Even on long-haul flights and international trips that were overnight, this is the exact system I’ve used to survive sitting for hours on end in an airplane and lived to tell about it.
I have organized my travel tips and tricks into a system for long-haul flights to help you remember.
You will learn tools I use, travel hacks and the newest tips to make it through long flights.
Step 1: Planning & Research
Research that country’s rules about bringing in medication. (Japan has strict limits—no Sudafed, asthma inhalers, etc.)
Some Asian countries require your passport to not expire within 6 months of your trip.
Travel tip: Ask your doctor to prescribe medicine in flat blister packs (not bulky bottles). Pharmacists usually can’t repackage them for you.
If you use a CPAP, confirm with your doctor whether it’s okay to use tap water abroad. (And remember, CPAPs don’t count as part of your luggage.)
Talk to your doctor about calming medication because it is frustrating and I find myself getting angry in a mammogram machine seat in airplanes for a 10 hour flight. Maybe even Tylenol or Advil would help you. But a travel tip for medication is always test before a flight.
You may want to wear a vest to get some of your essentials on board. It may also help you feel secure if you sleep.
That part of the system will help you feel calm, confident, and organized.
2 things I do BEFORE a long flight:
- Charge my portable charger for after the flight because that first day I will for sure need a boost for my phone battery. This one just slides in your crossbody bag-fits either type of phone.
- Put on vitamin c serum. It makes your skin so supple. Put lotion on top. Don’t pack it but just to help for the dry air.
Step 2: Prepare Your Long Flight Essentials
If you need a medication to remain cold, like my liquid meds, you freeze part and the travel cooler keeps it cold for forever it seems like. But they have larger ones.
- Build an in-flight pouch: 7 essentials can be put in a couple of pouches or in this travel hack of a toiletry kit that can hang but is the size of a pouch to fit in the seat pocket:
- Dry air essentials: pack eye drops and Lip medic stuff is not sticky and does not irritate my skin like lip sticks do.
- Yin of lotion for prickly fingers. AFTER airport security you can move your tin of lotion and eye drops to your pouch.
- Snacks – any are allowed unless they are liquid. If so, like peanut butter, that needs to be in the liquids bag and then you can move it after airport security,
- A short-sleeve top for hot flight as well as a blanket or jacket, hydration packets, and a light scarf or layer for fluctuating cabin temps.
- Makeup for end of flight
- What I packed for a 10 hour flight was a hair brush for the matted part on the back of your head!
- Packing tip: pack your toiletries case open or zipped up.
- Antibacterial wipes because they only give you one to clean the seat belt buckle and tray table etc.
Step 3: Smart Clothing System
Do not wear travel outfits that are:
- too voluminous – your long flight will be more frustrating if your headphone cord gets tangled while trying to get out of your seat or if your dress clings to your seat mate’s leg while trying to step over him to get out of your row
- Not restricting around your waist or when legs are bent for 10 hours.
- See My Feature in the Daily Mail that explains why to NOT wear dresses in the airport or airplane
Not a deep v-neck or scoop neck just for less to worry about and fool with.
Wear compression socks but test before your long flight. My favorites have been so perfect. For the 9 hour flight to Hawaii I put them over my cropped pants in the airplane.
Coordinate your excursion shoes based on the weather and maybe wear your bulkiest shoes for the flight
One carryon packing tip I used as a pilot’s wife for over 20 years having to pack in only carry-on luggage: is to pack or tie a jacket around your waist if you do not have room in the personal item bag.
Alternatives to a jacket:
- Pack a cashmere sweater because they are super effective in keeping you warm but very lightweight.
- Cashmere scarf
- Scarf that doubles as a blanket AND has two hidden pockets in it.
- Although I love my blanket, it is bulkier than these.
You may also want to use a carabiner hook for a neck pillow. Travel hack is if your airline says it counts as an extra bag, wear it through the line to get into the airplane.
This one is so good especially because it lets you lean while also being wide enough. This one is only for long necks but has strong velcro straps that connect to your head rest in case your neck wants to falls forward.
Step 4: Organize travel essentials for long flight
If you will need medicine during the flight, pack it in a little part of a pill organizer in your flight pouch.
Use a travel case to corral all cords, phone props (don’t forget yours!), and chargers so everything has a place.
If you do not have global entry, download the free CBP Mobile Passport app. But research ahead of time because you open the app when you land and take a picture.
Travel update for portable chargers or power banks:
- They cannot be packed in the belly or cargo hold of the airplane because they are combustible because of the size of their lithium ion battery.
- Some Asian airlines do not allow you to plug them in midflight. You can pack them in your personal item bags but just cannot use them in the airplane.
- Update: Malaysian Airlines, Air Busan and other Asian airlines are banning power banks in the actual overhead bins too. So to be safe, keep yours in your backpack or personal item bag.
Step 5: Emergency Prep for Foreign Travel
Take cash. Here is why: some ATMs can be unreliable (like in Spain, April 2025, during their nation-wide power outages). People could tell what areas would be losing power so they all lined up at any and every ATM. You may need the cash for food, for excursions or a train or taxi ride to another city.
I will have a video with some ways to hide and divide your cash in a travel security video for you.
Travel tip: Get euros in advance from your bank via mail
Break large bills ASAP for things like tips for tour guides, Christmas markets – a glass of mulled wine for 3 francs, or the toilets.
Review your credit card’s fine print—you might be missing out on travel perks like insurance or a free checked bag.
We like putting a luggage tracker in our suitcase lining. There are 2 other kinds:
- A credit card looking one
- One that slides securely into your passport cover
RIGHT NOW do this emergency prep step: look up the US embassy location in that country where you will be flying to in case you lose your passport. Email the address to yourself and keep it in the notes of your phone.
Here are a list of numbers for emergencies world wide.
I’ve tested this system on many long flights—and it works. If you want to survive because you were ready for anything, follow these steps.