Spring and summer are approaching, and that means we start getting ready for our holidays. However, unless you’re lucky enough to be in first or business class, the days of luxurious and relaxing long-haul flights are long gone. For those of us in economy, we’re often stuck with cramped seats and minimal leg room for hours at a time.
But there are things you can do to help improve your comfort, keep you entertained, manage jet lag and arrive ready for your holiday. This post outlines some of our top long-haul flight essentials to make sure you put in your carry-on bag.
FITLEGS Top Carry-On Essentials
We’ve broken down our list into two categories: things you include for comfort, and what to take to pass the time.
Long Haul Carry-On Items for Comfort
Staying comfortable is one of the most important parts of getting through a long-haul flight. Fortunately, there are things you can pack to help.
Neck or Travel Pillow
A neck pillow is ideal for trying to sleep upright in a plane seat, and even if you don’t plan on drifting off, it will help keep your head supported while you read a book or watch a film. While you can buy cheap versions, investing in something a bit better, with memory foam or better support, is often worth it.
Although pricey and somewhat bulky, we love the comfort and versatility of the Infinity Pillow. The long, wraparound design lets you position it however you want to get the best possible rest. It’s also great for use at home.
For something a bit cheaper but still effective, the Boots Travel Deluxe Pillow offers great memory foam support in a smaller, more packable size, as well as washable covers and hooks to attach it to your bag.
Compression Socks
Compression socks are vital for any travel of 4 or more hours, whether it’s by car, train, boat or plane. These long, tight-fitting socks apply graduated compression up the leg to improve circulation, reduce swelling and aches, and prevent blood clots from forming in the legs, known as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).
For most people, light compression socks with a compression level between 14-17mmHg will be just fine. These socks, like our FITLEGS Flight Socks range, extend just below the knee and are comfortable enough to wear for long periods, such as a long-haul flight.
We recommend putting them on before you board (while you’re waiting at the gate is perfect), and wearing them for the duration of the flight. You can change back into your regular socks once you’re off the plane.
Hygiene & Wellness Products
Keeping yourself clean and fresh can make a massive difference to your comfort during the flight. We recommend packing (in a clear bag) mini toiletries, such as:
- Toothbrush and mini toothpaste
- Facial wipes
- Moisturiser and lip balm
- Hand sanitiser
- Roll on deodorant
- Painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetamol
Don’t forget to take a refillable bottle to top up after security. Cabin air is very dry and can dehydrate you faster than on the ground, so drink plenty of water throughout the flight.
Comfortable Clothes & Shoes
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes for the flight. We’re not talking about your pyjamas and dressing gown, but loose-fitting and light clothing will be perfect. As you’ll be sitting down for long periods, we don’t recommend clothes with tight waistbands, cuffs or necklines.
Long Haul Carry-On Items for Entertainment
Keeping comfortable is only half the battle; keeping entertained and fighting off boredom is the other. Luckily, modern (and not-so-modern) tech is here to help.
Noise-Cancelling Headphones
These are an absolute must-have for any long-haul flyer. The headphones given out by the airlines are often of poor quality and don’t block out the ambient engine noise. Over time, the noise of the engines and air-conditioning can really take its toll. A pair of quality, over-ear headphones will help keep you in your own peaceful world.
If you’re willing to splash the cash, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, Sony WH-1000XM6 or Apple AirPods Max are all fantastic choices. For something more affordable, the Sony WH-CH720N, Anker Soundcore Life Q30 or 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 are good places to start.
Many will also come with 3.5mm jack cables that allow you plug them into the in-flight entertainment.
Tablet or E-Reader
In-flight entertainment is pretty good, but sometimes you want your own thing. Bringing a tablet and/or an e-reader, loaded with films, series, podcasts, music and books that you’ve downloaded, will help pass the time.
Apple’s iPad has long been the king of the tablets, but manufacturers like Samsung and Amazon also make high-quality Android-based devices. If you just want an e-reader, the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is super affordable and has a long battery life with plenty of storage. Of course, a traditional book or magazine is an option too!
If you don’t have a tablet, your smartphone can do the same thing, but it may tire your eyes to look at a small screen for so long. In either instance, make sure you have a case or stand so you don’t have to hold your device.
Are you a gamer? Consoles like the Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck are excellent for passing the time and immersing yourself in another world.
Battery Packs & Cables
You can’t always rely on the USB ports in your seat, so it’s best to pack your own battery just in case. We recommend at least 10,000mAh capacity, roughly equivalent to about 2-3 full charges of an average smartphone. However, if you have other things to charge, such as a tablet or headphones, we recommend choosing 20,000 mAh or above.
The Xiaomi Power Bank 20000 is an excellent budget choice, but the Anker Prime is a great premium choice with faster charging for multiple devices at once.
Make sure you don’t forget your cables either!
Don’t Let Long-Haul Flying Affect Your Trip
Most of us don’t really enjoy long-haul flights, but it’s usually worth it when we get to our destination. Planning ahead and packing sensibly is the key to making it as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
Wearing compression socks is an excellent way to prevent some of the physical discomfort associated with sitting down for long periods, so explore our full range of compression flight socks in the FITLEGS shop, and get ready for your next flight.
