The thought of finally landing at your dream destination on the other side of the planet is often appealing for many, but the journey, not so much. Planning out a 12+ hour flight in cramped spaces is a skill that you learn over time. And it is a painful learning curve.
The flight is the real adventure: settling into your seat for long periods that you feel your back go numb, trying to sleep with kids giggling in the next row, and not forgetting to space your bathroom breaks to keep a cordial relationship with your seat neighbors. We have gone through it all.
Over the years, we have learned that the right essentials will make your long flight feel like a breeze. In this article we have compiled a list of 10 travel essentials to bring along on your long flight;
Make sure to go all the way through to our surprise #1 Herschel Novel Duffle Bag.
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10. Tempur-Pedic All-Purpose Memory Foam Travel Pillow
Material: Cotton
Dimensions: 11.5 x 11.5 x 4.5 inches
Weight: 8 Ounces
Price: $49
While most airlines offer small pillows during long-haul or overnight flights, these are more suitable for providing lower back support or resting against your side, rather than proper neck support.
For a comfortable nap, we recommend bringing along a high-quality travel pillow like the Tempur-Pedic® TEMPUR All-Purpose™ Pillow, complete with a convenient carrying strap and a removable, washable cover. Its versatile peanut shape makes it suitable for various purposes, such as a travel pillow, neck roll, lumbar cushion, leg spacer, or even a cozy companion for reading during your flight.
9. Anker Portable 313 Power Bank
Battery capacity: 10,000 Milliamp Hours
Weight: 7.5 Ounces
Connector Type: USB Type C, Lightning, Micro USB
Price: $41.78
A portable charger is a must-have not just for your flight but also as a crucial safety net for accessing vital documents and information. It’s a lifesaver when it comes to passing the time, especially during flight delays, by powering your gadgets. Look for a charger that is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry.
If you’re traveling with a partner or family, a charger with a minimum of two charging ports is a practical choice. Our recommendation is the Anker Portable 313 Power Bank. This slim and lightweight power bank boasts a sleek exterior design, ensuring it can accompany you wherever you go.
It’s equipped with Anker’s renowned PowerIQ technology, providing a tailored, optimized charge for your devices. Plus, it offers the convenience of interchangeable, built-in connectors for Micro USB, USB-C, and Lightning, making it compatible with a wide range of devices.
8. Bose QuietComfort 45 Headphones
Form factor: Over Ear
Weight: 15.5 ounces
Connectivity: Bluetooth
Price: $329
If there ever was an ideal moment to take the plunge and invest in a pair of noise-canceling headphones, it’s right before embarking on a lengthy journey. The Bose QuietComfort 45 Headphones emerge as the perfect choice. These headphones envelop you in a world of comfort with their soft, plush cushions.
At the simple press of a button, a transformative whoosh takes you into a sanctuary where the external world recedes, your music playlist takes center stage instantly. Such is the magic of the QuietComfort 45 Headphones, featuring signature active noise-canceling tech and a premium level of comfort.
But the appeal of Bose QuietComfort 45 Headphones extends beyond just their noise-canceling capabilities. They also bring to the table proprietary acoustic technology that ensures deep, crystal-clear audio quality. To top it off, these headphones offer adjustable EQ settings, allowing you to fine-tune your music to match your unique preferences.
7. Tile Pro 2-Pack
Material: Plastic
Bluetooth range: 400ft
Batteries: 2 Lithium Metal batteries
Price: $59.99
In the last two years, luggage trackers have become an indispensable travel accessory. These smart gadgets prove particularly valuable during flights with layovers or when you’re carrying bulky items like car seats, which often require more time to reach the baggage handling area. Among the leading options available, the Tile Pro 2-Pack is our top choice.
The Tile Pro is a high-performance tracker designed for various purposes, including keeping tabs on keys, backpacks, and purses. It boasts water-resistant features, a remarkable Bluetooth range of up to 400 feet, and a replaceable battery that can last up to a year.
The Pro easily affixes to any item you want to monitor regularly. With the complimentary Tile app, all you need to do is open it and tap the “Find” button to quickly locate your belongings. Also, the Pro tracker offers the convenience of ringing and locating your phone with a simple double press of its button.
6. Takeya Actives Insulated Water Bottle
Material: Stainless steel
Capacity: 18, 22, 24, 32, 40, 64 Ounces
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Price: $34.99
During a flight, our bodies lose about eight ounces of water per hour, making it a must to have a water bottle with you. However, the biggest contributor to plastic waste among travelers is disposable water bottles. If you want to leave a positive mark on the environment, the days of hastily purchasing a single-use plastic water bottle at the airport before your flight should be behind you.
Just as you wouldn’t forget your passport or keys, make bringing a reusable water bottle a non-negotiable part of your pre-flight routine. We highly recommend the Takeya Actives Insulated Water Bottle.
The spout on this water bottle is designed for convenience during your flight. It easily flips open and is wide enough for sips. It’s also insulated, preventing condensation, and the matte finish provides a secure grip. Also, it features a silicone grip on the bottom, ensuring stability on airplane tray tables.
With a wide mouth, filling and cleaning the bottle is a breeze, and it’s even dishwasher-safe. But like most straw-style bottles, the narrow straw requires extra care when cleaning. This style of water bottle comes in various sizes and offers different lid options, including the spout lid. There’s even a kid-friendly version available.
5. GForce Travel Blanket
Material: Polyester
Folded dimensions: 8X8 inches
Open dimensions: 50.4X50.4 inches
Price: $18.29
Temperatures on airplanes can vary considerably, typically warm during boarding and landing, but cooler mid-flight. Airlines generally aim to maintain a cabin temperature between 23℃ to 25℃, although it can drop for various reasons, such as during turbulence when the cool air is used to help alleviate motion sickness.
To stay comfortable and adapt to these unpredictable temperature changes, dress in lightweight, layered clothing and have a blanket on hand. Our top recommendation is the GForce Travel Blanket, a game-changer for travelers.
Crafted from ultra-soft jersey knit material, it’s incredibly lightweight, ensuring your comfort during your flight. What’s more, it comes with a convenient carry pouch designed with a strap that can fit over a telescopic handle up to 6″ wide, making it incredibly travel-friendly. Say goodbye to the hassle of finding a place to store your blanket while navigating the airport – the GForce Travel Blanket is the perfect solution for your travel comfort needs!
4. Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs
Material: Polyurethane Foam
Color: Beige
Noise Reduction Rating: 33 decibels
Price: $15.75
Taking a quick nap amidst the cacophony of clattering drink trolleys and intermittent cabin alerts can be quite the challenge. A simple yet effective solution to drown out the surrounding noise and get some much-needed rest during your flight is a pair of foam earplugs.
Our top recommendation is Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs. Not only do these earplugs excel at creating a sound barrier to allow you some peaceful sleep during a long flight, but they also come in a pack of 50 pairs, providing you with versatility beyond your air travel needs. These versatile foam earplugs are equipped with a substantial noise reduction rating of 33 decibels, making them highly efficient at muting ambient disturbances.
3. Lewis N. Clark Big Wrap Eye Mask
Material: Cotton
Dimensions: 9 x 1 x 0.3 inches
Cleaning: Handwash only
Price: $11.99
A sleep mask is an essential tool for getting some rest on those long flights. Our top pick is the Lewis N. Clark Big Wrap Eye Mask, which boasts a thick, padded strap that wraps snugly around your head, effectively blocking out light and enabling you to enjoy some much-needed sleep during your flight. Its soft, light-blocking design is gentle on tired eyes, and it’s also easy to clean with mild soap and water.
2. Kindle Paperwhite
Screen size: 6.8 Inches
Screen resolution: 300 pixels per inch (ppi)
Internal memory: 8GB
Price: 159.99
If you’re a book enthusiast, a long flight is an ideal opportunity to dive into your beloved novels. The latest Kindle Paperwhite offers a sleek, lightweight design that makes it an excellent travel companion, ensuring you can savor your preferred books whenever you wish.
Featuring a 300 ppi glare-free Paperwhite display, which is now 10% brighter at its maximum setting, you can immerse yourself in reading regardless of the lighting. Also, a single battery charge through USB-C now provides up to 10 weeks of power, though battery life may fluctuate based on usage.
1. Herschel Novel Duffle Bag
Material: Polyester
Dimensions: 9.5 x 20.5 x 11 inches
Item weight: 1.04 Pounds
Price: $69.99
The primary emphasis for your secondary, smaller bag should be functionality. This bag should be lightweight, easy to carry, and designed for convenient access to essential items such as your passport, travel documents, wallet, keys, and phone. We recommend the Herschel Novel Duffle Bag for this purpose.
This travel-ready duffle bag is not only robust and well-organized but also features our signature shoe compartment, making it ideal for trips where you may want to carry a spare pair of shoes. Crafted from 100% recycled EcoSystem™ fabrics, it fits perfectly in the overhead bin.
Long flights can be frustrating but with our list of 10 travel essentials, you should be able to patch through while also having a great experience. With the above items, we have been able to master the art of travel, getting to our destinations emotionally intact. We hope they will help you too!