The longest non-stop flight in the world currently clocks in at 19 hours. When you factor in layovers, many international flights take even longer. Under the right circumstances (and once you factor in time changes), you could be flying for days at a time!
If this sounds like torture, I won't lie to you... It can be. But if you're well prepared, a long-haul flight doesn't have to be a total nightmare. I always bring a lot of supplies with me on international flights (which may vary slightly depending on where I am going and how long the trip will be). But I would never ever board any flight longer than 4 hours without the following items on-hand:
- Foldable water bottle
For some reason, airlines think it’s acceptable to limit their water supply to thimble-sized cups of water or mini water bottles, which barely make a dent when it comes to alleviating elevation-induced dehydration. Rather than ringing your attendant every five seconds for a top up, bring your own collapsible or foldable bottle that you can refill yourself and squish back into your bag once you’re done with it.
- Dry snacks
I actually like airplane food, but a lot of people don’t. And even if you do, there’s always a chance you;’ll end up with a dud meal. Be sure to pack some snacks in the event that you’re not satisfied with your options. That being said, I recommend bringing dry snacks (such as chips or protein bars) that you’re allowed to take off the plane if you don’t eat them. Items like fresh fruit, on the other hand, cannot be removed from the plane once you land in a new country.
- Extra jumper
Airplanes are notoriously cold. And even though the plan may provide blankets, these measly flannel sheets are often not enough to combat the plane’s blasting aircon. Prepare for the possibility of a freezing flight by packing an extra jumper for the journey. If you don’t need it, you can always use it as a neck pillow.
- Lotion
As previously suggested, planes are super dry. Spending hour after hour in these conditions is a surefire way to feel shrivelled up and disgusting once you reach your final destination. Luckily, a quality face and body lotion can freshen you up a bit and save your skin from the effects of the harsh airplane air.
- A pen
The pen really is mightier than the sword - At least when you’re flying. You will need one for filling out your customs card, you will want one for playing sudoku in the in-flight magazine or doodling on your barf bag. In fact, you might even want to pack two in-case one runs out of steam mid-way through the flight.
What long-haul flight essentials do you have to add to the list? Let me know in the comments.
