When it comes to long-haul flights in economy (which, let’s face it, is where most of us sit), there’s no way to be completely at ease, but there is plenty you can do to make the trip as enjoyable as possible. The number-one tip I have is to be prepared long in advance, because nothing sets a trip off on the wrong foot like stress. I tend to pack a few full weeks ahead, which I don’t necessarily recommend, but it is good to have all your ducks in a row a few days before your flight.
This guide was made to help you figure out what goes in the bag after that, in roughly the order you’ll need it: documents before you leave, comfort once you’re seated, something to nosh on if you get hungry, entertainment to wind down and then how to get the most sleep possible!
Ok now I know this makes me somewhat of a Millennial, but I have to admit there are still some things I like to have printed out when travelling. Despite almost everything being available online, I do find a sense of security in having my important documents printed and tucked away somewhere easy to reach. Even the best traveller is at risk of having a phone stolen, so hard-copy backups are reassuring. I print all my hotel confirmations, boarding passes, travel insurance information and any further transit connections I’ve booked.
In cities where you can’t speak the language, having a printed copy of your hotel address in both English and the local language can be helpful if you ever get lost. You point to the address on the paper, and a taxi driver or passerby who reads. Even if you don’t print anything out, be sure to save all this kind of information directly onto your phone, not solely located in the cloud or in your email, just in case you don’t have wifi or a data connection.
I use a seatback organizer (this one is the Care.e.on Carry-All) so that nothing has to go into the dirty seat-back pocket itself. It slips over the pocket, and if you’re travelling on multiple flights, you can simply pull it out, fold it flat and take it with you, so you don’t have to set everything up all over again on the next flight. There are also lots of different options available online if Care.e.on isn’t available to you or out of your price range.
Once you’re in your seat, stow everything you won’t need during the flight in the overhead bin. The space under the seat in front of you is the only legroom you get, and it matters most if you’re travelling carry-on only with a big bag. While waiting for my boarding group to be called, I use the last few minutes to repack after security: liquids I won’t need go into the deep bag, and everything I’ll want within reach goes into a small pouch that comes out under the seat with me.
I always dress as nicely as possible before getting on the plane (there’s an old belief that looking and being nice at the ticket counter might earn you an upgrade; it hasn’t ever worked for me, but I keep trying). After I’m seated, or shortly before boarding, I change into what my husband always refers to as “comfy pants.” One of my newest obsessions for this is the Quince Ponte pants. They look so chic but are also so comfortable; it really makes you feel ready for sleep.
I also bring a pair of compression flight socks. Yes, this might make me sound like an 80-year-old woman, but they do help with sore, swollen legs on a long flight.
If you’ve managed to snag the prized exit row seat, you might be in for a very cold ride. Being near the door has its advantages, but it has downsides too, and in my experience these seats are cold and loud. Flights overall can be on the cool side, so a scarf is important for staying warm throughout. I tend to bring infinity scarves, since they wrap around nicely and can double as a makeshift hat if it gets very cold.
A pair of little packable slippers is especially essential when you’re travelling in winter, and your main footwear is a pair of bulky boots. It’s nice to change into them once you’re settled in your seat. I know some people like to just wear their socks on the flight, but you really don’t want your socks touching that bathroom floor, so it’s worth packing a little pair of slip-on slippers with you. Plus, it keeps your feet extra warm.
If you’re flying economy and love to keep your legs up, a footrest hammock is essential. I know these are generally marketed towards shorter people, but as a tall woman, even I love to have these. I always feel like I can fall asleep better in this curled-up position. And if you’re like me, this can really help get cozy for sleeping.
A flight of 8-15 hours can wreak havoc on your body. Honestly, even a short flight can exhaust you, but these long hauls can really take a toll. Whether it’s the germs, the dehydration or sheer exhaustion, you won’t be at your best, but a few things help you bounce back.
I’m prone to nausea on flights, so I always keep a few Gravol with me, along with Tums and Advil in case of headaches. I also pack a Ricola or honey lozenge or two, since the dry air can irritate your throat.
To stay hydrated, I bring a packet of Hydralyte or a similar electrolyte powder to mix into my water. The window seat is the most comfortable place to be on a flight, but it has a cost: drink enough to stay hydrated, and you’ll be asking your seatmates to move every hour, which is awkward with strangers. Electrolyte drinks are meant to help your body hold onto more of the fluid you take in, so I can drink less and still feel hydrated.
Wet wipes are worth packing for cleaning your tray table and seat. I never trust the cleanliness of these planes, and this helps keep my mind slightly more at ease about the surface I’m eating or resting on. Hand sanitizer is also clutch since the bathroom sinks are often pretty grimy, and it’s been on more than one flight where the sink isn’t working.
If you’re flying during cold, flu and COVID season and want extra protection, bring an N95 or similar respirator. A fitted one filters out most airborne particles, which matters in a cabin where you’re seated within a few feet of strangers for hours. I also find that wearing one makes my mouth feel less dry, which is a bonus on a long flight.
An 8-15-hour flight comes with a lot of downtime. You might sleep part of it away, but some of us have trouble sleeping on airplanes, so a bag full of distractions is what makes the time fly.
In the last few years, podcasts have become my first choice of in-flight entertainment, and there’s one for almost anything you’re interested in. One of the reasons I choose podcasts over movies is that if I’m trying to lull myself to sleep, not looking at a bright screen can really help in that process. So if I’m trying to get right to bed, I’ll put on something soothing, along with my eye mask and allow myself to relax as I settle into the flight.
If you’re not a podcast person, a movie might be more your speed. Airlines these days usually have plenty on their in-flight entertainment systems, but it’s always good to bring a selection of your own. I’ve seen too many cases where someone’s seat-back screen didn’t work, and they sat there for the entire flight, bored out of their mind.
Netflix and Amazon Prime Video both let you download titles in their apps (not every title is available for download, and limits vary by plan), so look into what you want well before leaving and clear plenty of space on your iPad or iPhone. If you have services like Plex, they also have offline videos, but always be sure to get them downloaded BEFORE you leave for the airport. Airport wifi is awful for downloading large video files, and you don’t want your favourite movie to be stuck at 45% as you’re boarding the plane.
If books are more your speed, they’re a reliable way to fall asleep on a flight. The catch is that once the cabin lights go off, you’re stuck with the overhead reading light, which is harsh and tends to bother the people around you. I read ebooks instead, on a Kobo or on my phone or iPad, where the screen can be dimmed to a level that won’t bother anyone. I also save language guides to my iPad as PDFs and use the flight to brush up on conversational phrases before landing.
An earphone splitter is key if you’re travelling with a friend or loved one, so you can share what you’re watching, and it means draining only one device’s battery if you’re running low.
Plugs and portable chargers are the other things to grab, because even the newest devices might not last an entire long-haul flight, and you should never count on a working power outlet at your seat. My power bank charges my iPhone up to three times, and I’ve never needed more than that.
One caveat for 2026: a growing number of airlines now ban using or recharging power banks in flight, among them the Lufthansa Group, Japan Airlines and ANA, and new international rules limit you to two per passenger, in your carry-on only. Charge everything at the airport, and check your airline’s current policy before you fly.
If you’re planning to get any sleep on the plane (which hopefully you are), a few key items give you the best chance of some shut-eye.
A good neck pillow is something to invest in. You can buy cheap inflatable ones in the airport (which are better than nothing), but a pillow with solid neck support and a thick cushion will spare you a sore neck the next day and help you sleep, or at least stay comfortable.
If a standard neck pillow doesn’t work for you, the airplane neck strap is my new best friend for falling asleep on flights without waking up with a sore neck.
Airlines usually turn the lights off when it’s time to adjust your sleep schedule, but in case the person next to you is reading, or the lights stay on, a good eye mask is essential for blocking the light. If you travel a lot, try to invest in a good one. They really aren’t very expensive, but spending a bit more than those free ones that everyone has at the bottom of their drawer is worth the money if you’re a frequent flyer. I like the ones that have light-blocking eye covers to ensure maximum darkness.
I always bring a little travel-sized bottle of lavender spray: Lush’s Twilight body and pillow spray, transferred into a bottle under the 100 ml carry-on liquids limit. I put a little on my neck pillow and scarf, and the gentle scent helps calm me during any turbulence and sends me off to sleep once I’m relaxed. You can also buy Japanese heated, lavender-scented eye masks, such as Kao’s self-warming MegRhythm steam masks, which are wonderful for relaxing your eyes and getting to sleep.
If you need an extra bit of help, take melatonin. It’s sold over the counter in Canada, and the research supports short-term use for jet lag when it’s taken at your destination’s bedtime, so time it to that rather than to when you board. I don’t recommend it for the long term, but it is a good way to help readjust your sleep pattern.
The only earphones I can actually fall asleep wearing on the plane are Ozlo Sleepbuds. They’re comfortable enough to wear all the way through the night, and they stay in, so they won’t fall out of your ears mid-flight and get lost in the airplane. I speak from experience. Apple AirPods are bulky, and especially when your head is compressed in a neck pillow, that can make them pop right out. I’ve even had my seatmates fall into my lap, waking me up during the flight. I know the price is a bit steep, but if you’re someone who sleeps with earbuds in like AirPods nightly, you’ll definitely want to invest in these. They are 1000 times more comfortable, and you’ll use them way more than just on the airplane.
If you’d rather not sleep with earphones in, earplugs cut the engine drone without playing anything. Loop is the brand I’d point you to, and the Quiet is the style designed for sleep and noise reduction. They’re soft silicone and come with several tip sizes, so you can find a fit that stays in while your head is wedged into a neck pillow. They also come in a small case that clips onto a bag, which keeps them from getting lost in the bottom of your personal item. Earplugs also mute the cabin announcements, so if you’re a heavy sleeper, it’s worth telling the crew you’d like to be woken for meal service or turn the volume down only on one side.
A bottle of water is mandatory to bring with you on the plane, even if it’s super small. The Aerospace Medical Association advises that travellers should drink about 250 ml of water for every hour you’re in the air. So bring an empty bottle through security and fill it before boarding. Vapur’s collapsible bottles are my favourite for not taking up space once they’re empty. Way better to carry around than those giant metal water bottles.
Food is sold on the plane, but it’s usually not the greatest. I actually love airplane food and really enjoy my meals, but I know I’m in the minority there. And when food isn’t included, it can be very expensive. Additionally, depending on where you’re sitting or how fast service is, you might want to eat right away and spend the rest of the flight getting some sleep. Rather than staying up waiting for your food to arrive. So I always advise bringing some snacks in case you’re hungry when the food cart isn’t around.
So what should you bring that doesn’t take up too much room in your bag? A pack of nuts or energy or granola bars are great for snacking. Babybel cheese is wrapped in wax and can stay unrefrigerated for about four hours, so eat it early in the flight; it’s an excellent shot of protein. If you’re someone who gets anxious on flights, sour candy has been shown to be able to curb some of that anxiety, so I always pack a little pouch of some sour gummies. I also think a bar of chocolate or some chocolate of some kind is a nice treat and makes the discomfort of flying actually feel like a time to treat yourself.
If your ears tend to pop on the flight, buy some gum before arriving at the airport (in my experience, the stuff in the terminal is expensive).
After you wake from a hopefully restful sleep, a quick trip to the bathroom to brush your teeth and wash your face and hands does a lot to wake you up and prepare you for the day ahead. I love Wisps for the teeth part: the single-use mini brushes save me from bringing toothpaste and a whole toothbrush onto the plane.
Airplane coffee is bad enough that I bring a packet or two of instant French vanilla coffee or espresso. I ask the flight attendant for a cup of hot water and make my own. It’s still not great, but it’s better than nothing, and the ritual tells my body it’s morning, which keeps me close to my usual routine.
Your skin takes a beating on the plane, so a good face moisturizer and hand cream are important for keeping your skin healthy. A lip balm and a saline nasal spray help keep your lips and nasal passages moisturized in the dry air (like any liquid or gel, the spray needs to be 100 ml or less in your carry-on). If you don’t feel too embarrassed, you can even do a face mask while the rest of the passengers are asleep. You might look a bit funny, but your skin will thank you.
Lastly, and trust me on this one, pack a change of underwear. Unless you plan on not checking any luggage, there is always a chance your bag will get lost, and the last thing you want after a 24-hour day of travelling is to be without fresh underwear. It’s not the most elegant topic, but it takes up a tiny amount of space and is well worth the thought.
Nothing here turns economy into anything else, and a long-haul flight is still a long-haul flight. What the list does is take small, avoidable irritations off the table: the dry mouth, the bright reading light, the bad coffee, the repeated trips past your seatmates. Most of it can be sorted before you leave home, so that by the time you board, the only decisions left are what to watch and when to sleep. Here’s to a safe and comfortable flight!
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