Essential items to pack for a long-haul flight
With winter fast approaching, it’s time for us Aussies to start planning our tropical escape to warmer climates.
Whether you’re about to embark on a Euro summer, a Bali getaway, or an adventure through Southeast Asia, one challenge lies ahead, the dreaded long-haul flight.
Surviving a journey of over six hours requires more than just a good playlist and neck pillow.
To arrive feeling rested, refreshed, and ready to make the most of your trip, you’ll need to be prepped with all the right in-flight essentials.
Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you.
Here’s your ultimate guide to everything you need to pack for a comfortable and stress-free long-haul flight.
Follow this list and you’ll never dread an overseas flight again.
Lanolips 101 Ointment, $18.95
To keep your lips soft and smooth, not dry and cracked, water alone won’t cut it.
You’ll need a good lip balm in your carry-on.
Globite explorer neck pillow – navy, Big W, $22
Airplane pillows just don’t compare to the comfort of a proper neck pillow, which helps you sleep soundly whether you’re in the window, middle, or aisle seat.
Plus, they’re easy to attach to your carry-on or suitcase for convenience.
Bose QuietComfort Headphones, $378.95
Noise-cancelling headphones are the ultimate game-changer on a long-haul flight, and this pair from Bose won’t disappoint.
Say goodbye to the sound of crying babies, coughing, and cabin noise, just sit back, relax, and enjoy your movie or favourite playlist in uninterrupted comfort.
3D contoured eye mask, Amazon, $16.99
Obviously, a standard sleep mask will do the trick, but the 3D contoured option promises 100% blackout, ensuring your sleep won’t be disturbed by harsh cabin lighting.
It features adjustable straps to suit any head shape, and the contoured memory foam guarantees comfort while keeping your eye makeup perfectly intact.
Bamboo hairbrush, The Body Shop, $12
It’s easy to fall victim to bed hair on a long-haul flight, especially after testing multiple sleeping positions and not looking in a mirror for hours.
When you arrive at your destination, you’ll want your hair looking at least semi-decent, so a travel-size hairbrush is essential in your hand luggage to fix any knots or tangles.
This Works relaxation duo, Mecca Cosmetica, $21
This aromatherapeutic duo, featuring a pillow spray and roll-on oil, provides the perfect solution to sleep troubles while traveling.
The soothing scent will help you unwind on your long-haul flight, helping to send you into a deep sleep – no need for those sleeping tablets after all.
Extra spearmint chewing gum, Woolworths, $5
Chewing gum is great for relieving the blocked ear sensation many of us experience during or after a long-haul flight.
It’s a simple remedy to help unblock your ears and restore normal hearing (that most often works).
Plus, gum comes in handy when you don’t have a toothbrush on hand, or after enjoying a meal on board.
Kindle (2024 release), Amazon, $199
If you haven’t yet joined the Kindle trend, now’s the time.
Kindles are lightweight and compact, easily fitting into your carry-on.
Rather than hauling around a book or two, a Kindle can store hundreds at once, making it a sustainable and practical choice for traveling bookworms.
Crossover furry slippers, Kmart, $9
Slippers are the perfect inflight option when you want to take off your shoes but don’t want to walk to the bathroom without anything on your feet.
They serve as practical, comfortable footwear on the plane, allowing your feet to breathe and helping to prevent swelling that can occur when you wear regular shoes for long periods.
Bright eyed eye mask, Mecca Cosmetica, $8
It’s a common occurrence to experience interrupted, restless, or no sleep at all on a long-haul flight, especially without your blackout sleep mask and noise-cancelling headphones!
Cue the dreaded eye bags and puffy skin.
Luckily, Mecca’s de-puffing, hydrating, and brightening eye mask is here to save the day.
Apply it under your eyes for 15–20 minutes before landing, and you’ll step off the plane looking like you’ve had a solid eight hours of sleep, ready to take your holiday by storm.
Sleep ear-plugs, Woolworths, $6.99
Sleep ear plugs are an in-flight necessity when it’s nap time.
If you’re not a fan of falling asleep with headphones in (and many of us aren’t), ear plugs are a great alternative for blocking out noise and getting some quality rest mid-flight.
They’re small, lightweight, and fit easily in your carry-on, just make sure to store them in a container or coin purse so you’re not digging through the bottom of your bag to find them.
For an extra level of quiet, try wearing ear plugs underneath your headphones; now there’s an idea.
Written by Olivia Hadwen
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