I've spent 175 hours on long-haul flights. These are the most essential items to keep in your carry-on.
- 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 175 hours on 26 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 two 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 very dehydrating, as Business Insider previously reported, and I feel that acutely on longer flights.
I also bring lip balm to keep my lips from getting dry.
Since lip balm is so small, I typically bring two or three in case I lose one.
To keep your skin hydrated, I recommend slipping some lotion in your carry-on, too.
Some long-haul flights I've taken have had lotion and face mist in the cabin bathrooms, but I wouldn't count on it.
You should also bring Advil.
Dry air on planes could cause migraines, BI previously reported.
A toothbrush is a must.
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.
Gum also helps combat ear-popping during changes in air pressure.
I recommend bringing a change of clothes — especially if your trip has layovers.
You may get sweaty, depending on your flight's temperature.
In the same vein, deodorant is essential for these long trips.
I typically reapply deodorant in airport bathrooms during layovers.
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.
This is especially helpful for flights during the day. But even on red-eye flights, sleep masks help me block out the lights coming from passenger seat-back screens.
If you're unable to nap, bring entertainment, as some flights don't have tablets on the back of each seat.
I suggest downloading movies and shows onto your phone or tablet.
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 typically download travel guides for the destinations I'm visiting.
With all this power being used, be sure to pack an external battery charger.
Most long-haul flights I've been on have had outlets at each seat, but I always back a battery just in case.
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.
In my experience, long-haul drives can be as grueling as flights. So check out these tips on what to pack for a road trip to make your journey run smoothly.
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