35+ Best Travel Accessories For Long Flights in Economy
Planning a long haul flight and looking for the best travel accessories for long flights? You’ve come to the right place!
Long haul economy flights don’t have to be a miserable experience. With some thoughtful packing and preparation, you can not only survive, but thrive on long international flights.
Take it from us – we survived 36+ hours of travel each way to Zanzibar, Thailand, and the Cook Islands – all in basic economy.
While we learned the hard way what travel accessories for long flights should have packed, you don’t need to go in unprepared like we did.
Keep reading to earn how to survive long flights in economy with these long haul flight essentials!
Best Travel Accessories For Long Flights: Comfort & Sleep
Getting adequate rest on long haul flights is extremely important – especially on red eye flights. Your body needs to adjust to time zone changes, and you certainly want to feel refreshed upon landing. These are the best travel accessories for long flights that will improve your comfort and ability to sleep on the plane.
Silk Eye Mask
Block out the light with a silk eye mask. I am a huge fan of silk in particular as it is gentle on skin and lashes and far less irritating than cotton or polyester. Plus, this mask is available in six colors to match your travel aesthetic.
Ear Plugs
If your ears are sensitive to pressure, then you need a pair of these reusable travel ear plugs. Not only do they block out plane noise, but these particular ear plugs help reduce pressure and prevent ear pain.
Foot Sling
Have you considered purchasing a foot sling? These adjustable foot slings have a strap that easily fits over your tray table and allows you to elevate your feet. They’re also help increase circulation and reduce swelling. As a bonus, it offers your body a new position when you’re cramped in economy.
Travel Pillow & Blanket
While long haul flights do offer blankets, they are usually thin and scratchy. Packing your own travel blanket can help keep you warm and cozy on a long flight. This 2-in-1 blanket also acts as a travel pillow for even more in-flight comfort.
Neck Pillow
A neck pillow is another useful accessory for long haul flights. The infinity-style pillow helps prevent neck strain and discomfort, and is more comfortable than a traditional neck pillow. It’s also fully adjustable, so you can mold it into a variety of positions.
Best Travel Accessories For Long Flights: Personal Care
One of the most important ways to stay comfortable on a long haul flight is to ensure you are attending to your personal hygiene. After all, there is nothing worse than landing after a long flight and feeling sweaty and dirty. Keep reading for the best personal care travel accessories for long haul flight comfort.
Hand Sanitizer Wipes
Hand sanitizer is a must-have to keep your hands clean and germ free. To save room in our carry on liquids bag, we prefer to pack sanitizing wipes over a bottle of liquid sanitizer. Luckily, sanitizing wipes are not considered a liquid even though they are wet.
Hydration Multiplier
To combat dehydration on a long haul flight, just add a hydration multiplier to your water. These are definitely of the best travel essentials for long flights. They come in many flavors, including immunity, probiotic, and sleep varieties. The best part is they hydrate without making me need the restroom constantly.
Chapstick
Let’s not let crusty lips ruin your vacation photos! Make sure you throw a chapstick or lip balm in your carry on. We recommend one that is extra moisturizing.
Moisturizer
It’s important to pack a good moisturizer to combat dry air on planes. Look for a moisturizer that is lightweight, non-greasy, and easily absorbed. I swear by travel-sized Cetaphil, which has always worked well for my sensitive skin.
Face Wipes
Long periods in the air can make your face feel dry and dehydrated, yet somehow greasy at the same time. I love these individually wrapped refreshing facial wipes with AHA/BHAs and glycolic acid for great skincare on the go.
Sheet Masks
I pack a couple of sheet masks to hydrate and soothe my skin for every long haul or red eye flight. Look for sheet masks that are hydrating or soothing, and then pop one on before a nap. I promise, the people sitting next to you will be kicking themselves for not packing one!
Menstrual Cup
Cursed to always get your period while traveling? There is nothing more annoying than having to worry about menstrual products on a long flight. While not the most fun travel accessory for long flights, a reusable menstrual cup or disc is probably one of the most useful for female travelers. They are eco-friendly, saves room in your luggage, and you can change it far less often than you would have to with a tampon.
Jet Lag Remedy
Jet lag is a common issue for long haul travelers, especially when crossing multiple time zones. I recommend taking this homeopathic jet lag remedy to alleviate any symptoms. These natural supplements can help regulate your internal clock and improve sleep quality.
Contacts Kit
Don’t wear your contacts if you are going to sleep on a flight! Instead pack your glasses and a contacts kit. Whenever I’m ready to take a snooze on board, I go to the restroom and take out my contacts. Having a bed time routine will help promote sleep on a long flight.
Toothbrush Kit
You are going to want to brush your teeth on an 8+ hour flight! Pack one of these handy toothbrush kits to make it easy. This kit is TSA approved and includes a toothbrush, cup, mirror, towel, and travel bottles all in one. My only question is why a travel essential like this wasn’t created sooner!
Sleep Aid
If you have trouble sleeping on a plane, you might need to take a sleep aid to help make it happen. Medical sleep aids like are always an option, but I prefer something a little more natural.
Collapsible Water Bottle
A collapsible water bottles takes up very little room in your carry on, and you can fill it up as soon as you clear security. This way you can ensure you have enough to drink on the plane, as well as have a water bottle at your destination.
Best Travel Accessories For Long Flights: Electronics
While long haul flights usually have built-in entertainment systems, there are still some important travel accessories you will want to ensure you stay entertained. From cable organizers, to high quality headphones, to to mounts and stands, these are the best travel electronic accessories for long haul flights.
Headphone Jack Splitter
If you plan on connecting your wireless headphones to in-flight entertainment or listening to music or an audiobook with your travel partner, then you need a headphone jack splitter! One of the best travel gadgets for long flights, this affordable and handy little device allows you to connect to wirelessly to one device with two sets of headphones via BlueTooth.
Noise Cancelling Headphones
Face it, airplanes are loud, so you need a pair of noise cancelling headphones to enjoy your in-flight entertainment. I swear by my Apple AirPod Pro Max wireless headphones. Though an investment price-wise, they’re high quality, connect seamlessly with your Apple devices, and come in a variety of cute colors. They also make great luxury gifts for travel lovers, so don’t forget about these during the holidays.
Universal USB Cable
It feels like phones and electronic devices are constantly changing what type of cable they use. And airplanes seem to always be behind on technology! This cable has multiple USB options for connecting your devices, including USB-A, USB-C, and Micro-USB. Never have the wrong charger again!
Universal Phone Mount
If you plan on watching movies on your phone, then you need this universal phone mount. It’s compatible with most phone models and easily attaches to your tray table. No need to sit there and watch movies while holding your phone.
Phone Flap
If you prefer not to use a tray-table phone mount, grab one of these flexible flap phone stands. This phone bends to create an electronic stand that works for phones and tablets alike. Just set it on your tray table and you have easy to adjust, hands free entertainment for your long haul flight.
iPhone Battery Pack
For iPhone users out there, you need a MagSafe iPhone battery pack. A more streamlined version of a portable power bank, this battery pack snaps right onto the back of your iPhone and keeps you charged wirelessly on the go.
Electronics Organizer
Do you carry a ton of chargers, cables, and accessories when you travel? Then you need one of these handy electronics organizers. Not just for cables, this organizer has pockets for pens or styluses, memory cards, chargers, and even a wireless mouse and your phone.
Best Travel Accessories For Long Flights: Clothing
Deciding what to wear is an important part of planning for a long flight. Your clothing choices can make or break a flight! Never wear an outfit that will look frumpy after sitting for long periods or a pair of shoes that needs breaking in. Dress comfortably and in layers to ensure a successful long haul flight.
Compression Socks
Compression socks are designed to apply pressure to your lower legs in order to maintain blood flow, reduce swelling, and prevent a dangerous condition called DVT (deep vein thrombosis). Of all the best travel accessories for long flights, compression socks rank top of the list in importance. Take it from me – my legs, ankles, and feet swelled to double their size when I failed to pack a pair for a 12 hour flight!
Comfortable Outfit
This may be a controversial take, but I absolutely swear by this affordable Amazon jumpsuit as my go-to travel outfit. It’s comfortable, light weight, stretchy, and can be worn not only on the plane but at your destination as well. All you need is a sweater to layer it with. And no it’s not difficult to use the bathroom in it – it pulls right down.
Warm Sweater
Even if you are flying to a warm destination, airplanes can be so cold. Make sure a cozy sweater is on your packing list. I swear by Barefoot Dreams sweaters. They come in a wide variety of styles, and each one feels like a warm, cozy hug.
Comfortable Sneakers
A pair of comfortable sneakers are not only a must have for travel, but also for all the steps you’ll be doing at your destination. No matter your style, a pair of white sneakers goes with any outfit or situation. Go for a pair you can slip on and off easily at security.
Pashmina Shawl
If you are traveling during warmer months and don’t want to wear a full blown sweater on the plane, a pashmina shawl is a great alternative. These wrap shawls are perfect for sitting on a chilly plane, using as a travel blanket, or throwing over your shoulders when traveling in a conservative country.
Best Travel Accessories for Long Flights: Organization
Half the battle in planning for a long trip is to ensure your carry on luggage is optimized. You’ll want all of your travel essentials organized and close at hand. You don’t want to be that person who has to take down their suitcase from the overhead compartment and dig for an item in the middle of a flight! These organizational travel essentials will keep your carry on luggage organized and easy to access.
Pill Organizer
You’ll definitely want your medications well-organized and easy to access in your personal item. I love these cute and colorful pill organizers to help me sort the multiple medications I take. Note, always check your destination to ensure your medications are not prohibited and don’t need to be in original packaging to avoid issues in customs.
Reusable Quart Bag
We always fly with carry on luggage only, and the worst part about that is fitting all of our liquids into a quart ziplock bag. But I have a solution for you! We recently purchased these TSA-Approved clear travel toiletry bags to use in lieu of the ziplock. It’s sturdier, reusable, and fits more items. We have taken these on over ten flights now and have never gotten it kicked back by TSA. (Note: We do have PreCheck, so we don’t have to take these out of our bags for inspection.)
Mesh Pouches
Since space is tight in economy, you need to be able to grab what you need easily from your personal item under the seat. Organize all of the odds and ends you may want during the flight in these colorful mesh pouches. No need to pull everything out of your bag to find what you are looking for when you use these easy to see bags.
Tray Table Organizer
Have you considered a tray table organizer? Reminiscent of a car seat organizer, this useful travel accessory acts as a storage pouch to keep all of your items organized and easy to reach. Just slip it over your tray table and you’ve just tripled the useful space from the standard seat pocket. Perfect for traveling with kids.
Multipurpose Travel Wallet
Don’t pack your everyday wallet for a long trip. Instead get one of these multipurpose travel wallets to keep your important documents and cards safe. This travel wallet is the perfect size and comes in 34 different colors. It has room for credit cards, cash, passports, IDs, tickets, a pen, and more.
Travel Backpack
The best purchase I have ever made for travel is getting a Brevite camera backpack for my carry on personal item. They come in several fun colors and there is a standard backpack version if you don’t carry gear. But the camera backpack version is great because it has removable
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