First long haul trip (USA)- what am I missing?

[WiseFinch]

Long awaited trip for DP and I is just a few days away. I am a chronic under packer as is DP- neither of us will be checking in a bag but have a cabin bag each. Never been away for longer than 2 days and never left Europe! So any ideas of things I may have missed for a long haul flight would be so so hugely appreciated!!!
It’s an active holiday (hiking, swimming etc). I’ve got a 20kg case (more than I’ve ever been allowed on budget airlines which are the only ones I’ve flown with before!).
So far I’ve got (excluding clothes shoes etc)

• Travel adaptor
• ESTA paperwork (do I need to print this off or is the email confirmation ok?!)
• little 100ml thingies to decant my liquid into
• noise cancelling headphones
• couple books
• ipad which I’ll download shows onto

Clothes I’ve got 7 days worth as that’s how long we’re going for. Couple of pairs of trainers and a pair of heels I inevitably will not wear. Just seems like I don’t have enough stuff!!!! Just me and DP- no kids. Help me, what have I missed!

Teabags!!

Having written this out it’s made me really really curious when you see people at the airport with massive checked suitcases. What is in those?? I know couples and young families who always check a bag every time they go away. Why? Genuinely curious as I feel like I haven’t packed anywhere near a normal amount of stuff.

Neck cushion
Eye mask
Snuggly socks for the flight
audiobooks
empty bottle for water
moisturiser/hand cream/lip balm

Toiletries, hair dryer/straighteners, passport, sunglasses, swimwear, beach shoes?
No, you don’t need to print out your ESTA Waiver.

Where are you going? Depending on where, suncream, bug spray, flip flops, comfortable day bag or large purse. Tea bags if you’re a tea drinker. I’m American and even I think the tea there tastes like stale balls.

Phone chargers

Power bank

I’m confused you have a 20kg case but not checking a bag in? How given the dimensions for cabin luggage?

I always have moisturiser, lip salve, baby wipes and hand sanitizer in my hand luggage. I find I get a bit dehydrated on planes.

I would add pj's and different outfits for the evening, underwear, skincare, make up, toiletries, powerbank. I always take a big suitcase so I can shop. If I was going to the US I'd take the biggest case possible.

Are you sure it's not checked in as that seems high for cabin luggage?

For the flight -I'd always bring a big bottle of water which I buy after the security check in. You can easily get dehydrated on a long flight, I do anyway. Those little plastic glasses they give out don't do it for me. A light jumper/cardi as sometimes planes can be cold, and the tiny square of a blanket isn't always warm enough. A proper eye mask as the airline ones are cheap scratchy ones, ditto for wired headphones bring your own to plug into the media system, open your shoe laces or put on some comfy socks as your feet may expand a bit. Be sure to put shoes on when going to the bathroom though!!!

For over there - I'd bring some medications from home for vomiting diarrhea etc. just in case, stuff you know and are used to. Keep them in their original packaging

It’s definitely cabin but I think I’ve got confused with the 20kg thing. It’s something like 50cmx30x20 dimensions (can’t remember exactly but I’ve got a bag which is the right size). I don’t weigh my luggage so honestly no idea where I got 20kg from 😂
Ok eye mask and socks definitely added! I looked up those neck pillows and apparently they give you a pillow on the plane? Reluctant to buy one if I’ll only use it once but I may ask DP about that tomorrow as he flies more often than I do.
Not a shopping holiday - we are exploring national parks in the mountains! Maybe a few evening outfits that aren’t gym wear for the restaurants at the resort though - thank you

We have big suitcases because I have to pack one outfit per day for the kids in case they spill food all over themselves!

Hairbrush
Some kind of scarf / wrap
We usually take an extension lead then we only need one adaptor for multiple charging.

So much depends on where you're going and what you plan to do. I would generally want a different outfit for the evening, esp if walking etc and getting hot and sticky. Will the weather be changeable? If so a hoody/raincoat might be needed.

For long haul, I often take a pashmina as it can get freezing with the aircon! Plus handcream as gets v dry.

if you're taking electrical items like hairdryer etc, check that they are dual voltage, otherwise they won't work in the US.

I’m a light packer. But I have a friend that takes so more toiletries than the size of my hand luggage! And people change for the evening.

I hate overpacking though, but I’m also not a style icon 😂

The pillow they give you is like a piece of foam wrapped in tissue... I wouldn't count on it 😂

Wear your walking boots and ditch the heels. Kindle, Kobo or similar on iPad and leave out the books.

Teabags

American ones are grim

Light jacket or sweatshirt. The air con can be chilly. It will be very pricey, so be prepared!

Oooh okay never thought about air con. We are going somewhere hot like 30 degrees so it’s all summer clothes- maybe that’s why the suitcase is so empty! Not bothered about hairdryer or straighteners my hair air dries super fast and never been to a hotel without a hair dryer so I assume they’ll have one…
Suncream I’ll buy over there as can’t take liquids over 100ml.
Super helpful so far thank you!!

Oooh okay never thought about air con. We are going somewhere hot like 30 degrees so it’s all summer clothes- maybe that’s why the suitcase is so empty! Not bothered about hairdryer or straighteners my hair air dries super fast and never been to a hotel without a hair dryer so I assume they’ll have one…
Suncream I’ll buy over there as can’t take liquids over 100ml.
Super helpful so far thank you!!

I'm about to board a 12 hour flight with a six week old.

The amount of stuff you need is quite staggering. From being a previous light packer I'm now loaded down with slings, 1.5l of breast milk and ice packs, breast pumps, feeding pillows, sterilising equipment, car seat, buggy.

Please keep us and other passengers in your thoughts tomorrow 😭

Good travel insurance!

Im flying long haul tuesday(def not an activity hol) and we have huge cases and carry ons. Carry on-passport, international driving licence,cash,cards, phones, chargers, adapters(with built in USB port) small toiletry bags-moisturiser, decent eyemask, pillow, earbuds,toothbrush,leg sling thing, snacks and sweets,kindle, flight socks, water bottle. Sure there's more.