Carry-on Necessities for Long Flights

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Hi everyone! As you know, Maggie and I travel a lot – most often by plane. Recently, we’ve been taking a lot of trips to destinations that are at least a 7+ hour plane ride from NYC/VT, and therefore we’ve spent a lot of time perfecting our carry-ons. Maggie and I try to always pack everything we need for a trip (clothes, shoes, curling iron, etc) in a roller, carry-on suitcase that we do not open during the flight. However, we also always bring a large under-the-seat duffle bag or backpack where we keep all of our in-flight necessities. Below you’ll find all of our necessities for an under-the-seat bag for a long-haul flight! Click here for my favorite duffle bag from Amazon; I’ve taken it on so many trips and it has always been perfect. It also folds up super small for incredibly easy storage. I’ll also link all of my recommendations to Amazon for easy purchase!

Fanny Pack

Okay, so this might seem a little strange, we know – but trust us, it’s great. Not only are fanny packs back in style, but they’re also super functional, especially for traveling. A fanny-pack doesn’t count as a “bag” by airline standards since it’s attached to your body, and therefore you’re gaining extra space without having to pay for another bag. The reason we recommend a fanny pack is because it’s a super convenient place to store all of your travel documents (passports, wallet, customs forms, phone, etc), so that they are easily accessible both before your flight, and upon arrival for customs. You won’t need to search through your giant backpack to locate your documents, they will all be nicely organized in your fanny pack! Also, be sure to keep a pen or two in your fanny pack for filling out forms at customs or on the plane – this way you don’t have to try to borrow one from another traveler who is already in a rush to get to their destination.

Click here, here and here for some cute fanny pack options from Amazon!

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Sweater/Sweatshirt

Planes can get super, super cold, which can make it hard to sleep. If you’re on a long, overnight flight you’ll definitely want to get as much sleep as you can, so bring a comfy sweater to help make you more cozy and comfortable.

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Sleep Aid

If you’re like me and stuggle to sleep on flights, I recommend bringing a sleep aid like Dramamine or zquil – if it’s an overnight flight. This will allow you to get a few hours of sleep on the flight so you’ll have more energy when you get to your destination.

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Change of Clothes

This is only if you’re not packing all of your clothes in a carry-on suitcase. If you’re bringing a checked bag, always bring a change of clothes in your carry-on. If your luggage gets lost, or someone spills coffee on you on the plane, you’ll be super happy to have an extra outfit.

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iPad or Kindle

When I travel I always love to bring books, but since I can normally read three or four during a two week vacation it often makes more sense to read on my iPad. Reading on an iPad not only saves space, but it’s also super convenient as you can always download more books when you need them instead of having to locate a bookstore abroad. Normally, I’ll try to bring at least one physical book, that I don’t mind leaving at my destination, and the rest I’ll download on my iPad.

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Makeup Removing Wipes

These are so important. Plane rides can be super hard on skin, and it’s even worse if you have to leave your makeup on all night. I recommend these moisturizing wipes to take off your makeup and to help counteract the drying effects from plane air. Maggie and I try to only use all natural beauty products, and we really love Pacifica makeup removing wipes. They are made without parabens, phthalates and other harmful ingredients and are also vegan and cruelty free. Click here to get a 30 pack.

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Toothbrush + Toothpaste

For me, this is super important, as I always end up brushing my teeth in the airplane bathroom with bottled water. Flying all night doesn’t exactly make you feel the cleanest, so being able to brush your teeth before landing is super nice. I use biodegradable bamboo toothbrushes and I absolutely love them. Click here to get a bamboo toothbrush with a travel case!

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Hairbrush

A hairbrush is also super important to have in your carry-on in order to freshen up either mid-flight or upon arrival. I love tiny wet brushes as they work super well, store so easily in carry-ons and are also super cute. Click here to get a pack of three.

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Reusable Water Bottle

Water in airports is super expensive, so save money (+ the planet) and bring a reusable water bottle. Maggie and I normally use Hydro Flasks or Nalgene water bottles, but for flights it can be really helpful to have a collapsable bottle, as it can save a lot of space. Bonus if you also bring your own reusable straws!

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Headphones

These are obviously a necessity for watching movies on long plane rides. Unfortunately, the new iPhone headphones and AirPods won’t work, so you’ll need a pair of traditional headphones. I recommend buying an inexpensive pair before your trip, because airport headphones are always expensive. Click here for an inexpensive pair from Amazon.

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Neck Pillow

This is so essential, especially if you’re stuck in a middle seat. I’ve forgotten mine more than once, and having to use a bunched up sweatshirt as a back-up pillow does not work as well! Click here for a super basic but reliable pillow and here for a cute pillow with a travel case.

Snacks + Gum

Don’t forget to pack your own snacks so you don’t have to buy them in the airport! Having some extra granola bars and other healthy snacks are great for flights, especially because airplane food can be unreliable at best. I also recommend having some chocolate or candy on hand if you need a little something sweet.

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Thanks so much for reading! Let me know your favorite carry-on items in the comments below!
♡Kate