The Best Travel Accessories for Long Flights (What We Actually Pack)

Amanda and I have traveled to Europe a handful of times from Boston (7 hours) as well as Hawaii direct from Atlanta (9 hours), but the flight from Los Angeles to Brisbane, Australia in November 2025, was our longest at 15 hours. That flight also came on the heels of a 5-hour flight from Atlanta. A lot of people dread that length of time on an airplane, but when you are prepared, it can be something you almost look forward to. Here are the best travel accessories for long flights.

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Bags

Bags are important for a few reasons. First, as you may know if you are a frequent reader of this site, a large amount of our travel is to more remote places, and carrying uncomfortable or inconvenient bags just does not work. We also almost never check a bag (read more of that here). Understanding, however, that may not be in everyone’s cards, we are going to focus on a carry-on backpack here. I have tried many bags, and my number one pick is:

YETI Crossroads Backpack

vThis pack is the winner for a few reasons. It is comfortable, with many different compartments that have easy-to-access item pockets. I purchased the 35-liter:

It allows me to grab items from many different compartments without taking the bag out of the overhead bin. It is also very comfortable to carry around. We are heading back to Australia in May 2026, and I tend to only carry this bag. Keep in mind, I travel lighter than most. Even if you don't, this is the ideal bag to have with you on the plane.

Space Saver Bags

Only recently have I started using these bags, and they make a big difference. The reason I never bothered before was because of the bulky device needed to remove the air from the bag. This one comes with a very compact, USB-C pump that takes up far less space than the space it helps you save.

Tech

Tech has saved me a lot of stress over the years, especially on long-haul flights.

Apple AirPods Max

I know, they are expensive, far more than others, but this is an honest review and this is what I wear. They are comfortable and they work very well. I have had many flights where people are talking loudly around me, flight attendants are serving dinner, and I cannot hear any of it, thanks to these. They also last a long time! Specs from Apple verified:

• Up to 20 hours of listening time on a single charge with pro-level Active Noise Cancellation enabled ✅
• Up to 20 hours of movie playback on a single charge with pro-level Active Noise Cancellation and Spatial Audio on ✅
• 5 minutes of charge time provides around 1.5 hours of listening time ✅

Belkin Portable Charger, Wireless Power Bank (MagSafe)

I would be lost without this on almost any flight. Each phone is different, but I get several charges out of mine. According to Amazon's listing, it has a capacity of 10,000 mAh, which can deliver up to 35 hours of video playback for your iPhone.

One of my favorite parts is that it not only charges via MagSafe, but it also has a plug that pulls out of the side to charge other devices.

USB to USB C Adapter

This may look small but it may the most important tool in your tool box! This adapter allows you to plug in a USB-C cable (the most common today) and plug it into the old fashion style USBC. Some newer plans have converted over most are still changing old school! The above is a fur back for under $15. There are some limitations if you need it for video or something else.

Clothing

I have traveled with people that show up to the airport and change into what I consider "sleepwear" for a 45 minute flight; I am not one of those people. However, on long-haul flights, I do keep comfort top of mind.

Eye Mask

I am not sure this falls under clothing, but it is close enough, and I do not feel like making a new category just for this. Many flyers have a hard time sleeping on an airplane, and I am one of the lucky ones who does not usually have an issue. That said, wearing a comfortable eye mask helps. A study published in Oxford Academic's Sleep journal found that wearing an eye mask during sleep can improve alertness and help the brain retain new information the next day, which makes a lot of sense when you are about to land somewhere new and want to hit the ground running.

General Clothing

I don't have any exact items to share here, as this is a wide category. I am just going to give you some overall pointers.

Top

Layers are the key here. Through 15 hours of flying, the temperature is going to change a bit, and so will your comfort level as you sleep and wake up. Use the space in the YETI bag to give yourself some options.

Bottom

Lightweight, comfortable pants are my go-to here. Nicer sweatpants work well. Keep in mind, every airplane seat is a bit different, but having some cushion in the seat area is often very helpful. Try to avoid belts or anything else restrictive.

Shoes

Easy on and off is the win here. You may find yourself slipping them on and off often, as you may want to swap to slippers mid-flight.

Watch Out/Avoid

Caution

There are a lot of promises to make your flights as comfortable as sleeping in your own bed at home. Now, that can be true if you spend $10,000+ on an airline's most luxurious accommodations, like Etihad Airways' The Residence (Simon Wilson shows us here). The truth is, a regular seat on your average aircraft isn't going to match any home-like accommodations, no matter what you buy. Here are a few things to watch out for.

Travel Neck Pillows

Travel neck pillows can help for sure, but there are thousands on the market that make some crazy claims and want you to spend a lot of cash, sometimes well over $100. I don't typically use them, but if you are so inclined, try a few out but don't overspend. The most important thing is to buy one ahead of time, as prices at the airport come with a steep markup.

Avoid

Overpriced "Travel Clothing"

I have seen so many ads online for clothing that promises to be "extra comfortable for travel," and always comes with a high price tag. Don't fall for it. A comfortable hoodie is just a hoodie. I may market things in the It's How I Travel™ shop as "Travel Gear," but that is because they come with fun quotes, not because they are designed any differently for travel.