Long Flight - suggestions on essentials to bring

[Anonymous]

If you’re in business class, don’t bother with the weird neck pillow. Bring a good quality eye mask and a full change of clothes and body lotion so you can shower in the lounge during your layover. Drink lots of water and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Yes to the compression socks.

Bring a charge cord and adapter, plus an extra power pack.

Let the stewardess know as you board if you don’t plan to eat (I usually skip the meal on overnight flights and go to sleep as fast as possible). And I never wear makeup - it clogs my pores and my skin is a wreck for the next week. Not worth it.

[Anonymous]

Are you going to Perth? (That's my hometown.)

I've done this kind of longhaul run a half dozen times or more. Here are my recommendations:

1. In-flight clothing -- I recommend comfy quick-dry layers, with zip pockets. I wear joggers, a tank, a hoodie and a quilted jacket. Compression socks and sneakers (or any other comfortable flat shoe). I also wear legwarmers because the socks + sneakers combo looks a bit goofy and I get cold legs.

2. Packing.

For in-flight -- toothbrush, toothpaste, whatever else you need to freshen up. Eye mask, headphones, spare battery, charger (your flight will have an outlet at your seat, but it's possible it won't work). Empty water bottle. I like to stash a couple of granola bars in my bag just in case I sleep through a meal. Pen (you will have to fill out forms). Phone or laptop stocked up with amusements. Tissues, hand sanitizer. I also get extremely cold in flights so I bring a fairly hefty blanket with me, but that's a personal quirk. A pashmina or other scarf is a good idea.

Also in your carry-on -- pack so that you can go for 24h at your destination without luggage. Clean underwear and a clean outfit (a knit dress is ideal here, especially if you need to be work-ready). Ideally you would wear the same shoes with that outfit.

The other recommendation I would have if you are traveling to Australia is to pick up some food before you go to bed. You are likely to wake up starving at 3AM for the first day or two, so some cheese and crackers or a banana is great to have around.

[Anonymous]

Great suggestions from PPs.

I always travel with pen and paper games, like crossword puzzles or sudoku. Also, a paperback - usually a beach read type or something engrossing.

[Anonymous]

If you wear glasses, a hard eyeglass case so you can take them off and store them in the seat back without getting crushed but have them close by if need them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you going to Perth? (That's my hometown.)

I've done this kind of longhaul run a half dozen times or more. Here are my recommendations:

1. In-flight clothing -- I recommend comfy quick-dry layers, with zip pockets. I wear joggers, a tank, a hoodie and a quilted jacket. Compression socks and sneakers (or any other comfortable flat shoe). I also wear legwarmers because the socks + sneakers combo looks a bit goofy and I get cold legs.

2. Packing.

For in-flight -- toothbrush, toothpaste, whatever else you need to freshen up. Eye mask, headphones, spare battery, charger (your flight will have an outlet at your seat, but it's possible it won't work). Empty water bottle. I like to stash a couple of granola bars in my bag just in case I sleep through a meal. Pen (you will have to fill out forms). Phone or laptop stocked up with amusements. Tissues, hand sanitizer. I also get extremely cold in flights so I bring a fairly hefty blanket with me, but that's a personal quirk. A pashmina or other scarf is a good idea.

Also in your carry-on -- pack so that you can go for 24h at your destination without luggage. Clean underwear and a clean outfit (a knit dress is ideal here, especially if you need to be work-ready). Ideally you would wear the same shoes with that outfit.

The other recommendation I would have if you are traveling to Australia is to pick up some food before you go to bed. You are likely to wake up starving at 3AM for the first day or two, so some cheese and crackers or a banana is great to have around.

This. Always.