First every long haul flight coming up - what do I need?

[SirRaymondClench]

Forever I've read about beauty routines for onboard a long haul flight but it's never applied to me as I've never flown further than Europe...
However in a few weeks I am off to New York (woohoo!) which is about as long haul as I get!

So what would you reccommend for onboard? What do you do skin wise etc onboard? Any other tips?

Antibacterial wipes

Regular flyer here.
I don't take off my make up on a flight to NY, I might if I go further using wipes but only to freshen up and then I'd be putting more on. My make up is only light mineral foundation, Bobbi Brown eyeliner and Clinique gentle mascara plus Shea Butter lip balm. Plus my toothbrush to freshen up.
I now wear my contacts on most flights, I always have my glasses in case my eyes get dry.
My clothes are always comfortable and layered, my shoes slip on
I take a neck pillow, my own headphones and an iPad with films downloaded and my kindle loaded.
Through security I buy a 750ml bottle of water and I pack some biscuits in case the meal is awful.
I usually have all my valuables and what I have mentioned in a bag by my feet.
In the overhead I have my rollaboard with my medication, spare clothes and any work stuff or paperwork for the trip. There is space in this for my other bag and pillow at a squeeze.

We tend to fly overnight. So remove makeup in lounge, shower even on return leg. Then iPad and decent book. My husband takes his PJs and changes whilst the staff put the mattress on the seat. I don't but make sure I'm wearing loose clothing that doesn't crinkle too badly.
A drink, supper, then settle to sleep until morning. We've always had little freshen up bags that suffice to make you feel awake. Reapply lipstick and a light breakfast.

Oh god. I go against all the sensible rules. I pack my kindle, laptop & magazines, and order a red wine as soon as possible. Lovely red, eye mask, blanket & off to sleep. Awake, eat, then read/watch films, drink more wine along with lots of water, and eat crisps. Sorted.

NY isnt too long a flight so i would take

Rehydration sachets for when you get there, they really help even if you drink lots on board
Lip balm is a must, carmex original is my choice as lasts longer
Deoderant wipes to freshen up
Tissues
Perhaps some hand cream and sanitiser
Chewing gum or mints
Cooling foot and leg cream

Also fruit, you wil hve to eat it or bin it before getting off plane so not too much, a good apple or some grapes

I always fly in harem-style pants with a dark cotton top and comfy flats - looks good, no creases and very comfortable. Buy water after security/bring an empty bottle to fill up. Eat according to the schedule of the place you're flying to - helps to minimise jet lag. I usually take wet wipes with me, good for so many things.

My fingers get a bit puffy too but I'm not running this risk of losing my sparklers! Far too risky! A couple of tightish rings won't kill you. Leave rings at home in a safe if you need to. Or hidden in the loft!

Definitely this best moisturiser you can afford, and slather it on. Layerable clothing. Toothbrush and toothpaste. Talcum powder, just a small container, great used after baby wipes to make you feel fresh. Sunglasses and light make up, eg concealer and eyeliner for landing. I love long haul travel, although admittedly it's not as fun now I have DS 1&2 tagging along!

Crumbs I think waiting for people to put the mattress of your flat-seat is a fairly niche part of long haul flying. Having said that, I change into smart PJs/yoga pants for long flights just to be a bit more snuggly.

Never ever ever walk around in bare feet or your socks the floors are filthy and especially the toilet floors. The number of people I see in socks or bare feet makes me want to Vom

If you have any noise cancelling earphones are brilliant as the endless loud hum of the engine will get through standard ones.

Wiping down tray tables and seat arms ??? Yep every time it was flight attendants (our neighbours) that suggested to me that it's a good idea.....when you see how grubby the cloth is after? Well I recon you will then always do it.

Another tip from neighbours was to put all hand luggage tech stuff phones chargers etc in a clear XL zip lock bag in your hand luggage then when you have to get it out for security check it's very simple to do and then it's also easy to pick up out of the tray and pop back in hand luggage. Easy to access too

Also don't always expect the onboard entertainment system to work have a book or similar as back up.....flew back from the west coast last month with a failed system and 20 I-pads the crew shared out between passengers. For some people it was a very long flight with nothing to do

But most importantly......have a bloody wonderful time in New York xxx

bubbles
I just put them in the coin but of my purse, which goes in my bag which goes by my feet. No risk of anything getting lost

1. Drink some water.

1. Put on some lip balm

1. Put on cashmere wrap, socks and do not disturb sign

1. Take a sleeping tablet of choice (zopiclone for me)

1. Wake up at destination

I fly first or business class and amenities are available if I need them but mostly I'm asleep. It's not much of a beauty ritual I grant you!

Oh I forgot: earplugs!

I take a carrier bag and a clothes peg because there's always so much rubbish. The kids each get a bag and a clothes peg and pin the bag to the back of the seat in front, off the magazine pouch. Also put valuables in one plastic bag and gadgets in another for ease in security. We all have silicone water bottles that roll up, too, as some airports still have water fountains. Each child also has a shallow silicone baking tray. This way they can play with Lego or the like and are less likely to drop small items on the floor.

We all have a pack of anti-bac wipes and hand sanitiser because soap can run out (eeww). We also all carry a bandana because you'll always need a napkin of sorts.

I also spray us with First Defence and the eye moistener you spray on your eyelids.

We have small pillows I got in IKEA and a microfibre towel to use as a blanket. Large spare plastic ziploc bags I carry, too. About 5 or so.

I have it down to a science when I'm travelling with them as the route we had to take is about 18 hours and DS has autism.

I swell up so I don't wear rings or bracelets, I wear flight socks and sit in the aisle to get up often.

I take Higher Nature VitC tablets, too, as they don't contain sweeteners, gum, tissues, Astral, lip balm and LUSH face spray and Tisserand rollerballs (Travel, Sweet Dreams, DeStress and Energy).

Own headphones always.

Oh, don't forget a change of clothes in your hand luggage!

It's only 6.5-7 hours, I don't consider that a long haul flight. But I travel a lot so it's no big deal. I realise that other people may feel differently and it may be more of a big deal to them so not trying to minimise the OP's excitement.

If it's an overnight flight and I need to get some sleep as I've got a full-on day after landing, I'll usually bring my own eye mask (a Masters of Mayfair one) and ear plugs (Isolate ones).

I always travel with my Bose noise cancelling earphones, a Kindle, lip balm (Lucas Pawpaw), hand cream, my favourite pen and a silk/cashmere scarf (can be used as a scarf, blanket or pillow).

For long haul flights (12+ hours), I usually also bring some dental floss, a Colgate wisp, facial mist, mints, some light make-up (IT cosmetics BB cream and powder), a travel size dry shampoo, a travel size solid deodorant, travel size perfume, a TangleTeezer, spare pair of disposable contact lenses and a spare pair of knickers (and spare top/dress on really long flights). I will use the socks/slippers provided onboard (or bring a pair with me if they won't be provided). I usually travel wearing a short sleeved jersey loose dress over a pair of leather leggings (black is always good as it doesn't show any dirt) so it's easy to add/remove leggings when I'm going between hot/cold climates. I take a jersey wrap/cape with me in my bag for colder climates.

I don't worry about jetlag and all the bodyclock stuff. Spent too many years trying to follow all the various suggestions on how to avoid jetlag and had some miserable failures. Now I do what I feel like doing (eat/drink wine/nap/read etc) on the flight regardless of timezone. When I arrive, I go straight on to local time, pop 10mg melatonin at bedtime and the next morning I'm raring to go with no trace of jet lag. Works every time.

More of a couple of tips than something to take with, but when I flew long haul for the first time last year there were two things I realised:

1. I'm a people pleaser, so much as I thought being by the window would be nice (to watch take off and landing etc) it actually meant I didn't go to the loo often enough as I felt I couldn't ask people to move. On the way back I booked an aisle seat.

2. the "specialist" meals were served first. So I had eaten all of my meal before a large number of other people even had received theirs, which meant the queue for the toilets were non existent and so I slipped out of my seat and went to the loo to change into comfy clothes without the pressure of a queue waiting for me. This was Virgin though, it might be different for other carriers.

Enjoy New York!!!

New York isn't long haul but if you are used to Europe it's a wee bit further. Long haul really is 12+ hours of flying.

I don't bother with much.

Comfy clothes
Lip balm
I don't wear make up when I fly and moisturise well before leaving home
I take a big bottle of water onboard with me
Kindle
Noise cancelling head phones.

On board I order a large glass of wine and settle in. If I sleep that's a bonus. Watch movies and read.

I like lip balm and a moisturiser for hands and face with me
Drink lots of water
Take a wrap in case it is cold or there are draughts
Aisle seat for ease of getting up when you like
Small bag with everything you are likely to need on the flight under the seat in front
If you want to sleep watch films you have seen before - if I watch something new I always want to stay awake to see what happens. The in flight entertainment usually has a "classics" section which is good for this

It's all relative, To me long haul is over 6hours I would say.

The Lisa Eldridge video posted upthread is my inspiration. Think of it as enforced me-time. Personally I like to tuck myself away by the window as I'm small and can curl up completely on the chair, also have very strong bladder so can time loo visits for when least disturbing for fellow passengers.

I take my hand luggage in an oversized squishy weekend bag, easy to stuff under the seat in front of me.

Comfy clothes - lounge wear style - so leggings/jeggings/yoga/harem pants depending on the look I want when I get there, top half in layers so vest/lose top/cardi/big scarf so I can peel off/layer on as needed. I take my poshest soft cashmere socks for during the flight. I don't care about padding round the floor in them - ignorance is bliss . I make sure my footwear is easy to get on again and comfy for walking through airports and in case of emergency.

Beauty/pampering stuff:
Toothpaste/toothbrush - only been given this once, BA I think. Besides I have a preference for toothpaste and prefer a certain type of brush!
Micellar wipes to cleanse
Some kind of hydrating mist/spray
Lip balm
Eye cream
Hydrating eye spray
Hand sanitizer (I have a lovely dr bonner lavender one, has the added bonus of relaxing scent)
Hand cream
Deep moisturiser or even overnight mask type thing - I have an origins overnight mask that just looks like you've put loads of moisturiser on.
Light moisturiser with spf for before getting off the other end
Basic makeup kit for before getting off
I do drink lots of water. But will also guzzle as much wine as they offer me so I sleep well (depending on length/time of flight.... not so much fun arriving somewhere new drunk at 4am local time).

I have to order special meal anyway but it does always mean I get served well before anyone else. Always looks nicer too, someone has had to take time to prepare it. I take my own snacks as sometimes the selection they have isn't suitable for me. Do avoid anything with nuts in though for the sake of other passengers.

I take my own pillow and eye mask as it's just nicer than the ones they give you, if they give you any at all. Own headphones too and a book. I have never in my life had to wait whilst the staff sort my mattress out I genuinely don't understand who the people are that can afford to travel like that! I mean normal flight tickets are so expensive. People who fly business/first class live in a different world to a lot of us, I feel. Wouldn't mind trying their world out though!

Good idea about the nasal/first defence spray. Shall add that to my list for next flight :)

Oh and may be just my anxiety but I always make sure I have my shoes on as soon as we start to descend for landing, and my passport/wallet/phone in my pocket. Just in case we have to exit the aircraft in an emergency on landing.

Don't take too much, you won't have that much room to manoeuvre every thing. You only get a tiny space if you're flying cattle class.

I fly with mascara and moisturiser. You can carry water with you, but they're always happy to bring you water if you want it. Blankets are supplied.
I take a magazine usually and watch movies. Flights to the States aren't too bad. Eat, read, watch a movie and sleep and you're there in no time. Bung on a bit more moisturiser for extra time wasting.
Australia is 24-30 hours away...I loose the will anyway and no matter what beauty hacks I employ I arrive looking like a wild beast

Likeaninja your my type of person! I must admit for me it's all about get an alcoholic drink asap! 🍷 🍺

I know NY isn't really classed as long haul but I still can't bear to leave makeup on. My skin and eyes feel dry as soon as I get on the plane nearly.

I've done Australia with just a brief stop in Singapore a few times. Lucky enough to go either Premium Economy or Business Class. Dry shampoo is a great idea and one I hadn't thought of. My hair feels yuck by the time we get there. Will be adding dry shampoo to my list for those flights.

NY-LON is pretty short. Lon-Houston/Amsterdam-Houston fecking nearly 10 hours. And the worst is when you have to come into Lon/Amsterdam what have you from somewhere else first, so your journey turns into nearly a day.

I always order the vegan meal, too, because I am lactose intolerant so don't want to take the chance that the meal is something slathered in cheese or other dairy product.

A lot of people suggest crackers as a snack. They break. A whole wheat tortilla wrap with nut butter is a much better idea.

Then I'm also free to help DS get sorted because my meal came first.