versatility on and off the plane. Layers are key for unpredictable temperature changes mid-flight, too. 

Best Lounge Set

Spanx airessentials crew.

Bloomingdale's

While comfort is a top priority when traveling for hours in the air, who says you can't look cute, too? With this Spanx crewneck and matching wide-leg pant set, you can have the best of both worlds thanks to the sleek, airbrushed fabric and effortlessly stylish loose-fit design. There are tons of different muted and bold colors that can be mixed and matched with other tops or bottoms from the AirEssentials Collection .

Best Leggings

Elastique athletics l'original leggings.

These might look like a typical pair of leggings, but the interior fabric has a beaded lining designed to promote circulation and stimulate the lymphatic system (which can often cause swelling after sitting on an airplane for a while.) The brand's MicroPerle beads compress and massage the skin, so these are ideal for post-flight recovery or after a workout, too.

Best Cozy Socks

Comrad knee-high compression socks.

To combat swelling during a flight, a pair of compression socks from Comrad will do the trick. Besides the benefits of compression socks , this pair is far more stylish than a typical set you would find at the drugstore thanks to the colorful striped pattern that comes in small to extra-large size options for an optimal fit.

Best Slip-ons

Naturalizer marianne slip-on loafer.

Travel + Leisure editors have tested a lot of slip-on shoes , and this pair from Naturalizer is easy to dress up or down. They're perfect for going through security worry-free, and they offer plenty of support and cushioning when you're on your feet. When you arrive at your destination, the shoes can be paired with jeans or a dress, offering superior versatility.

Best Slippers

Bearpaw super shorty.

Whether or not you think it's acceptable to take off your shoes on a flight , bringing a pair of slippers is probably the best solution. Once you're up in the air, you can slip off your shoes and slide into this pair of plush booties from Bearpaw. Made with a thick sole, these slippers can also be worn off the plane as a regular pair of shoes if needed.

Best Wearable Wrap

White+warren cashmere travel wrap.

White+Warren

Travel blanket , scarf, or shawl are just a few of the ways to style this gorgeous cashmere wrap from White + Warren. When you're on the plane, the wrap is ideal for keeping you warm and cozy while getting some shut-eye, but it's also nice enough to wear as a shawl on a chilly night out. Opt for a muted color like sand and camel or go bold with fondant pink and bright tangerine color options.

Sleeping on long-haul flights requires preparation. Dress comfortably, in layers, and bring along gear that supports the pursuit: a travel blanket, pillow, ear plugs, and an eye mask. Avoid caffeine and choose a window seat, if it’s feasible, to avoid neighbors tapping to wake you up when they need to use the loo.

Best Travel Pillow

Cabeau tne s3 travel pillow.

Make your coach-class seat more tolerable for a long-haul flight with a neck pillow to support your head for shuteye. This ergonomic memory-foam one even attaches to the back of the seat for added in-flight comfort, and features a compression carrying bag and fully washable cover for afterwards, too. We tested this pillow on a long international trip and found that, despite its size, it was quite easy to roll it up into its compact carrying case for easy transport.

Best Ear Plugs

Loop quiet earplugs.

Loop Earplugs

After testing a slew of earplugs , this pair from Loop were the best option for travelers looking for a stylish and reusable set of plugs. To get the most comfortable fit for each individual, the plugs come with various ear tip sizes ranging from extra small to large.

Best Sleep Mask

Manta sleep mask pro.

Manta Sleep

A sleep mask is a must to facilitate shuteye on a long-haul flight. And this one is next-level: it provides true blackout light protection and it’s fully customizable to fit your head and face. The carved out c-shaped eye cups also put no pressure on lids or lashes (so you can, say, keep that new set of lash extensions looking flawless throughout your trip). The mask comes with a case and wash bag; it’s also fully machine washable.

Best Travel Blanket

Away the travel blanket.

Gone are the days when you could depend on an airline-issued blanket in coach. Bring your own to cozy up and get some sleep on a long-haul flight. This one from Away is lightweight and made for travel, with an interior kangaroo pocket for keeping essentials safe, as well as a foot pocket for comfort and warmth.

Customize your toiletry and grooming kit for a long-haul flight: Think hand sanitizing spray and/or wipes, pain killer, lip balm, moisturizing cream, and hair ties. If looking fresh-faced directly upon arrival is a concern, a lightweight tinted moisturizer makes a great alternative to foundation. Don’t forget a toothbrush and paste to brush up after a long night in flight. A few bottles carrying key skin care products can help maintain a sense of self-care. While not essential per se, additions like hydrating eye masks and refreshing facial mist can feel downright luxurious after a night in the air.

Best Lip Balm

Eos organic lip balm 4-pack.

Flying can be super dehydrating, so be sure to pack a few sticks of lip balm to keep your lips moisturized throughout a trip. Made with natural ingredients and finished with a mint flavor, this lip balm will leave your lips feeling relieved and refreshed. This pack of four lip balms from Eos is the best way to get a bang for your buck at a little over $3 each, and you can have a backup or two in case one gets lost in transit.

Best Under-eye Mask

Révive instant de-puffing gel eye mask.

Blue Mercury

Designed to de-puff and brighten the eyes in 15 minutes, this cooling gel mask from RéVive is the perfect way to make your long-haul flight a little more luxurious. Made with ingredients like brown seaweed and an anti-oxidant fruit blend, the mask targets puffiness, wrinkles, and dehydration. After you take off the eye mask, all you have to do is rub in the remaining gel and throw away the mask for a hassle-free spa treatment en route to your destination.

Best Hand Cream

Weleda ultra-rich cream.

The air on planes can be so drying — as can the repeated hand washing and sanitizing that goes along with travel-day vigilance. Use this fan-favorite, ultra-hydrating cream from century-old company Weleda not just on hands, but on elbows, feet, and even faces, too. The 2.5-ounce size is fully TSA compliant.

Best Dental Kit

Kulusion dental travel kit.

It’s hard enough to shake off a long-haul flight and move into the world with any sense of alertness; it’s even harder when you can’t brush your teeth because you didn’t think about bringing a toothbrush in your carry-on. Handle your business with this travel set, which comes with two foldable travel toothbrushes, each with a built-in, refillable toothpaste container.

Best Hand Sanitizer

Touchland hand sanitizer.

Hand sanitizer is essential for keeping your hands clean (and for your peace of mind) on a long-haul flight. This mist version comes in mood-boosting scents, like lemon-lime spritz, frosted mint, and citrus grove. Each bottle contains 500 sprays in a moisturizing aloe vera formula.

Best Facial Mist

Mario badescu facial spray collection.

A facial spray is a great way not just to hydrate the skin but to refresh when you’re feeling bleary. This travel-sized set of four two-ounce sprays comes with one of each calming or invigorating fragrance: aloe, herbs and rose water; cucumber and green tea; chamomile and lavender; and sage and orange blossom.

You’ll need a range of gear from analog (a pen for filling out customs documents) to high-tech (devices, headphones, and chargers). Don’t forget snacks and a water bottle to stay hydrated and nourished, especially if you’re traveling overnight without consistent food and drink service.

Best Portable Charger

Anker slim 10000 portable charger.

Hell is finding yourself on an interminably long flight with a dead battery separating you from your movies, podcasts, or audiobooks, which is why you need to pack a portable charger, especially for international trips . Stay charged up in flight with a portable charger like this slim and lightweight 10,000mAh version.

Best Airplane Footrest

Everlasting comfort airplane footrest.

You know the inner scream you emit when you walk past all those lie-flat business class seats on your way to coach for a long-haul flight? Mitigate the pain by bringing your own footrest. This hammock-style memory foam rest installs over the tray table in front of you and rolls into a travel pouch when not in use.

Best Headphones

Bose noise cancelling headphones.

Noise-canceling headphones can make all the difference both for sleep and entertainment on a long flight. This top-quality, editor-loved pair has a lightweight and compact stainless steel headband. Get up to 20 hours of Bluetooth listening on a single charge — that’s enough to cover any single long-haul flight and then some.

Best Phone Mount

Perilogics universal in-flight plane holder mount.

Use this universal clip to clamp your phone to the tray table to watch hours of your preferred movies or shows on your own device. Dual joints rotate 360 degrees so you can watch horizontally or vertically at just the right angle for comfort.

Best eReader

Kobo libra 2 ereader.

The Kobo Libra 2 is the easiest way to bring a library of books while traveling without having to schlep heavy hardcovers through an airport. This eReader saves you space in luggage and provides access to thousands of audio and ebooks so you can start another book right away. Plus, it's glare-proof and has a dark mode to read at your designed brightness and color background.

Best Reusable Water Bottle

Thermoflask stainless steel water bottle.

Stay hydrated (and environmentally conscious) by traveling with your own refillable water bottle. This one is easy to carry, keeps water cold for hours, and has a truly leak-proof lid.

You’ll want to have what you need nearby during a long-haul flight; that is, your most frequently used essentials should be stowed right at your seat. Consider traveling with an underseat tote or backpack, as well as a smaller pouch — like a waist pack — to compartmentalize your most valuable essentials and keep them close. 

Best Carry-on

July carry on.

T+L editors are big fans of July luggage after testing the brand's most popular bags in the lab. The July carry-on proved to be the best cabin-friendly bag for storing essentials you wouldn't want to place in a checked bag in case it gets lost. Lightweight, spacious, and easy to maneuver, what more could we ask for in a carry-on?

Best Underseat Bag

Calpak luka duffel bag.

If you do opt to check a bag or can bring a personal item on the flight, the Calpak Luka Duffel is the perfect carry-all bag for in-flight must-haves. It can easily fit an extra pair of clothes, toiletry bag, pill or jewelry case, tech organizer, or any other item you want to have at your disposal during a long flight. Plus, the puffer material is stylish and protective.

Best Backpack

Everlane renew transit backpack.

Keep everything handy and organized for a long-haul flight with a thoughtfully designed stylish travel backpack . This one has a 15-inch laptop pocket on the outside for easy TSA access, zip pockets for essentials like passports, an interior slip pocket, two water bottle holders, a magnetic closure, and a trolley strap for rolling luggage. It’s also made from 100-percent recycled polyester.

MZ Wallace Deluxe Tote

A tote bag is a versatile piece of luggage to bring on a trip, especially a stylish one like this MZ Medium Deluxe Tote. It's large enough to store carry-on essentials, but it can also be used as a laptop bag for business trips or to carry everyday items you'll need for sightseeing like water bottles, snacks, or an extra jacket. We found this bag to be incredibly lightweight during travel, and loved the added convenience of the trolley sleeve which made toting it around the airport a breeze.

Best Fanny Pack

Dagne dover ace fanny pack.

Dagne Dover

Like the brand’s other travel luggage staples, this Dagne Dover fanny pack is brilliantly designed for maximum function. Neoprene gives it water resistance plus a sleek look, and four pockets keep everything tidy and well-organized. Plus, it’s made from recycled polyester derived from 100-percent post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.

Tips for Packing for a Long-haul Flight

Keep what you need close at hand.

When you’re flying for hours upon hours, you’ll want an array of comforts and conveniences. But they’ll be no use to you if they’re in your checked luggage — or even if they’re in the overhead bin when the seatbelt sign is on. Make sure you have what you need close at hand, under your seat and in the seatback pocket. 

To help sort your most essential items from the rest, consider packing a smaller travel pouch to compartmentalize these and keep them close. A tiny keychain flashlight — or even the flashlight on your smartphone — can help you search for small but vital things when the cabin lights are off.

Prioritize versatility and comfort 

When you’re getting dressed for a long-haul flight — fresh, rested, alert — it can be hard to imagine how you’ll feel 12 hours into the journey. But try to channel that feeling when you’re choosing clothes: they should be comfortable enough to spend many hours wearing, and ideally to sleep in, too. You should also choose a wardrobe and gear that is versatile enough to wear awake and asleep, on the plane and in the airport, and even as a multitasking item upon arrival. For instance, a drapey layering piece can also serve as a blanket and/or pillow when needed.

Plan for sleep and awake time

Pack items you’ll want for restful sleep such as an eye mask and ear plugs, and bring what you need to make your seat as cozy as possible (like a blanket and pillow). But equally consider the time you’ll spend awake: Have enough entertainment (like movies, books, or games) to keep you busy and allow you to enjoy — as well as just pass — the wakeful time.

For a long-haul flight, dressing for comfort should be top priority. A coordinating loungewear set is an easy, versatile pick as it's something you’re equally comfortable wearing while awake and asleep, in the airport and on the plane. Opting for a good pair of travel pants is another great way to ensure comfort without looking like you just flew for 12 hours. And dress in layers: Airplane cabins can be unpredictably cold or warm, and any layers you’re not wearing can double as blankets or pillows, too.

Getting sleep on a long-haul flight will be key to feeling alert on arrival — and it sure helps pass the time, too. Set yourself up for sleep success by dressing in non-constricting clothing. Pack comforts like a travel pillow and blanket, as well as an eye mask to block out light and distractions, and ear plugs (or noise-canceling headphones) to banish cabin sounds. And avoid caffeinated beverages as well as alcohol as these can disrupt sleep (tempting though they may be).

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

T+L contributor Alesandra Dubin used her experience as a travel and lifestyle writer and professional product reviewer, as well as research, to highlight the most important items for this long-haul flight essentials packing list. 

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