The last-minute things you’ll need for a long-haul flight

If it feels like your entire social media following is heading overseas, you’re not alone.
As warm days continue in the Northern Hemisphere, many are jet-setting off to faraway places, evoking jealousy in the hearts of us left behind. With years of lockdowns still only just behind us, travel feels like a precious part of life.
If it’s been a while since you jumped on a long-haul flight for a long-term holiday, we’re here to help you out – because you’ve definitely forgotten something. Most of these items are available for next-day delivery, which is even better if you’re a last-minute packer.
Double-check your list, then ours, ahead of your departure.
NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.
You might have seen this travel pillow from the brand Trtl on TikTok or Instagram, where it’s touted as a game-changer for sleeping on flights. You can now get it on Amazon with next-day delivery, and in a range of colours, too. If you’re in the market for something less flashy, however, you can grab this memory foam neck pillow for just $25.55.
If you want earplugs you can reuse, Loop is an excellent option. Made of soft silicone, they reduce noise by 24 decibels, which will help block out the sound of the plane engine and other travellers. If you’re not after a reusable pair, you can grab these wax ones for just $18.99, which will last you for up to seven flights.
Before you’re reminded of how hard it is to sleep on planes, you might want to grab yourself a blackout eye mask. This one has a 4.6-star rating on Amazon across 6660 ratings.
“Honestly when I ordered this, I had no idea how good it would be! Nice padding around the eyes which feels relaxing. Shuts out all light,” one happy customer wrote.
If you’ll be taking a long-haul flight, compression socks are a game-changer. They’ll stop the swelling ankles that so many people experience, and help to reduce your risk of deep vein thrombosis, which you’re at a higher risk of when flying. This pack will arrive tomorrow if you’re an Amazon Prime member.
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There are a lot of bits when it comes to the airport, and keeping them all on hand throughout security can be a real challenge. Luckily, travel wallets have spots for everything: your passport, your boarding pass, and your baggage receipt, plus any cards or cash you need to keep handy. We love this one from Louenhide, but you can also grab a very similar one on Amazon for just $17.
If you’re not a packing cube person yet, we’re here to convert you. Keep your clothes nice and orderly in your suitcase with a set of compartments designed to fit right in. Ideally, you want a set that has a range of sizes and is made from sturdy material that won’t tear. We like these ones from Globite, but you can also get large packing cubes individually if you have a bigger suitcase or a set with up to six cubes.
If storing your clothes in cubes isn’t helping as well as you thought it might, you can also try compression cubes. These have an extra zipper outside of the compression pack, so it can squish your clothes down further.
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