When it comes to packing for a long haul flight, I like to keep things simple and practical. Unless I’m travelling with hand luggage only, I take as little as possible into the cabin. It reduces hassle during stopovers and makes navigating airports much easier. Here’s a peek into what I always bring on board for a more comfortable and smooth journey.
I usually carry a small crossbody bag as well as a small backpack when boarding flights.
Small Crossbody Bag
The crossbody bag contains my valuables (passport, wallet, phone) as well as hand cream (can’t live without it!), hand sanitiser, reading glasses, sunglasses, tissues, lip balm, a pen and head phones. I usually store this bag under my seat.
What’s Inside My Small Backpack
My small backpack holds items that will make my journey more comfortable and its contents will also help in case of luggage delays. The backpack goes into the overhead locker to keep the space underneath the seat fairly free to stretch out my legs.
- Notebook: I usually carry my tiny Apple MacBook Air if I work when I travel.
- Refillable Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is key, especially on long flights.
- A Good Book: Perfect for passing the time during the flight.
- Chargers & Multi-Country Adapter: I never check these in, just in case there are delays.
- Change of Underwear: Always useful, especially if I plan to shower during a long layover or in case the suitcase gets delayed.
- Small Toiletry Bag: Contains natural deodorant, a small bottle of perfume, toothpaste, toothbrush, hairbrush and mini skincare essentials. Mascara for touch-ups when I land.
- A Small Pouch: Includes disposable face masks (I’ve be wearing masks on some long flights for many years prior to the pandemic as I tend to catch bugs on long flights. If there’s someone sitting close by who isn’t very well, I’ll pop on a mask.), homeopathic jet lag pills, compression socks, mints, cough sweets and headache pills—just in case.
My Favourite Neck Pillow
Investing in a great neck pillow has been a game-changer for my long flights. I recently splurged on a Cabeau Evolution S3® Neck Pillow, and it’s made a world of difference. It clips onto the seat, providing excellent neck support, contains memory foam and folds neatly into a small pouch—perfect for travel. Worth every single penny! (Note: This is not a paid ad, I simply love the product.)
For more tips on how to make long haul flights more bearable, check out my article on Top Tips for Surviving a Long Haul Flight: Your Ultimate Guide.
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