The Packing Edit — No. 05

Long Flight
Essentials

What I wear, what I bring, and how I spend the hours.

BY MILE & MARQUE

My longest flight so far was Seattle to Taiwan, about twelve hours, and it was only one leg of the day. I was headed to Cambodia, so it started in Salt Lake City and ended in Phnom Penh. Days like that taught me what actually helps on a long flight, and what isn’t worth the space. This isn’t the whole list. Start with the Master Packing List, then add these.

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I.What I Wear

Dress for the whole day.

Airports run hot and planes run cold, so I wear layers I can change in my seat, and nothing that squeezes.

5 things

Comfortable sneakersI wear sneakers and keep them on the whole flight so my feet don’t swell. My favorites are the Salomon XT-6. If I’m short on luggage space, I wear my Dr. Scholl’s instead, so they don’t take up room in my bag.Dr. Scholl’s
Comfortable pantsNothing restricting like leggings, but something comfortable and warm. For something more elevated, the Aritzia Lodge Pant. I also love the lululemon Dance Studio Pant and Free People’s Hot Shot Easy Pants. None of them are too warm.Aritzia, lululemon, Free People
A tank top underneathAlways with a wider strap and nothing too tight. I like Free People’s We The Free Ballad Reversible Tank, and a few from Amazon.Shop on Amazon
A full-zip fleeceI go from hot in the airport to cold on the plane, and a full zip is the easiest layer to take on and off. It keeps me the warmest. My two favorites are Aritzia’s Polartec Thermal Pro zip-ups and lululemon’s Polartec 200 Series Full-Zip Jacket.Aritzia & lululemon
My wool coat, if it’s cold where I’m goingMy favorite hack. If I’m bringing my mid-length Aritzia Connor coat, I wear it on the plane. It doesn’t take up room in my carry-on, and it doubles as a blanket.Favorite hack

II.What I Bring

Within reach, under the seat.

What goes in my personal item for the flight itself.

7 things

Travel pillow & eye maskThe straps attach to the seat, so my head stays put. I set both up before we take off.Shop on Amazon
Portable chargersPlugged in and within reach before takeoff. Three I like, so you can choose.One Two Three
Noise-canceling earbuds or headphones, plus a wired pairFor the movie, and for when I want the cabin to go quiet. I also pack wired earphones, since some planes only work with a wired pair.Earbuds Headphones Wired
A little toothbrush & flossPre-pasted, so I can brush and floss mid-flight and keep some of my nighttime routine.Shop on Amazon
ElectrolytesI always bring them and drink one full bottle with them on the flight. My favorite is Instant Hydration.Shop on Amazon
Snacks: salty, savory & sweetA good variety. Something salty, usually pistachios or another nut. Something savory, usually Chomps beef sticks. And something sweet, like a sour gummy candy.Nuts Chomps Candy
A downloaded showIf there’s something I want to watch, I download it before I leave. If not, I find a movie on the plane, but check that your flight has seatback entertainment before you count on it.

III.On Board

How the hours go.

My routine on a long flight, from the airport to landing.

6 steps

Eat a real meal before you boardI feel better when I skip most of the plane food, so I eat something real at the airport, then buy a bottle of water for the flight.
Get settledPillow, eye mask and chargers, all set up as soon as I sit down.
Takeoff and the first mealI don’t fall asleep right away, because the first meal always wakes me up. Until then I watch a movie or get some work done. From the meal, I usually have the fruit, water and maybe the dessert. Nothing with caffeine.
Tylenol PM with the mealThis is what works best for me to sleep on a flight. The one I use.Check with your doctor before trying any sleep aid.
A mini bedtime routineAfter the meal, I go to the bathroom, brush my teeth and floss with my little toothbrush, and stretch a little before I sit back down.
Sleep, and drink a lot of waterI don’t force myself to stay awake. I sleep as much as I can, and I drink a lot of water, including one full bottle with electrolytes.

IV.What I Skip

Not worth the space.

Things people swear by that I leave at home.

4 things

Compression socksThey make my legs itch.Skip
A reusable water bottleI find carrying one gets annoying on a travel day, so I buy a bottle at the airport, overpriced as it is.Skip
A blanket or scarfMost of my flights hand out blankets, and my fleece plus the airline’s blanket is warm enough. No need to give one space in my bag.Skip
Most of the plane mealI eat a real meal before I board and keep it light on the plane.Skip

Ready to pack the rest?

Open the Master Packing List See my Amazon travel favorites

Back to the beginning

Long FlightEssentials

Dress for the whole day.

Within reach, under the seat.

How the hours go.

Not worth the space.

Long Flight
Essentials