Over the past 2.5 years, I’ve made 8 long haul flights between South Korea and the USA. Each trip included a 4hr bus trip, a 12-15hr flight (depending on the direction), plus additional 1-2 flights to get to my final destination. That being said, there are 10 carry-on essentials that I always pack in my Cabin Zero bag.
Here we go, my top 10 Carry-On Essentials:
iPad (or some other tablet)
I have an old-school iPad 2 that I load up with movies, tv shows, and games. I almost always wind up watching the in-flight entertainment, but it is nice to have it as a backup. I always include long movies, short movies (and cartoons), and several episodes of easy-to-watch tv shows.
Portable Charger
While living in Korea, I was first introduced to the amazing world of good cell phone chargers. They are MUCH cheaper in America! While I was home for Christmas, my mom bought me the Poweradd Slim 2 and it is good for at least 2 full iPhone 5 charges.
Noise Cancelling Headphones
These are an absolute MUST for long-haul flights. I’ve found them the best for watching movies, listening to music, and sleeping. Of course, you should create a playlist of your favorite tunes to keep you happy! I have an older set of Bose (similar to these) and absolutely love them!
Toiletries
These are my carry-on essentials for toiletries (including links to my favorites). Everyone is different, but I never forget to bring: Eye Drops, Blistex, Hand Lotion, Deodorant, Wet Wipes, Dry Shampoo, Toothbrush + Paste, and a mini First Aid Kit.
Sleep Mask
I’ve been using eye masks for years and am really liking my Dreamgirl sleep mask. It is lightweight, is convex by design, and doesn’t yank my hair out (no velcro hurray!).
Microbead Pillow
I prefer the tube-shaped microbead pillows (like this one!) because I can use it as support for my back, or as a cuddle-buddy while I’m sleeping.
Medicine
I keep any/all medicine with me in my carry-on. If it is prescription strength, I also keep a copy of the prescription for verification. I usually keep Benadryl, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, and stuff for my stomach with me. *Make sure you check the rules and restrictions of the country you are traveling to. Just because it’s legal in your home country, doesn’t mean it’ll be legal where you’re going.
Clothes
I ALWAYS bring an extra change of clothes with me. Sometimes I take a shower at the airport between flights and sometimes I just feel icky. Then again, occasionally my bags get delayed and it’s nice to have clean undies and socks!
Comfortable Shoes
Like most people, my feet swell on flights. I like to wear my Toms or Sketchers while I’m flying because they are comfortable and will give a little when I try to cram my swollen footsies back into them.
Gift for the Flight Staff
I saw this suggestion on a Facebook I belong to and now I will never take an international flight without bringing a little something to give to the Flight Staff. Just think, these lovely people are on their feet all day, have to eat airplane food every day, and have to deal with a plane full of grumpy butts! I recommend bringing something that’s easy to eat, individually wrapped, and still sealed.
There you have it! My top 10 Carry-On Essentials – they’ve made my long-haul flights much more bearable over the last 2+ years! Pin me for later!
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Nice tips! That portable charger is truly helpful!
Thanks so much for reading and commenting! That thing is a LIFESAVER!! 🙂
Indeed! Thank you for sharing! This kinda reminds me of what I should bring on my next trip
I love the idea of a gift for the flight attendants! They really do so much to make everyone happy and comfortable. I need to start taking my iPad with me more on flights – especially now that Netflix allows you to download shows and movies to watch! I have an older pair of Bose in ear noise cancelling headphones that work great but my husband recently just got a pair of their new ones so I may have to snag those 😉 Like the eye mask idea too – you never know if your neighbors will be considerate of your sleep or not!
OMG – I had no idea Netflix lets you do offline now- total game changer! Haha, totally snag his if you can 🙂 I never thought of a gift for the FAs up until about 5 months ago – totally worth it…I always like to spread a little cheer when I can. Thanks for reading!!
What a great list!! I have a portable charger, but it is so bulky. That one looks nice and slim. I may have to grab one!! And that eye mask; such a great idea!!
Thanks so much for reading and for your comments. I hardly leave home without my little charger – I even use it in the house when I’m too lazy to leave my phone plugged into the wall haha. Love my eye mask – I’ve been using different ones for many years and this is among the best I’ve found. 🙂
aahh…last tips is a good idea. Why I never thought of it before! You are right, that may one of the ways to show appreciation to them. 🙂
Thanks so much for reading! Nothing like bringing a little sunshine to someone’s day 🙂
At great list of tips – I am so useless at packing for long haul flights and always discover some essential that I’ve left in my hold luggage. I’ve only just discovered there is such a thing as a portable charger (almost impossible with the amount of overland journeys I do!) and this one definitely looks like a great one, must order before my next trip! I agree the noise-cancelling headphones are a must – I always seem to book overnight flights so make the most of my available time away but have this bad obsession with needing to watch films as they are there and so accessible – who needs sleep!
Thanks so much for reading and commenting! I finally feel like I have a good system going, though I tend to bring a little bit more than I actually need! I also have a hard time staying away from the entertainment systems, I actually have to force myself to turn on something I’ve seen a few times, so I can close my eyes and at least 1/2 sleep 🙂
I love your idea of giving a gift to the flight crew. I have never thought of that before but maybe I will from now on. They sure deserve it and it will give a good start for their work day. Thanks for the tip!
Thanks for reading – I hadn’t thought of it before either, and it made such an impact, that I’ll try to do it from now on 🙂
What a wonderful gesture to give some gifts to the flight staff! I have never thought of it before and now I feel ashamed a bit. But, I am going to fix it on my next flight! Thank you!
Oh don’t feel ashamed at all! I was the only one on my flights to do it (at least in the area I was sitting), so it’s absolutely not expected. You’ll definitely brighten up their day when you do! thanks for reading 🙂
A gift for the flight staff is a very thoughtful thing to do. I don’t know if I’ve ever heard of that before but I’m sure they would appreciate it. Also a portable charger is essential as outlets are not always available.
Thanks for reading and commenting – I can’t go anywhere these days without my portable charger, it seems! It’s been such a lifesaver 🙂
Buying a gift for the flight attendants is very thoughtful. I’m sure they would appreciate it for their work. That is also a good way to make sure you get good service. 😉
It sure is haha 🙂 I always wonder if I’m buying good enough chocolates, but then remember that any gift is appreciated!
From the list of carry on essentials the one that stood out and that I’d never thought of before was the gifts for the crew. I’m definitely going to try this next time. The portable chargers I agree are a must, especially when flying low cost as there are no in seat chargers.
Thanks for reading and commenting! Yeah, those portable chargers are an absolute must! Especially when I have my iPad or phone running for most of the flight!
I totally agree with this list after flying to Australia 4 times now in my life. I love the idea of showing appreciation to the flight staff! I had a bad experience on the last flight from Australia, but my flight from LA to Toronto was one of the BEST I have taken and those guys would have deserved a treat 🙂
Every now and then, I get one of those AWFUL flights – glad it hasn’t happened in a while! Those flights to Australia must have been brutal!!
Gifts for the flight attendant *LOL* That’s a fresh one.
I always love to try and find ways to brighten someone’s day 🙂
Great list there. I have been carrying an iPad on flight ever since I got the first one, but for some reason never got around to buying noise-cancelling headphones. What really surprised me and something I never thought about was taking gifts for the flight staff. This is such a noble and good thing to do. I shall for
sure do this in the next flight I take.
Thanks for reading my post and commenting! I really never considered buying a gift for the flight staff and seeing how it brightened their day really made me happy I tried it! Definitely worth it 🙂
Ooh I love the idea of giving a little gift to the flight staff! That’s so nice. I need to start doing that 🙂
Thanks! The first time I heard of the idea I had the same reaction 🙂 Really does go a long way 🙂