The Long-Haul Carry-On Kit
17 Hacks for a flawless flight.
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I think we can all agree that long-haul flights are the worst. Sitting still for six hours or more in a bone-dry, pressurized cabin leads to all kinds of uglies: swelling, weird skin stuff, backaches, etc. Of course, this is improved if you’re in a lay-back seat or, better, one of those lovely little private vestibules on Delta One, Emirates, Jetblue Mint, etc. But even when I can enjoy a nice seat, I still inevitably deplane with my rings feeling tight and a new pimple.
Over the years, I’ve devised a Girl Scout mentality for airplane icks: preparedness. If such a thing existed, I’m sure I’d have earned a merit badge in air travel by now. A few weeks ago, I was inventorying my carry-on kit before a flight from New York to SFO, and it occurred to me that I was onto something — here’s how I counter every conceivable discomfort an airplane puts forward in one humble pouch.
First, you will need a generously sized leather or nylon pouch with a sturdy zipper. Mine is the large red pouch from the Cuyana travel set. Leatherology also makes a great, well-priced train case that I recommend.
The recirculated, pressurized air in a plane cabin always causes havoc on my eczema-prone skin. For this reason, I always stash a moisturizing mask in my kit. In particular, I like Joanna Czech’s, the 111Skin Black Diamond Mask, and the Biodance Deep Collagen Mask. Any of those do the trick to pack in moisture so I don’t deplane feeling like an alligator.
I added the Summer Fridays Jet Lag mist in my kit to quickly hydrate and refresh my skin in flight and right after. The gentle, ultra-fine mist re-balances my skin barrier, and it’s TSA and National Eczema Association-approved, so I’m not worried about it getting taken in security or doing something to cause a flare-up. I just saw they carry the Jet Lag collection in a cute TSA-sized kit if you want to dive into their balm and moisturizers, too.
Gotta have lip balm.
Airplane food is kind of the worst. Did you know they intentionally make it as calorically dense as possible? This is a safety precaution in case of a crash or water landing so that you’ll survive longer. I generally feel confident my flight won’t end in tragedy, so I pack a few snack hacks. One is a packet of Sakara’s Metabolism powder (make sure you get the packets, not the big bag of loose powder), which mixes well into hot coffee and turns your sad airplane cuppa into a yummy mocha. Two, a small tin of Jacobsen’s sea salt (FWIW, a great stocking stuffer) — you can also buy empty salt tins and fill them at home. A tiny bottle of Tabasco and Tajin and/or a packet of Sriracha — whatever I’ve salvaged from takeout orders or room service lately. Three, a Goop Morning Glow Super Power packet, which floods my system with Vitamin C to fight off other passenger’s airborne cooties and dissolves easily in water. Kroma makes bone broth packets that have become indispensable to me. All you do is ask for a cup of hot water, et voila. And it never hurts to stash a favorite snack bar or little pack of almonds or cashews! If you’re in NYC, Happier Grocer has perfectly-sized snack pouches of salt and pepper almonds.
I do not want to know life without a Theragun ever again. While this isn’t an in-flight thing, I do usually pack my Theragun Mini for right after. It knocks out any low-back or leg cramps in minutes. Therabody happens to be having a sale right now, too, so it’s a good time to get one — mine was given to me as a gift, and it’s one of my all-time hall-of-fame favorite Christmas presents I’ve ever received. It’s a fantastic present for that person on your list who stumps you every year. I’m going to take advantage of the sale and get the Theragun Relief for my Stepdad this year. (Don’t worry; this isn’t a spoiler, he could not be less online.) I am also WILDLY curious about their SmartGoggles, a sleep mask that heats up for headache relief. 10/10 would be excellent for a long-haul flight. What a time to be alive!
One thing that kills my overall airplane comfort is choosing the wrong bra. I always forget this, so now I keep a comfy, soft bra rolled up in my kit to switch into in the bathroom. The EBY Relief Bra is top-tier for comfort and support. It’s one of the only bras I forget I’m wearing. Their undies are equally as comfortable. I keep clean undies in my kit, too, just in case my luggage gets lost! (This set is so cute if you want something less basic.)
One person to NEVER BE is the one who sprays perfume on an airplane! Assault! Immediately go to jail!! However, right after a flight, I like a little refresh. I keep a travel-size deodorant in my kit and a TSA-sized perfume in Byredo’s chic leather perfume travel case, which I spray in the airport bathroom—very much not on the plane!
I try to keep an inexpensive pair of backup sunglasses in my carry-on for daytime flights — sometimes you get seated next to the window Nazi who won’t pull the shade down. Look at styles by brands like Chimi and Le Specs, which look current/designer but are usually around a hundred bucks.
Your headphones, your choice. But bring some. I personally like stuff that goes over my ear rather than in. (These are mine, God I love them.) The main thing you want is an AirFly, which plugs into the headphone jack and instantly streams audio to any headphones — no more paying for the $2 headset.
Chewing gum, for ear pops!
Shout Wipes, for turbulent coffee!
Antibacterial wipes and UNSCENTED hand sanitizer!
Makeup wipes, for overnighters.
I keep pills stashed in a funny case. Some of us need a Xanzibar or Klonny to pass out on a plane. This case is also so good.
Last but not least, always, always pack a big-ass, yummy, teddy bear of a scarf. Wear it through security so it doesn’t take up bag space, and use it as a blanket in-flight when the air conditioning inevitably starts feeling like a dagger. You can ball it up under your head as a pillow, and it’ll finish off your outfits on your trip. It’s a must. I have this one by Dries.
I’ll end with my current Kindle recommendations. Airplane books should be the intellectual equivalent of a beach read: Be Ready When the Luck Happens, Intermezzo, All Fours, Brat, Die Hot with a Vengeance: Lessons on Vanity, More, Please: On Food, Fat, Bingeing, Longing, and the Lust for "Enough", Wives Like Us, A Year on Earth with Mr. Hell
So great! Not glam but I always wear a panty liner on a flight so that I can take it off half way through and feel like I have an (almost) fresh pair of underwear.
Airline pilot here- OY! please don’t drink the coffee or hot water from the plane. Those aircraft water tanks are full of mold and bacteria. Get your coffee in the terminal.