Exploring the world and places you’ve not visited before is what makes travel so much fun. However, to reach many of those destinations your plans will include many hours on a plane, in an airport, and even delays. Before you go, consider these 5 essentials to pack for long-haul flights.
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5 Essentials to Pack for Long Haul Flights
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The fun in traveling is visiting places you’ve never seen before. Unfortunately, seeing new places often means traveling far. So, you might find yourself facing 8, 9, 10, or even more hours in a plane before you can finally discover a new horizon. Long-haul flights are not fun. Therefore, it’s important to be prepared.
Here are the top 5 essentials you want to pack in your hand luggage for a long-haul flight.
1. Travel Pillow
Sleep is one of the best and most preferred ways to kill time on a plane. When you are flying to a country in a different time zone, being able to sleep during the flight can give you a fighting chance against jetlag. Unfortunately, sleeping in a sitting position rapidly gets uncomfortable. If you don’t want to wake up with neck pain, you must invest in a travel pillow.
Neck pillows are favorites for their practical designs, but if you’re a side sleeper, a hugging pillow can be a great option to sleep on the plane.
2. Good Books
Whether you are an ebook reader, tablet, or lover of traditional paperbacks, keeping a book in your hand luggage will keep you from getting bored during the flight. Most airlines provide a choice of digital entertainment, ranging from films to games, but options can be limited. So, a book can be your best ally!
Avoid genres that require your full attention, such as crime or mystery. Instead, opt for light-weight reading about a known topic that will keep your mind engaged, such as history books about George Washington or literature classics. Easy reads are best for this purpose as you are likely to fall asleep during the flight.
3. Face Mask Sheets
In-flight skincare is a trend that is growing in popularity. Don’t assume the skincare routine is reserved for First Class seats.
On the contrary, everyone could benefit from a little skincare attention on a long-haul flight. The cabin air dries your skin, making you look tired and stressed on arrival. Sheet masks are TSA approved, so you can pack them without any worry. However, as many airlines still recommend PPE face masks for safety reasons on planes, you may want to keep your skincare products until you reach the hotel.
4. Gum
An airplane ear is an unpleasant sensation that occurs when your ears can’t equalize the pressure. Typically, you are likely to experience problematic pressure during ascent and descent. However, on long-haul flights, you could get ear pain at any time of the journey if the pressure in the cabin suddenly changes. This could happen during turbulences or while adjusting the altitude to cross other planes. Chewing gum can help relieve pressure.
5. Pack Layers
Sometimes, the temperature in the airplane cabin can feel freezing. As flying can cause fatigue through dry air and sleep deprivation, you are more likely to be sensitive to cold. Pack at least one extra layer in your carry-on luggage to keep warm and toasty underneath the thin travel blanket provided by the airline. Even better, pack your own travel blanket.
Long-haul flights can be uncomfortable if you are not prepared for them. Packing these essentials with you can make a huge difference to your experience. Don’t let temporary inconveniences on the plane ruin your trip!
