Although most long-haul flights now have individual entertainment systems for economy passengers, and some even offer unlimited free refreshments, flying is still an uncomfortable experience for many people. However, while there are some very strict rules about what you can and cannot bring on board flights, you actually still have a lot of leeway to bring items that can make your journey more enjoyable.
Provided that your hand luggage does not exceed your airline’s size and weight restrictions and you do not leave your packing until the last minute, you can bring things to help counteract some common flight bugbears. These include dry skin, bad breath, and the unpleasant feeling of wearing the same clothes for hours on end.
This article assumes that you are already travel-savvy enough to remember to keep your flight documents to hand. Here are some other handy things to bring on your flight for a better experience.
1. Sleep mask and earplugs
These take up barely any space and will give you the best chance of getting some decent sleep on your flight. If you are on a busy flight, there are always people who leave the brightness turned up on their screens or who cannot help themselves from opening the blinds, chatting, or snoring.
A pro-tip for long flights is to bring hand luggage that you can keep in your seating area rather than the overhead locker. That way, you do not need to disturb anybody to access your things. A crossbody bag is a stylish and functional option that will keep your hands free in the airport and is small enough to stow under the seat in front of you.
2. Moisturising face mask
Whether you are embarking on a global odyssey or just hopping overseas for a quick holiday, the dry air on flights will likely leave your skin worse for wear. But seeing as you are going to be sitting still for a while anyway, why not take the chance for a bit of self-care? Face masks do not count towards your liquid allowance, and they are easy to pack because they are so thin. They also do an excellent job of rehydrating your skin.
3. Spare underwear and socks
Even just sitting still, our bodies shed lots of sweat and grime which is absorbed by our clothes. That is why we feel grubby towards the end of long flights. Rolling up some clean underwear and socks to change into can provide some relief from that during your flight. If they are compression socks, this can help you circulation too.
4. Toothbrush and toothpaste
Long flights without these will leave your teeth feeling furry and a lingering self-consciousness about your breath. They take up virtually no room but can help you to feel much fresher and nicer. Remember to keep the toothpaste under 100ml.
Conclusion
Travelling by air forces us to do things we normally avoid, like sleeping upright, sleeping in the same clothes we have worn all day, and skipping our usual skincare routines. This can make them unpleasant, but by preparing the right items in advance they can be made a lot easier to endure. In fact, they can even be enjoyable.
