Whoever said, "It's not about the destination, but the journey," obviously never had to sit through a long-haul flight [1]. Spending hours crammed into a tightly packed aeroplane filled with recycled air and surrounded by strangers isn't everyone's idea of a good time. Unfortunately, it's a necessary part of travelling [2], especially if you're trying to knock a few faraway destinations [3] off your bucket list. But luckily, there are lots of ways you can make your long flight more enjoyable — and, most importantly, more comfortable. So load up your carry-on [4] with some of these travel essentials and you'll be well-rested and ready to explore when you reach your final destination.
Travel Pillow
Sleep is essential on a long flight, so try the Trtl travel pillow [6] ($30) to get some shut-eye and avoid getting a sore neck.
Facial Spray
Give your skin a refresh before you de-plane with one of these soothing facial sprays [7] ($21).
Blanket Scarf
Get cosy, stay warm, and look stylish on your long flight with this blanket scarf [8] ($52, originally $74).
Sleep Mask
A silk sleep mask [9] ($50) will help you block out that fluorescent plane light (and the glare from your neighbour's screen) so you can get some rest.
Ear Plugs
Whether it's screaming children or ambient noise from the plane's engine, these ear plugs [10] ($22) will block out all of the sounds on the plane.
Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Enjoy your movies and TV shows without disturbances with a set of noise-cancelling headphones [11] ($50).
Lip Balm
The recycled air in planes is notoriously dry, so keep your lips hydrated with a moisturising lip balm [12] ($9).
Facial Moisturiser
Likewise, your face will thank you for using this hyaluronic acid facial moisturiser [13] ($17, originally $19) to prevent your skin from drying out on your flight.
Tablet
Load up a tablet [14] ($200, originally $230) with your favourite movies, TV shows, and e-books to pass the time on your long flight.
Face Wipes
You can't wash your face properly in an aeroplane bathroom, so give your face a refresh and remove makeup with some face wipes [15] ($18).
Pill Case
Keep any medications you might need safe and organised in this pill case [16] ($11).
Pens
It's always a good idea to have pens [17] ($18) on hand when you travel, and they'll come in handy when filling out customs forms and landing cards on the plane.
Dry Shampoo
After a long flight, your hair may need a pick-me-up, so pack this travel-sized dry shampoo [18] ($10) and you'll feel good as new.
Travel Wallet
Keep all of your travel documents, foreign currency, credit cards, and other important items in a travel wallet [19] ($74, originally $99) so you don't misplace anything on your flight.
Collapsible Water Bottle
This collapsible water bottle [20] ($15) is great for taking in your carry-on so you can stay hydrated on your flight — just be sure it's empty when you go through security.
Portable Charger
If you're flying with a budget airline or very basic economy, your seat might not have a plug, so keep this portable charger [21] ($38) on hand just in case.