Carry-On Essentials for Long Flights: 30 Items to Bring Along
Regardless of where you’re headed, it’s always safe to bring along a carry-on bag — but that is especially the case for those long flights. We’ve lost track of how many times our suitcases have been lost, or the times we’ve missed our connection and had to spend the night in a hotel with nothing but the clothes on our backs. That’s why we put together a list of the 28 carry-on essentials for long flights — all tried and tested.
From spare clothes and eye masks to portable chargers and headphones, this list has made our lives a lot easier and we hope it’ll do the same for you! And if you’re looking for things to bring to your next long-term Airbnb stay, click here for our complete packing guide.
For Packing
Some of the most crucial items when planning your carry-on essentials for long flights are the packing pieces, like a durable but light backpack, a useful passport holder, and a travel pouch that will fit most of your smaller belongings. Check out our favorites below.
1. The Backpack
The Cotopaxi Allpa Pack is on the smaller end of carry-on packs, but it is still quite spacious and easier to carry along on long trips. It has handles on all sides and sits upright on its own, making it really easy to maneuver.
The backpack almost resembles a suitcase, with a full-wrap zipper opening on the main compartment, which lets you see all the contents easily. There’s also a padded laptop sleeve and compartments for things like passports and other essential items. The front panel is made of waterproof material to keep your things dry and all external zippers have the theftproof webbing sewn across the openings
Cotopaxi is well known for its great customer service, and the bag even has a lifetime warranty.
2. The Passport Holder
It’s not really long enough to fit tickets fully, so note that you’ll have to fold certain things. But, we actually prefer the smaller size since it’s easier to fit in certain compartments.
It comes in really cute colors and like all MochiThings, it’s great quality. It has space for a pen, 4 card slots, a passport pocket, and an extra pocket for anything else you might need.
3. The Travel Pouch
We sometimes wish the pouch was a bit wider to fit even more things, but it is quite compact so it fits easily into narrow spaces. The material is nice and durable. We’ve had ours for years and have never had an issue with zippers, seams, or any quality concerns.
MochiThings Travel Pouch
4. The Laundry Bag
The laundry bag starts out small and then unzips into a larger bag that can hold about a week’s worth of laundry.
The bag is lightweight, moisture resistant, and even machine washable for easy care. The quality is also pretty strong for being so thing. The drawstrings, zipper, and material are all suited for the wear and tear of travel.
5. The Small Purse
The Madewell Transport Camera Bag is a perfect companion to your carry-on bag. It’s the perfect size for holding your wallet, phone, and keys., and it comes with two straps. The canvas one is great for the summer months, while the leather one is nice to have for the fall. You can also use it without the straps like a small clutch.
The purse is small and light, and easy to pack inside your backpack or carry-on suitcase. It’s also really comfortable to carry on you during travel and the zipper keeps your essential things safe.
The only thing is that it’s not lined on the inside, but it’s still durable and very cute.
6. The Reusable Bag
For Entertainment
Items that help keep us entertained like Ipads, Kindles, or headphones are at the top of the list of our carry-on essentials for long flights. While many planes now offer in-flight entertainment, it certainly isn’t a guarantee, and it’s always better to be prepared just in case.
7. The Tablet
The iPad Air is one of the best things to carry along on a flight. It’s light and compact, but great for streaming movies, reading magazines, or looking things up.
Since it doesn’t have a keyboard, it’s not the most user-friendly when it comes to doing work, but it’s perfect for everything else.
The tablet is fast and slick, and much lighter than bigger laptops. It’s also ideal when traveling with children since it can keep them entertained for days.
8. The Reader
We both love physical books but quickly realized that they are either too heavy or tough to find in certain countries. That’s when the Kindle Paperwhite became our new best friend. It’s light, reliable, and can pack a library of books and magazines.
Books on a Kindle are also generally cheaper and it’s great because you can adjust the size and font on the page, and you can even keep track of your reading speed. Just make sure to download the books you’ll want in advance of the trip since it does require Wi-Fi to do so.
9. The Headphones
We love the Jabra Elite Earbuds, which are comfortable, light, durable, and pretty affordable when it comes to earbuds. They fit really well and unlike other earbuds, rarely fall out. Jabra says these have a smaller design than the older version, providing an ideal fit for every ear shape.
They have a wireless connection, so no need to deal with cables, and even have a noise-canceling feature, so you can filter out the world. The earbuds have up to 24 hours of battery time with a pocket-friendly charging case, and work really well for listening to music and taking calls.
10. The Portable Charger
The Anker Portable Charger is one of those incredibly important carry-on essentials for long flights, especially when we’re not certain whether the seat will have any charging devices.
The device is really light and charges most phones over 6 times and tablets at least 2 times. Plus, Anker has an excellent support staff always willing to answer questions or assist with concerns.
Its technology also offers recharge speeds up to twice as fast as standard portable chargers. A full recharge takes just over 6 hours.
11. The Camera
As travel bloggers, we always have our Sony A5100 Camera with us – for work and for fun. It’s easy to use and a great first camera to learn about photography. One of the key features is the mirror flip-up screen, great for making sure the lighting and focus are always right during selfies.
Another great addition is that the camera comes with Wi-Fi, which means you can send photos taken on the camera to any other device, as long as you’re connected to the internet. The camera is also very light and the lens it comes with takes wonderful photos!
12. The Travel Adapter
The Bestek Power Adapter is always in our carry-on bag because it acts as a power converter, has multiple charging sockets, and comes with different plug adapters. So, essentially, it has all in one.
It is a bit bigger than other adapters, but you can choose what sockets to bring with you, depending on the destination, and you don’t need to worry about any converter issues.
Plus, we love the fact that it allows us to charge all of our electronics in one place, without having to have plugs and cables in multiple locations.
13. The Phone Plan
Airalo is an international phone plan that works in over 190 countries. All you have to do is download the app, select your country and package, and install and activate the eSIM. It’s super easy to use and prices are incredibly affordable.
They offer packages for 7 or 30 days, with different levels of data available. Prices range anywhere from $5 – $30. It’s an eSIM, so you don’t need a physical SIM card, and the app walks you through the process step by step.
We’ve used it now in a number of different countries and have had a great experience. Make sure to use our referral code (CRISTI3010) for $3 off your first purchase.
For Hygiene
The one good thing that came out of the Covid-19 pandemic is that people are now much more cautious when it comes to traveling and staying healthy. As slight germophobes, we’ve quickly adhered to this new pattern and compiled a list of things we definitely bring along – from hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes to immune support vitamins and stain removers. These are certainly not the most exciting, but are absolute musts in our list of carry-on essentials for long flights.
14. The Disinfectants
Ever since the pandemic, we are much more careful about bringing hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes on all flights.
Our go-to are the EO Hand Sanitizer Spray, which is less sticky than others and has a slight hint of lavender smell, and the Clorox On The Go Wipes, which are known to kill 99.9% of germs.
15. The Masks
They are fairly comfortable and have a nose-bridge wire helping keep that area concealed. They allow for easy breathing and provide fast shipping. They also allow you to speak to a live customer service agent if you have any questions or concerns.
16. The Toiletry Bottles
They are customizable, so you can label them in any way you want, they are magnetic, so they stick together and are easier to transport, and they are leakproof. Plus, because they are little capsules, they are so much easier to fill and clean that the traditional bottles.
These are absolute musts in our carry-on since they are light and compact, and guarantee that we have all the toiletries or pills we need in one place.
17. The Immune Support
It’s made with high-grade bee propolis extract, from remote apiaries in the mountainous regions of Canada, and contains no artificial preservatives.
We carry a bottle with us at all times and has been a lifesaver whenever we’re feeling a bit off or whenever it seems like we might be catching a cold. All you have to do is spray four times inside your mouth and let it work its magic.
18. The Cleaning Essentials
And the other is Tide to Go pens. These are so small and thin, but they work magic anytime there’s a spill or a stain. Just make sure to use it as soon as it happens, as it tends to work best this way.
For Comfort
Travel can be tough, especially those long overnight flights. That’s why it’s essential for us to bring along a few things that help us feel a bit comfier and more refreshed. This includes everything from eye masks and pillows to glow mist and lip balm. Make sure to add them to your list of carry-on essentials for long flights for a much more enjoyable journey!
19. The Scarf
You can use it as a traditional scarf, a wrap for cooler temperatures, or even a blanket during planes or train rides.
The wrap is machine washable, so no need to worry about dry cleaning or getting it ruined in the wash. And it also folds into a compact size, easily fitting into any carry-on bag.
20. The Eye Mask
Its contoured sides also make it possible for any type of sleeper to use, including side and belly sleepers.
It doesn’t apply any pressure to the eyes and the cups around the eye are velcro so you can adjust them. You might need to do this a couple of times to get it just right, but once you do, it blocks all light very effectively.
21. The Travel Pillow
The pillow is scientifically proven to keep your head in a better position while sleeping on a plane or a train, and it’s much easier to carry around than the traditional bulky ones. It’s also designed to look like a scarf, helping you stay nice a cozy.
22. The Compression Socks
The Swiftwick Compression Socks are our go-to. They are machine washable and use a very lightweight fiber, keeping your feet dry. The mesh used in the bottom of the foot is also thinly knitted, helping them cool. And yet, the socks provide firm support to help reduce overall fatigue.
23. The Water Bottle
The Hydro Flask Water Bottle comes with us everywhere. It has a unique double-wall vacuum insulation that protects cold and hot temperatures for hours. It’s made with stainless steel, which ensures durability and makes sure no flavors transfer. And it’s dishwasher safe.
We personally like the wide-mouth bottle, which you simply twist to drink or lock, and yet it’s completely leakproof. Plus, we love the philanthropic work Hydro Flask is doing by donating parts of its funds to non-profit organizations that focus on maintaining and restoring parks.
24. The Lotions
We are obsessed with their Vanilla Moisturizing Lip Balm and their Nectarine Hand Lotion. They are both formulated with sustainably sourced shea butter and the scent is just right.
25. Refreshing Treats
The Pixi Glow Mist is incredible and gives you that bit of extra glow. Cristina likes to spray it on as a final touch after applying her makeup or anytime she needs a little refresher. And the Givenchy Travel Perfume is perfect to keep in your travel pouch and easy to use anytime.
Just in Case
Lastly, there are a few things that you might not necessarily need if you’re checking a bigger bag, but that you certainly don’t want to be left without if that bag happens to get lost. Of course, this includes things like a spare change of clothes, underwear, and even a small towel. Trust us, after being stuck with essentially nothing a few times, you want to make sure you bring these along!
26. The Travel Insurance
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance before embarking on your trip. There are several companies out there, but SafetyWing is our recommendation.
SafetyWing offers two different types of insurance: 1) nomad insurance, perfect for travelers looking for affordable and flexible coverage, that can either be easily extended or canceled at any point; and 2) a remote health plan, ideal for long-term travelers or full-time nomads since it includes coverage in the home country and anywhere in the world, and covers not only accidental injuries but also cancer treatments and routine care.
Overall, their platform is incredibly easy to use and the entire process is straightforward, and their customer service is knowledgeable and eager to help. You can purchase the insurance at any point from anywhere in the world, meaning you don’t have to do it before your trip, and there is no limit on the duration of your trip.
27. The Change of Clothes
A spare change of clothes is an absolute must in our carry-ons. Cristina likes to carry a light maxi dress that can easily fit into the bag and is comfortable to travel in. You can also simply add a scarf or sweater to stay warm. The GRECERELLE Maxi Dress is a favorite.
Mike loves his Bluffwork Pants. They are light and do not wrinkle! Plus, they have a bunch of pockets, making it easy to travel and keep things in a safe place.
28. The Extra Underwear
And Mike always brings a couple of pairs of SAXX Boxer Briefs. They are made from super soft moisture-wicking fabric, that’s particularly useful when traveling.
29. The Packable Puffer Jacket
If we’re traveling during the cold-weather season, we are sure to bring our packable puffer jackets. We both love Patagonia for the many philanthropic reasons, but we are also obsessed with their wardrobe.
For women, Cristina loves the AlpLight Down Jacket since it packs down small and still keeps you nice and warm. Mike prefers the hood, so he loves the SugarDown Hoody (but mainly because it’s the first fully biobased insulation piece, demonstrating demand for better animal welfare practices).
Women’s AlpLight Down Jacket
30. The Towel
We love the PackTowl Microfiber Towel, which is great for camping, sports or travel. It is super absorbent (it soaks up four times its weight in water!) and dries incredibly quickly. What we especially love is how compact it is, folding tightly into its zippered pouch. This makes it easy to pack without taking much space at all.