15 things you should never be without on long flights

Having grown up in a household of world explorers, I never stop packing and unpacking my suitcase. Whether there’s a wedding to attend in Dubai or a ski trip-meets-family reunion in Hokkaido, Japan, most of my trips involve a seven-plus hour flight that transports me from one end of the world to the other.

Depending on the type of aircraft, my flying experiences can vary widely. I'm always relieved when I find out I’m flying on a newer model aircraft like the Boeing-787 Dreamliner, which has its cabin pressurized to a more comfortable altitude than those of its older counterparts. The more comfortable air, combined with a quieter engine, helps to reduce jet lag and the physical toll that long flights take on my body. However, we don’t always get to fly on the latest model jet.

As a frequent flyer who visits friends and family on different continents multiple times a year, I've learned a few helpful tricks to cope with long-haul flights, regardless of the aircraft or airline. I've had people ask, "Why don't you look tired after sitting on a plane for 16 hours straight?" After years of hopping around the world, I've developed my own air travel routine with the following items:

1. A travel pack of disinfecting wipes to keep my seat germ-free

When I think of flying, the first thing on my mind is germs. Airplane seats are filthier than you can imagine, and you never know who sat in your seat or what happened on your tray table before you checked into your flight.

So, the first thing you’ll find me doing after boarding a plane is obsessively cleaning my armrests with sanitizing wipes. I know the germs probably aren't going to kill me, but these wipes offer me some peace of mind, particularly when I’m spending more than a few hours in such a tiny space.

2. A pair of earplugs for mid-air peace and quiet

You know that sinking feeling that comes with realizing you’ve left something important behind when you’re already far from home? Earplugs are the one thing I keep on forgetting, only to realize how precious they really are once a toddler starts to cry on the plane.

Our team reviewed the best earplugs to help keep your travels free of unwanted noise. Our winners from Hearos came in third in our sound-blocking tests and first in objective testing for sound blockage and comfort when being worn in various scenarios.

3. A light sunscreen, especially for window seats

Many of us prefer a window seat for the excitement of overlooking a new city, the mountains and the clouds. But while you look out the window, you may be exposing yourself to dangerous levels of UV rays, according to a study published by JAMA Dermatology. Even though the study was about UV exposure to cabin and crew members, travelers should also be aware of the danger that radiation can cause.

For a fast-absorbing sunscreen, I always use this oil-free, SPF 42 sunscreen from SHISEIDO that’s inexpensive and easy to apply.

4. A pair of compression socks to keep legs from swelling or wool to keep you warm

I always pack a pair of compression socks or leggings in my carry-on because my legs swell up like balloons after a couple of hours of flying. Compression socks can help increase blood circulation and reduce the risk of clotting on a flight.

Physix Gear makes highly-rated compression socks with a competitive price tag.

A solid pair of wool socks can also be a good thing to pack for those who's feet get cold while flying. Darn Tough Merino Wool Socks are hiking classics that make a great pick for travel.

5. A pair of earphones that keep me entertained throughout the flight

Most international flights provide a long list of movies and TV shows for their passengers. Though most airlines give out free earphones, I always bring my own—they’re cleaner, and they sound better! I love wireless headphones, but in order to access the in-flight entertainment system, I still like to bring a pair of earphones that can plug in.

We tested all sorts of headphones and recommend the Sony WH-1000XM4 Over-ear Headphones for their superb sound, noise cancellation, and ability to play in wired or wireless mode.

6. A toiletry bag for in-flight hygiene and unexpected baggage situations

The time I first traveled from Spain to Croatia through Vienna, I found my checked luggage missing at the Wien-Schwechat airport, thanks to an airline that I no longer fly with. The checked luggage had all my necessities, including the clothes and toiletries that would keep me going throughout my trip, leaving me to wander around Vienna on a very chilly evening with only a T-shirt on and a backpack. What was in my backpack? My camera and my laptop, nothing more.

This incident taught me an important life lesson: Always bring a few days worth of necessities in your carry-on.

Luckily, the story ended on a happy note: I was reunited with my luggage in Berlin, one of my favorite multicultural cities that I think everyone should try to visit at least once.

Don't make the same mistake as me, keep a toiletry bag like the Sea to Summit Bag in your carry-on.

7. A pen to fill out immigration forms on the plane

Even if you can travel visa-free to most countries, you'll still need to fill out some paperwork prior to arrival. Completing immigration documents on the plane not only saves your precious transit time, but also helps you get your questions answered—experienced crew members can answer most customs-related questions when you’re traveling to a country for the first time.

I always carry one of these Muji pens with me, and they work wonders for filling out paperwork on the plane.

8. A travel pillow that allows me to get some rest on the go

On a long-haul flight, getting some sleep helps time move faster and ensures that I arrive at my destination refreshed—so a portable pillow is a must. Our favorite travel pillow gives you the neck support you need so that you can nod off in any airplane seat.

9. A pair of cozy slippers that make me feel like I’m walking on clouds

Wearing comfortable shoes is so important to ensure an overall positive experience on a long flight. Some travel experts recommend slip-ons or sneakers, but I usually bring a pair of slippers to change into once on board. It might come from my habit of wearing slippers at home, which makes walking around the plane feel a little homie.

I purchased my MUJI packable slippers in Japan, but these slippers on Amazon are very similar to the ones I carry around.

10. A reusable water bottle that keeps me hydrated

Although flight crew tend to bring passengers refreshments as often as possible, it’s always good to have some water on hand as the dry, recycled air takes its toll on your skin and body. Therefore, I like to bring my own water bottle on flights.

Our Reviewed editors tested and picked the best water bottles after comparing 12 of the most popular bottles on the market. Our favorite, the Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle, is portable, versatile, durable, and well-designed. It also performed well during the temperature tests.

11. A face mask to keep you healthy

Thankfully, 2020 is well behind us. However, one thing that the pandemic drove home is that there are tools you can use to avoid viral illnesses. The first of these would be a good face mask.

Whether you wear it the whole time or not, bringing a good K95 face mask on your flight is crucial. You don’t want to sit down next to a neighbor with a virulent flu unprepared.

12. A book or Kindle to keep you entertained

There’s little more important for deriving some enjoyment from a long flight than a book or ebook. Sure, flights are a great time to catch up on the most recent action film you kind of wanted to check out in theaters but didn’t get around to. But there’s always time to get into some good reading too.

While our reading habits rarely stick to any single genre, we do make sure that we've got a page-turner like Kazuo Ishiguro’s “Never Let Me Go” ready before we set out on a long flight.

If you'd rather not stuff your backpack with paperbacks, consider investing in a Kindle. A good Kindle e-reader can enable even the most voracious of readers to bring along all the books they need. The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is our current favorite Kindle, with a screen that won't wear on your eyes and the right storage and battery for travel.

13. A backpack or bag to carry your gear in

When you're planning your carry-on, don't forget the bag or backpack to carry it in. We've spent lots of time testing backpacks for travel and weekend bags.

We recommend finding a secure travel backpack like the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45, which is the most secure bag we've tested. It will ensure that your technology and possessions stay secure wherever you might wander, on the flight and afterwards.

14. An eye mask to help you sleep

Sure they might turn off the lights while you fly over the Atlantic or Pacific, but most overnight flights still leave on some sort of lighting for passengers to navigate by. For this reason it's a good idea to bring a sleep mask to help you sleep.

Our favorite sleep mask is the Mzoo Sleep Eye Mask, which cups eyes to keep out light, and is comfortable to wear on your face for extended periods of time.

15. A packable jacket that will keep you warm on the plane and prepared wherever you land

Airplanes get chilly. The best solution is a light jacket or shawl, and unless you're flying to the equator, it's almost always a good idea to have one in your pack for wherever you land. A packable puffer is usually the best call. As light jackets go, puffers are very adaptable, providing decent warmth, layering well, and compressing to small sizes.

The Patagonia Nano Puff is a great choice. It's a synthetic filled puffer with a commitment to recycled materials and excellent reviews across the board. Plus Patagonia's tip-top customer service will ensure you love it.

Prices are accurate at the time this article was published, but may change over time.