I'm an adventure & wildlife travel blogger, storyteller, & outdoor kid from Atlanta who's obsessed with being outside and underwater!
After getting my B.Sc in Conservation & Biodiversity, a career in animal behavior, and traveling to 6 continents, I've made it my mission to find and share the planet's most spectacular travel destinations for nature, wildlife and wild places — the ones worth flying across the world for. Let's go! 🍃
This blog may contain affiliate links, which means that at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission on products sold. I only feature products that I believe in & use. Your support means the world to me and allows me to host this website!
Stop guessing when it comes to wildlife! Find out exactly when & where to go for the best wildlife encounters on Earth — month by month. Because timing is the difference between “we missed it” and “holy sh*t, I can’t believe I just saw that!
Last year, I spent almost as many nights traveling as I did sleeping in my own bed. That’s a lot of flights, friends! I’ve tested all of these travel products for comfort, value for money, and durability, but also just for general usefulness. There are so many shady travel gadgets out there that are useless, and others that are lifesavers- literal long flight essentials!
So here they are: my tried and tested essentials for a comfortable, restful long-haul flight!
13 long flight essentials on Amazon
Luggage cup holder. If you’re like me, you always find yourself running through the airport with too many things in your hands. This travel gadget has a great zip pocket (I put my passport or ID in it for easy access at security) and cup holders!
Collapsible water bottle. I love my Hydroflask, but it’s heavy and bulky. Instead, I use this leakproof collapsible bottle. I love being able to collapse it and put it back into my backpack without taking up any space.
Airfly pro. Do you have wireless or bluetooth headphones, like Airpods or Beats? You need this affordable little travel gadget that you plug into the headphone jack on the airplane to be able to use your bluetooth headphones for the seat-back TV! I’ve been annoyed by this for YEARS, carrying both my Airpods and stringy headphones around everywhere. Problem solved!
Sleep aid gummies. I use melatonin gummy vitamins or Tylenol PM. Especially if you’re flying to Europe, this is an absolute must if you can’t easily fall asleep on planes. You’d have to drag me kicking and screaming onto an overnight flight without it.
Silk eye mask. If you’ve never thought of yourself as an eye mask person, I feel you. BUT I’ve seen the light (or rather, the dark with this mask on). Lights on planes, trains, in cars, and at hotels are unpredictable and for me, they’re enemy number 1. I’ve tried dozens of masks and this is my absolute favorite. Comfortable, adjustable, and black out.
Liquid IV. Add one of these tasty electrolyte packets to your water bottle for the ultimate hydration multiplier! Being well hydrated is so important on flights, but as a human camel I don’t want to go for volume- no one likes being the person that has to continually make their entire row stand up to repeatedly allow you to use the restroom. You don’t have to be “that guy.” Just bring a couple Liquid IVs!
Mack’s ear plugs. I used to think the idea of wearing ear plugs on a plane was kind of dopey, but at this point all I really care about is my own comfort. These are the ONLY ear plugs I’ve found that actually work and I swear by them. Snoring person next to you? Crying baby? Captain’s announcements? Not today, satan.
Neck pillow that rolls up. Again, I’m all about space and simplicity. This neck pillow rolls up into a compact ball to be put away in a little bag. I use a carabiner to clip it to my bag when I’m using it and vualá: no more carrying or wearing it around the airport! Remember: not all neck pillows are created equally, and this one actually has enough foamy stuffing to support my head.
Portable phone charger. I don’t understand why these battery phone chargers are called “portable” when all phone chargers are technically portable, but that’s beside the point. This is another must-have that I’ve put time into finding the best of the best- a great emergency, cordless charger that lasts. I can’t tell you how many flights I’ve been on and seen people angrily pulling their phone’s USB cord out of the port under the seat and looking around asking people, “is YOURS broken too?”
Osprey Daylight backpack. Where will you put all these things? Inside the PERFECT backpack for travel. Finding the exact carry on backpack for me took years, and now I’ll never go back. This Osprey backpack is sleek, comfortable, and fits everything I need. It has tons of organization and pockets, a padded laptop sleeve, water bottle holder pockets, and a small front pocket for the things that I need to be easily accessible.
Blanket scarf. I’m always cold AND always short on space. Compact, soft, and multi purpose? Yes please!
Noise canceling headphones. This one goes without saying, but one of my tips for long flights is to find a pair that doesn’t get mad when you rest your head on them when you’re sleeping.
Looking for more like this? Check out my best travel and packing hacks! You’ll find blogs about everything from how to skip the line at customs without global entry to my tips for fighting jet lag, how to find cheap flights, the best versatile white sneakers for sightseeing, my favorite suitcases and travel skincare, and so much more!
This blog may contain affiliate links, which means that at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission on products sold. I only feature products that I believe in & use. Your support means the world to me and allows me to host this website!
This is embarassing, but...
Remember the little email newsletter I mentioned earlier? I really, really want to send it to you. You deserve all the things, including fun stories, adventures of your own, tips on sick travel destinations, and a giggle or two. We could all use that.
pretty please with sugar on top
FREE Month-by-Month Guide to the Best Wildlife Experiences on Earth
Stop guessing when it comes to wildlife! Find out exactly when & where to go for the best wildlife encounters on Earth — month by month. Because timing is the difference between “we missed it” and “holy sh*t, I can’t believe I just saw that!
