Do long flights hold you back from booking the trip of your dreams? They shouldn’t. I actually prefer longer flights to cross-country since you actually have time to rest and reset your internal clock to a new time zone. But if you’re not traveling first class, there are still a few discomforts to work around. Here are my tips for enjoying a long flight.
1 – Pack An “Essential Comforts” kit.
I have a kit that I bring with me everywhere I go, whether it’s flying to a new destination or just in my purse for everyday needs.
Pictured above is my actual plane kit with essentials I take with me everywhere. They include: A vinyl easy-to-wipe-clean toiletries bag. Fill it up with hand lotion, lip gloss, lip balm, a mini perfume sample, hydration spray (this feels awesome in a dry air cabin), ear plugs, Emergen-C, Aveda Blue Oil Roll-on (Good for headaches. You can also just bring peppermint oil), a nail file, tooth brush and tooth paste, hand sanitizer, Giovanni cleansing wipes (I pick these up at Whole Foods), eye drops, face moisturizer, green tea, ibuprofen and allergy meds (if you travel internationally, pack these in their original labeled container), and an eye mask.
It’s everything I need to sleep, stay healthy, and get refreshed upon arrival at my new destination. If it’s a really long flight, I will sometimes throw in a few make-up items too such as mascara and face powder.
TIP: Next time you shop at a department store, don’t ask if they have any “travel sized” items available (because they’ll sell them to you). Instead, just ask for a few free samples of your favorite perfume, cologne, lotion, or face creams. These little things are perfect for travel and will make you feel pampered, even in tight spaces such as planes.
Wearing my RejuvaHealth leggings.
2 – Wear the right clothes and bring a pillow.
In addition to the eye mask and earplugs above, bringing along a pillow and warm fuzzy socks will get you into your comfort zone for snoozing. I know, neck pillows seem like a bulky extra to pack along. But being well rested when you arrive makes it worth the hassle. Plus, they’re making them smarter now. The newest versions are made of a squishy memory foam so that you can conveniently stuff it into a small travel bag that will make it more compact and keep it clean. I picked one up at the airport on my way to Hong Kong, but you can probably find them cheaper online if you search ahead of time.
TIP: The cozy socks keep your feet warm when the cabin gets chilly. But please, put on shoes to go to the loo. Wet bathroom floors and bare socks = gross.
In addition to fuzzy socks, I’ve also gotten into the habit of wearing compression socks or tights for long flights. As a runner, I’ve got several pairs of compression socks in fun colors as well as a variety of leggings. Since leggings are “in” right now, it’s easy to pair these up with a loose fitting shirt or sweater. You’ll feel like you’re going to yoga, have the stretchy comfort of being able to cross your legs in your seat, and look fashionable to boot.
RejuvaHealth sent me a pair of their compression leggings to test out and compare to traditional leggings. I’ve worn them on several flights now and I have to say … I’m hooked! You know that achy feeling you get when you’ve been standing on your feet all day? Yeah, that doesn’t happen with these. They are a little tough to get on as they’re much tighter then pantyhose or cotton leggings. But you get the hang of it after awhile. And they’re tough enough that you won’t snag them with a fingernail, so they last. Wash them in your hotel room sink, hang to dry, and they’re ready to wear again for your flight home.
3- Pick an aisle seat or emergency row for more wiggle room.
In-flight map of trip to Hong Kong.
My first really long flight was 16 hours from New York to South Africa (JFK-JNB-CPT), and I learned some valuable tips from David with the Visit South Africa tourism board. Since he flies this route frequently, his first tip was to stay awake as long as you can, then sleep the last 6 to 7 hours of the flight. That way you arrive rested and with your internal clock set on local time. Plus, staying awake until the wee hours of the morning leaves you tired enough to fall into a deep sleep on a plane.
My second big tip from David was about choosing seats. I had noticed that all the journalists on the trip were in an aisle seat in the middle of the plane. Thankfully, no one booked the center seats (who would?) so we all had some extra room to spread out and get comfy. It also helps to be able to get up to stretch or walk without having to squeeze your way over the lap of another sleeping passenger. And if you follow my final extra tip, you’ll be getting up a lot.
TIP: Drink more water than you think your bladder can handle. Keeping yourself well hydrated will help with the dryness of recycled cabin air as well as combat jet lag and fatigue.
Want try out a pair of RejuvaHealth’s compression leggings and add them to your must-pack list? Then comment below and let us know your must-pack essentials for travel. I’ll pick one commenter using Random.org on 3/29/13.
I look forward to hearing your packing tips!
-Rachelle
**RejuvaHealth sent me a free pair of compression tights. Thoughts and opinions are my own … and I really do love them and wear them every time I fly. See my FTC disclosure. It’s actually a funny read.
**UPDATE**
Hemarie, you were chosen via Random.org for the pair of compression leggings! Please send your mailing address and size to TheTravelBite (at) gmail.com.
About TravelBlggr
My must-pack essentials includes Say Yes to Carrots lotion, pepto (I get anxiety tummy), Burt’s Bees lip balm, my fuzzy Steelers socks, a scarf, and enough hand sanitizer to swim in. But the most important thing lately is nasal saline spray. I’ve found I’m less prone to catch a cold with that than Emergen-C. Now if I can figure out how to sleep on a 5-6 hour flight to Dublin that leaves too early to really get any real sleep…
Oooh! Pepto is a good one. I usually keep some ginger chews in my bag too, but I didn’t realize I was out until you mentioned the Pepto! LOL! I’ll have to add some back to my kit.
Thanks for this post!
Now, however, that I fly with a toddler – most of the time I wish I had time to get bored or uncomfortable during my flight, but here are some tips from me
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My must pack also includes a light-weight sleeping bag which keeps me warm and gives me a little bit of home way better than blankets they give you.
For a week or two before the flight I tend to pass on the movies, books and magazines I’m dying to watch and read and take them on the flight. That way I can truly enjoy at least the first several hours.
Also I always bring a pen and a little notebook and do whatever – write down weird stats about people on the plane, draw, make lists of all the movies I liked, people I’ve known etc.
Sounds boring but really that’s something that kept me entertained.
GREAT advice for traveling. Thank you for all the useful info!
You’re welcome! Sooooo … what are your “must haves” when YOU travel? Common … divulge the contents of your purse.
I love this. I’m bookmarking this for my next long trip!
It’s been a while since I flew anywhere that took longer than 3 hours, so my list is a bit simpler: jacket or scarf (I almost always get cold on the plane), my little makeup bag with lipstick, liner and a sample perfume (for some quick beautification at my destination), my iPod shuffle (in case I need to drown crying/snoring/screaming out),magazines and a book, a bottle of water and a snack for the flight.
Oooh! iPod! I bring mine too. I usually load it up with music themed to the destination.
Hemarie,
You were chosen via Random.org for the free pair of compression tights! See the instructions above. Congrats!
Aw! I am really going to get good wear out of these!!
I have to check their site with sizing info and will follow up with an email soon! Thanks so much!
I tried doing the whole stay up as long as you can so that you can sleep on the plane. Our pick up time was 4:30 am and I thought I could stay up all night and still get up in the morning and get the family up. That was almost a fail! Good thing our cab driver waited for us. We rushed around and were off to a great family vacation. I did have my travel pouch ready to go with most of your items. But my MUST is my light weight cashmere sweater. It is neutral enough to wear with what I pack on vacation. Even if we go to a warm destination, the AC is always on too high for me.
Agreed on the sweater! I live in Florida, and I can tell you that even in the middle of summer you’ll need a sweater here since most of the buildings have the air cranked down to 65 degrees. Layering up always helps with changes in temp throughout the day. And cashmere … ooooh that’s a soft and cozy luxury.
Thanks for sharing!
My “must have” is quite simple: I bought about 1.5×2.5 yards of cotton fabric (kente as it’s called here) in Ghana a little while ago. And it’s awesome: it’s a blanket to lie on or sleep under, a shawl, a towel, a skirt, a dress,… You dampen it in hot tropic nights or wrap it around you in colder ones. Simple, but very useful…
Cheers,
C
My must pack essentials are a spritz made up of 10 drops of essential lavender oil and water, i mist my chest area and face, it works as a sanitiser and keeps the bugs away, never fails, and on long flights i re spritz every few hours, nice and refreshing and helps for relaxation. A wrap similar to Carola’s description, so handy and compact, tights, warm socks and a travel pillow as already mentioned. For packing my suit case i roll everything, keeps the wrinkles down and mades items easy to find, it is worth the little trouble, i got this tip 20 years ago from a well travelled friend and works every time.
Great article!
I love the idea of the compression tights. Dressing fashionable but comfortable when I fly is a challenge.
I always pack a small pillow bc if the seat is uncomfortable I can put it behind my back for support. I also pack socks if my feet get cold & a thin beach towel to wrap around me. I sometimes can’t get the blankets they pass out on the flights.
Another ‘must pack’ is my airborne & some healthy snacks along with tissues, hand sanitizer & reading material and suduko!
Hey Wendy!
Airborne is great! I either use that or Emergen-C for a big dose of vitamins while I’m on-the-go. Seems to keep me germ free! (knock on wood)
Great tips overall. I have a few additions which have helped me on many long flights.
- Melatonin which helps me get restful naps in the cabin and doesn’t have the knock down effect of Ambien.
- Aspirin which I take every 4 hours to keep blood thin, avoiding the possibility of nasty clots.
- Bose (over the head) noise canceling headphones which I wear even when not listening, because they neutralize the low level engine noise.
- Acidophilus which I start taking a week before and keep taking 2x a day while away. I have watched as everyone around me got sick and I never did, I attribute my iron constitution to this miracle.
As a photographer I am constantly battling the urge to bring just one more lens. I carry a briefcase with my computer and my camera bag. The computer bag can carry everything else I take on the plane, the headphones, toiletries and 2 weeks of vitamins. The camera bag must fit in an overhead so it’s small but heavy. In my briefcase I carry a folding cart. I don’t always use it bue it’s great when I have a long walk to a connection in a foreign airport. It saves my back and allows me to move fast.
Anyway, thanks for a great post!
Mitch
Mitch, these are all great additions! I’ve taken melatonin before and got out of the habit. I’ll have to bring some with me again on my next trip!
Thanks for the tips! I will use many of these for my next long plane ride to Italy (Honeymoon). Before a long flight I purchase a big bottle of water after going through airport security because I can never get enough water from the flight attendants while on the plane.
Also, if I remember, I bring a magazine for the “no electronic devices” time during the flight.
Thanks again