19 Carry On Must Haves for Long Flights! {What I Pack}

Before you board the airplane, use this checklist to make sure you’ve got all the Carry On Must Haves for Long Flights in your bag!

Planning a getaway?  Are you wondering what to pack in your carry on?  These Carry On Must Haves for Long FLights will ensure you arrive at your final destination feeling spunky, refreshed, and photo-ready! 🙂

Knowing what you should take {and what you shouldn’t} can be trick, but I’ve flown a LOT over the years, and can tell you these are my top things I would never want to be caught without.

Whether you’re flying on a long haul international flight, or just several hours to your next destination, these carry on essentials will make your flight SO much more enjoyable!

So are you ready to pack your Carry On bag?  Here’s what I pack in my carry-on…

Related:

• How to Travel for Free or Cheap {20 Budget Travel Hacks}

Carry On Must Haves for Long Flights

#1: A Laptop Case Backpack to Maximize Space

When traveling, I almost always carry on a suitcase.  It saves time when you don’t have to check your luggage, you have a much smaller risk of losing your luggage, and it you can be on your way as soon as your plane lands.

Most airlines allow 1 personal item to carry on in addition to 1 suitcase to carry on.  If you were to take your purse, that would count as your personal item.  So to make sure you maximize space when boarding, I suggest taking a laptop backpack with a small purse tucked inside.  You won’t believe how much more you’ll be able to pack along on your trip now, without having to check luggage!  Plus, when you arrive at your destination, you can opt to use your purse or backpack, depending on what the day’s activities will include.

SwissGear ScanSmart Laptop Backpacks

#2: Your Passport or Travel ID

You’ll also want to check, double check, and triple check to make sure you’ve got your airline approved valid ID in your carry on.  Once you get to security, you won’t be going anywhere without it in hand. 🙂

#3: Zipper Bags for Seat Pockets {Tip from a Flight Attendant}

Gallon Zipper Bags are a must-have to hold your personal belongings in the seat pocket.  A flight attendant once told me to ‘proceed with caution’ when it comes to the seat back pockets, because they don’t always get sanitized between flights.  Ew, right?

And honestly… have you ever wondered what other people put in their seat back pockets?  Let’s all try not to think about the dirty diapers and used tissues. 🙂  Eeks!

#4: Hand Sanitizer for Snacktime

Hand Sanitizer, because you know… snack time is coming!  And don’t forget all of the icky things you might have touched since boarding the plane… let alone the tissue you used to blow your nose and that diaper you just changed for Baby! 😉  Did you know it’s actually SO easy to make your own hand sanitizer at home, too?  Check out this easy DIY Hand Sanitizer Recipe!

#5: Sanitizing Wipes for the Tray Table & Armrests

I also always take along Sanitizing Wipes for the tray table and armrests on the plane!  It will definitely give you some peace of mind knowing it’s all squeaky clean!

Frugal friend Wendy writes… “Take a Ziploc bag with disinfectant wipes for the seats, bathrooms, hotels & tourist attractions on your trip.”

#6: Chewing Gum for Takeoff & Landing

I never, ever, ever board a plane without Chewing Gum.  My ears have a way of getting plugged during takeoff and landing, so popping in a piece of gum and chewing it during the ascent and later again during the descent has helped me so much!

#7: Earbuds or Ear Plugs to Drown Out the Noise

Portable Music and Earbuds or Ear Plugs.  It’s always nice to sit back and relax with your favorite tunes or a little quiet time during your flight.

#8: Magazines, Books, or the Kindle App to Pass the Time!

Don’t forget the Kindle App, Magazines & Books!  Just in case you run out of in-flight entertainment provided by the airline, having something fun that you’ve packed to read can be a real lifesaver.

#9: Portable Phone Chargers

Always take along a Compact Phone Charger, too!  When your batter starts running low up in the air, you’ll be able to conveniently charge your phone without having to rely on a power outlet!  Unless you fly business class, you won’t usually have the ability to plugin to charge your devices, so these portable chargers are the perfect pocket-sized solution!

#10: Tasty Snacks to Keep You Energized

Snacks for sale at the airport or on your flight will cost you a pretty penny.  That’s why I always make sure to pack snacks from home in my carry on bag.  Trust me, you’ll never regret packing some yummy snacks in your carry on.  You’ll be ready when those munchie attacks come on while you’re sky high, and you’ll be all fueled up and ready to hit the ground running when it’s time to land!  Following are some of my favorite snacks to pack in small individual-serve sizes…

• Beef Jerky
• Breakfast Bars
• Candy
• Chips
• Crackers
• Dried Fruit
• Granola Bars
• Trail Mix Packets
• … and Breath Mints for after Snacktime 🙂

AFTER YOU GET THROUGH SECURITY…

Make sure to purchase a water bottle at the airport before you board your flight, too.  It’s way too easy to get dehydrated when traveling, and having a water bottle in your carry on will make sure you’ve got clean, filtered water ready to sip whenever you want it.

#11: A Lumbar Support Pillow to Save Your Back

My hubby recently had back surgery… ouch, right?  And now keeping your back supported and comfortable has become the rage here around our home. 🙂  That’s why we each take along a Travel-sized Inflatable Lumbar Support Pillow when traveling on airplanes.  You can inflate them to just the level of support you need, and they really do make such a difference when traveling on a long flight!

#12: And A Travel Pillow to Save Your Bobbing Neck!

A Comfortable Travel Pillow is another must-have!  Skip the not-too-comfy airline provided pillows, and bring your own comfy travel pillow instead!  Getting good rest during your flight will have you all bright-eyed and ready to go when you arrive at your final destination!

#13: An Eye Mask to Catch a Snooze

Travel days sure can be exhausting, can’t they?  With early morning flights or late night red eyes, it’s pretty easy to feel exhausted during any big travel day.  That’s why I LOVE taking along my favorite Silk Eye Mask.  I mean, have you ever tried closing your eyes for a nap on a bright sunny day?   When you’re flying above the clouds, that bright sunlight is sure to blaze right through your closed eyelids, so be sure to take along that eye mask for some nice blackout snooze time!  Even if you can’t make yourself sleep, if you just take a little while to black it all out and listen to some quite tunes you’ll definitely feel more relaxed.

#14: Cozy Socks to Stay Warm and Comfy on a Short Flight

Don’t forget your Cozy Fluffy Socks!  Nothing beats luxurious, fluffy socks, right?  Not only are they fun at home, but they’re fabulous and SO cozy on a long flight, too!  Or… as an alternative, if you tend to get hot on flights consider packing a pair of flip flops into your backpack so you can temporarily take off your big clunky shoes while in the air.

#15: Or Take Compression Socks for a Longer Flight!

Now if my flight is going to be 5 hours or longer, then I skip the fluffy socks and opt for Compression Socks instead.  They may look a bit odd, but they can help reduce swelling in your legs and ankles, while increasing your circulation on long haul flights.

I like to make sure I make a point to get up and walk around at least every 2 hours as well.  Whether I just walk up and down the aisle, or make a trip to the bathroom and do some quick ankle raises while I’m there, I know it’s important to keep moving and stretching when I can during long flights to improve circulation.

#16: Essential Medications

If you take any medications regularly, you’ll definitely want to make sure to include what you’ll need for your travel day in your carry on.  You can even set a phone alarm to remind you when to take them, in case you lose track of time.

#17: Don’t Forget Personal Care Essentials!

Don’t forget any small personal care items you might want while traveling!  Here are a few of my favorites to pack for flights..

• Advil {for those headaches that come on}
• Feminine Hygiene Products, just in case
• Lip Balm
• Travel-sized Stick Deodorant {not liquid}

#18: Baby Wipes Can Help You Freshen Up, Too!

Another thing I love to take along is Baby Wipes.  They are such a great way to freshen up quickly on the go!

Related: 60 Creative Ways to Use Baby Wipes

#19: Your Favorite Makeup Essentials to Glam Up Before Landing!

A little Makeup to freshen up before you land can go a long way!  Taking a few minutes to freshen up before you land will make you feel SO much better!  Just because you’ve just spent the last hours of your life up in the air doesn’t mean you can’t look AMAZING by the time you touch back down on the ground! 🙂

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So what are your favorite Carry On Must Haves for Long Flights?

Leave a comment & share!