7 things you need for a long flight

Whenever you are flying across the country, or across the world, being prepared for a long flight is the best way to get through one. The airlines do their best at preparing for your basic needs. However if you want a comfortable journey to your destination, there are a few things that you should have easily accessible in your carry-on. Some things may be more obvious than others, but that doesn’t make them any less important.

Headphones

Headphones are a necessity for any long flight. They cancel out the noise on the plane, serve as equipment for preventing ear popping and allow you to hear your entertainment. They give you the feeling of being in your own little bubble, as if no one else is around. The wrong headphones, however, can cause quite a bit of distress during long flights. If I plan to be on a flight for an hour or two, then I do not mind wearing earbuds, or in-ear headphones. However, if my trip is scheduled to be longer, I make a point to pack my traditional headphones. After a few hours, earbuds tend to irritate the inner ear and will eventually begin to fall out. Yet, not all traditional headphones are ideal either. It is best to find a pair that is larger than your ear, as they tend to cause pain if they sit on top of your ear for the duration of a long flight.

Neck pillow

Most everyone has seen a neck pillow clipped to someone’s suitcase or for sale at the gift shop, yet not everyone has felt the need to own one. If I’m being completely honest they usually are not necessary. However, if you are planning to take a flight that lasts for five or more hours, I would definitely suggest splurging for the neck pillow. Chances are on a flight that long you are going to nap. But the sad truth is if you do not have a neck pillow it will be one uncomfortable nap that you’ll continuously wake up from thanks to all the nodding your head will do. And if you are lucky enough to stay asleep, sans neck pillow, you’ll awake from that nap aching.

Light jacket + socks

Now that it is starting to warm up outside we are all beginning to wear fewer layers. Although warm weather and sunshine are great, they tend to play a role in travelers dressing inappropriately for a flight and therefore being miserable while in the air. Airlines tend to keep planes very cool, especially in the summer months, so shorts and short dresses are not the most ideal fashion choices. Trust me when I say there is no worse feeling than being cold and unprepared on a plane because there is nothing you can do about it. Usually airlines only have a few blankets, and they are reserved for first class. Packing a light jacket will give you the ability to keep warm when you become cold. Also, be sure to pack a pair of socks, especially if you’re

wearing sandals.

Leisurely reading material

A long flight is a great time to finally read that book you have heard so much about or catch up on all the celebrity gossip in the tabloids. Whatever you consider “leisurely reading,” be sure to pack it in your carry-on to ensure that you can keep yourself from becoming bored. You would be surprised at how long reading material can keep your attention and help time pass quickly. Most airlines keep their company’s magazine in the seat pocket in front of you, but it isn’t enough to get you through a long flight. The great thing is you can always grab something to read once you get to the airport.

Snacks

Make it a point to grab a good bit of your favorite snacks before you jump on a plane for a long flight. Sure, airlines provide travelers with pretzels and peanuts, but that will not be enough to get you through a trip that lasts any longer than two hours. You do, of course, have the option of making in-flight purchases, but most airline snacks are overpriced and not always tasty. To avoid disappointment and uncontrollable hunger, pack your favorite snacks in your carry-on. You can either bring snacks from home, or grab something while at the airport. My only suggestion when choosing a snack is be considerate of the fact that you will be sitting elbows-distance away from people. Don’t choose something that would, understandably, annoy someone.

A watch

A watch, or any device that can tell you the time, is a must for a long flight. Having one near you at all times will give you the ability to keep track of how much longer you will be in the air. Time becomes really important if you take a nap because once you are awake you have no idea how much time has passed as there are no clocks visible on the plane. Having the ability to keep up with the time would also allow you to schedule out your time while on the flight.

An activity to pass the time

Although most international flights do have personal televisions, not all long duration flights do. Being bored while on a flight is miserable and makes the time pass slowly. Prepare by bringing a device that you could watch a movie or television show on. However, make plans to have more than just one activity to pass the time because after a few hours you can become tired of reading or watching TV. Long flights are a great time to do those time-consuming activities that need to be done but are never things you would ever want to do normally. For instance, you can organize your entire photo gallery on your laptop or go through and delete documents that you no longer need. A long flight is a great time

to be productive.

Megan Pinckney (@shadesofpinck) is a retired beauty queen turned lifestyle blogger who loves exploring the

world and writing about it.