There’s no avoiding the torture of long haul travel but there are a couple of items that will help relieve the pain. I’m by no means an expert, I was lucky enough to find a few pointers on the interweb and found they made my experience that little bit more pleasant. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list but it’s a few simple items that you can carry and don’t take up much space if you’re travelling light.
Noise cancelling headphones
I can’t stress enough how much of a game changer these are. Whilst a decent pair will set you back $400+ (I love the Bose QuiteComfort but the Sony WH-1000XM3 are also excellent) you can pick up a reasonable pair on Amazon for under $100 these days. Being able to reduce the ambient noise of babies, talking and jet engines will help you sleep better or even watch a movie in peace and quiet. Don’t forget to make sure they have an airplane adapter with them.
Earplugs
Some carriers give you them (Qatar Airlines does) but they are generally rubbish. If you want to reduce noise but not wear headphones then these will help.
Eye mask
Trying to sleep in a dimly lit cabin or whilst it’s daylight will be easier with these. We got a complementary set from Qatar Airlines but they’re pretty average. There are some decent versions on Amazon. The pair that came with Rachel’s neck pillow are actually very good.
Neck pillow
Yes, you get a pillow on the plane but again they’re not much chop. A memory foam neck pillow will be far more comfortable and they pack down pretty small.
Inflatable cushion
If you’re like me and have a boney arse or just find any seat uncomfortable then an inflatable cushion is the way to go. My Klymit V Seat rolls up into the size of a small chocolate bar when not in use.
Small toiletry bag
Put some basics in it. Lip balm, face wipes, deodorant, panadol/nurofen (be careful with medication restrictions), toothbrush and toothpaste. It’s amazing how these simple items will leave you feeling much more human after a 14 hour flight.
I’m sure there’s plenty more you can add but I’d consider these the core essentials. I’m curious to here if anyone has other suggestions?