Seasoned flyers - what are crucial items to pack for a long flight?

[LilBatFaceGal]

I have two long flights coming up - back to back, first one to Doha and then on to the Seychelles

As I've barely gone further than Portugal before I'm very nervous. Don't fly well anyway but I thought I'd feel better if I felt more organised

So what are your absolute must haves for the plane?

Thanks in advance

Water
Warm socks
Blanket/hoodie
Several books

I get really cold on long haul. They used to be pretty generous either blankets and sleep masks etc, but not so much these days.

No tight clothing - tracksuit and layers.

Power bank and charger.
Water bottle so you aren't reliant on the tiny little cups they hand out water in- flying is very dehydrating!

No to the fruit and nuts (if in a mixed bag). If someone is on board with an allergy you won't be able to open them.

I do proper long haul (to the Antipodes) quite a lot. I go Premium Economy as work no longer springs for Business. Change planes somewhere in Asia. If there's enough time, I use my international lounge pass to have a shower.

I book a window seat so I can snuggle in, and I'm not disturbed by people going up & down the aisle.

I don't expect to sleep properly but I try to doze throughout the 24 hours. It's easier to adapt to the 9 hour time difference if you've had as much sleep/rest as possible. I usually arrive early morning, stay up all day & go to bed at 7pm, and rarely have any further jetlag.

I rarely use anything I pack in my underseat bag: but what I do use:

• silk eyeshade
• case to put my spectacles in while I doze
• Phone
• Airpods for podcasts on my phone
• USB charger cord for my phone
• Chocolate
• Trebor Extra strong mints

In Premium Economy long haul they give you a blanket & pillow & socks, but if you're worried, I find a big silk scarf or cashmere wrap is very cosy.

Yes, I would recommend your favourite chocolate (so it's a bit of a treat to balance against the nightmarish long flight), as long as it doesn't have nuts in.

@YellowAsteroid ooh we did pay to upgrade to premium economy! Must admit, I thought it was just extra leg room? Not that I need that as I'm quite short!

@Day99 ha you're talking to the queen of wanting to be prepared for anything. Ive
got a bloody tooth repair kit packed already in my suitcase!

Please be considerate to the possibility of people with allergies to nuts particularly on the plane (a confined space with limited medical capacity in event of emergency / anaphylaxis). I wish they would just not allow them at all but hey ho. Please think if you really need to take them, and at very least if any announcements etc. are made about no nuts or someone having an allergy on the flight (again, a whole other story if airlines are willing to do this even...) then adhere to this, what may be a snack you could absolutely live without might be a worry of life or death for someone else.

@rainbowsparkle28 yes, I'm not a complete idiot and I have no desire to kill my fellow passengers or put anyone at risk. My understanding was it was the micro dust from peanuts that caused issues in people with severe allergies and not the walnuts & pecans I'd be considering but - like everything i do - I'll look into this more. Rest assured

Water - i always have at least 1.5l (not joking)
Good selection of snacks
Ear plugs and or noise cancelling headphones
Spare socks and knickers
Power bank and usb charger
Painkillers
Multipurpose moisturiser

I've done long haul regularly throughout my life (before the environmentalists come for, my parents are from two different continents and I grew up on another, long haul was/is unavoidable) and I would add compression socks and neck pillow to your list. And empty water bottle, some spare snacks too. The best pillows for me are the ones that look a bit like neck braces to stop your head from going forward and straining your neck

Similar to a PP I always take a 750ml water bottle, empty it can go through security fine and then refill when in departures - never enough water on the flight and you need to drink loads to stay hydrated and less jetlagged

Yes to compression socks, I started wearing them on long hauls 10+ years ago now and really believe they massively help

Doha airport is nice, easy to get around - you can simply scan your boarding pass on one of the machines they have to find your onward connection it’s nicely done. If you have time do go and wander around the Orchard bit it’s quite peaceful

As a PP mentioned they can be a bit random with security re-screening on transfer, sometimes you go through, sometimes not

Water or water bottle (virgin, for example, don't give water bottles anymore)
Noise cancelling ear phones - the best you can buy - and download your stuff in advance.
Lipsyl, iboprofen and a leak proof carrier bag.

My friend is allergic to walnuts, it's not just peanuts.

@LilBatFaceGal the compression socks prevent / reduce the swollen ankles and lower leg.

@boulevardofbrokendreamss don't worry. As previously mentioned, I won't be harming anyone on a flight.

Really comfy, warm clothes with layers.
Spare t-shirt in case of spills.
Anti-bac wipes to clean the entire area when you get on.
Eye mask
Ear plugs
Over-ear head phones
Travel pillow
Vaseline to plug your nose
Big water bottle
Melatonin

I’ve not seen this mentioned anywhere on the thread but I always pack spare clothes (leggings, pair of knickers and a change of top- ie things that hardly take up any room) just in case of spillage/someone being sick on you/ flights getting delayed and you missing your connection and having to stay in a hotel. All of the above have happened to me on long haul flights!

Headphones, power pack (even if there's in seat charging it's sometimes broken) water bottle (refill after security ) same as any flight really. I've done 10+ hours many times, don't overthink it

Oh and patience, Doha is a pain, they make you go through security in transit and no comfy seats in the airport

Oh and don't take nuts, at least half the flights I've been on in the last few years have announced no nuts as we boarded due to a passenger with an allergy

Slides or crocs to wear. So many people take off their shoes to be comfortable and then go to the toilet in socks 🤮. I usually wear socks and crocs. Height of fashion 😂.

Those foot hammocks can be a realm pain for the person in the seat in front of you and their seat slightly moves every time you adjust your feet. DH had to complain about the person behind him having one on our last LH flight. Very awkward and annoying.

Pashmina or big scarf
comfy layers
moisturiser
lip balm
water and snacks (i take oat cakes)

good earphones
warm socks
wet wipes
eye drops
kindle
a bag that is easy to organise and find things in

do not wear jeans or tight restrictive clothing

I never drink alcohol before or on a long flight and have occasionally taken antihistamine to help me sleep