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13 Best Gadgets for Long Flights & Travel

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? If yes, 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. However, when you get in the air that long flight can be a real bugger.

The uncomfortable plane seat and the surrounding noise may make it impossible for you to sleep, 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 either roasting or freezing cabin temperatures?

best gadgets for long flights

I know you are pretty anxious about your long flight already. However, mentioning these problems is vital to prepare you for what awaits ahead.

As long as you are packed with the best long-haul flight essentials and travel accessories that you discover through this article, you don’t have to worry so much about the issues mentioned above.

What Are the Best Long Flight Gadgets?

In making sure that you packed 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—and that 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 are not in your checked bag.

To improve your travel experience, I have compiled a list of the best devices and must-have accessories for long flights, so you’ll have all the necessities without any redundant items.

From travel pillows to earplugs and compression socks, here is everything you need for a tolerable journey of air travel.

Best Gadgets For Long Flights

All the travel accessories and tech accessories on this list have products readily available on Amazon. You can click on the links to read other customer product reviews before you decide to buy.

However, if you aren’t in the mood to go through customer feedback, you can always trust my recommendations for a must-have travel accessory for a long-haul flight.

1. Carry-On Luggage

Kenneth Cole Reaction Women's Luggage

Do you also feel worried whenever you have large checked luggage? Here’s a solution to ease your mind from thinking about it: a conveniently-sized carry-on luggage. There are a few advantages to carrying on your own bag that you can reach at any time:

  • If you’re in a rush, it’s a lot faster to just walk straight to your gate.
  • 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 by it. Pack only what you need and the best long flight accessories, and leave behind anything extra.

If you can fit every one of the travel essentials you need in carry-on luggage, you’ll be much better off as is. 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.

See Related: Cell Phones That Can be Used in Canada

2. Travel Pillows

U-Shape Travel Pillow

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 to not be affected by jet lag when arriving at your final destination.

However, sleeping in planes is more complicated than it sounds. By spending hours on flights with several fellow passengers with you, it can become 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 for your shoulders.

The Classic Brands U-shape Travel Pillow ticks all of 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 away 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.

3. Headphones

Sony Headset

When you talk about plane problems, what is the one thing that comes to your 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, with the right airplane travel accessories, you can cancel all the sounds.

Noise-Cancelling Headphones are one of the top long-haul flight gadgets of all time. Not only do they help you sleep better, but you can also use them to listen to your favorite audiobooks to kill time.

Moreover, these headphones with noise cancellation features do not take up 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 noise-cancelling headphones are a treat for your ears.

They are a little pricey, but the quality outweighs the price tag. There’s also the convenience of being able to bring this thing with you on any flight. With a 30-mm Neodymium Driver and 80 hours of battery life, these headphones are one of my no-brainer travel essentials.

These headphones are also highly durable and comfortable to put on, making it one of the best travel gadgets out there. 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 to listen to on your flight.

See Related: Best Travel Accessories

4. Travel Earplugs

Mack's Pillow Earplugs

Do you want a peaceful environment on a plane? A set of comfortable earplugs may help you feel relaxed 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.

To fit any ear, Mack’s Pillow Comfortable Silicone Earplugs are made with moldable silicone putty that is soft to the touch. It can also regulate air pressure and filter out all the bothersome 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.

See Related: How Much Liquid Can You Carry On An Airplane?

5. Airplane Footrest

Airplane Footrest

The most 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. To make your journey feel like a breeze, Renensin’s airplane footrest may prove to be one of the best accessories for long flights.

This footrest is like a compact hammock for your tired legs. Because of the memory foam padding, getting your feet into a relaxing state 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. The only thing you have to do is hang its straps onto your tray table and place your feet into the comfortable hammock.

The straps are adjustable and give enough options to find a perfect position for your feet. With this footrest in your carry-on bag, you don’t have to worry about restless legs or fatigue.

Plus, you can also pack a travel pillow, eye mask, and earplugs for additional comfort.

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6. Compression Socks

Compression Socks

Here is another way to prevent swollen feet and possible clots in your legs. 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 keep a stable 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.

See Related: Essential Solo Travel Luggage & Accessories

7. Airplane Armrest

Airplane Armrest

When it comes to a long-haul flight, my worst nightmare is my tired arms. With no space to adjust them comfortably, I always find my arms hanging in the air.

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 of between 1.5 and 2.75 inches. It comes with tapered wings that fold away smoothly once the plane lands.

See Related: The Complete Backpacking Checklist for Travelers

8. Amazon Kindle

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, thanks to its sleek design and durable body, you can carry it in your carry-on comfortably. 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 pretty long battery life.

With this entertaining gadget, you are pretty sorted for your journey.

See Related: The Ultimate Summer Trip Packing List

9. Gaming Console

Nintendo Switch Lite

Long-haul flights aren’t exactly known for being enjoyable. If you’re going to be traveling for more than a few hours, you will want to take some more types of 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.

See Related: Best Travel Board Games: Travel-Sized Options

10. Power Banks

Anker Portable Charger

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 ever your trip is a red-eye flight and many people are already hoarding over the outlets in the airport.

It makes sure you don’t hit a zero phone battery just within a few hours of travel. This power bank has USB ports and is sleek, stylish, and safe to use everywhere.

See Related: Monos Luggage Review: Is it Worth it?

11. iPad Holder

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 having to hold it the entire flight.

The holder can be used in both portrait and landscape mode and can accompany you on all of 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 had 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.

See Related: The Ultimate Vacation Packing List (+ Printable PDF)

12. Eye Covers

Portable Eye Mask

If you can’t sleep in bright spaces or if a flight attendant is not turning off the lights yet, 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 sets of 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 work as well. 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.

See Related: Next Vacay Review

13. Travel Blankets

Clubone Wearable Blanket

Imagine being on a plane and dreaming about the things 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 out there. Traveling on a flight is different from driving in a car. In a vehicle, you can easily adjust the temperature according to your comfort.

However, in a plane with a hundred other travelers, it becomes hard to do that. 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.

14. Travel Organizers

Sisma Organizer

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, it is not safe to flaunt your accessories to everyone around you.

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, there are many you can find 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.

See Related: How to Pack for a Month-Long Trip

15. Cosmetic Bags

Clear Makeup Bag

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 to be used as 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.

See Related: Best Snowboard Bags for Travel

16. Pill Organizer

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 on your journey. It will also help you avoid having to dig through your bag trying 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 any doses while you’re 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—which means your medications could easily get lost or mixed up in the shuffle of 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 along on any trip. It also has an alarm to notify you with your medication schedule.

See Related: Best Travel Cases for Camera Gear

17. Seatback Organizer

Airplane Pockets Seat Back Organizer

If you’re like many frequent travelers, you’ve probably experienced a flight with a seatback organizer that’s completely full or full of crumbs and old gum.

For long flights, it’s worth investing in one that you can use to store snacks, a water bottle, your gadgets, and even documents in separate compartments. It is 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. If you are all about the organization that you can use on your next trip, then look no further. Plus, it’s super affordable, too!

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, it’s polite to bring a gift to a colleague. 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 that you can ask from 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 pain in your legs 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.

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