Travelling on long-haul flights is never a pleasant experience – but there are a few things I always pack with me to try and make the journey a little easier
At the tender age of three, my family and I uprooted from our Northampton home to start a new life in New Zealand. Despite growing up on the other side of the globe, with all my extended family back in England, I became well-acquainted with the 24-hour plane journey required for family visits.
This mammoth trip was undertaken every four years until I relocated back to England last year. Now, as a travel reporter, I frequently find myself jet-setting around the world; and the knowledge gained from doing so has been invaluable to my career.
There’s no sugar-coating it – long-haul economy class flights are far from enjoyable, especially for someone who is nearly six feet tall like me. The conditions are cramped, dry, dirty, and often dark.
However, there are a few essentials I always pack to make the ordeal slightly more bearable.
My long-haul flight essentials
Silk scarf
The air in long-haul flights can be incredibly dry, causing discomfort to your nose, mouth, and eyes. To combat this, if I’m attempting to get some shut-eye, I drape a silk scarf over my face, serving as both an eye mask and face mask.
Breathing through the silk helps humidify the air, making it less irritating to breathe, and also prevents the sensitive skin around my nose from drying out. You might attract a few curious glances, but trust me, it’s worth it.
Headphones
My headphones are Bluetooth-enabled, but they also come with a connecting cable that can convert them into wired ones. This is compatible with most in-flight entertainment systems, allowing me to enjoy films with excellent sound quality.
This is an absolute must-have for me, especially during long-haul flights that can last up to 16 hours. The complimentary headphones provided at takeoff are often of poor quality and lack sufficient padding, making them uncomfortable to use for extended periods.
Earplugs
I swear by Loop earplugs as they’re comfortable, stay put in my ears, and effectively block out the majority of the noise associated with air travel, which makes sleeping a little easier
Toiletries
Carrying wet wipes, a toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, and some moisturiser can make a world of difference in helping you feel somewhat refreshed.
Just remember never to brush your teeth using the water from the aeroplane bathroom – it’s not the cleanest. I usually wait until my layover before heading to the airport bathrooms for a quick freshen-up.
Knowing that I’m relatively clean makes the second leg of the flight much more bearable. I always ensure I have a spare pair of underwear and socks to change into, and if there’s room, I bring an extra shirt as well, because accidents do happen.
Slippers
Having slippers on hand makes trips to the bathroom or getting up to stretch your legs a lot easier and hygienic. Never venture to an aeroplane bathroom barefoot or in socks. It’s gross and completely avoidable.
Long-haul flights can be a bit of a drag, but they don’t have to be utterly unbearable. These minor adjustments can transform a dreadful journey into a tolerable one, and personally, I wouldn’t dream of travelling without them.