Reviews10 Carry-on Travel Essentials for Long-haul Flights
10 Carry-on Travel Essentials for Long-haul Flights

10 Carry-on Travel Essentials for Long-haul Flights

Nowadays, moving around the world by airplane is becoming popular. Among those, there are long-haul flights that take half or even a day to the destinations, which probably causes its customers to be tired or bored. Besides that, inexperienced passengers may unwell prepare for the trip. Don’t worry, there are carry-on travel essentials that can make your long-haul flights easier. Let’s follow this post to the end to see what things could help you in the situation!

Firstly, What is a Long-haul Flight?

Actually, I tried to research the most exact definition of a long-haul flight, but the results are different. Some say a flight that is more than 7 hours is long, whereas others confirm it must be at least 11 hours. Evenly, they define a term called ultra-long-haul flight for the longest ones.

Finally, the results I figured out are interesting. The definition of whether a flight is long-haul or short-haul is really different in regions and evenly in airlines. But overall, you may call a flight long-haul when its length is more than 4,100km or 7 hours, based on the resources I searched.

Ok, Here’s Your Checklist of 10 Carry-on Travel Essentials

1. Travel Pill Organizer and Medicine

telotravel pill case, one of the carry-on travel essentials
TeloTravel pill case with a reminder attached.

In case you need to have your particular medicine on any journey, I believe a travel pill organizer is ideal to be your companion. It’s not only a great guardian to protect your pills from being lost or dropping out somewhere, but some special ones can be a reminder to notify your dosage.

Other than that, you must have some popular drugs for migraine or stomachaches get ready cautiously for your safety.

2. Collapsible Water Bottle

Definitely, the little bottle of water that you are given on the plane may not be enough for the whole flight. And honestly, not sure if you have the same feeling, but I’m a little bit shy when asking the flight attendant too many times. Thus, with a collapsible bottle, I think my, and your problems can be easily solved.

It’s the type of bottle that you can roll or fold to make it smaller. As a result, you save a lot of space in your baggage. Then when you get on the plane, you shall ask the flight attendant to fill the collapsible bottle with water for you. Furthermore, by using the bottle, you can easily cross the security check and then fill in the water to use while waiting for the flight or use it anywhere on your trip.

3. Device Charger

Indeed, even if your telephone has a decent battery, having a travel charger or a battery power bank in your gear is fundamental. At any rate, this cautious arrangement will help your telephone work steadily so you won’t miss any emergency mail/message or any delightful scene that you need to photograph. Views from the plane are sometimes amazing, aren’t they?

In truth, because there are plugs, which are mostly in the USB gate, in airplanes for long-haul flights, bringing a travel charger is enough to keep your phone energy full. Otherwise, a 3-in-1 charging cable would be far enough for its usability in different devices.

On the other hand, I believe a power bank will have its capability more suitable upon arrival. To elaborate, any time I wander a new place, I always need my phone’s battery in good condition. I feel better when I still know where I am with the GPS, or at least, I can go back to my accommodation anytime by using the phone to call a taxi, or Uber, or Grab. Openly, I’m not sure if I’m a smartphone addict, but that’s one of my use cases. How about you?

4. Entertaining Stuff

Reading book for entertainment in a long-haul flight

Books, magazines, compact gaming gadgets, smartphones, etc. will help your flights considerably less exhausting. Even if you travel with your children, there are activities and games on airplanes for kids. Honestly, I always have on my carry-on bag a book during any flight. It not only helps me to loosen my mind but the words take me to sleep easier. Indeed, on my international trip before COVID-19, the book ‘The Diamond Cutter’ fastened my approximate 22h10′ flight to Toronto Pearson Airport with periods of sleep. Then I have my phone and laptop to deal with the rest time of the flight. Otherwise, there is always a plane’s magazine on the seat for you on long-haul flights, if you don’t prepare anything.

Notwithstanding, you ought to maintain an acceptable weight for your carry-on travel essentials on the flight. In fact, each airline has its requirement for your bag’s weight in order to take on the plane. And you might face a penalty fee if you don’t meet that requirement. In reality, a book would be the most ideal choice because of its light condition. Otherwise, a smartphone would be good enough with many features inside.

Read more: 30 Best Travel Books of All Time for Every Wanderers

5. High-value Things

Be cautious, even if the airport consistently attempts to forestall lost things, it’s actually occurring. Evenly, many airline receptionists notify you to keep your valuable stuff in your carry-on when check-in. Thus, you should put your wallet, telephone, camera, tablet, and so on, and any of your high-value things in your baggage.

6. A Tee, or a Shirt

Your tee or your shirt will probably have a smell, especially on the back after a long trip. That would result from leaning back on the airplane’s seat for a long time, which causes your back to sweat. Honestly, I meet the issue any time taking long-haul flights. That’s why I usually have a T-shirt, or a shirt based on the situation, to change on the flight. Additionally, you may think of taking a shower right after landing. It will bring you not just comfortable after a long way but confidence in case you have an important meeting upon arrival. Trust me, you may not know if your perfume is a good mix with the smell. This way is better, in my opinion.

7. Toothpaste and Toothbrush

toothpaste and toothbrush are carry-on travel essentials for long-haul flights

This seems to be one of the most carry-on travel essentials when you can keep your dental hygiene on a long-haul flight, which is over 9 hours sometimes. Moreover, in the event that you need to have a certain discussion with your colleague or business partner directly at the air terminal, you will need those things for your dental cleanliness. Obviously, you can place them in your carry-on bag, yet fossicking your stuff in public appeared to be not to be a smart thought.

8. Suitable Clothes

A long-haul flight will definitely take you to a different time-zone region with different climate weather. Therefore, you should do a quick research about your destination to know if there is particular equipment needed. Especially, suitable clothes for the destination’s climate is a must-notice. For example, the winter coat for below 0°C is different from the one for 0-5°C. So you should carry the right winter coat to avoid climate change at the destination.

9. Your Favorite Food

snacks and foods for long-haul flights

In some cases, dishes that are served on the plane may not fit your taste. Although many airlines prepare instant noodles for their customers, it’s boring and not good to eat instant noodles the whole trip. Nevertheless, you can prepare some of your number one snacks before the flight to overcome this situation. You are permitted to bring your snacks as long as it isn’t fluid and wrapped carefully.

10. Important Papers

Passport one of the most carry-on travel essentials

Flight tickets, passports, and visas should be initially put in your carry-on bag. Other than that, health certification, declaration forms, invitation papers, or any fundamental document ought to likewise be placed in your baggage. Usually, when flying with many documents, I have an envelope to protect all the papers so I can find them easily in one place. Additionally, it’s better to save duplicate files of your papers on a phone, tablet, or any device, just in case.

I Wish You Enjoy Your Long-haul Flights

Long-haul flights are becoming popular nowadays. Whether you take the flight for business or leisure purposes, I hope the tips will be useful and bring you some ideas to take care of yourself on a long trip. Enjoy and happy traveling!


PIN THIS CHECKLIST OF CARRY-ON TRAVEL ESSENTIALS NOW FOR YOUR NEXT LONG-HAUL FLIGHTS!

7 carry-on travel essentials on long-haul flights - the broad life's pinterest board
7 carry-on travel essentials on long-haul flights - the broad life's pinterest board

Khoi Nguyen builds The Broad Life with a desire to inspire people go exploring the world and live a more interesting, experience, and adventurous life. This blog shares the stories, pictures, and experiences at destinations where he has traveled to.

26 Comments

  • Matt Taylor

    That is a great list of carry-on items for long flights. I don’t make many long flights, so this is super helpful for when I do.

    • Khoi Nguyen

      I’m glad that this list is helpful to you. Thanks for the comment!

  • Carrie Ann

    This is a great list of essentials for long haul flights! I have a hard time sleeping on planes, so I need to bring lots of entertainment and snacks 🙂 I make sure to download lots of movies and have a variety of ebooks ready on my tablet.

    • Khoi Nguyen

      Seemed like you have some experience with the long flight.
      Perhaps I should tell my readers to prepare the movies and ebooks in case the ones on the airplane aren’t good enough.

  • Christine Weis

    This is a great list of items. I must remember device chargers and important papers. I always make copies of important papers too. I should remember my toothbrush next time.

  • Colleen

    This is a fantastic list! I’ve been on many long haul flights, and they one thing they all have in common is that if you aren’t prepared they are absolutely awful.

    • Khoi Nguyen

      I agree with you. A long-haul flight is something that I always want to avoid on a trip.

  • Brianne

    Snacks and entertainment are two big ones for me when I have to do long haul flights. That’s especially true if the kids are with me.

  • Lizzy

    Thank you for this list of carry on travel essentials for the long haul. Entertainment is an absolute must for me. reading a good book is a good way to pass some of that time!

    • Khoi Nguyen

      Likewise, a book is always a must-have tool that brings me to sleep, haha.

  • Steven Morrissette

    Well that was a good list for carry on to bring on the airplane. Next time I travel I will keep this list in mind.

  • Emily M Fata

    So true, all of these things! Long-haul flights can be quite tedious if you have trouble sleeping through the whole thing, so these are all important.

  • Marysa

    These are all great ideas. We flew from NY to Seattle a couple years ago, and that was a long flight! Entertainment is a must. I think the flight was 6.5 hours and I felt so restless at the end.

  • ebonynrobinson

    This is such a great and practical list! I especially love your reminder about having a device charger and a toothbrush for international flights.They both come in handy for 8+ hour travels

  • Ntensibe Edgar

    Wow….this is a very well thought out list! Medicine is one item so many times, that I leave behind!

    • Khoi Nguyen

      I linked to a checklist of medicines for traveling in the post.
      Perhaps it will be useful for you.

  • Archana Singh

    Such an important list. I carry them all the time. Especially the collapsible Water Bottle and Device Charger.

  • Nkem

    This is a great list. Traveling from the UAE to the US, I have to do these kind of flights a lot. Even if I don’t use all the things I bring on, it’s nice to know I have them if I need them.

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