35+ Best Travel Accessories For Long Flights in Economy - Stella in Paradise (2024)

Planning a long haul flight and looking for the best travel accessories for long flights? You’ve come to the right place! Taking long haul economy flights doesn’t have to be a miserable experience. With a little thoughtful packing, you can not only survive, but thrive on long international flights.

Take it from us – we survived 30+ hours of travel to Zanzibar and back in basic economy. While we learned the hard way what travel accessories for long flights should have packed, you don’t need to go in unprepared like we did.

Keep reading to earn how to survive long flights in economy with these long haul flight essentials!

Disclosure: My blog can earn small commissions at no cost to you when you click through affiliate links.

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Best Travel Accessories For Long Flights: Comfort & Sleep

Getting adequate rest on long haul flights is extremely important. Your body needs to adjust to time changes, and you will definitely want to be refreshed upon landing in your destination. It’s also extremely important to make sure you get a full night’s sleep on overnight and red eye flights. These are the best travel accessories for long flights that will improve your comfort and ability to sleep on the plane.

Silk Eye Mask

Whether you are flying during the day and need to block out the light, or are on an overnight trying to get a full eight hours, I highly recommend purchasing a sleep mask. I love this silk eye mask as it is very gentle on skin and lashes and less irritating than a cotton or polyester. Plus, it’s available in six colors to match your travel aesthetic.

Ear Plugs

If your ears are sensitive during flying, then you need these reusable travel ear plugs. Not only do they block out plane noise so you can get some rest, these particular ear plugs help prevent ear pain and reduces pressure. Once you try these ear plugs, you won’t want to fly without them again.

Foot Sling

Another great accessory for long haul flights is a foot sling. An adjustable foot sling help elevate your feet, increase circulation, and reduce swelling. As a bonus it offers your body a new position when you’re cramped in close quarters in economy. These adjustable foot slings have a strap that easily go over your tray table so it only takes a few seconds to set up.

Travel Pillow & Blanket

Airplanes can be notoriously chilly, and the blankets provided for long haul flights are usually thin, uncomfortable, and scratchy. Packing your own travel blanket can help keep you warm and cozy on a long flight. Look for a lightweight, compact blanket that is easy to carry and store. This 2-in-1 blanket also acts as a travel pillow for even more in-flight comfort.

Neck Pillow

Another useful accessory for long haul flights is a neck pillow. It can be very difficult to find a comfortable napping position in economy, so I highly recommend one of these infinity neck pillows. The infinity pillow is more comfortable than traditional neck pillows, and can prevent neck strain and discomfort. The best part is the infinity style is fully adjustable, so you can mold it into a variety of positions.

Best Travel Accessories For Long Flights: Personal Care

One of the most important ways to stay comfortable on long haul flights is to ensure you are attending to your personal hygiene. After all, there is nothing worse than landing after a long flight and feeling sweaty and grody. Keep reading for the best personal care travel accessories for long flight comfort.

Hand Sanitizer Wipes

Hand sanitizer is a must-have travel accessory to keep your hand clean and germ free. For traveling, I prefer to pack travel-sized sanitizing wipes over a bottle of liquid sanitizer. This frees up room in your liquids bag and allows you to sanitize surfaces in the airport and inside the plane. The best part is that sanitizing wipes are not considered a liquid for carry-on purposes.

Hydration Multiplier

All those hours on a dry plane will definitely make you thirsty. For an solution to combat dehydration on a long haul flight, just add a hydration multiplier to your water. Hydration multipliers are definitely of the best travel essentials for long flights.

My favorite brand of hydration multipliers is Liquid IV. It tastes great and it comes in multiple flavors, including classic, immunity, probiotic, and sleep. I highly recommend the immunity and sleep options for long flights! And the good news is I’ve had one on every long haul flight I’ve been on, and it didn’t make me need to use the restroom extra at all.

Chapstick

Do your lips get chapped and cracked during flights? Let’s not let crusty lips ruin your vacation photos! Do not forget to throw a chapstick or lip balm in your bag. Look for products that nourish and provide lasting hydration, as well as SPF protection. I love this Burt’s Bees variety pack that has tinted options with SPF. Apply regularly during the flight to prevent discomfort.

Moisturizer

It’s important to pack a good moisturizer to combat dry air on planes. Look for a moisturizer that is lightweight, non-greasy, and easily absorbed. Bonus points for a moisturizer that doubles as a face and body moisturizer, since your facial skin tends to be more sensitive than your hands and body. I swear by travel-sized Cetaphil, which has always worked well for my sensitive skin.

Face Wipes

You will definitely want to pack some face wipes for a long flight. Long periods in the air can make your face feel dry and dehydrated, but you can end up feeling greasy at the same time. I love these individually wrapped refreshing facial wipes with AHA/BHAs and glycolic acid for great skincare on the go. Double them as a body wipe for a quick freshen up in leiu of a shower.

Sheet Masks

I’m not leaving vacation ready clear skin to chance! Planes can be so drying and irritating on your skin, so I pack a couple of sheet masks to hydrate and soothe my skin for every long haul or red eye flight. Look for sheet masks for hydration, moisturizing, and soothing and then pop one on before a nap. I promise, the people sitting next to you will be kicking themselves for not packing one!

Menstrual Cup

If you’re like me, you probably end up getting your period whenever it is time to travel. There is nothing more annoying than having to worry about menstrual products on a long fight. While not the most fun travel accessory for long flights, a reusable menstrual cup or disc is probably one of the most useful for female travelers. They are eco-friendly, saves room in your luggage, and you can change it far less often than you would have to with a tampon. I swear by the Flex Reusable Menstrual Disc, and pack it for every trip just in case my cycle comes early.

Jet Lag Remedy

Jet lag is a common issue for long haul travelers, especially when crossing multiple time zones. I recommend taking this homeopathic jet lag remedy to alleviate any symptoms. These natural supplements can help regulate your internal clock and improve sleep quality.

Contacts Kit

Do not wear your contacts if you are going to sleep on a flight! Instead pack your glasses and a contacts kit. Whenever I am ready to take a snooze on board, I go to the restroom and take out my contacts. This also helps me have the consistency of a bed time routine to help promote easily falling asleep on a night flight.

Toothbrush Kit

I guarantee you will want to brush your teeth on an 8+ hour flight! Pack one of these handy toothbrush kits to make it easy. This kit is TSA approved and includes a toothbrush, cup, mirror, towel, and travel bottles all in one. My only question is why a travel essential like this wasn’t created sooner!

Sleep Aid

If you have trouble sleeping on a plane, you might need to take a sleep aid to help make it happen. Medical sleep aids like Unisom and ZZZQuil are always an option, but I prefer something a little more natural. Try these natural sleep aid caplets by Rae or perhaps try some melatonin gummies.

Collapsible Water Bottle

We all know water is super expensive at the airport and that they never give you enough to drink on long flights. That’s why you need a collapsible water bottle! One of these water bottles takes up very little room in your carry on bag, and as soon as you clear security, you can fill it up from a water dispenser. Not only will you have enough to drink on the plane, but it will be very helpful at your destination.

Carry On co*cktail Kit

Another accessory that can add a bit of fun to your long haul flight is a carry-on co*cktail kit. These cute kits contain the tools and ingredients you need to make a variety of co*cktails in flight, including a Margarita, Moscow Mule, and an Old Fashioned. Just simply add the alcohol purchased from your flight attendant and you’ll be on your way to enjoying that first vacation co*cktail.

Best Travel Accessories For Long Flights: Electronics

While long haul flights usually have a built-in entertainment system, there are still some important travel accessories for long flights you will want to ensure you stay entertained. From cable organizers, to high quality headphones, to to mounts and stands, these are the best travel electronic accessories for long haul flights.

Headphone Jack Splitter

If you plan on connecting your wireless headphones to in-flight entertainment or listening to music or an audiobook with your travel partner, then you need a headphone jack splitter!

One of the best travel gadgets for long flights, this affordable and handy little device allows you to connect to wirelessly to one device with two sets of headphones via BlueTooth. Skip the cheap disposable headphones the airline provides and grab an AirFly device instead.

Noise Cancelling Headphones

Face it, airplanes are loud, so you need a pair of noise cancelling headphones to enjoy your in-flight entertainment. I swear by my Apple AirPod Pro Max wireless headphones. Though an investment price-wise, they’re high quality, connect seamlessly with your Apple devices, and come in a variety of cute colors. They also make great luxury gifts for travel lovers, so don’t forget about these during the holidays.

Universal USB Cable

It’s super frustrating that phones and devices seem to constantly be changing what type of USB connection they utilize. And even more frustrating to find that airplanes tend to have outdated USB connections for charging!

Well, you’re in luck with one of these universal USB charging cables. This cable has multiple USB options for connecting your devices, including USB-A, USB-C, and Micro-USB. Never have the wrong charger again!

Universal Phone Mount

If you plan on watching movies on your phone, then you need this universal phone mount. It’s compatible with most phone models and easily attaches to your tray table or the seat in front of you. No need to sit there and watch movies while uncomfortably holding your phone.

Phone Flap

If you prefer not to use a tray-table phone mount, grab one of these flexible flap phone stands. This phone bends to create an electronic stand that works for phones and tablets alike. Just set it on your tray table and you have easy to adjust, hands free entertainment for your long haul flight.

iPhone Battery Pack

For iPhone users out there, you need a MagSafe iPhone battery pack! A more streamlined version of a portable power bank, this battery pack snaps right onto the back of your iPhone and keeps you charged wirelessly on the go.

Electronics Organizer

If you’re like us, you probably carry a million chargers, cables, and accessories when you travel. Then you need one of these handy electronics organizers. Not just for cables, this organizer has pockets for pens or styluses, memory cards, chargers, and even a wireless mouse and your phone.

Best Travel Accessories For Long Flights: Clothing

Don’t discount what you are wearing as an important part of planning for a long flight. The type of clothes you choose to wear on board can make our break your flight. Never wear an outfit or shoes that require breaking in or that will look frumpy and wrinkly after sitting for long periods. Dress comfortably and in layers to ensure a comfortable and successful long haul flight.

Compression Socks

Compression socks are designed to apply pressure to your lower legs in order to maintain blood flow, reduce swelling, and prevent a dangerous condition called DVT (deep vein thrombosis).

Of all the best travel accessories for long flights, compression socks rank top of the list in importance. You do not want to get on a 8+ hour flight without a pair. Take it from me – my legs, ankles, and feet swelled to triple their size when I failed to pack a pair for a 12 hour flight!

Comfortable Outfit

Don’t look frumpy in sweats or be uncomfortable in jeans! I absolutely swear by this affordable Amazon jumpsuit as my go-to travel outfit. It’s comfortable, light weight, flattering, and can be worn not only on the plane but at your destination as well. This jumpsuit is so multifunctional that I also wear it to work with a nice sweater in addition to travel!

Warm Sweater

Even if you are flying to a warm destination, airplanes can be so cold! You will want to ensure a cozy sweater or cardigan is on your travel packing list. I swear by Barefoot Dreams sweaters. There is such a variety, and each one feels like a warm, cozy hug. Barefoot Dreams sweaters also make excellent universal gifts for women who are difficult to buy for.

Comfortable Sneakers

A pair of comfortable sneakers are not only a must have for walking around the airport, but for all the steps you’ll be doing at your destination! No matter your style, a pair of white sneakers goes with any outfit or situation. I always choose a pair that I can slip on and off easily in security as well as while sitting on the plane for extended periods.

Pashmina Shawl

If you are traveling during warmer months and don’t want to wear a full blown sweater on the plane, a pashmina shawl is a great alternative. These wrap shawls are perfect for sitting on a chilly plane, using as a travel blanket, or throwing over your shoulders when traveling in a conservative country that requires covered shoulders.

Best Travel Accessories for Long Flights: Organization

Half the battle in planning a long trip is to ensure your carry on luggage is optimized. You’ll want all of your travel essentials organized and close at hand. You don’t want to be that person who has to take down their suitcase from the overhead compartment and dig for an item in the middle of a flight! These organizational travel essentials will keep your carry on luggage organized and easy to access.

Pill Organizer

You’ll definitely want your medications well-organized and easy to access in your personal item. I love these cute and colorful pill organizers to help me sort the multiple medications I take. I prefer to take an organizer than the full bottles so I only bring the amount of pills needed for the trip. Note, always check your destination to ensure your medications are not prohibited and don’t need to be in original packaging to avoid issues in customs.

Reusable Quart Bag

We always fly with carry on luggage only, and the worst part about that is fitting all of our liquids into a quart ziplock bag. But I have a solution for you! We recently purchased these TSA-Approved clear travel toiletry bags to use in lieu of the ziplock. It’s sturdier, reusable, and fits more items. We have taken these on four flights now and have never gotten it kicked back by TSA. (Note: We do have PreCheck, so we don’t have to take these out of our bags for inspection.)

Mesh Pouches

Since space is tight in economy, you need to be able to grab what you need easily from your personal item under the seat. Organize all of the odds and ends you may want during the flight in these colorful mesh pouches. No need to pull everything out of your bag to find what you are looking for when you use these easy to see bags.

Tray Table Organizer

Have you considered a tray table organizer? Reminiscent of a car seat organizer, this useful travel accessory acts as a storage pouch to keep all of your items organized and easy to reach. Just slip it over your tray table and you’ve just tripled the useful space from the standard seat pocket.

Multipurpose Travel Wallet

I never pack my everyday wallet or purse when traveling. I always slip one of these awesome multipurpose travel wallets in my carry on instead! This travel wallet is the perfect size and comes in 34 different colors. It has room for credit cards, cash, passports, IDs, tickets, a pen, and more! Having this travel wallet makes it easy to keep your important documents safe and easy to grab out of your personal item.

Travel Backpack

The best purchase I have ever made is my Brevite backpack. Brevite has both a standard zip-top backpack as well as a camera gear backpack called the Jumper in a variety of fun colors. I use my Jumper backpack as my personal item on the plane as well as while wandering around my destination. I love my Jumper because it has removable dividers for the camera area. Even if you don’t travel with gear or cameras, this pocket makes it super easy to organize the items you want to easily access in this area.

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