What I Pack in My Hand Luggage for a Comfortable Long Haul Flight

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. All recommendations and opinions are my own.

As a passionate traveller, and having grown up in New Zealand and lived in Australia for 10 years, I am no stranger to long haul flights. There have been times when I have travelled non-stop for 2 days to get to a destination. I am currently living in the UK and still can’t get over the fact that I can fly to a completely different country in 2 hours. Heck, I can even drive or take a train to another country! Mind blowing for me, but I’m constantly reminding my British friends not to take this convenience for granted. Over the years I have refined my hand luggage to a fine art and I try not to pack too much because it does become a bit of a burden to lug around if you are getting multiple flights.

I hate flying. I don’t have a fear of flying, it’s just that I hate being forced to sit in a small seat for over 20 hours. I start dreaming about being able to lie down and stretch out. But there are strategies that I have developed over the years to make the trip a little more comfortable, which I’m going to share with you in this post.

Tips

Check out my other travel tip posts:

• If you are aiming to travel light, especially if you are travelling with hand luggage only or are backpacking, then check out my post on How to Pack an Extra Light Toiletry Bag.
• If you are travelling somewhere cold, then read my post on How to Stay Warm on a Winter Vacation.
• Whether you are trying to sleep on the plane, bus, train or an uncomfortable hotel room, read my Secrets to Sleeping Well Whilst Travelling.
• Here are my top tips for How to Deal with Laundry While on Holiday.
• If you have IBS, then read about My Tips for Travelling with IBS.

ESSENTIALS

Passports, Travel Documents & Pen

This first one is a given, because you are not going anywhere if you don’t have your essential travel documents with you. Thankfully I haven’t forgotten my passport…yet. However, I will always remember the stressful moment when I dropped my husband off at the airport for a work trip and he realised he had forgotten his passport. The airport was a 30-40 minute drive from our house depending on traffic and also having to pass through an expensive toll bridge. It was the most stressful drive home and back, trying my best not to break the speed laws and praying for good traffic. I had to pay the expensive toll bridge fee 4 times that day, but I did get it to him in time though, so happy ending!

Don’t forget to bring a pen with you as many countries require you to complete an arrivals card on entering and most of the time they hand the cards out on the plane to fill in prior to landing. It is much easier than trying to do it at the customs desk where none of the pens work.

Snacks

Most long haul flights provide meals, and as I’m not burning any energy sitting there, I usually find they serve more food than I can eat. Therefore, I don’t generally take snacks with me unless I’m concerned about the quality or quantity of food that will be provided. However, I may take snacks if I’m going to have a long commute to my destination after landing.

Be careful about taking snacks with you because if you don’t eat them all on the plane you may have problems arriving in the country with food in your bag. Many countries, such as New Zealand and Australia, have strict rules about bringing food in with you, and you could risk being fined.

ELECTRONICS & ENTERTAINMENT

Ipad/Tablet & Phone

I love my Ipad. I don’t want to lug around my expensive laptop which might seem light at home, but very quickly feels heavy once I start carrying it around with me. Before departing, I make sure my tablet and phone are fully charged. I love to watch the in-flight movies on the plane, but good entertainment is not always available. Before leaving home I download my favourite podcasts, music, TV shows and movies to keep me occupied and to pass the time.

Noise Cancelling Headphones

On flights where they have in-flight entertainment, they usually hand out headphones to use (however some airlines charge you to use them), but they are never very good quality, so I always fly with my own. In fact I never fly without my noise cancelling headphones. I never realised just how loud the plane engines and passengers were and its effects, until my husband lent me his noise cancelling headphones. Firstly, they make it so much easier to listen to movies. With the usual crappy headset that you’re given on the plane, I usually have to crank the sound all the way up to be able to hear what the characters are saying over the drone of the engines (and I have perfect hearing). But with the noise cancelling headphones I can listen to the movie at a normal volume. It also significantly improves the movie experience because I can hear the conversations and the sound effects much more clearly.

Secondly, even when you’re not watching movies, these are perfect to wear throughout your flight with the noise cancelling function turned on to cancel out the surrounding sounds. OK, they don’t completely block out all noise, but when I take them off to go to the bathroom, I am always surprised at just how loud it is inside the plane and how much noise the headphones are blocking. I find that it helps me to feel much more relaxed on the plane and I’m even able to get some sleep, and I don’t feel as tired when I step off the plane.

Bose noise cancelling headphones are considered the best and their user reviews support this, however, they are very expensive. If you’re looking for something more affordable, then try the Sony noise cancelling headphones. They also get excellent reviews but are much cheaper. Both models feature active noise cancelling and the necessary airplane connections.

If you can’t afford some noise cancelling headphones, at the very least buy some ear plugs to make your trip more comfortable. If you find it difficult to get the ear plugs to stay in your ears, you may prefer using the silicone ear plugs. On long haul flights the airlines usually provide ear plugs in their complimentary kits.

Tips

• Don’t forget to bring your airplane connector for your headphones if you want to listen to the on board entertainment.
• If your noise cancelling headphones use batteries, don’t forget to pack some spare ones. If they have built in rechargeable batteries, make sure you have a battery charger and and the charger cable with you.

Portable Battery Charger

Unfortunately, most electronics like smart phones have a really short battery life and can become flat before the end of the flight. That’s why I always travel with a portable battery charger. This handy portable battery charger can charge your phone, tablet, and any other USB chargeable device.

Guide Books in Ebook Format

I’m usually doing some last minute holiday planning on the plane. Guide books can be rather bulky, heavy and annoying to travel with, so I use them in Ebook format on my Ipad.

Magazines/Book

I struggle to read anything too heavy while I’m travelling, as I get tired and don’t have the brain power to read anything complex. So I usually pack a magazine or a book with light content.

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

Comfy Clothing

I have IBS, so when travelling, I like to wear some leggings so the waist band is more comfortable on my stomach. You can read more about My Tips for Travelling with IBS. I often get quite cold on the plane, so I like to wear layers so I can easily stay warm or cool down. This is especially essential if I’m visiting somewhere hot/cold as I can quickly change into the right clothing when I land.

Tips

• If I’m landing somewhere hot, I pack my sunhat, sunscreen and sunglasses at the top of my bag so that they are easily accessible.
• If I’m landing somewhere cold, I pack my warm hat, scarf, gloves, and coat at the top of my bag so that they are easily accessible.

Socks

From the lack of movement on the plane, my feet end up getting really cold, so I need to make sure I’m wearing some good quality warm socks that will also breath. After departing from my first long haul flight, I had a rather scary experience whereupon I discovered that my socks had caused deep indentations in my legs where the band was sitting, and I had swelling below it (this is even after I had moved around and done stretches during the flight). So now I’m really careful about what socks I wear. If you are also concerned about Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), wear compression socks to reduce the risk.

Pashmina/Shawl

I always travel with a pashmina because they are just so versatile. Consequently, I have heaps of them in a range of colours. I use them as a scarf, as a shoulder wrap to keep me warm, or when I’m sitting up in bed, and as a blanket, especially when I’m travelling on the plane, bus or train or waiting in the departure lounge. I prefer a I prefer a wool and cashmere pashmina like this one, but for those you that don’t wear wool, then try this synthetic pashmina that has the soft feel of cashmere but is vegan friendly.

I also use mine in a rather odd way – I use it to cover my head when I’m trying to sleep on the plane. Yes, it looks a tad weird, but I prefer it to sleep masks. It makes me feel like I’m in my own little private room/space, and it doesn’t matter how weird my sleeping facial expressions become, or how much I drool, because no one can see me. When I first did this, my husband pretended not to know me, but 15 hours into our flight he was getting really tired and succumbed to my strange ways and ended up with the other end of the pashmina over his head. Needless to say, he’s now a convert.

Sleep Mask

If you don’t want to use a pashmina to cover your eyes, then you might want to consider packing a sleep mask. A lot of the long haul airlines provide these in their complimentary pack.

Footwear

Your feet tend to swell when flying, so wear shoes that can comfortably accommodate your swollen feet. I’m not very glamorous when I fly and tend to aim for comfort over looks, so I just wear some comfy light gym shoes and avoid heels or shoes that are hard to slip on and off.

Sunglasses

If it’s sunny then you will likely need your sunnies while flying, especially if you are sitting in a window seat. They are also useful to have on hand if you are arriving somewhere sunny.

Inflatable Neck Pillow with Soft Cover

I never used to travel with a neck pillow because I hated the bulkiness of them and always thought that the inflatable ones looked uncomfortable. However, my Mother in law insisted that I borrow hers for a trip abroad. It was then I realised just how much comfort the right kind of neck pillow can provide, and I even managed to get some sleep on my flight. I was won over by how comfortable it was and ended up purchasing myself this inflatable neck pillow with soft outer cover. Being inflatable, you can inflate it as much or as little as you want, and the big valve on it makes this super easy (I can inflate it using only a few breaths). I particularly love the fluffy, soft cover, which not only makes it much more comfortable, but also more hygienic because I can easily remove it and throw it in the wash. Although it comes with its own carry case, I actually use the little side pocket to fold it up into itself.

Stainless Steel Drink Bottle

Make sure you pack a water bottle to stay hydrated. I love this stainless steel drink bottle as I am trying to cut down on my use of plastics. This bottle is leak proof and insulated so keeps hot water hot and cold water cold.

TOILETRIES

Folding Travel Toothbrush and Travel Sized Toothpaste

I love the clever design of this folding travel toothbrush. I no longer have to remember where I left my toothbrush container since my last holiday because this one comes with a built in one! Also, it folds in half which makes it much easier to tuck into a small toilet bag. Purchase this Colgate travel sized toothpaste to use with it. Some airlines provide a toothbrush and mini toothpaste in their complimentary pack, so it depends on who I’m flying with as to whether I pack these in my carry-on or not.

Face Cream

Flying can really dry your skin out. I like to use the very gentle Cetaphils range of creams and lotions that are recommended by dermatologists. They have a range of moisturisers to suit all skin types. I either buy a large bottle or tub and dispense it into a GoToob, that can be taken through security and I then use on my face and body while I’m on holiday.

Lip Balm

My lips get really dry during a flight so I use Burt’s Bees lip balm. It’s my favourite lip balm because the beeswax provides long lasting coverage and it comes in the form of a chapstick. This multipack allows you to assign one to each family member or to stash them away in your bags and coat pockets.

SPF Sunscreen

If I’m arriving in a summer destination or sitting in the sunny window seat, I apply sunscreen during the flight and just before getting off. Usually I’m emerging from a dark winter, so my skin will be super pale and prone to burning. I like a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB (i.e. ‘Broad Spectrum’). UVA is the long wave rays that penetrate deep into the skin layers and cause ageing and wrinkling. UVB is the short wave rays that cause your skin to burn and damages the superficial epidermal layers. I use this travel friendly sized Banana Boat SPF 50 Broad Spectrum sunscreen. It’s sweat and water resistance and also non-greasy. Read my post on My Favourite Sunscreens for Face and Body.

Wipes

I always travel with a pack of wipes. I love using RAWGANIC wipes as they are 99% natural and 100% biodegradable. They are a great way to ‘freshen up’ during long haul travel when you don’t have access to a shower. Check out my post where I Review the Best Biodegradable Eco Friendly Face Wipes on the Market.

For cleansing your personal areas, try these super gentle vaginal cleansing cloths that cleans and removes odour-causing bacteria. They are pH-balanced and free from soap, dyes and parabens. They are Dermatologist and Gynecologist tested.

Deodorant

I always pack my deodorant so I can reapply after freshening up with my wipes mid-flight.

Panty Liners and a Change of Underwear

You really start to smell when you’re travelling, so I bring a change of underwear with me and I also wear ultra thin panty liners. These liners are so thin, light and breathable that you won’t know you are wearing one. They also have odour control.

Pocket Tissues

I can’t write a post about what toiletries to pack without mentioning pocket tissues. Even when I’m not travelling, I never leave home without these pocket tissue packs stashed into the pockets of my bags and coats. As well as using them to blow your nose, they have multiple other uses when travelling, including as a napkin, for make-up emergencies, and those many situations where you find yourself in a loo with no toilet paper!

Peppermint Capsules

Flying causes your stomach to bloat with gas, and having IBS seems to make it even worse. So I pack some peppermint capsules to help relieve my gassy stomach. If you also have IBS, then read my post on My Tips for Travelling with IBS.

Pain Relief

I pack some paracetamol or ibuprofen in case I get a headache during my flight.

Further Tips for Carry-On

Travel Containers

If you want to dispense your favourite product into a travel sized container, then use these GoToobs. They might be on the slightly pricier side, but they are definitely worth it as you will get years of use out of them. These GoToobs meet airline carry on regulations for liquids and are food-safe (FDA) and 100% BPA and PC-free. The no-drip valve stops them from getting messy and the squeezy tube design makes it easy to get the product out.

The makers of GoToob also make really clever little storage containers called GoTubbs which can be opened one-handed. GoTubbs are great for storing jewellery, pills, and thick ointment. However, for liquids use the GoToobs as these containers aren’t very leak proof.

The Rules

Follow these rules when travelling with liquids in your hand luggage. (Check with your airline to ensure that their requirements match those listed below)

• Liquids must be placed into individual containers no larger than 100ml – larger containers, even if only partly full, are not usually accepted at security.
• All 100ml containers must fit into a clear, plastic travel bag no bigger than 20cm x 20cm like this one.
• Only 1 bag per passenger is allowed.
• The bag must be able to closed and be sealed – overstuffed plastic bags will not be accepted.
• The maximum total amount of liquid that you can carry onto a flight is 1 litre.