Ok, so long haul flights are never a joyous event. Nobody enjoys being squeezed into one of those tiny airplane seats for nine hours or using a bathroom so small you can barely unbutton your jeans. But, if you pack smart, you can make a long-haul flight just a little less unbearable. Here’s my list of what to pack in your carry on to make any flight (long haul or short haul) more comfortable.
What to pack in your carry on.
Bag the Right Bag
Don’t buy into the hype around purpose-built carry on bags. They can be pricey and they’re not all that practical when you get to your destination. Instead, take a handbag or backpack that you know you’ll get a lot of use out of during your trip and that way you’ll have one less thing to stuff into your suitcase.
Essentials
- Passport
- Boarding pass
- Cash
- Travel itinerary and hotel information
- Document wallet
A quick note on document wallets – get one! Having all your important documents and travel information in one place not only makes your time at the airport a lot less stressful, but it also makes you a lot less likely to lose any important paperwork during your travels. When you get to your hotel or hostel, simply throw it in the safe and have peace of mind knowing all your documents are together and totally safe.
Electronics
- Earphones
- Earphone adapter – some airlines require you to use these and charge for them on-board
- Powerbank
Entertainment
- Download Podcasts ahead of time (I love Stuff You Should Know)
- Download your favourite Spotify playlists
- Book/Kindle (depending on how fancy you are)
- Laptop
Let’s take a second to talk about travelling with a laptop. If you’re going to need it during your trip then there’s no getting around that. But if you can travel without it, leave it at home. Not only do they take up previous space in your carry on, but they can be a nuisance to get through airport security (I’m looking at you, Istanbul Airport) and they’re an additional expensive item that you’ll be worrying about during your trip.
Comfort
- Snacks, snacks and more snacks!
- An empty water bottle to fill up on the plane
- Ear plugs
- Fluffy socks
- Plane pillow
- Paracetamol
- Sleeping pills (no judgement here)
Toiletries
(because no one wants to get off a ten hour flight with bad breath and dirty underwear)
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Face wipes
- Brush
- Hair tie
- Hand sanitiser
- Clean underwear (this is a MUST!)
What to Wear
I need to take a second here to stress that what you wear on a flight can make or break you. Think comfort rather than glamour! Sure, you might have to forego the ‘look how chic I am at the airport’ Instagram pictures, but it’s totally worth it.
My favourite travel secret is my wireless bra from Victoria’s Secret. It’s so darn comfortable! George offers a more affordable alternative too.
