Discover the edited luxury travel essentials, time-tested tech, and minimal skincare routines that make long-haul flights effortless
People often ask what I pack for a long-haul flight.
If you’d asked me fifteen years ago, the answer would have involved a rather ambitious in-flight beauty routine.
Then I became a mother.
These days, I don’t have the time—or the inclination—for any of that. My cabin bag has become much simpler, and I don’t think that’s a bad thing.
Instead, it contains a small collection of things that quietly make long-haul travel easier. Some have travelled with me for almost a decade. Others are newer additions. Every one of them comes with me on almost every long-haul flight.
My Cabin Bag
For long-haul flights, I always reach for my Longchamp Le Pliage Expandable Travel Bag.
I own several of the classic Le Pliage XL bags, but this has become my dedicated travel bag.
The reason is simple: flexibility.
Most of the time, I don’t need the extra space. But if I do, one zip transforms it into a much larger bag. It’s surprisingly useful when holiday shopping gets a little out of hand—or when our little person suddenly decides she no longer wants to carry her travel backpack. I suspect most parents will recognise that moment.
Most of the time my husband carries it, but if it’s my turn, the shoulder strap makes a huge difference. Having both hands free for passports, boarding passes and coffee is something I never take for granted in an airport.
Once I arrive, it often becomes my beach bag and, if I’ve done a little too much shopping, it’s sturdy enough to check into the hold for the journey home.
Perhaps the greatest compliment I can give it is that I’ve travelled with it for years, throw it in the washing machine after every big trip (whether Longchamp recommends it or not!) and it’s still going strong.
It doesn’t live with my handbags. It lives in our travel cupboard.
I think that probably tells you everything you need to know.
Shop my cabin bag
Falke Travel Socks
Flight socks aren’t particularly glamorous, but after years of long-haul travel I wouldn’t fly without them.
I’ve tried a few brands over the years and always come back to Falke. They’re comfortable, well made and make a noticeable difference on overnight flights.
Mine are navy rather than black, which suits my travel wardrobe a little better.
I never enjoy putting them on.
I always enjoy wearing them a few hours later.
Shop Falke Travel Socks for Women
Shop Falke Travel Socks for Men
The Tech That Never Leaves My Cabin Bag
Over the years, my travel tech has become much simpler too.
These days, my phone does almost everything I need on a long-haul flight. It has my boarding passes, a few downloaded TV episodes for a delayed flight and all the usual apps that make travelling easier.
The rest is surprisingly simple:
- Anker Nano Power Bank – Tiny enough to disappear into my bag, but one of those things I’m always glad I packed.
- Anker 3-in-1 Charging Cable & USB-A to USB-C Adapter – Between these two tiny accessories, I can charge almost anything without carrying a collection of different cables.
- Soundcore Wireless Headphones – Mine are blue and my husband’s are green, which neatly avoids any confusion. We own much larger Bose headphones, but these are lighter, comfortable and excellent value. If they were ever lost, I’d be disappointed, but it wouldn’t ruin the holiday. Ironically, I’ve managed to lose more pairs of Apple AirPods over the years than these.
When we’re travelling as a family, we’ll also pack one iPad loaded with films and a few games. It isn’t something I rely on personally, but it has quietly rescued more than one long-haul flight.
If you’d like to see everything else I travel with, including travel adapters and a few other gadgets, have a look at my full travel tech guide.
Shop my travel tech
- Anker Nano Power Bank
- Anker 3-in-1 Charging Cable
- USB-A to USB-C Adapter
- Soundcore Wireless Headphones
My Permanently Packed Airport Wash Bag
One of the best travel habits I’ve adopted over the years is keeping a small airport wash bag permanently packed and ready to go.
Mine is a clear Space NK bag that’s probably close to ten years old now. The fact that it’s transparent means it’s one less thing to think about at airport security. I can see exactly what’s inside and, despite years of travelling, it’s still going strong.
I’ve admired the Anya Hindmarch in-flight bags for years and completely understand the appeal. They’re beautifully designed and wonderfully organised.
That said, I’ve never quite managed to justify replacing a bag that’s faithfully accompanied me through airports for almost a decade.
If you’re looking for a luxury upgrade, the Anya Hindmarch version is hard to beat. If you’re more practical, the Space NK bag has never let me down.
When I travelled before becoming a mother, this bag looked very different. I used to carry a much more ambitious beauty routine.
These days, I’ve simplified everything. Yes, I’ll happily use the airline’s toothbrush and toothpaste. The skincare is another story.
Some airlines have excellent amenity kits, but many contain products from brands I simply wouldn’t choose to use at home. Rather than leaving it to chance, I pack a handful of favourites that I know work for me and take up very little space.
Shop my Space NK Bag
Shop the Anya Hindmarch Bag
What’s Inside My Airport Wash Bag
After years of travelling, this little bag has become surprisingly predictable.
I don’t decant products into tiny bottles anymore. Everything in here either gets used on the flight or throughout the holiday.
Here’s what you’ll usually find inside:
- Muji medicine case – This little case holds paracetamol, ibuprofen, vitamins and a few other essentials that I don’t want disappearing into the bottom of my bag. One compartment isn’t for medicine at all. It’s reserved for whichever earrings I’m wearing when I board. If they become uncomfortable once the cabin lights go down, I’ll swap them for a simple pair of studs and know my originals are safely tucked away until we land.
- L’Oréal Revitalift Eye Cream for Face – One tube for my eyes, face and, if my hands are feeling dry after hours in the cabin, they’ll get a little too. It’s also the moisturiser I’ll use throughout the trip. It does the job perfectly well and I don’t have the time—or the patience—to decant products into little travel pots anymore.
- Dior Eye Pencil, MAC Clear Mascara & Brow Gel – This is my entire post-flight makeup routine. A little definition around the eyes, a quick brush through my brows and lashes and I’m done. If anyone from The Body Shop happens to be reading this… please bring back your clear mascara. It was the best one ever made and nothing has quite compared since.
- Liposan Tinted Lip Balm – A little colour and plenty of moisture. They’re inexpensive enough that I’m not heartbroken if one disappears somewhere between the airport lounge and the hotel.
- Molton Brown Vitamin Lip Saver – I first discovered it more than twenty-five years ago on my first overseas business trip, when I was unexpectedly upgraded to business class on the journey home. It was in the amenity kit and I’ve been buying it ever since. I’ve probably gone through more than twenty-five tubes over the years, which is about as strong a recommendation as I can give.
- Spare daily contact lenses
- Haan hand sanitiser
- Kleenex pocket issues (hard to find in some countries as they are flat)
- Small pack of wet wipes
- Hair tie
- A couple of plasters
Final Thoughts
Looking at everything laid out on the table, I realised how much my packing has changed over the years.
There was a time when I travelled with far more products, gadgets and “just in case” items. Becoming a mother certainly played a part, but so did experience. After enough long-haul flights, you work out what you actually use and what simply takes up space.
These days, my cabin bag is lighter, my beauty routine is simpler and I spend far less time worrying about whether I’ve packed the right things.
Every item in this bag has a purpose.
In-Flight Essentials
Some have travelled with me for almost a decade. Others are newer additions that have quietly become part of my routine. None of them are there because they’re fashionable or because someone sent them to me. They’re there because, over the years, they’ve made long-haul travel just that little bit easier.
Perhaps that’s the biggest lesson I’ve learnt after more than twenty-five years of flying.
Packing less doesn’t mean being less prepared.
It simply means knowing what works for you.
Mrs. O
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