Long haul...

[Atalune]

I’m travelling long haul with DH and kids who will be 7 and 10. I am well travelled and have flown heaps, but it’s been a while!

I was thinking, comfy bra, long like vest, t shirt, cashmere sweater, hareems, Nike’s. Big scarf for comfort, usefulness.

Does this sound ok?

Kids will be in joggers, tops and warm hoodies with a change spare just in case. Nike’s and DD has a little infinity scarf she can bring. Both will have small neck cushions and we will take those Turkish towels as blankets.

DH can dress himself!

A lot depends on the weather at your destination and timing of arrival. If I am travelling to somewhere hot, I will wear a dress with leggings and cardigan. Then I will take the leggings and cardigan off for arrival.
On my last long haul I wore skinny stretchy jeans, and wished I hadn’t. I was quite uncomfortable.
Flying Biz Class long haul a few years ago we were given proper pyjamas and urged to put them on while beds were made up. That was nice.

If the flight is overnight, definitely bring stuff for you and the kids to change into- it helps to sleep in my experience because my body is like ‘oh, I’ve put on PJ’s and brushed my teeth, it must be bed time!’. Another one here who has never had anything swell on a flight, so I always take my shoes off.

My essentials are always- gym leggings, a soft lightweight jumper and then a hoodie for over the top in case I get cold, a toothbrush, some Avene water (literally a compressed bottle of water mist- overpriced but so refreshing and soothing!), micellar water (mid flight I like to swipe some round my face as I always start to feel grubby on planes) moisturiser, lip balm, neom oil, deodorant

"The first thing I do when I arrive on holiday is make sure that I wash everyone's clothes they've been wearing on the plane"

Really? It would never occur to me to do that. I don't wash clothes on holiday, just swimwear.

We are on a night flight from London to California. A change of clothes is a good idea for the kids. I also read about walking barefoot for the first couple of days to ground us and overcome jet lag.....

Water mist- great idea! Will get some of that.

It’s been so long but do you still get hot towelettes?

DD always changes into her PJs before boarding if it's an overnight flight. Bring a travel size pack of Dettol wipes or similar, those tray tables are grim.

I take off my makeup on the plane and use a serum for extra moisturisation, I find a moisteriser alone doesn't cut it. Bring a nasal spray too if you're prone to dry sinuses. And travel sickness tablets too for the kids.

I usually wear skinny black trousers that are slightly stretchy with a t shirt/light blouse and trainers, with a cashmere scarf in my bag to use as a blanket and a hoody if it's not that cold but I want to feel cosy

I have visions of long queues outside the loos because everyone is using them to get changed into their PJs. Why not just wear something comfortable in the first lace and allow people to use the loos for their intended purpose? (I'm talking about travelling economy here)

Lip salve and your toothbrush and toothpaste. I like to brush my teeth either just before I land or if the toilets are too grim by that point, while DP waits at the luggage carousel.

Layers. Some planes are too hot, some are freezing. Hoodies are quite good as the hood can add to a pillow if need be. Some form of pashmina or wrap is always good if you can fit it in, economy blankets are often rubbish.

Definitely buy a bottle of water once through security. Nothing worse than being trapped in the window seat when everyone's asleep and you're thirsty.