9 Travel Essentials You Need For Your Long Flight

I fly—a lot. Pretty much every month, I’m traveling somewhere new, and I’ve clocked many hours, miles, and upgrades over the years. And while exploring a new destination is great, the act of traveling isn’t quite the best thing in the world. And that’s especially true if you’re uncomfortable, tired, or annoyed.

I’ve learned that the best thing you can do is come prepared. Here are some travel essentials that will make any long-haul flight that much better.

A neck pillow is a MUST. It’s truly non-negotiable, especially on a long flight. If you’re thinking: “Oh, I’ll just use the pillow they give me for long flights,” know that that pillow’s proper purpose is for your back, when your seat starts turning on you. A neck pillow will actually support you, and this one features memory foam for extra squishiness. Plus, it’s only $8.

Say goodbye to sound (well, just the annoying airplane sounds) with a set of noise-cancelling headphones. While many are priced high, these guys are only $60, and have 4.5 stars with more than 10,000 reviews—so yeah, they’re a good choice.

This facial spray has a cult following for a reason. It’s hydrating and invigorating—exactly what your skin needs after hours soaking in all that airplane air. And of course, it smells great too. It also comes in green tea and lavender if rosewater isn’t your thing.

For anyone who’s always freezing, this is the ultimate travel blanket. Made of material that will repel liquids, stains, and odors, the Ably blanket will be your best friend on long flights and beyond. Snuggle up, put on your headphones and eye mask, and you’ll be comfy for hours.

Sometimes, your in-seat screen glitches. Sometimes, they don’t have the movies you want, or worse yet, you have to pay for them. Don’t let this happen to you—have a tablet, download your favorite shows and movies, and make sure it’s fully charged before the flight. Voila—problem solved.

We get it: Long flights can be boring, or maybe even anxiety-inducing. You might just need a drink, but maybe you don’t quite trust the flight attendants to make one that you’ll actually enjoy. Enter the Carry-On Cocktail Kit, which has all the ingredients you need for one (or two) much-needed drinks in the air—and it’s all TSA-approved.

Made from 100 percent pure grade silk, this mask blocks out all light while still being gentle on skin and hair. It comes in six colors, and while expensive, it’s a pretty great treat yourself gift.

On long flights, you should get up and move around to get circulation flowing. Take that one step further with these compression socks, which will help blood flow, soothe aches and pains, and combat blood clots.

Paper cut? Bug bite? Just need some hand sanitizer? This is your kit to keep in your bag at all times for little emergencies that will make a big impact both during your time in the air and on land once you arrive to your destination.