Carry-on Packing List For Long-haul Flights

Focus on what you can control and let the rest go. I’ve heard countless versions of this advice throughout my life, and it’s helped me get through the most stressful moments.

Long haul flights are my least favorite part of long haul travel. I couldn’t get the plane to take off on time. I can’t change the crowds in the terminal, the size of the seats, or the turbulence of the air. But I get to decide what I take with me.

On flights of six hours or more from my home in New York City to Germany, Switzerland, Canada, and the Pacific Islands, I knew exactly what to pack to make the trip as smooth as possible.

After a 190 hour long haul flight, these are the things I will always carry with me, no matter where I am going.

Refillable water bottles are a must.

I bought this refillable water bottle at the San Francisco airport and I’ve been using it ever since.

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Low humidity and high altitude can cause dehydration in the cabin. I get this strong feeling on long flights. Reusable bottles will help you save money and plastic on these journeys.

You should also take Advil.

Medical Tools Physician Hospital Nurse Practitioner Injury Aids STD Physician Office Tylenol Blood Band-Aid Syringe, Advil — Advil minimized the author’s in-flight headaches.

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The dry air on a plane can trigger migraines, so it’s important to bring medication in case the headache becomes unbearable. That is, if you take such medications.

Don’t forget your toothbrush.

Some of my trips were so far away that I had to take 3 long-haul flights in 24 hours. I don’t usually go 24 hours without brushing my teeth, and if you don’t brush your teeth either, I recommend bringing a toothbrush.

While it won’t satisfy the desire to clean your teeth, a pack of gum always helps freshen your breath.

glue — A pack of chewing gum can help freshen your breath.

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Chewing gum can also help prevent tinnitus from changes in air pressure.

Likewise, deodorant is essential for these long trips.

Flying forces us to sit closer than usual, so don’t be the smelly person in a crowded space.

Long haul flights can be the best time to sleep if you can bring some comfort.

Neck pillow selfie — I will never fly long distance without a neck pillow again.

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Thankfully, my step-grandmother gave me this neck pillow for Christmas. And it’s no ordinary neck pillow. It goes around your neck 1.5 times. This makes it easier to find a comfortable sleeping position in tight airplane seats.

If pillows don’t solve the problem, a sleep mask can be a complete game-changer.

A passenger on a Delta flight from Dallas to Detroit at DFW International Airport wore his special edition eye patch. — With a sleep mask, I can pretend I’m lying in bed at home.

Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images

This is especially helpful for daytime air travel. But even on red-eye flights, sleep masks can help block the light from passenger seatback screens.

If you can’t take a nap, bring entertainment as some flights don’t have screens behind the seats.

Things to bring with you — My uncle gave me this iPad the day before I left for Guam, and it saved my life.

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I recommend downloading movies and shows to your phone or tablet.

Always have an external battery charger with you when using all of these power sources.

Portable mobile phone charger — My external battery came in handy on this trip.

Eduardo Muñoz/Reuters

Most long-haul flights I’ve been on have outlets in every seat, but I always bring a battery just in case.

Long haul flights are usually the most tiring and boring part of my travels, but these items make them much more bearable.

Guam Airport Selfie — The author prepares for a 24-hour journey from Guam to New York.

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In my experience, long-distance driving is just as exhausting as flying. So check out these road trip packing tips to make your trip go smoothly.