I've spent 150 hours on long-haul flights. These are the most essential items to keep in your carry-on.

Joey HaddenJul 11, 2023, 22:58 IST

Long-haul flights can be easier if you pack comforting and entertaining essentials in your carry-on, according to Insider's travel reporter.Joey Hadden/Insider

Knowing exactly what to pack in your carry-on for a long-haul flight can be tricky.
Bag space is limited, but without your carry-on essentials, your flight may feel even longer.

From NYC to Germany, Switzerland, and the Pacific Islands, I've spent 150 hours on 22 long-haul flights around the world.

The author begins a 4-leg journey from Guam to Hawaii to Texas to New York in January of 2020.Joey Hadden/Insider

When it comes to packing a carry-on for flights longer than six hours, I've certainly made some mistakes. I've forgotten important items and longed for essentials that I didn't even think of.

The author's entertainment essentials.Joey Hadden/Insider

When it comes to packing a carry-on for flights longer than six hours, I've certainly made some mistakes. I've forgotten important items and longed for essentials that I didn't even think of.

But now that I've done it more than a dozen times, I think I've mastered the art of packing a carry-on for a long-haul flight. Here are the things I'll always bring with me, no matter the destination.

I was uncomfortably sweaty in Hawaii.Joey Hadden/Insider

But now that I've done it more than a dozen times, I think I've mastered the art of packing a carry-on for a long-haul flight. Here are the things I'll always bring with me, no matter the destination.

A refillable water bottle is a must to save money — and plastic — on disposable bottles. The air on flights is also very dehydrating, and I feel that acutely on longer flights.

I bought this refillable water bottle in the San Francisco airport and I've been using it ever since.Joey Hadden/Insider

A refillable water bottle is a must to save money — and plastic — on disposable bottles. The air on flights is also very dehydrating, and I feel that acutely on longer flights.

That's why I also bring lip balm to keep my lips from getting dry.

The author's favorite lip balms.Joey Hadden/Insider

To keep your skin hydrated, I recommend slipping some lotion in your carry-on, too.

The author's flight from Guam to Hawaii had lotion in the bathroom.Joey Hadden/Insider

You should also bring Advil. Dry air on planes can cause migraines, Insider previously reported.

Advil minimizes the author's headaches on flights.Crystal Cox/Business Insider

Some of my trips have been so far away that I had to take three long flights over a 24-hour period. I don't normally go 24 hours without brushing my teeth, and if you don't either, I'd suggest bringing a toothbrush.

Don't forget to brush your teeth.Ross D. Franklin/AP Images

Some of my trips have been so far away that I had to take three long flights over a 24-hour period. I don't normally go 24 hours without brushing my teeth, and if you don't either, I'd suggest bringing a toothbrush.

Though it won't satisfy a craving for clean teeth, a pack of gum is always helpful for fresh breath.

Having gum also kept my ears popping when taking off and landing on each flight.BlinkAndMissIt/Flickr

You may get sweaty, depending on your flight's temperature. So I recommend bringing a change of clothes — especially if your trip has layovers.

The author's fresh T-shirt and undergarments for a four-leg journey.Joey Hadden/Insider

In the same vein, deodorant is essential for these long trips.

I wish I brought deodorant with me in my carry-on.Volkova Vera/Shutterstock

Long flights can be the perfect time to sleep, if you bring some comfort. Thankfully, my step-grandma gifted me this neck pillow for Christmas two years ago.

I don't know how I ever flew without a neck pillow.Joey Hadden/Insider

It's not your average neck pillow — it wraps around your neck 1.5 times. This makes it much easier to find a comfortable position to sleep in a tiny plane seat.

I'll never fly without a neck pillow again.Joey Hadden/Insider

If a pillow doesn't do the trick, a sleep mask is a total game-changer.

If I had a sleep mask, I could have pretended I was home in bed.iStock

If you're unable to nap, bring entertainment, as some flights don't have tablets on the back of each seat.

My uncle gave me this iPad the day before I left for Guam and it saved my life.Joey Hadden/Insider

If you wouldn't be satisfied with just TV as entertainment for several hours, I also recommend downloading books and podcasts to pass the time.

I downloaded six issues of the New Yorker for my trip.Joey Hadden/Insider

With all this power being used, be sure to pack an external battery charger.

My external battery came in handy on this trip.Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

Long-haul flights are typically the most grueling and boring aspect of my trips, but I think having these items make them a little more bearable.

The author prepares to board a flight in 2022.Joey Hadden/Insider

I put Isle of Paradise's $32 and St. Tropez's $42 self-tanning face drops to the test, and the cheaper product gave me more color

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I've spent 150 hours on long-haul flights. These are the most essential items to keep in your carry-on.

From NYC to Germany, Switzerland, and the Pacific Islands, I've spent 150 hours on 22 long-haul flights around the world.

When it comes to packing a carry-on for flights longer than six hours, I've certainly made some mistakes. I've forgotten important items and longed for essentials that I didn't even think of.

But now that I've done it more than a dozen times, I think I've mastered the art of packing a carry-on for a long-haul flight. Here are the things I'll always bring with me, no matter the destination.

A refillable water bottle is a must to save money — and plastic — on disposable bottles. The air on flights is also very dehydrating, and I feel that acutely on longer flights.

That's why I also bring lip balm to keep my lips from getting dry.

To keep your skin hydrated, I recommend slipping some lotion in your carry-on, too.

You should also bring Advil. Dry air on planes can cause migraines, Insider previously reported.

Some of my trips have been so far away that I had to take three long flights over a 24-hour period. I don't normally go 24 hours without brushing my teeth, and if you don't either, I'd suggest bringing a toothbrush.

Though it won't satisfy a craving for clean teeth, a pack of gum is always helpful for fresh breath.

You may get sweaty, depending on your flight's temperature. So I recommend bringing a change of clothes — especially if your trip has layovers.

In the same vein, deodorant is essential for these long trips.

Long flights can be the perfect time to sleep, if you bring some comfort. Thankfully, my step-grandma gifted me this neck pillow for Christmas two years ago.

It's not your average neck pillow — it wraps around your neck 1.5 times. This makes it much easier to find a comfortable position to sleep in a tiny plane seat.

If a pillow doesn't do the trick, a sleep mask is a total game-changer.

If you're unable to nap, bring entertainment, as some flights don't have tablets on the back of each seat.

If you wouldn't be satisfied with just TV as entertainment for several hours, I also recommend downloading books and podcasts to pass the time.

With all this power being used, be sure to pack an external battery charger.

Long-haul flights are typically the most grueling and boring aspect of my trips, but I think having these items make them a little more bearable.