6 Flying Essentials for Long Flights

Crying babies, wicked loud announcements, some kid kicking the back of your seat…face it, flying isn’t the best experience in most situations. This is especially true for those of us who are taller and have the pleasure of spending a few hours with our knees next to our chins. However, there are a few flying essentials that can make your next in-flight experience a bit more doable.

There are certain things you cannot change about your air travel experience. Your neighbor may keep the bright overhead light on the entire flight, a brief moment of turbulence may jolt you from a peaceful slumber or a flight attendant may wake you for any one of a number of reasons. While all of these are out of your control, you can make the experience a bit more comfortable with a little preparation and the right gear on hand.

The following are seven products that will actually help you sleep better on flights. Each will help you get a few winks in whether you’re looking to get a full night’s rest on a red-eye or a quick nap on a short trip.

Flying Essentials for Everyone

Hooded Pillow for support and Comfort

Grand Trunk Hooded Travel Pillow, Amazon ($26.95)

This dual-purpose contraption is definitely a flying essential. Head and neck support are an often overlooked contributor to your overall comfort and health. So that is why it is all the more important you treat yourself right in this department. Even with proper head and neck support, you may be sensitive to other stimuli like light and sound. Your fellow passengers, aisle lights or the hum of the cabin may keep you awake. However, this gem of a pillow features an attached hood, which truly allows you to shut out most every distraction. Unlike restrictive and uncomfortable sleep masks, this hood falls lightly over your eyes and basically tricks you into thinking that you’re under your covers at home.

Quality Earplugs for some Peace and Quiet

Etymotic ETY-Plugs High-Fidelity Earplugs, Amazon ($9.15)

These nifty earplugs are a must for any long-haul flight. They tune out the engine and crying kids like a charm. Originally designed for musicians or anyone in a loud environment, these earplugs are recommended by many audiologists. They’re comfortable to wear for the most part and allow just the right amount of noise in, such as overhead announcements. Unlike cheap foam earplugs, these earplugs are reusable.

Old Fashion Sleep Mask to block out bright light

Bucky Ultralight Sleep Mask, Amazon ($9.99)

This timeless flying essential is a safe bet for most travelers. The Bucky Eye Mask is a go-to for a number of reasons. However, the main perk is that you can open and close your eyes while wearing it due to the bubble-like shape of the product. There is a tight seal on the outer rim that completely seals out all types of light.

Non-Habit Forming Sleep-Aid

ZzzQuil Nighttime Sleep Aid, Amazon ($13.44)

Melatonin is great, but when you’re sick, NyQuil is a life saver. So it makes sense that ZzzQuil would be a solid option for a sleep-aid. The core ingredient is an antihistamine, so ZzzQuil isn’t the best option for a quick flight since it will leave you drowsy. However, if you’re in the air for more than eight hours, ZzzQuil will help you fall and stay asleep for the count.

Noise Cancelling Headphones

Bose QuietComfort Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones, ($198)

The Bose Quietcomfort 25s (or any Bose noise-canceling headphones) greatly reduce most every airplane noise to help you get to sleep or play something quiet and relaxing if that helps you doze off.

Supportive Neck Pillow

Trtl Travel Pillow, Amazon ($29.99)

Let’s get the elephant off the plane – a travel pillow totally looks like a neck brace. However, when it supports your neck and head like a charm and doesn’t weigh a ton or take up space in an already overstuffed carry-on, who really cares? Whether you’re flying to Amsterdam or Florida, it does a superb job of preventing your neck from rolling around like a possessed soul.