If you are a frequent traveler, long flights are definitely a norm for you, and you may be looking for gadgets to make flying more comfortable, right? Here is a list of the best gadgets for long flights.
Is your upcoming flight more than a short hop? Will you be having a long layover in a random city? You can always buy a lounge pass for your chosen lounge and eat your favorite food in a comfortable setting before boarding the plane. That long flight can be a bugger when you get in the air.
The uncomfortable plane seat and the surrounding noise may make sleeping impossible, resulting in grueling jet lag. Moreover, the tiny leg space may numb your feet for good. Also, can I talk about the tasteless plane food and roasting or freezing cabin temperatures?
As long as you are packed with the best long-haul flight essentials and travel accessories discovered in this article, you don’t have to worry so much about the abovementioned issues.
TL;DR: Best Gadgets by Category
| Category | Product | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones | Link |
| Best for Comfort | Clubone Wearable Blanket | Link |
| Must-Have Accessory | Sisma Universal Organizer | Link |
| Best Electronic | Anker Portable Charger 313 | Link |
Best Gadgets For Long Flights
All the travel and tech accessories on this list have products available on Amazon. You can click the links to read other customer product reviews before buying. If you aren’t ready to review customer feedback, you can trust my recommendations for a must-have travel accessory for a long-haul flight.
1. Travel Pillows
Most people can’t travel on a long trip without resting or even taking a nap. For your body to feel comfortable, sleep is essential not to be affected by jet lag when arriving at your final destination.
Sleeping on a plane is more complicated than it sounds. Spending hours on flights with several fellow passengers with you can make it impossible to close your eyes.
Also, travel anxiety is the worst enemy of comfort. However, with a good travel pillow in your carry-on bag, you don’t have to worry about dozing off.
A soft foam neck pillow that stays in place for a decent amount of time is the ideal travel must-have. It should fit snugly and feel comfortable on your shoulders.
The Classic Brands U-shape Travel Pillow ticks all these requirements to be considered an “ideal travel essential.” It is made with memory foam and adjusts itself for any sleeping position.
Moreover, the foam keeps the heat from your neck, so you sleep without feeling sweaty. Another remarkable feature of this accessory is its elastic band that attaches the pillow to your carry-on luggage.
2. Noise-Canceling Headphones
When you talk about plane problems, what is the one thing that comes to mind? For me, it will always be children crying, cabin crew chatting, and the non-stop buzzing of the plane engine.
Continuous noise in the plane may make it hard for you to enjoy some rest time. However, you can cancel all the sounds with the right airplane travel accessories.
Noise-Cancelling Headphones are one of the top long-haul flight gadgets of all time. They help you sleep better, and you can also use them to listen to your favorite audiobooks to kill time.
Moreover, these headphones with noise cancellation features do not occupy much space. You can conveniently take them in your carry-on bag. When it comes to headphones, no one makes them better than Sony. The Sony MDRZX110NC or the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones are a treat for your ears.
They are a little pricey, but the quality outweighs the price tag. There’s also convenient to bring this thing with you on any flight. These headphones are no-brainer travel essentials with a 30-mm Neodymium Driver and 80 hours of battery life.
These headphones are also highly durable and comfortable, making them one of the best travel gadgets. With built-in connectivity technology, you can easily use these headphones anywhere. Once you get your hands on them, don’t wait to compile a playlist on your flight.
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3. Travel Earplugs
Do you want a peaceful environment on a plane? A set of comfortable earplugs may help you relax by blocking out all external sounds. This is one of the long-flight essentials that anyone can easily forget out of their bags. However, they may save your ears from external air pressure.
Mack’s Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs are specifically made for sleeping or studying during long flights. They are a perfect relief against discomfort.
Mack’s Pillow Comfortable Silicone Earplugs are made with soft, moldable silicone putty to fit any ear. It can also regulate air pressure and filter out all the noise pollution. Additionally, they are disposable and come in packs of six pairs.
Made with hypoallergenic silicone, these earplugs are a delight to wear. Doctors recommend Mack’s Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs. Therefore, they are safe and secure to use.
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4. Airplane Footrest
The awful flights are those where I experience numb legs and feet. It is not a good feeling to live with stagnant legs for a long-haul flight. Even if you’ve got a great seat and the best in-flight entertainment system, putting your feet up is the best way to relax, but it can sometimes seem impossible.
Sometimes, you can’t escape this pain until you have a great footrest. Renensin’s airplane footrest may be one of the best accessories for long flights to make your journey feel like a breeze.
This footrest is like a compact hammock for your tired legs. Because of the memory foam padding, relaxing your feet will be a piece of cake.
Moreover, its base design enables stability and prevents excessive swelling. The best thing about this gadget is its convenient use. You only have to hang its straps onto your tray table and place your feet into the comfortable hammock.
The adjustable straps give enough options to find a perfect foot position. With this footrest in your carry-on bag, you don’t have to worry about restless legs or fatigue. Pack a travel pillow, eye mask, and earplugs for additional comfort.
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5. Compression Socks
Here is another way to prevent swollen feet and possible leg clots. Wearing compression socks during your flight can save you from regretful pain, numbness, and cold flights.
Vitalsox Compression Socks are a great choice to prevent leg soreness. These socks stretch to your knees and maintain blood flow by targeting your pressure points.
Moreover, these socks are made from polypropylene, which resists bacterial growth and prevents odor. Also, they are entirely stretchable to provide better compression. Vitalsox socks are an important travel gear that will also help to keep you warm on a freezing long-haul flight.
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6. Portable Power Bank
Another gadget that may come in handy is a power bank or charger. The Anker Portable Charger 313 is a lifesaver and one of the best travel accessories for long flights.
Since you may not have power outlets on the plane, you definitely need a power bank for your cellphone or any other essentials that you have. You can also use this if your trip is a red-eye flight and many people are already hoarding over the outlets in the airport.
It ensures you don’t hit a zero phone battery within a few hours of travel. This power bank has USB ports and is sleek, stylish, and safe everywhere.
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7. iPad Holder
For those who can’t travel without their iPad, you should definitely invest in an iPad holder to be used while you are on the plane. It will allow you to watch shows, movies, and more without holding it the entire flight.
The holder can be used in both portrait and landscape mode and accompany you on all your adventures. You can even use it on your road trips and even on your daily commute to work!
You may come across movies on planes that you have already watched. Also, the existing song list may not match your taste. With this scenario, you might want to take your iPad along. But don’t forget its holder as it is one of the best travel accessories for long flights.
If you don’t have an iPad holder, it’s the best time to invest. TabletHookz is an affordable companion for your iPad. It is perfect for 4 to 13-inch tablets and is pretty adjustable. Moreover, it comes with rubber pads that give it a stable hold.
8. Travel Blankets
Imagine being on a plane and dreaming about what you can do by earning all the points on your newly arrived Platinum Card. And suddenly, someone increases the fan speed of the air conditioner.
Won’t you wake up cold and feel annoyed? When it comes to comfortable traveling, a soft and warm blanket is one of the best air travel gadgets. Traveling on a flight is different from driving in a car. You can easily adjust the temperature in a vehicle according to your comfort.
However, doing that in a plane with a hundred other travelers becomes hard. But the best thing you can do for yourself is to take a travel blanket along. The Clubone Wearable Blanket is my recommendation for the softest and coziest blanket in the world. I have used it myself and loved wrapping it around.
It is made with 100% polyester, which makes it ultra-lightweight and compact. The blanket can quickly wrap in a tiny corner of your carry-on bag.
Besides, its fabric is warm and breathable. It also blocks moisture and feels incredibly soft on your body. Clubone Wearable Blanket is available in two sizes: medium and large. However, it comes in only one color.
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9. Airplane Armrest
When it comes to a long-haul flight, my worst nightmare is my tired arms. I always find my arms hanging in the air with no space to adjust them comfortably. As a result, I experience extreme swelling and soreness as soon as I land. To avoid this from happening, investing in a portable armrest is a pretty great idea. Soarigami Airplane Armrest is an excellent option.
This armrest adjusts comfortably on the arm of your seat. Also, with an attached divider, it provides enough gap between you and your seat neighbor.
Soarigami armrest works perfectly for people with arm widths between 1.5 and 2.75 inches. It comes with tapered wings that fold away smoothly once the plane lands.
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10. Amazon Kindle
You can’t spend a long flight just looking out of the window. To kill your time, you need some long-haul flight gadgets for your entertainment. The Amazon Kindle is genuinely a game-changer. With a library of excellent books and content, you can never feel bored with this in your hand.
Also, you can carry it comfortably thanks to its sleek design and durable body. This Kindle comes with a glare-free screen and a waterproof body. Moreover, it has 8GB of storage for your comics and audiobooks. It also has a pretty long battery life. With this entertaining gadget, you are pretty sorted for your journey.
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11. Gaming Console
Long-haul flights aren’t exactly known for being enjoyable. If you travel more than a few hours, you will want to take more entertainment to make it more pleasant.
Nintendo Switch is also one of the cool airplane gadgets for young travelers. It is one of the best portable gaming machines to kill boredom on a long-haul flight.
With a massive variety of downloadable HD games, this gadget may keep you entertained until you land at your destination. It comes with a sleek design and a sturdy body. Moreover, the built-in control system is super easy to operate.
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12. Eye Covers
If you can’t sleep in bright spaces or a flight attendant is not turning off the lights, a plane may be a difficult place to rest. The good news is some eye covers may block all the light and give you a chance to doze off.
For your comfort, I have picked out two unique eye covers for you. One eye cover is reasonably inexpensive, while the other is high-end and super soft.
Bedtime Bliss Silk Eye Mask is a luxurious sleeping aid for your beautiful eyes. It is incredibly lightweight and comfortable. Moreover, the fabric is super soft for all types of skin. Also, the silk covering is naturally breathable and prevents the body from heating up. It comes with elastic straps that adjust comfortably around your head. With these eye covers, you will feel like royalty on a plane.
However, if you are on a tight budget, Mudder Portable Eye Mask will also work. This eye mask, which only comes in black, is great for reducing tension in the eye muscles and improving circulation to the eye area. This mask eliminates light perfectly. You can buy it in a pack of 10 and use one on every flight journey.
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13. Travel Organizers
Do you wake up on long journeys only to discover your things all over the plane floor and your seat? It is pretty normal to carry some cool airplane gadgets on long flights. However, flaunting your accessories to everyone around you is unsafe.
Also, it’s tough to find space for chargers and memory sticks when confined to a single seat. For this purpose, carrying a compact travel case is the best decision ever to stay organized. It is the best organizer to keep your money, power bank, and credit cards in one place.
When it comes to best cases, you can find many online. However, Sisma Universal Organizer is quite perfect. This organizer comes with a plastic exterior and lots of internal space. It has secure pockets and a stretchable interior.
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14. Cosmetic Bags
If you are traveling with makeup products, a cosmetic bag may help organize all your goods in one place. You can also use these bags to store the essential medicines required during your journey. There are several cosmetic bags available in the market. Choose a lightweight option that suits the space you need.
Travel Smart makeup bag is the perfect size to hold all your essentials. Made with mesh and transparent vinyl, you can quickly identify all your products without making a mess. Moreover, it is easy to clean with a plain cloth. It also comes with an external pocket for storage for other essentials.
Another recommended bag is the Sniloaw clear makeup bag. This one comes with a substantially transparent pouch and two tiny zippered bags.
The best thing about the Sniloaw clear makeup bag is the amount of storage you get. From makeup products to medicines, there is enough room for your essential travel accessories. This makeup bag can also be considered part of your carry-on luggage.
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15. Pill Organizer
A great travel gadget to have is a good pill organizer. This can keep all your medications in one place and make it easy to take them along. It will also help you avoid digging through your bag to find your medication.
When you’re traveling, pill organizers are a lifesaver. They allow you to keep your medications organized and easy to find, so you don’t have to worry about missing doses while away from home.
But what if you’re on long haul flights? Or a road trip? You might not have access to your regular pill organizer, so your medications could easily get lost or mixed up in travel.
That’s where Spolehli Pill Organizer comes in. This smart pill organizer is designed specifically for people who travel often, and it makes organizing and taking your medications a breeze. It’s small enough to fit into even your smallest bag or purse, so it’s perfect for packing on any trip. It also has an alarm to notify you of your medication schedule.
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16. Seatback Organizer
If you’re a frequent traveler, you’ve probably experienced a flight with a seatback organizer that’s full or full of crumbs and old gum.
For long flights, it’s worth investing in one to store snacks, a water bottle, gadgets, and even documents in separate compartments. It’s a must-have gadget for long flights.
For air travel on shorter flights, an organizer you can attach to seats is an ideal way to keep your belongings organized, tidy, and easily accessible. It can be a lifesaver on trips when trying to keep your belongings organized and within easy reach.
This product comes in various colors and designs and can fit different size seats. Look no further if you are all about the organization you can use on your next trip. Plus, it’s super affordable, too!
17. Carry-On Luggage
Do you also feel worried whenever you have large checked luggage? Here’s a solution to ease your mind from thinking about it: conveniently-sized carry-on luggage. There are a few advantages to carrying on your bag that you can reach at any time:
- Walking straight to your gate is much faster if you rush.
- If there are delays or issues with your flight, you’re less likely to be affected.
- It’s less likely that your bag will be lost.
The lighter your luggage is, the less you’ll feel weighed down. Pack only what you need and the best long-flight accessories; leave behind anything extra.
You’ll be much better off if you can fit every travel essentials you need in carry-on luggage. Having spacious carry-on luggage with several pockets is truly one of the best travel accessories for long flights.
If ever you get in trouble fitting in on overhead bins of an economy class flight, you can always ask flight attendants for help.
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What Are the Best Long Flight Gadgets?
In making sure that you pack the best long flight gadgets, first things first: don’t try to take everything! The best way to avoid hassle at the airport is to limit what you bring on board, which means not carrying too much stuff.
You’ll feel better knowing that you’ve made the right travel accessories packed in your carry-on bags. With that, you are ready for any situation that comes up mid-flight, and what you or a family member might need is not in your checked bag.
FAQs
What do you give someone on a long flight?
When taking a long flight, it’s thoughtful to bring a small present for your travel companion and something to share with the person sitting next to you on the plane. If you’re in business class, bringing a gift to a colleague is polite. Some good options include lip balm, hand lotion, a reusable water bottle, or a nice pen.
What can I take to make me sleepy on a plane?
If you want to make yourself sleepy on a plane, especially during long-haul flights, consider bringing a sleep mask, travel pillow, and headphones as part of your carry-on essentials. Other options include warm tea, hot water, or warm milk. You can ask a flight attendant.
How do I make flying more comfortable?
If you’re looking for a way to make your flight more comfortable, a lightweight footrest allows you to elevate your feet and rest them on a cushioned surface, which can help prevent swelling and reduce leg pain during long flights.
How can I make my long flight less miserable?
Remember that there’s nothing worse than sitting on a plane for hours without anything fun to do. Make sure you have a power bank packed into your carry-on bag so that if something goes wrong (like missing a connection due to weather delays), then at least something fun will come out of it.