In part 1 we went through some of our favourite flight essentials, but as we said previously there are so many plane essentials that can make your flight more comfortable, so we’ve put together a second part with more of our favourites. As exciting as it is to be visiting new countries the long flights can be so difficult, firstly it’s always so hard to fall asleep in an environment you aren’t used to but as well as this you might cramp up because you can’t move around properly and of course trying to freshen up in a tiny bathroom really quickly can be frustrating and stressful as you don’t want to take too long and have other people rushing you out. To try and make your flight a little more trouble free, we have listed our favourite plane essentials that do make flying easier and enjoyable.
Aeroplane Tray Table Cover
When you’re going on a long haul flight, in order to feel a bit more comfortable we like to organise our things as the trays can be quite unsanitary and as well as this it can also become annoying to juggle having your phone and other essentials on your lap. One way you could do this is with an aeroplane tray table cover. This is really easy to use, all you have to do is slip it over the tray table and you have a clean surface to put your things down on as well as pockets to put your essentials in so you can easily grab them on your flight. The pockets are expandable and stretchy so you can fit everything from headphones to a tablet or computer inside them so you don’t have to keep getting things out of your bag whether it be under your seat or in the over head carriage. It is also water resistant so if you happen to spill your drink on your flight, it’s easy to clean up. It is also machine washable making it super easy to clean between uses and can be found here
AirFly
When you’re trying to pass the time on a flight more then likely one way you would be doing so is watching a tv show or movie. In saying this using the provided headphones on a plane isn’t always ideal as they aren’t very sanitary, not the most comfortable and not the best quality. One way this can be avoided is using the Airfly. This viral product is so useful for flights, it wirelessly transmits audio meaning you don’t have to use the provided headphones. Because it connects through Bluetooth it is compatible with AirPods, earbuds and any wireless headphones. An amazing feature the Airfly has is that its battery life is 25+ hours and if you have forgotten to charge your Airfly it can be used whilst being charged. The Airfly also allows 2 people at once to connect and listen at the same time so if your are travelling with someone and want to watch a movie or a show together you can super easily. What’s also great is that the airfly can also be used at the gym with gym equipment, with TV’s and even gaming devices so you don’t only have to use it exclusively on planes. Which you can buy here
If you are looking for a cheaper alternative Another option that is really similar would be Avantree. It works exactly the same way with very similar specifications but we have found Avantree is a little bit cheaper that you can find here
Inflatable Foot Pillow
Long flights can cause so much cramping and back pain just from being in the same position for a long period of time. One way you can reduce some pain is by using an inflatable foot pillow. It is really quick and easy for you to blow it up and the footrest can be placed vertically or horizontally depending on what is more comfortable for you. It is lightweight, durable, leakproof and can be inflated by mouth or pump. It can also be used on a road trip, at home or whenever you need a footrest so it wouldn’t just be useful on flights but whenever you feel like putting your feet up and you can buy here
Eye Mask
When you’re trying to sleep on a long haul flight, you’re already battling with being in an unfamiliar environment, being uncomfortable and also subconsciously telling yourself I have to go to sleep so I can function. Due to this,having all your senses elevated means any little disturbance is likely to disrupt your sleep. One way to try and alleviate some of the disturbances when travelling is by using a sleeping mask, that way you may have an easier time getting to sleep as you won’t be so aware of factors such as lighting and being in a different environment. This sleeping mask is designed with a flexible nose meaning it is able to contour to your face so that 100% of light is properly blocked out which is particularly helpful for light sleepers. This sleeping mask is designed with memory foam, not only to make this mask comfortable but also making sure there is no pressure on the eyes so that there is no irritation. It also comes with a hygienic pouch to keep the sleeping mask in so it is very easy to transport around. Again with this product you don’t just have to use it when travelling, obviously you can use it anytime you want an undisturbed sleep. which you can buy here
Travel Blanket
Little things can make you feel more comfortable on a flight. Using something you are familiar with, like a blanket, is so useful on your flight whether you want to take a nap or if you’re feeling a bit cold. This blanket is fuzzy and ultra soft, it also fits multiple people underneath so if you are flying with someone, you can share with your travel companion. This blanket also comes with a carry case that you can use as a pillow so If you don’t want to bring a neck pillow as it can be an item you don’t really want to carry, this blanket doubles as one. The carry case also has a clip which allows you to attach it to your luggage or carry on. This blanket also doesn’t just have to be used on flights, it can be used on road trips or even just around the house and you can get here
Compression Socks
Staying seated for long periods of time can be really uncomfortable as it can lead to cramps and swelling or even blood clots from lack of circulation so compression socks are a really good option to avoid this. They work by providing circulation in your legs due to you sitting down for long periods of time and in turn also reducing the swelling that comes with not moving by squeezing the leg to reduce fluid build up. These compression socks are stretchy making them more flexible and durable so they are long lasting. They are also designed to avoid slipping down the leg while they are being worn. As well as this they are breathable and prevent blistering as well as putting pressure on the shin and arch of the foot to stimulate circulation that you can buy here
You can also get different styles if you find a standard compression sock is too uncomfortable for you, you can get toeless compression socks that have the same benefits but you might find to be more comfortable which you can get here
Noise Cancelling Headphones
Like we have said previously Falling asleep on a plane is really difficult. You’re hyper aware of what’s going on around you and any small amount of movement or noise could wake you up. Not only this but trying to watch a movie or show on a plane can be frustrating if you can still hear what’s going on around you. Noise cancelling headphones are a great option in order to prevent this. These headphones are wireless Bluetooth so they easily connect to your devices or aircraft devices with an airfly. They are fully charged after 2.5 hours providing 50 hours of use and if they do run out of charge, charging for just 10 minutes will provide 3 hours of use. When you’re trying to sleep these are a great option as you could put on music or any calming sounds to help block the noise around you. These headphones fold in making them compact and easy to pack because they don’t take up much room and you can buy them here
If you are uninterested in using headphones another option is something even more compact such as ear buds like the loop quiet ear plugs that also are used for noise cancellation so you can block out any loud voices or sounds to try and relax or even try to sleep uninterrupted that you can buy here
Toiletries
Going to the bathroom on a plane isn’t always the most ideal thing to do especially if you want to freshen up before getting ready to sleep or even just remove your make up to feel a little bit more refreshed. Trying to do all this in a tiny bathroom is quite uncomfortable however there are a few things you can do in your seat to avoid using the bathroom for these things.
One way you can freshen up at your seat is by doing skin care. Removing your makeup generally requires using a bathroom to utilise water in removing some of that makeup left over after using wipes but the Neutrogena make up remover towelettes means you can take off your make up at your seat. These particular make up removers are great for travel because they come in a packet of small individual wipes and you don’t need to rinse your face after using them and you can buy the here
Another way you can freshen up in your seat and moisturise your skin is by filling up a travel spray bottle with your favourite hydrating spray, our favourite is the natio rose water spray because of all the hydrating properties. Not only does rose water give prolonged hydration, which is ideal for a flight considering you’re in dry air for such a long period, but also balances your skins ph which means that it reduces the chance of your skin breaking out. What’s also great about rose water is that you can spray as many times as you need giving you prolonged hydration as well as making you feel more refreshed which you can get here
Your skin really dehydrates while flying so to stop this from occurring you could use a hydrating moisturiser like the la Roche posay Cicaplast Baumé B5 moisturiser. Because this moisturiser is a barrier repair cream, it won’t only give you extra hydration but also like the name suggests this moisturiser will create a protective barrier on your skin to protect it from free radicals in the air aided by such a thick consistency and you can get it here
Another option you could use that provides hydration and protection to your skin is a sheet mask. The Neutrogena hydro boost hydrogel sheet mask is an amazing option because it contains hyaluronic acid that replenishes your skins moisture continuously and is also non comedogenic so it won’t clog your pores which you can buy here
As planes are known to be quite dirty because more often than not they aren’t cleaned very thoroughly, there is a lot of bacteria and germs. Due to this, sanitiser is essential when travelling to keep your seat, surroundings and even yourself clean. In order to keep yourself clean you could use a hand sanitizer, like the Detol one, that you can get here, which not only kills bacteria but we found it worked really well if your hands are sticky as it feels like they have just been washed.In terms of wiping down your seat and surrounding area, we like using the Wet Ones gentle travel wipes. The wipes make it really easy to clean down any surfaces you’re concerned are dirty but are also great to clean your hands as well and you can buy them here
When it comes to flying there are so many plane essentials out there that can make flights so much more comfortable. Whether it be something that helps you fall asleep or even just makes you feel more comfortable whilst sitting in your seat, hopefully we’ve given you some ideas with some of our favourite items to make your next flight more comfortable and a lot easier.