Preparing and Packing for Your First Long-Haul Flight – Our Essential Tips

The thought of your first long-haul flight may be daunting, especially for those not very fond of flying or those who often struggle to fall asleep in foreign situations. But once you get through it the first time, it gets easier. And your destination is waiting for you and will be worth it!

There are also some concrete things you can do to prepare for a long flight and ensure that everything goes smoothly and you stay as comfortable as possible. We’ve prepared some important tips for you to consider when getting yourself ready for your first long-haul flight.

Dressing for Your Trip

When thinking about your outfit, the key theme is comfort.

We recommend going with stretchy leggings or loose-fitting soft pants coupled with a comfortable top, like a cotton t-shirt or tank top (or even a thin long-sleeved top if you tend to run cold), compression socks and a soft outer layer. Note that the temperature in a flight can vary and be surprisingly cold or hot, so it’s always a good idea to ensure you have at least one removable layer. A thick hoodie is a good option for your outer layer, and can also be used as a blanket, for extra padding somewhere or as a pillow when trying to sleep mid-flight.

Pick comfortable shoes that you can slide off easily. Crocks or sandals are valid options, but sneakers are, of course, also acceptable.

On top of that, you’ll want to bring fresh underwear and socks – and maybe another complete change of clothes, if you have enough space – in your carry-on. Being able to change underwear and socks will really freshen you up during a long flight. We’ll go into more depth on packing your carry-on shortly.

Arriving at the Airport

Long-haul flights are an investment and often booked pretty far ahead, which means you really don’t want to miss your flight. It’s better to arrive early at the airport and plan to spend some time relaxing there, rather than getting hit with a delay on your way to the airport and stressing or missing the flight altogether.

No matter which airport you’re at, the basics are all pretty much the same. First, ensure you head to the right terminal for your flight. Then, you’ll need to:

• Check in your bags and get your boarding pass. You’ll see which check-in counter you can go to on the electronic information boards that you’ll find around the international departure area. Once you check in your bags, if any, and get your boarding tickets, you’re done. International check-ins often open 3 hours before departure.
• Go through security. Now you’ll want to head towards security. Rather than security, there will often be signs pointing to All Gates or something similar. Ask airport staff if you’re not sure where to go. Remember, at this stage, you need to ensure that all your liquids are in a resealable plastic bag, with a maximum of 100ml per container and a total volume of no more than 1L.
• Find your gate. Once you’ve gone through security, you’ll just need to find your gate! This information will often be available on your boarding pass. Sometimes the gate information is missing or changes – it’s always best to check the electronic boards and listen to announcements.

Most modern airports are comfortable and have plenty of lounging areas to relax in after you’ve gone through security. But don’t just sit there worrying. If you’re travelling with someone else, now’s the perfect time to get excited about the trip and spend some quality time, maybe enjoying a coffee or tea.

If you’re travelling alone, you should come prepared with some entertainment options or ideas instead of spending time being anxious. You can relax with some online poker at an online poker or casino site – visit PokerStrategy for good recommendations – or you can enjoy a highly anticipated movie or an episode of your comfort show if there’s plenty of time. Set an alarm if you’re scared you’ll forget the time.

The Essential Carry-on Packing List

While what you pack is quite personal, anything you don’t want to risk losing and that you’ll need access to during your flight goes in the carry-on.

Keep in mind that your checked-in luggage could be lost or delayed, so to be safe, you’ll want to have everything you need, even if you don’t see your luggage for an extra day or so after landing.

Here’s the list of things many people consider essential during a long flight:

• Your toiletries (always less than 100 ml per container for liquids).
• A change of clothes.
• Chargers and adapters
• Personal medication.
• Wet wipes.
• Chewing gum.
• A refillable water bottle.
• Snacks.
• A travel pillow.
• Anything else that is important (laptop, camera, etc.)
• Earplugs and a sleeping mask if needed.
• A Kindle, a book or a journal and a pen.
• Passport, visa and other important documents.
• Your hotel details or other contact details on paper.

These are just the things to keep in your carry-on. For your checked-in bags, you’ll simply need to bring whatever else you’ll need during your trip. Clothes, books, shoes, bigger packages of sunscreen… What you’ll pack will depend on you and the type of trip.

What to Expect From the On-Board Experience

The aeroplanes used for long flights are usually bigger, roomier and nicer than those used for shorter flights. Here’s what you should know about the on-board experience.

Entertainment

On long-haul flights, you’ll usually have a screen in front of you that offers some different forms of entertainment, but mainly movies and TV series. But besides that, you’ll likely want to bring your own entertainment, too. You can download your own movies on your phone or laptop, or you could bring a journal, a book or a sketchpad.

Do remember that you don’t always have a lot of room to manoeuvre, though, and for this event, you’ll want to have something easy to do, like an offline game on your phone or a pocketbook rather than elbowing someone while using your laptop or trying to paint.

A flight is often a great time to clean up your phone and photos, too. You can both edit and delete photos on your phone, giving you more space to take new ones on your trip.

Some airlines also offer WiFi, but it’ll often cost you. We recommend just enjoying the offline time to disconnect and think, but if you want to connect to the internet, you’ll usually find information on the screen in front of you. Just be aware that the stability and speed of the WiFi can vary, so don’t be disappointed if you find it’s not always working after you’ve paid for it.

Meals and Snacks

On 6+ hour flights, at least one meal is almost always included as well, as well as coffee or tea. But if you want extra snacks or have special food preferences, bringing something of your own isn’t a bad idea.

Not all food goes smoothly through security, so buying a sandwich at the airport once you’ve already gone through it might be a better option than packing your own. Buying an extra water bottle is also a good idea if you’re not bringing your own refillable one.

Choosing Your Own Seat

If you don’t choose a seat – picking a seat can sometimes cost a little – you’ll be assigned one. For long-haul flights, picking a seat can sometimes be worth it. Sitting by the window or aisle is usually preferred on long-haul flights, and if you need to use the bathroom often, you might want to opt for an aisle seat for everyone’s sake!

If the flight is largely empty, it’s fine to change seats after takeoff.

Sleeping On-Board

Most people sleep on board, but don’t count on more than a few hours unless you have a really easy time falling and staying asleep in uncomfortable positions, if you’re flying in a luxury cabin. Bringing some aids like earplugs or a sleeping mask could be a good idea. But then you might not wake up automatically when it's mealtime – usually you’ll be awoken by staff, which can sometimes be uncomfortable and disorienting.

Other important things to remember

Finally, here are some more diverse important points to consider or check before you go:

• Notify your bank and bring an extra payment card. If you don’t want your card frozen, notifying your bank that you’ll be travelling is a good idea. You should also bring an extra payment card (Wise or Revolut offer great currency conversion rates) in case you lose your other one or it gets eaten by an ATM.
• Bring an adapter and USB-C cable. Without your phone, getting around and communicating can be hard. Ensure you can always charge it by bringing a suitable power adapter as well as a USB cable for those little charging stations.
• Consider travel insurance. Travel insurance can be a good idea if you’re worried about losing your valuables, getting sick during your trip or other emergencies.
• Apply for a visa (if needed) well in time. Check if you need a visa (remember that travel requirements change all the time) or any other papers, like vaccinations. Also, check that your passport will be valid for at least 6 months after your trip ends.
• Prioritise what matters most. Don’t let trying to remember everything be what makes you forget the truly essential things. Write down a little list with things you can’t afford to forget – your wallet, passport, visa and adapter, for instance – and double-check it before going to the airport, before boarding, after getting off the plane and before leaving the new airport.
• Know what to do when you land. You should have accommodation and, preferably, transport arranged for when you arrive. If you plan on taking a bus rather than booking a cab, look up the schedule – many airport buses don’t run at night – and how to pay for your ticket so you don’t have to figure out the details when you're sleep-deprived and stressed.
• Consider buying data. In many cases, you can get a local SIM card, but if not, it’s good to come prepared with at least a GB or so of data in the country you’re landing.
• Always have the essentials nearby. If possible, keep items like cards, money, and your passport close to your body. Hidden pockets, money belts and travel scarves are good options.

Closing Thoughts

Thinking ahead is always a good thing, but you can also go too far in trying to research every aspect and account for every possibility. At some point, it’s best to just start packing and leave the rest. We suggest that time is now – research no further; you know enough to prepare for your flight now, and, in any case, you’ll never be able to think of every eventuality. Write a list with things you want to do and pack, and then just leave it be.

Overall, you’re likely to realise it’s easier than you think. And if something does go wrong, it will generally iron itself out as long as you have your money and identification. Most things you might forget, you can, in a worst-case scenario, buy wherever you land.

So try to enjoy the experience and don’t worry too much. We wish you the best of luck on your first long-haul flight. Have a wonderful trip!