13 tips on what to take on a plane for a long flight

Last Updated on 18.8.2025 by Vojta

A long flight is not something you usually look forward to. You never know what might happen, it takes a long time and it is not very convenient, so many travelers prefer to choose less distant destinations. I think after spending over 50 hours on airplanes and airports during one trip, when we couldn’t leave the transit and go out, we would survive everything. And not only thanks to this trip, we know very well what will suit everyone on the plane. So what to take on a plane for a long flight?

How to prepare for a long flight

Before we get into our list of things to wear on the plane for a long flight, we have a few useful tips for you, How to prepare for a long flight. 

1. Be prepacked: If you’ve ever packed at the last minute, you know it’s crazy stress. For example, on the day of departure, we arranged international driving licenses for several countries at the office, and it was definitely not pleasant at the last minute. So have everything ready in advance.
2. Early check-in: There’s nothing worse than forgetting to check-in online. Put a notification on your mobile and most importantly put it Be careful to fill everything in correctly. 
3. Booking a place: As a low-cost traveler, I never pay for seats on the plane. In addition, on long flights, they usually put them next to each other anyway. But if you want to be at the window or alley and you have 12 years to go, it’s quite worth it here.
4. List: Make a list of all the responsibilities you must do before departure, such as closing the windows, unplugging the appliances or watering the flowers. Then you won’t (maybe so much) stress.
5. Sleep: Traveling can sometimes be difficult, even if there is no obstacle on the way. Therefore before long flight Get a good night’s sleep and preferably pack melatonin in tablets for the trip, so that you can also sleep on the plane.

TIP: We spent over 50 hours on the way to Colombia. Besides the way she wasA holiday in Colombia Absolutely great, wild and unforgettable.What is the most beautiful thing in Colombia?

13 Necessary Things To Take On A Plane On A Long Flight

So, the most important thing to take on a plane for a long flight can be found in this list. I would also like to say in advance that it really depends on which airline you will fly with. Because some won’t give you anything on the plane, while others will put socks, slippers and a scratcher for your eyes in your bag. On this list you will find everything that is best to have with you to be sure, wherever you fly and with anyone.

1. Drink and water bottle

What to take on the plane for a long flight, what will you really need? water. When you go through the security check at the airport, you must throw away all the liquids that will be in the bottle above 100 ml. But the water at the airport is unnecessarily expensive and they won’t give you much to drink on the plane. How do we do it? We take a big empty bottle. It will pass us at the airport control. In addition, at many airports there is a fountain with water, where you can take drinking water into the bottle without any problem. The multi-usable foldable bottle is also nice.

2. Medications

If you take any medications regularly, always have them with you, ideally in your waist bag. In addition, also pack medicine for pain, fever, nose spray, sucking candies and some dietary supplements like magnesium, which may come in handy not only during a long flight if you get sick (it has already happened to us). You can also take pills against jet lag – melatonin in tablets.

TIP: If we are going somewhere to exotic countries such as Sri Lanka or Colombia, we also take probiotics with us, which have come in handy many times.

3. Inflatable travel pillow

If you plan to sleep for a long flight, an inflatable travel pillow is something you will really appreciate. Not only will your head not fall on your fellow passenger’s shoulder, but your cervical spine will not hurt. And if you’re planning an adventure trip, you probably won’t want to carry a big pillow with you, so get the inflatable one, which you can then fold and it won’t take up space.

Tip: If you want to sleep on the plane, it’s better to skip the coffee and have it on the spot. Our strongest coffee that kept us awake was definitely the Colombian one atcoffee plantation in SalentoAnd so is the black Ceylon teaIn Sri Lanka, Elle.

4. Hygiene supplies and cosmetics

Taking cosmetics out of your luggage on board can sometimes be a challenge and a spectacle for others. If you don’t want to hunt for a toothbrush from the depths of your carefully packed backpack, prepare hygiene items and cosmetics for the plane sideways. Don’t forget lip balm, disinfection or wet wipes, a brush and paste and possibly a moisturizing cream (the air conditioning will dry you out quite a bit).

Tip: Don’t forget to prepare cosmetics in refillable bottles up to 100 ml and a small-sized multifunctional towel.

5. Powerbank

Although larger aircraft, which fly all larger routes, have a USB port for charging, the power bank will come in handy. Why? Because it can easily happen that you change somewhere (whether planned or unplanned) and there will be other sockets at the airport in that country and you will be left without a phone, Which means more or less without a plane ticket these days. In addition, you never know what can happen and how long you will be stuck at the airport.

6. Snack and food for the plane

You can order food from the given company in advance for a long flight. If you don’t order it, you won’t get anything somewhere, you get food elsewhere, but you don’t have to choose much. I take nuts and dried fruit as food supplies not only for the plane, but everywhere on the road. It’s kind of my salvation. Apart from that, I always have a classic snack on the plane like some toasts, buns, fruit or protein bars.

Tip: If nothing happens and you don’t have time to eat it, then you have breakfast. But if there is a problem that your plane will fly away, the flight will be canceled, or anything where you are stuck somewhere, you will be happy for a home snack. 

7. Sleeping Scratch

For better airlines, a sleeper is a matter of course, but not elsewhere. If you want to sleep, the sleeper is the basis and you will definitely use it at your destination or if you want to sleep at the airport.

TIP: Do you know where the money of tourists from animal rescue stations often goes? Unfortunately, they often promote poaching. Why? Read about it In our article.

8. Earplugs

You never know who will sit near you. Some passengers are noisy, reckless or maybe not exactly smelly. You can influence the noise by simply taking earplugs And you will have a better rest.

9. Quality headphones

You will get headphones in better airplanes, but You probably won’t plug them into your phone. Therefore, it is better to take your headphones with you, which can also serve as earplugs.

10. Comfortable clothes for the plane

Remember that you will have to sit on the plane and you will probably sleep, so comfortable clothes for the plane are essential. What to wear on the plane so that you feel comfortable throughout the flight? Long pants or leggings and a sweatshirt or sweater are ideal, because there can be a nice scythe on the plane. Don’t take anything tight, nothing that will scratch you or strangle you somewhere. It is the least you can do for your comfort. 

Don’t forget warm socks or compression socks if you have varicose veins or thrombosis (In this case, also tights and any medications after agreement with the doctor).

Tip: I also recommend wearing clothes for changing clothes such as clean underwear, T-shirt or socks.

How to dress in a plane if you are traveling with small children

Traveling with children is sometimes a challenge in itself. What to take on a plane for a long flight with children? Definitely more clothes, because accidents are not unusual for them either. Take something more warm and comfortable for them and spare clothes. Ideally something comfortable even for yourself, even for a short flight, if you had to run after them.

11. USB cable

What I’m going to do, the mobile phone is the main source of entertainment for many years. But the new phones no longer have a USB cable included in the charger, With which you can charge your mobile phone and headphones on the plane, don’t forget to take it.

12. Multifunctional socket reduction

You surely know that the sockets in the socket are not everywhere. You probably already have one packed in your backpack depending on where you’re going. But what if you stay during the stopover or cancel your flight and stay somewhere at the end of the world (Once we found ourselves in Santiago de Chile by pure chance)? A multifunctional socket reducer will not solve your problems, but you will charge your phone everywhere. Which can help a lot.

13. A mask or respirator

Even if the coronavirus time is over, thank God, a mask or a respirator is always useful on your travels and on the plane. Why? If you travel, fly often, don’t sleep much and are tired, it’s much easier for a bacillus to jump on you. How many times was a sick person sitting next to you somewhere who coughed the whole way? Unfortunately, you won’t be able to transfer on a plane as easily as on a bus. That’s why we always have a mask with us, which we use even when we ourselves feel that something is crawling on us.

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How to have fun on a plane

A long flight sometimes drags on, so it’s nice to plan in advance how to have fun on the plane. What to do on a plane during a long flight? For example, I download movies, audio books, podcasts, music or sometimes even work. There will certainly be a small monitor on the plane with movies and other entertainment, but don’t count on Czech dubbing or a large selection. Other than that on a plane For example, I edit photos, write views or diary. Someone also takes sudoku and crosswords (In that case, take a pencil).

Movement and long flight or what to do, don’t let your back hurt

I personally suffer from the fact that I have to sit for so long. Then my back hurts and I’m quite broken. That’s why when I have the opportunity, I go for a walk and stretch or stand for a while. But recently we invented such a lifehack, and that Go to the gym to work out in front of the plane. There we mainly focus on strengthening the back muscles and stretching. This will help us a lot on the plane.

A few words at the end

Don’t worry. For us, a long flight used to be something that I was just stressed about and I mainly wanted to get it over with. I’m enjoying it now. The flight attendants will bring you everything, you finally have time to watch your favorite series and books. A few weeks ago we returned from Malaysia and slept the whole flight on the plane after dinner until breakfast.

FAQ (FAQ)

Resources

Broo, S., 2013. Experiencing Long Haul Flight.

Sammito, S., Cyrol, D. and Post, J., 2022. Fatigue and Ability to Concentrate in Flight Attendants during Ultra-Long-Range Flights. High Altitude Medicine & Biology, 23(2), pp.159-164.

Tracy, B., 2009. Flight Plan: The Real Secret of Success. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.