Long Haul Flight Carry On: 10 Travel Essentials
Packing for a long-haul flight can be tricky, especially when packing your carry-on. If you travel by plane, you will likely have a carry-on.
Small luggage, a backpack, or even an oversized handbag could do the job; it’s really up to you! Now, what you will carry on your journey is not the regular content that might be different from usual.
So, you’re probably wondering, ” What should I pack in my carry-on?”
And rightfully so! Long-haul flight carry-on needs to be packed carefully.
Everyone loves to carry their bits and bobs. That’s why I decided to put a travel list including my ten travel essentials to pack in your carry-on!
WHAT TO PACK IN YOUR CARRY ON FOR A LONG HAUL FLIGHT: 10 TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
The first thing to always keep in mind whenever you’re packing your carry, no matter where you are going, is to remember never to make an unorganised mess.
You want it packed as efficiently as possible to avoid struggling to find what you want. You’re not Mary Poppins.
Another tip before we hop into my travel essentials you need to pack with you when you travel is to find the excellent carry-on for you!
It can, of course, be fashionable; it should also be relatively easy to carry around, and pockets are also really cool. It’s best if it closes with a zipper to keep your belongings safe.
You can use one without a zipper; I often do it with my Grafea backpack, which I adore, but it’s best to be careful.
Having the proper carry-on for you is a great starter; now, let’s see what you pack inside it!
#1 IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS YOU WILL NEED THROUGH THE TRIP
Okay, this one is probably common sense, but you must ensure you have every document you need throughout the trip.
To ensure you don’t leave anything behind at home or accidentally check in your luggage, it’s best to make a checklist.
Those documents can be the following:
– Passport/ID
– Plane Tickets (unless you have them on your phone!)
– Your Visa, if your destination needs one
– Credit/Debit Card and foreign currency
– Proof of accommodation/hotel booking
And so on!
#2 STEEL WATER BOTTLE / COLLAPSIBLE WATER BOTTLE
The air inside the plane is dry, so staying hydrated throughout the flight is essential.
Of course, you can buy a water bottle after you’ve been through the customs at the airport.
But 1- it’s usually super pricey, and 2- it’s better to use a reusable bottle than a single plastic use bottle.
Nowadays, nearly all airports have fountains, so you can refill your water for free if you have a steel water bottle. And in case you are worried that a steel water bottle may take up too much space, you can get yourself a collapsible water bottle!
You can use many valuable items whenever you travel for yourself or gift to somebody; you should check out my travel gift guide!
Many airlines offer little blankets on long-haul flights, but in case they don’t, at least you’ve got your back covered (literally).
This way, you can use the blanket for your legs. That’s what I do!
#3 VALUABLES / MEDICATIONS
If you’re travelling with anything valuable, it must stay in your carry-on. Granted, it can.
Whenever you check in a bag, you should assume you may not see whatever is inside. I mean, sure, that’s a bit pessimistic way to think, but at least you’ll be thinking twice before checking in your bag something valuable. As we say, better be safe than sorry.
Of course, if it’s something like necessary medications, it should always be on you in case of an emergency when you wouldn’t have time, and you absolutely shouldn’t anyway, to get it in your luggage.
#4 ENTERTAINMENT
Long-haul flights are named long, so you’ll need to bring some stuff to keep you entertained.
Nowadays, most companies have a screen and onboard entertainment, so you don’t need to plan much if you’d like to watch movies or series.
But some low-cost companies do not offer onboard entertainment with a screen, so you better have something on you. Besides, you know best what will entertain the most.
Whether it’s a good book you’ve been waiting to read for a while you’ll enjoy yourself. Another good option if you have an iPad or a laptop is downloading some TV shows or movies on Netflix before your trip.
#5 ELECTRONICS
No matter how good your phone or laptop/iPad batteries are, there are only a few chances that you don’t need to charge your electronics.
Especially if you’re using your phone for music or playing a game, the same goes for a laptop or an iPad, especially if you’re watching TV shows.
So you have to ensure you have all your chargers with you!
This also works for other kinds of electronics, such as earphones or headphones, if you carry some.
I have the Bose Sounds Link II, which I love to travel with as it partially covers the noise (not as good as the Quiet Confort but cheaper!) and has a perfect sound.
Also, they are not too tight on your ear and are easy to wear even for a few hours.
#6 LIGHT JACKET
It can get cold up there in the sky!
If you’re visiting a cold/winter destination, you may already wear layers and won’t feel cold.
But, if you’re visiting a warm destination, you may already, and rightfully so, wear your summer gear. So make sure to bring a cardigan or a light jacket to prevent you from being cold through your flight.
A hoody is also a perfect option for warm and cosy; it’s also effortless to pop on and off.
#7 WOOL SOCKS/SLIPPERS
Following up with the jacket, you should also think about your foot!
When flying for many hours, I know I like to free my feet from my shoes. It’s uncomfortable to stay in you when you travel for more than 7 hours.
What I like to do is pack some cute and comfy wool socks to wear through the flight. (I put my shoes back on to go to the toilet, though, because, ew)
A good option is also to wear some slippers if you’re not comfortable with the idea of just staying in socks on the plane.
#8 SPARE ITEMS OF CLOTHING
If you’re checking a bag in, you probably don’t think about your clothing items as you know you will get them back.
We often hear about missing or damaged pieces of luggage, so for all you know, you may land at your destination, but your luggage may not. Sadly, It is not uncommon to have missing or damaged pieces of luggage.
That’s why I think it’s best to be prepared just in case; bringing an extra pair of underwear and a t-shirt won’t take much more space.
#9 TOILETRIES
Yep, toiletries. Especially if you’re on a long-haul flight, you will want to refresh yourself at some point.
Spending over 7 hours on a plane or even less might make you feel a little grubby, and it’s not the most pleasant feeling when you still have a few hours of flight.
Bringing a toothbrush and a face cleanser to freshen yourself is a good idea. Some more valuable items to bring are chapstick and moisturising cream.
#10 NOTEBOOK AND A PEN
Alright, this one is a personal favourite of mine. I love taking notes, doodling or making a list while on the plane. About the upcoming trip or about whatever I can think of, I need to write it down.
You can also use a notebook as a journal to document your plane journey; it’s quite fun to read a while after the trip! You could also use it to play games with friends and family if you’re not travelling alone.
Last but not least, you’ll pretty much always need a pen at some point on the plane to fill in papers or at the airport, so it’s good to have one on you!
This wraps up my ten travel essentials for a long-haul flight to pack in your carry-on! If that post interests you, you might want to check my ten travel mistakes to avoid or my tips to survive a long-haul flight!
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WHAT TO PACK IN YOUR CARRY ON
✈ Best Travel Ressources To Plan Your Next Trip
✈ How To Find Flights?
– Skyscanner; it is a good comparator for finding the cheapest flights.
– Google Flights is also a good help when comparing flights.
✈ Where To Book Accommodations?
– Booking.com: plenty of options and ways to get discounts the more you book.
✈ Best Sites To Book Activities
– GetYourGuide when I can’t get a ticket directly on the website or if it’s easier to go through them.
– Klook if you need to book more than just activities and would like to get everything from the same website or different day trips—(i.e. transport cards, car rental, hotel…).
✈ Other helpful travel resources
– Radical Storage: If you need a place to keep your luggage for an extended period when you travel, I recommend using them.
– TheTrainline: If you love to travel by train like me, then TheTrainline needs to be your go-to website for train travel in Europe.
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Disclaimer: This resources box contains affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you book anything through my links at no additional cost. These links help me support the blog and generate more content. Happy travels!
Let me just say that the extra pieces of clothing may also come in handy, if you end up with stains from food during turbulence or from anything else that’s unexpected on such a long day!
Thank you for the article! I will definitely save and try to remember your recommendations! I travel to other cities and countries very often. Your advice will help me a lot not to forget anything!
You’re welcome, hope it will come in handy!