This topic needs no introduction. Long flights are not fun. Here is everything I carry with me on the plane how I make sure its not a dreadful experience.

​

My carryon bag packing list:

• Water bottle, snack & tea bags 

• Noise canceling headphones 

• Essential oil  

• Toiletries - toothpaste, toothbrush, moisturiser, lip balm

• iPad with downloaded movies, TV shows, book, audio book or podcasts (any or all) 

• Phone and iPad chargers

• Scarf or packable jacket

• Change of clothes

 

Water bottle, snacks & tea

I don't like to eat a big meal on the plane and it is so important to stay hydrated so I always bring a snack (nuts, dried fruit, breakfast bars), tea bags and a water bottle (I fill it after I get through security). I love my Hydaway collapsable water bottle. I always bring herbal tea bags. After the food service is completed it can be a while before they come around and serve anything. I usually go to the back of the plane and ask for a cup of hot water 2-3 times during the flight and make a cup of tea. It gets me out of my seat plus I don't need to rely on their coffee or tea...which isn't usually very good.

​

Noise Canceling Headphones

There is nothing worse than hearing a screaming child during the flight so noise canceling headphones are a must. They have saved my sanity many times. Once I am in my seat, the first thing I do is put in my headphones. It lets the person sitting next to me know that I do not want to spend the entire flight swapping life stories. I even wear them when I am not listening to anything. There is quite a loud hum on airplanes so good headphones are very important. I have an iPhone and iPad and the Apple headphones don't drown out the hum enough for me. Bose has really nice headphones for around $400 for but I bought a pair of Anker headphones on Amazon for around $60 and they are great. They are wireless and have a travel case. 

 

Toiletries Bag

Here comes the fun part. Before I settle down with a movie I head to the restroom and take off my makeup with cleansing water or Cetaphil Cleanser and a cotton pad. I apply moisturizer on my face and hands and lip balm. Next time you buy beauty products ask for samples. They are great for travel.  I stop at the flight attendant station at the back of the plane and ask for a cup of hot water (for my tea) head back to my seat, watch a movie or put on eye shades and try to to get some sleep. About an hour or two before landing, before breakfast is served, I go back to the restroom and wash everything off, brush my teeth & hair, and put on a little makeup: concealer, mascara, cream blush and lip balm. 

 

Items in my toiletries bag:

make sure everything is under 100ml/3.4 oz. or sample size

 

• Cetaphil Cleanser 

• Lip balm 

• Cotton pads & cotton swabs 

• Small rag (for drying my face and hands after washing) 

• Eye shades 

• Eye cream & moisturizer

• Socks (compression socks if your feet swell) 

• Toothbrush and toothpaste 

• Hair brush 

• Makeup: concealer, mascara, blush 

 

Ipad & chargers

I always bring my iPad with 8 or 9 hours worth of shows/movies. The plane will have movies but I like to be sure I have something I want to watch, listen to or read. Plus you never know when their entertainment system will be broken. If I know I am going on a long flight I will wait to binge watch a show and save it for my flight. Amazon Prime, Hulu and Netflix has downloadable shows and movies. Podcasts and audio books are great too. Don't forget to fully charge your electronics before you leave for the airport. And don't forget the chargers!! There is usually a plug for your electronics on the seat. 

​

Scarf

Sometimes planes are really cold and a scarf is a nice thing to have to wrap around your neck or shoulders. You can also roll it up and use if for a pillow or cover your head (and ears) while resting. If it is during the winter months I will bring a packable jacket.

​

Change of Clothes

I have rarely needed to change my clothes but it was nice to have an extra pair of pants and a shirt when I spilled coffee on myself on the plane and when my luggage got delayed. 

​

My flight timeline

Before the flight: 

• good night sleep or restful day 

• light meal before leaving for the airport or at the airport 

During the flight 

• Hour 1: Headphones on and watch something on my ipad or read 

• Hour 2: Meal and drink service 

• Hour 3: Off to the restroom to apply beauty products. Grab a cup of hot water from the flight kitchen for a cup of tea. 

• Hour 4-8: Total me time: Binge watch a series, watch a few movies, read, nap, play games on my phone, etc. Get up, walk to the back of the plane for another cup of tea or 2. 

• Hour 9 - landing: Meal service and then off to the restroom to wash my face, brush teeth and put on a little makeup. 

 

How to handle jet lag

I used to really struggle with jet lag. It took me forever to get my days and nights back on track.  I have a few tips that work for me... 

​​

• It is important that when you arrive at your destination you stay up until a reasonable bedtime...9pm local time or later. No naps. If possible, book your flight so you arrive at your final destination mid-day or later so you don't have to stay up all day long. 

• Start your journey rested. Don't assume you will sleep on the plane. If you do sleep that's great but you don't want to arrive exhausted. 

• Get to your lodging, shower, unpack, have a coffee and hit the streets. You can sleep later. Again NO NAPS!

 

Getting through the first day is key. Adopt the local time. I don't even think about what time it is at home. If you make it to bedtime that first day the rest of your trip will be so much more enjoyable. Jetlag should be minimal. I go to bed and hour or 2 earlier then normal and wake up earlier but that's ok. I would rather wake up early than sleep all day.

​

If I use those long hours wisely I am not the miserable the entire flight. I actually look forward to the trip when I have things to do on the plane. Plus, I start my trip all hydrated and moisturized! Plus I get to watch movies and read with no interruptions. Put me in front of a TV with something good to binge watch and I am happy as a clam. 

​

Happy Travels!

Susi

​

​

I receive no compensation for any product recommendations. Any products I suggest on are my personal favorites.