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Carry-on Packing List for a Long-Haul Flight

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Focus on what you can control and let the rest go. I’ve heard countless versions of this advice throughout my life, and it gets me through my most stressful moments.

Enter the long-haul flight — my least favorite part of any faraway vacation. I can’t make planes leave on time. I can’t change the crowds in the terminal, the size of my seat, or the turbulence of the air. But I can decide what’s in my carry-on.

Taking flights six hours or longer from my home in New York City to Germany, Switzerland, Canada, and the Pacific Islands taught me exactly what to pack to make the trip as smooth as possible.

After 190 hours of long-distance flying, these are the things I’ll always bring with me, no matter the destination.

A refillable water bottle is a must.


pathwater refillable water bottle



I bought this refillable water bottle in the San Francisco airport and I’ve been using it ever since.

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Low humidity and high altitudes can cause dehydration in aircraft cabins. I feel that acutely on longer flights. A reusable bottle will help you save money and plastic on these journeys.

To keep your skin hydrated, I recommend slipping some lip balm and lotion in your carry-on, too.




The author’s flight from Guam to Hawaii had lotion in the bathroom.

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Some long-haul flights I’ve taken have had lotion and face mist in the cabin bathrooms, but I wouldn’t count on it. And since lip balm is so small, I typically bring two or three in case I lose one.

You should also bring Advil.




Advil minimizes the author’s headaches on flights.

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Dry air on planes could cause migraines so it’s important to bring medicine, in case your headache is unbearable. That is, if you take meds for stuff like that.

Don’t forget your toothbrush.




Don’t forget to brush your teeth.

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Some of my trips have been so far away that I had to take three long flights over a 24-hour period. I don’t normally go 24 hours without brushing my teeth, and if you don’t either, I’d suggest bringing a toothbrush.

Though it won’t satisfy a craving for clean teeth, a pack of gum is always helpful for fresh breath.




A pack of gum is helpful for fresh breath.

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Gum also helps combat ear-popping during changes in air pressure.

I recommend bringing a change of clothes if your trip has layovers.




The author’s fresh T-shirt and undergarments for a four-leg journey.

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You may get sweaty or spill something, so it’s best to be prepared with a fresh fit.

In the same vein, deodorant is essential for these long trips.




I pack deodorant with me in my carry-on.

Volkova Vera/Shutterstock

Flights force us to sit closer together than we normally would, so don’t be the person with an odor in the crowded space.

Long flights can be the perfect time to sleep, if you bring some comfort.




I’ll never fly long distances without a neck pillow again.

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Thankfully, my step-grandma gifted me this neck pillow for Christmas. And it isn’t your average neck pillow. It wraps around your neck 1.5 times. This makes it much easier to find a comfortable sleeping position in a tiny plane seat.

If a pillow doesn’t do the trick, a sleep mask is a total game-changer.




With a sleep mask, I can pretend I’m at home in bed.

Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images

This is especially helpful for daytime air travel. But even on red-eye flights, sleep masks help block out the lights coming from passenger seat-back screens.

If you’re unable to nap, bring entertainment, as some flights don’t have screens on the backs of seats.




My uncle gave me this iPad the day before I left for Guam and it saved my life.

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I suggest downloading movies and shows onto your phone or tablet.

Watching TV for hours on end might get boring, so I also recommend downloading books and podcasts.




I downloaded six issues of the New Yorker for my trip.

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I typically download books across genres, from travel guides and memoirs to spooky novels and comics.

With all this power being used, be sure to pack an external battery charger.




My external battery came in handy on this trip.

Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

Most long-haul flights I’ve been on have had outlets at each seat, but I always bring a battery just in case.

Long-haul flights are typically the most grueling and boring part of my trips, but these items make them a little more bearable.




The author prepares for a 24-hour journey from Guam to NYC.

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In my experience, long-haul drives can be just as grueling as flights. So check out these tips for packing for a road trip to make your journey run smoothly.

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