What to Pack for a Long-haul Flight

Here's everything I needed for a 14-hour flight and a 24-hour travel day.

This post is coming to you live from India (on assignment for Travel + Leisure), and it’s been about five full days since I got off the longest flight of my life. From Washington, D.C. to Dubai was a solid 13.5 hours. I then had a six-hour layover before another 3.5 hours to Delhi. Admittedly, I was nervous about this long-haul, red-eye flight—and I spent the two weeks prior to departure carefully thinking through my game plan.

I despise being uncomfortable or unprepared while I’m traveling—the impetus of this Substack—so I wanted to make sure I was ready for everything: the dry air, the layover, the soreness. Granted, I was flying business class with Emirates, which made things significantly more comfortable, but I’ll be repeating the packing list below for incredibly long flights (not in business) this spring.

A personal item that zips: MZ Wallace Large Metro Tote Deluxe or the Antler Icon 2-in-1 Tote Backpack

Typically, I would have brought my roomy MZ Wallace Large Metro Tote Deluxe as my personal item, but I was conscious of weight restrictions for the flights I’d be taking around India during this trip. So I went with the Antler Icon 2-in-1 Tote Backpack. This was actually the first time I’ve traveled with this style, and I was delightfully surprised with how much it holds (laptop, chargers, toiletries, camera). I also appreciated the zip top—you don’t want things to fall out while the bag is under the seat in front of you—and the versatile handles and straps. I mainly carried it as a backpack, but I utilized the tote bag handles when deplaning.

Toiletry bag: Kusshi Neoprene Small Train Case

I’m always testing new toiletry bags, and I’ve officially found my new favorite one: the Kusshi Neoprene Train Case. It’s taller than toiletry bags I’ve used in the past, but it isn’t bulky. The small size can hold 20 to 25 products (more than I brought with me to India), and the neoprene material is washable.

In-flight toiletries: Moisturizer, lip balm, contact solution, mini toothpaste

I knew dryness was going to be an issue on this flight. I already have dry skin, so I’m militant about carrying moisturizer and lip balm. For this trip, I went with the Dieux Mini Air Angel Collagen & Peptide Hydrating Gel Cream and multiple lip balms (this one from Nuxe is my favorite)—and I made sure my contact solution and toothpaste were easily accessible. When I landed in Dubai, I went straight to the bathroom to freshen up; this was imperative before sitting for another six hours, waiting to begin the second leg of the journey to India.

Face cleansing wipes (that don’t require water)

The 4AM Clean Sheets were an absolute game-changer for me. I didn’t want to have to wash my face in the airplane or airport sink, but I also had zero interest in not washing my face for a full 24 hours. That’s when I remembered an ad I kept seeing for these cleansing (and moisturizing) towelettes that don’t require water. The box comes with 25 individually wrapped towelettes, and I slid a couple of them into my toiletry bag. They also came in handy after a dusty safari through Panna National Park (more on that when I write my India packing list next week).

Mini exercise ball, eye mask, headphones, and portable power bank

Along with skincare items, I also packed things that would help me deal with the sheer length of the journey. This hip flexor release ball is a godsend for my tight hips and glutes (it’s bigger than a lacross ball, but still packable). This memory foam eye mask was recommended to me by a massage therapist. My Bose noise-canceling headphones travel with me everywhere, and I always carry a portable power bank to charge my phone. You never know when the plug in your seat will malfunction—and you don’t want to arrive at your destination with a dead phone.