In my 30-odd years, I’ve been on many a long-haul flight. We migrated to Australia when I was just 8 and journeyed back to visit family in the UK frequently. So I grew quite accustomed to travelling 20+ hours.
In fact, sometimes I even find myself missing long-haul flights – crazy I know, and maybe I need to talk to someone about this, but it’s true. I often feel cheated by short European jaunts that only require 1-2 hours on a plane.
Click here to download my long haul carry-on checklist!
My mum and dad LOVE travelling too – so we were pretty much always guaranteed at least one major holiday to a far-off destination a year. I guess that instilled in me a bit of a travel bug and what I can only describe as terribly itchy feet.
So, with this experience behind me, I figured I’d jot down some of my essentials to help survive any long-haul flight.
Granted, I don’t always remember all of these things, or I simply run out of time to prepare (I’m extremely bad for procrastinating). But when a fair-wind blows and all the stars align, these are my perfect accompaniments to spending hours, sometimes days in-transit.
Headphones
I’m sure this one is top of everyone’s list, but I’ll leave it here anyway – because you really don’t want to be stuck with those awful airline headphones. Trust me! It might sound excessive but I like to bring two types of headphones – in-ear and noise-cancelling over ear. When I’m in the airport and on the move, the in-ear are much more practical. But, on the flight itself, I find the over ear are more comfortable for wearing for a longer duration, and just generally better at cancelling all the background noise. My headphones of choice are Sony MD1-10RC Headphones and Sennheiser CX 1.00 in-ear headphones.
Snacks
Travelling as a vegan can be a bit of a challenge, which is why I like to make sure I have a good range of snacks for the flight, and for the trip itself. No one wants to start their holiday with a hanger rage! Now, airlines are pretty great at making sure there are vegan meal options, but sometimes they can be just a little limited and you may want some extra treats on such a long flight. Generally, I’ll pack myself a bag of nuts, dried fruits, and some kind of snack bar – like nakd Cocoa Orange. But, I also like to let my inner junk food vegan shine through and pack some crisps and vegan chocolate bars – the Eat Real Hummus chips are a personal fave crisp and the Vego Chocolate Bar is my go-to choccie!
Water Bottle
I don’t go anywhere without a water bottle in tow. For one, I absolutely hate being ripped off in airport terminals buying water bottles – and two, for the environment of course. I make a point of avoiding buying plastic water bottles, it’s totally unnecessary and it really is a burden on our environment. Just make sure your bottle is empty before entering security and then fill it up on the other side. I have One Green Bottle water bottles in a couple of sizes and generally take the smaller 500ml version on trips with me – it’s a handy size for carry-on bags.
Entertainment
Don’t get caught short with nothing to keep you entertained! Yes, most airlines have a comprehensive entertainment system, but have a little something extra with you. Download some episodes of your favourite TV show or a new movie on your iPad, create a Spotify Playlist, download some eBooks – or if you’re like me and prefer to have a physical book, buy one. Just make sure it isn’t a huge tome!
A Jumper
It can get a little chilly up in the air. Even with the blanket supplied by the airline, you’re sure to want another layer of warmth and comfort. I like to carry and oversized, baggy jumper in my carry on. You really don’t want a jumper that has you tugging at the sleeves trying to get comfortable in. Comfort is key when you’re travelling long distances!
Socks
Like, the really fluffy comfortable kind that are pretty much like slippers! I hate wearing shoes while I’m sat on a long-haul flight, it’s just far too uncomfortable for my liking. So slip those restrictive shoes off and settle in with your super comfortable socks. Added bonus, that plane is going to get a little chilly along the way, these babies will keep your toes lovely and warm!
Neck Pillow
This is something most people carry with them anyway – but I’m trying to be as comprehensive as possible with this list. Please, please, whatever you do, don’t leave the house without your neck pillow! There is absolutely nothing worse than trying to sleep on a plane without any neck support. With so many different versions of the neck pillow out there, everyone will have their favourite type – for me it’s a memory foam pillow – but take the time to find one that suits you.
Self-Care Items
There are some things you absolutely don’t want to be caught without on a long-haul flight. A toothbrush and toothpaste for starters, because you’re teeth are going to need a proper de-fuzzing after a nap on the plane… especially before you disembark. Lip balm is super important for me too. Trust me, your lips are going to get incredibly dry and cracked after a few hours in the air. Freshening wipes are another key item for me, perfect for giving your face a little refresh. I also like to go to the bathroom and use a wipe to freshen up all those bits that feel a bit yucky – hello armpits! Last, but certainly not least, don’t forget any feminine hygiene products. I’ve personally started my period on a flight before and had nothing to stem the flow. It was super unpleasant. Even if you don’t think, you’re due – just be cautious.
Perfume
Sorry, but you are going to feel a little gross, to say the least, after a long-haul flight. You’re definitely going to want a little bit of niceness to make you feel more human – perfume, for example. I use Eden Perfumes which come in handy sizes that will meet any liquid requirements at the airport. They create vegan alternatives to all your favourite scents, and they are so, so close to the real thing it is unbelievable. The No. 460 Bomb Flowers perfume is bang on Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbomb!
A Pen
This is something I’ve forgotten to carry-on with me more than I care to mention. As soon as I spot the flight attendants making their way down the aisle with a pesky custom/immigration form I reprimand myself for forgetting… again. Now, this isn’t the worst thing in the world. You can always ask the person next to you to kindly share, but I find I’m very pleased with myself when I do remember. Then I’m that smug, organised person sharing my pen with the people who forgot – oh, what a feeling!
What are some of your long-haul flight essentials? Tell me in comments below!
Click here to download my full Long Haul Carry-On Essentials Checklist
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