12 Long Haul Flight Essentials for Comfort that Belong on Your Travel Checklist

One of the basic essentials for any long haul flight is a good travel pillow. There are a lot of different ones out there to choose from but I use the Trtl Pillow. It wraps around your neck and secures with a velcro patch to keep it in place while you snooze. Plus, it's warm and cozy.

If you have a hard time winding down to rest, pack some melatonin in your carryon. While many sleep aids will leave you feeling groggy, melatonin is a natural and safe way to help you drift away so you can wake up ready to tackle day one of vacation. These Zarbee's are chewable tablets but you can also find melatonin in pill form. Take it about half an hour before your ready to get some shuteye.

Along with a good pillow, a sleep mask on a long flight is a good idea. I was never really sold on this until I got one as part of my travel kit when we splurged and flew Emirates business class from JFK to Milan. Of course, those fully lie-flat seats contributed to a restful flight but I continue to keep that eye mask on my long haul flight checklist.

Fortunately, you don't have to fly business class to get one of these. An inexpensive sleep mask like this one on Amazon should do the trick. Catching zzz's on a plane full of people is hard enough, especially if you're sardined into economy. Add this essential to your travel list to block out any light on the plane and help you snooze your way to your next dreamy destination.

It's an extra item, but it's one worth putting on your checklist if your trip involves a long haul flight. The cabin air is often cold which can make for an uncomfortable flight if you tend to get chilly. On shorter flights, a cardigan might be all you need to stay cozy. However, on a long haul flight, a travel blanket becomes essential for comfort. Sure, you can use the complimentary blanket offered on-board but they are paper thin and virtually useless.

Maybe moisturizing cream doesn't seem like it should belong on a list of long haul flight essentials but, it does. One of the pitfalls of being stuck in an airplane for hours on end is the circulating dry air. This 2.6 oz tube of moisturizer won't make a dent in your carryon but it will help you get through a long haul flight feeling somewhat human.

Airplane air is the worst. In addition to having some moisturizer handy, keeping some balm in your pocket is a must to prevent dry, cracked lips. Try this tinted version of ChapStick total hydration to restore moisture & color.

Keeping with the theme of dry air and how it impacts your travel comfort, eye drops are a good idea. My eyes seem to be what bother me the most even on short flights. Grab some Rohto or Visine before your flight and your eyes will thank you later.

There's just something about washing your face that makes you feel alive again. Neutrogena Cleansing Towelettes now come in singles and they are perfect for packing in your purse or carryon. I usually keep a sample size of foundation in my bag along with a powder compact and lip gloss or tinted lip balm. When it's almost time to land, I can head to the lavoratory to quickly freshen up before I'm on my way. If I'm not feeling like wearing makeup, just the towlette is a nice refresh.

If you only take one piece of advice regarding long haul flight essentials, let it be this one. Drink LOTS of water. It is SO important to stay hydrated while flying and an easy way to stay healthy while traveling. That means before, during, and after your flight. Pack this collapsible water bottle in your carryon and refill at one of the restaurants before your flight. At 35,000 feet, you can get dehydrated pretty quickly and those tiny cups from the drink cart are NOT enough. If you ask nicely, flight attendants are generally happy to refill your bottle for you instead of handing you a cup.

Yes, you'll have to make more mid-flight trips to the loo but it's better than being bloated with a splitting headache or worse. Don't be like me and learn your lesson by stepping off of a 10 hour flight only to find yourself literally sick from dehydration. Besides, those walks to the bathroom are good for your leg health. You can read more about that below.

Headphones belong on virtually every packing list but you will especially want them on a long-haul flight. Whether it is to stay occupied with in-flight entertainment or to deter your seat neighbor from attempting to chat, you'll want them in your bag. Really, any pair of headphones will do the job but I prefer wireless earbuds. My airpods pack up nicely, aren't bulky, there are no dangling cords, and they're even better now with noise cancelling.

If you're like me and you travel with wireless earbuds or wireless headphones, you know that they don't connect to the seat screens. For this, adding the Airfly to your list of long haul flight essentials is a must. This handy little gadget plugs into the in-flight entertainment system through the aux port (liked wired headphones) and transmits the sound to your Bose earbuds or other wireless headphones through Bluetooth. This way, if you ipad dies, you left the portable charger at home, or you forgot to download those Netflix shows, you're still good for entertainment. Voila.

The nice thing about air travel these days is all of the available technology. We can pack a library of books to read on a tiny Kindle, listen to hours of pre-downloaded music on our iphone, and watch downloaded shows and movies on Netflix all at 35,000 feet. However, if enter the sky unprepared, your tech-filled world can quickly come crashing down.

Don't get caught on a long haul flight without this travel essential, a portable power bank. The last thing you want is your phone or tablet to die 3 hours into a 7 hour flight. This Anker charger is small and light so it fits easily in your purse or backpack. Aside from losing some or all of your on-board entertainment, you'll also likely need a charged phone when you arrive at your destination for gps, uber, and other practical purposes.