25 Travel Items You Need To Survive A Long Flight

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I don’t know about you but I LOVE to fly. Being on an airplane has never worried me or given me anxiety and I have been on my fair share of flights with my dad being in the Air Force. We moved a lot and we lived in Germany for 5 years often traveling back to the States for the summer, spring break, or Christmas. So not only have I been on a lot of flights, I’ve been on a lot of long flights.

Long plane rides can get boring and really uncomfortable quick but there are ways you can make the time fly and get slightly more comfortable. After many years of traveling, I think I’ve crafted the perfect list of carry-on items you NEED to have on longer flights to stay comfortable, sane, and still slay.

I put this list together before I traveled to Hawaii in 2019 and can say with certainty that these items are must-haves for long, and even short, plane rides. You can also check out my video on this list below.

1. Travel Pillow- I have 2 different kinds of travel pillows, a neck pillow (which most people travel with) and a mini pillow. Usually I have one and my husband has the other. The mini pillow is great to put behind you, sit on, or, if you’ve got the window seat, cushion your head while you lean against the window.
2. Sanitizing wipes– Planes are dirty. And with COVID-19 we’re all more aware of germs I think. I usually wipe down my arm rests, my seat belt, and the tray in front of me.
3. Travel Skincare- I have a few items in my travel skincare bag and you can read all about them here. Airplanes can dry out your skin so I like to come prepared to beat that.
4. Travel Makeup- Is it necessary? No. Does that matter? NO! This of course is totally up to you but I like to have some makeup minis with me for touchups before I hop off the plane. Check out my entire list here.
5. Travel Haircare- I like to have a mini brush and some hair ties on me, as well as some hair oil. I usually sleep on the plane and will need to run a brush through my hair before deplaning.
6. Sleeping Mask– I found my mask at TJ Maxx and it’s lavender scented, perfect for helping me relax. It is also weighted with beads which makes it so that no light peaks through. The weight of the mask has this strange effect on me and my eyes and I really think it helps me fall asleep faster. I think it’s got something to do with the light pressure it applies, I’m not totally sure but I know I love it. If you have eyelash extensions or longer lashes you don’t want to mess up, this sleeping mask is also great.
7. Blanket– I don’t go anywhere without a blanket, specifically this one purple one that’s large enough to cover me but light enough so when folded, it doesn’t take up much space. I am always cold so this is always a necessity for me.
8. Compression Socks– You need compression socks, trust me! I didn’t get it until I flew to Seattle for a work trip. I was wearing riding boots with my jeans and blazer, I looked so profesh! Unfortunately while taking a quick break at the hotel before my coworkers and I did some exploring, I unzipped my boots and couldn’t get them back on. My legs had swollen from the flight. So when I went to Hawaii I decided I needed to test out a pair and not only did they help with the swelling but they also kept my legs warm.
9. Travel Wallet– It’s not necessary but it’s super helpful to have everything important (passport, boarding pass, cards, and cash) in one place.
10. Medicines- ibuprofen, pepto, moisturizing eye drops, Benadryl, whatever you typically need when it comes to OTC or even prescription meds. I organize my meds in these pill boxes.
11. Headphones- I always bring my airpods with me and use the with my phone or iPad if want to watch something. But it’s important to remember to bring wire pair if you want to watch on-flight movies. They usually have headphones to purchase on the flight if you forget.
12. Book and/or magazine- Keep in mind that when you have a long flight you will usually be spending a good amount of time in the airport too. Sure, you could people watch until you board but I like to get lost in a book at the airport. You can check out my amazon book list here. I usually order books from amazon or purchase in store at Target.
13. Mints– For you and your seatmates. Or just for you after you’ve woken up from your in-flight nap with a dry mouth.
14. Refillable Water Bottle– I can’t go anywhere without water and this is the easiest way to do it. There are usually water bottle refill stations, next to the water fountains, at airports that make refilling easy. Bonus points if you have a refillable water bottle that’s collapsible.
15. Deodorant– For you (and hopefully your seatmates remembered to put theirs on too). I have a little mini Native deodorant from Target that I travel with just in case I’m feeling a bit gross.
16. Nail File– If I get a chip or a tear and I don’t fix it right away I will end up just tearing the nail off. I want nice nails for my trip.
17. Toothbrush and toothpaste– It just feels really nice to brush your teeth after a flight. Get a toothbrush cover if you need it. Or the get the Colgate Wisps and pack a few of those. I also can’t go anywhere without floss.
18. Tablet– These are great for using airport wi-fi while waiting to board and for watching predownloaded movies and shows on flight.
19. Sweater/Sweatshirt- Planes are cold or maybe it’s just me.
20. Portable Charging Block– This pretty self explanatory but just incase your phone or tablet runs out of juice and there aren’t any available outlets at the airport or USB ports on the plane.
21. Playing Cards– The perfect travel item. You can play alone or with seatmates. When I lived in Germany, we never went to dinner without cards and while we waited for our food, my sister and I would play Rummy. It helps pass time and there are plenty of games to chose from.
22. Snacks- Of course long flights will have snacks and drinks and sometimes a meal option but I like to bring my own. And purchasing snacks at the airport can be expensive. I usually pack nuts, candy, dry cereal, etc.
23. Tissues– For sneezing or coughing or if you need a napkin and have nothing else.
24. Hand Sanitizer– Planes are dirty and nobody wants to get COVID traveling.
25. Hand Cream– Because hand sanitizer dries out your skin so much you need to have some gentle hand cream to reverse this effect.

These are my necessary carry-on items, along with a stylish but sturdy bag to put it all in. I also recommend picking up some see through reusable bags for your liquids so you can get through TSA quick and efficiently.

What are your must have carry-on items? Do you ever feel like you bring too much or too little? Did I mention anything that you’ve never even thought of.