14 Products Our Airline Experts Say You Need To Survive A Long-Haul Flight

“Along with compression socks, I love having a slipper sock or comfy shoe cover for those times I need to walk around the plane or take a bathroom break. These can be put into a zip lock or shoe bag after each use. I do prefer a washable slipper. My favorite brand of slippers is SCurtain. You can get them in a variety of colors and styles.” — Kentrell Charles

“Airplanes are cold in the middle of the night. A frequent flier once asked me to fill her hot water bottle. She places it in her lap or against her back to help her sleep. As soon as I shared this tip with my colleagues, we ran out and purchased fuzzy-covered water bottles. These have been lifesavers when we are napping in the flight attendant bunks or sitting in the cold aft galley. They are a game changer on long-haul flights, keeping you warm and cozy all through the night. They are wonderful on top of your cold feet too.” — Lara Ketterman

“This might sound like an odd item for a long-haul flight, but I have a good reason to recommend laundry packets.

On one long-haul flight, a passenger and I had a few bloody mary incidents, three times to be exact. One was my fault, one was his, and we blamed the last one on turbulence. After we got a laugh out of the spills, I handed him a packet of SinkSuds Laundry Detergent to get the immediate stains out, as well as a cleaning voucher to use once he landed. I never travel without a few in my carry-on. On a long-haul flight, there are too many opportunities for spills and these are a great way to quickly clean up the mess.” — Kentrell Charles

Bose

“Depending on your budget, noise-canceling headphones can be a real game changer for a quiet and stress-free flight. My go-to are Bose Noise Canceling headphones. These headphones are highly rated, lightweight, and work so well. I can attest to the fact they drown out a screaming baby, people talking, reduce engine and wind noises, and make music and movies sound crystal clear. Since they are lightweight, your head doesn’t feel like it’s in a vise-grip after many hours. They now have wireless connectivity and the battery lasts up to 22 hours.

I don’t recommend earbuds. Yes, they are smaller and so much more compact with ease of travel. But, it is the most common item lost on a plane. Once those buds fall from your ear, they might roll down the aisle, get hidden under a nearby seat, or worse, lost inside the seat. It happens on every flight!” — Christy Karsten

Airpods Pro

“I love my AirPods Pro because they are small but amazing at noise cancellation and have great sound for listening to music. I don’t like crawling on the floor looking for the wayward ear pod so I keep them secure with a neck cord.” — Heather Earl

Beats 

“It only took me one time to forget my coveted Beats headphones before I purchased my second pair. One pair stays in my tote or carry-on bag at all times. I prefer over-the-ear headphones for travel. This will help prevent you from losing them when you sleep.” — Kentrell Charles

“When traveling as a passenger on a long flight in a coach seat, I bring my homemade travel bag (similar to this one). I clip this bag onto my roll-a-board making it easy to pop off before I stow my suitcase in the overhead.

Inside, I have a thick neck pillow, an eye mask, an inflatable lower lumbar pillow, and a thin polyester travel blanket (similar to this amenity kit). These are game-changers! I am always cold on a jet, so I wrap my travel blanket around my legs and tuck it under my chin and am quite toasty.

It seems as if the seat pitch and the recline angle are becoming less and less. The lumbar pillow adds beneficial support to your back for long flights while sitting in a cramped coach seat. The travel neck pillow can help from getting a crick in your neck if you work with the movable headrest on the seat to find support for your head. Did you know that you are supposed to put the “U” of the pillow under your chin? Most people wear them incorrectly.“ — Christy Karsten

“I am a co-host of a travel podcast, and a tip I received from one of our guests was to always carry a small blanket when flying. If it is cold, they can open it and use it as a blanket. If your airplane seat back is wonky, you can fold it, and place it behind your back for extra support. If you need a pillow, fold it and place it against the fuselage of the plane and you have cushioned support for your nap. I saw a frequent flier use it under her seat belt to keep her skirt unwrinkled.” — Lara Ketterman

“A great neck pillow will make a long ride in coach more tolerable. I like to use an inflatable style to save room in my bag and to be able to add or remove air depending on how I use it. If I am in a middle seat, inflating it all around the neck works well, but I take a little air out and use it as a pillow against the wall in the window seat. The Air Comfy Daydreamer is washable and compact so I don’t look like an amateur traveler with a neck pillow wrapped around my luggage.” — Heather Earl

“To protect pricey travel goodies, consider purchasing an Apple AirTag to track your checked luggage. You can buy four tags for about $100. Although they only work with Apple products, it is a small investment for security and lost items. I have a friend who even has one in his wallet!” — Christy Karsten