Let’s be real
We’re (or at least I’m) too mature to be playing around with our joints and temperament on long haul flights. It’s annoying enough that I sacrificed the flight upgrade for the hotel upgrade – must I also be punished by a crick in my neck and a cranky demeanor when I land?
I recently took a group of teenagers to Japan and while many of them were experienced travelers already, none had done a 14 hour flight. I, on the other hand, have been at this game for a while. They looked on in awe as I donned the various items from my personal sleeping “kit”: eye mask here, earplugs there. I won’t name names, but the airline we took offered nothing to its economy passengers to help them sleep, so my poor students were left to fend for themselves.
There’s no gatekeeping here! Let’s talk about it.
1. A Quality Travel Pillow
I’ll confess that I wouldn’t call my pillow “quality” but it’s been with me for longer than I thought it’d survive. It’s one of those open donut neck pillows. But somehow it works!
Why it’s essential: Sleep is the single best way to make time pass on a long flight. Unfortunately, sleeping upright in an economy seat isn’t natural, and without proper neck support, you’ll land sore and unrested. A good travel pillow supports your head and neck, which prevents the dreaded “head bob.”
Which is why I’m looking to add to my arsenal: the trtl travel pillow.
Y’all, I’m intrigued. I’ll write a review as soon as I can.
2. Noise-Cancelling Headphones (or Earplugs)
Until they ban the bundles of joy or make adult-only flights, there will always be at least one baby on a flight. And to be honest, sometimes it’s an adult baby.
Why they’re essential: The constant drone of engines plus cabin chatter can wreck any attempt at rest. Add a crying baby or endless announcements, and it’s hard to focus or sleep. Controlling noise can mean the difference between restless frustration and actual sleep.
I had some pseudo-noise-cancelling headphones that recently started shedding (don’t ask!) so I bought some new bluetooth headphones. I will let y’all know how they handle in the air, but so far, they are good at drowning me in my music and podcasts. On flights, I love to drown out the background and enjoy podcasts and Pandora, or even my meditation app. When it’s time to sleep, earplugs are essential. And if you want, you can just wear them the whole time as a backup to the noise-cancelling headphones.
3. An Eye Mask
One thousand percent, this is essential.
Why: Even if you manage to tune out the noise, planes are rarely dark enough for deep rest. Reading lights, glowing seatback screens, and sudden cabin light changes all disrupt your sleep attempts.
A soft, contoured eye mask blocks light and signals your body it’s time to rest. Some even have cooling or weighted options for extra comfort. Light exposure confuses your circadian rhythm, making jet lag worse. By controlling your environment, you help your body adjust faster to your destination’s time zone.
You won’t believe it, but Target has the best eye-mask I’ve come across in a bigbox store. That contour that puts distance between your eyelid and the fabric really makes all the difference. I can’t sleep with something pressing against my eyeball, can you?
Paired with a pillow and earplugs, an eye mask completes the “sleep kit trifecta!”
4. Compression Socks
I’m late to the game, but what a game changer these are!
Why they’re essential: Hours of sitting restrict blood flow in your legs, which can cause swelling and, in serious cases, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and we are NOT trying to arrive with that. I did mange to walk the plane a little, but the compression socks applied gentle pressure that improved my circulation and reduced the risk of any of that bad stuff.
One of my healthy, young students even noticed the benefits: less swelling, less heaviness, and more comfort during and after the flight. Again, you don’t have the break the bank on these. Some compression is better than none, so don’t worry about the pressure stated unless you know you need it super firm.
5: Sanitizing Wipes & Personal Care Kit
Again, this airline won’t be named, but how can you let people sit around with stank mouths for 5 hours? No toothbrush kit or wetwipes! They really dropped the ball leaving us all crusty like that.
But I was prepared with my own toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, wet wipes, moisturizer, and lip balm.
Why it’s essential: The truth is that airplanes see thousands of passengers each week, and not every surface is disinfected between flights. Tray tables, armrests, and screens are some of the germiest spots onboard. Wiping them down reduces your exposure. I also padded my water bottle with tissues as I slid it into the seat pouch. Who knows what germs be down in there…
Comfort isn’t just physical—it’s mental. A clean, refreshed feeling makes those last hours in the air much more bearable and it helps me step off the plane ready for whatever’s next.
📝 The 5 Items at a Glance
| Tip | What to Do & Why |
| 1. Quality Travel Pillow | Memory foam if possible, trtl may be ideal, but as long as it keeps your neck steady |
| 2. Noise-cancelling headphones/earplugs | Headphones for entertainment and babies, and earplugs for when it’s time to snooze |
| 3. Eye mask | Create that blackout effect that tells your body it’s time to rest and others to leave you alone! |
| 4. Compression Socks | Water, light snacks, compression socks, in-seat movement reduce dehydration and DVT risk |
| 5. Wipes & Personal Care Kit | Wipes, toiletries, skin hydration help you feel clean and human by arrival |
Surviving a long-haul flight in economy isn’t about luxury—it’s about planned self-care. We can’t control other passengers or airline food, but you can control how you pack, move, eat, sleep, and entertain yourself.
By treating your flight like part of the journey one small manageable segment at a time—you’ll land fresher, calmer, and ready to explore.
