Heading to a new place can be exciting, but the long flight it takes to get there? Not so much. Whether you’re sitting behind a crying baby, stuck next to a Karen, or just plain bored, flying isn’t won’t the most fun thing on your agenda. Luckily, we got you covered with all of the must-haves for a long flight to make your air time go by more quickly.
Headphones
One of the most important things you can bring are headphones. Preferably noise cancelling if you have them. Airplanes prohibit device usage if the sound is playing out loud, so without headphones you’re stuck watching movies in silent mode (and trust me, doing that sucks). Headphones will also allow you to listen to your favorite guilty pleasure songs, scary podcasts, or tv shows. If they’re noise cancelling, you have the privilege of tuning out the sound of those around you for an even more peaceful experience.
Disinfecting Wipes and Hand Sanitizer
Yes, the staff cleans the plane in between flights, but there’s no way of knowing how well it’s being cleaned. Especially with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it’s extremely important to have wipes and sanitizer with you. Wipe down your seat and tray, sanitize your hands, and offer some to the people around you if needed. The last thing you want is to get sick and not be able to fully enjoy your vacation.
Charger
Bring a charger. I can’t stress enough how important this one is. Having a phone isn’t just used for on flight entertainment. You’re going to need your phone once you hit your destination. From contacting loved ones, to finding a place to eat, to calling an Uber, it’ll be hard to leave the airport and start your adventure with a dead phone. Most planes have outlets on or near each seat, but bring a portable charger just in case.
Water Bottle
It sucks that you can’t bring water through TSA, but once you get to your terminal, you need to buy a water bottle (even though paying $8 for a 16 ounce bottle is basically robbery). Due to the low humidity in the aircraft, people are more susceptible to dehydration. Yes, they can give you free water once you’re on the plane, but a tiny cup isn’t nearly enough to benefit you.
A Pen
You never know when you’ll need it. If you’re flying internationally, you’re more than likely going to have to fill out paperwork or a landing card of some sort. The staff and person next to you might not have a pen you can borrow, so it’s best to always be prepared just in case. If you have a pen, you can also draw on your arms if you get bored!
First Aid Kit
No, you don’t have to have a full EMT bag with you, but having a bag with items such as band aids, Neosporin, and any essential medications will be extremely beneficial. You never know when you or someone else on the aircraft will need it.
Long flights can be brutal. They can be long, boring, and just downright annoying. While you can’t make your flight as fun as a day at the theme park, being prepared and having the right materials with you can definitely make your flight a lot more tolerable.
