Long-haul flight checklist
This is the cabin bag only. Everything here exists because it is either useless in the hold or unbearable to be without at hour six.
29 items
Makes your own editable copy. No account needed.
The items
- Medication, in the cabin bagNever the hold. Keep it in the original box with the label if it is prescribed.
- Documents
- Passport, and check the expiry date now
- Visa or travel authorisation
- Boarding passes downloaded offline
- Travel insurance number
- Sleep kit
- Eye maskThe cabin lights come on for meals whether you wanted one or not.
- Earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones
- Neck pillow
- Warm socksThe cabin runs cold and shoes come off.
- Comfort
- Big scarf or light blanket
- Lip balm and hand creamCabin air is drier than most deserts.
- Empty bottle to fill after security
- Toothbrush and a small toothpaste
- Snacks you actually like
- In case the bag is delayed
- One change of underwear
- A clean t-shirt
- Deodorant under 100ml
- Electronics
- Charger and a power bank
- The right plug adaptor for where you land
- Films and podcasts downloaded, not streamed
- Headphone adaptor for the seat socket
- PenFor the landing card, which is always paper and always a surprise.
- A little local currency for the taxi
- Chewing gum for the descent
Makes your own editable copy. No account needed.
Questions people ask
- What actually helps you sleep on a plane?
- A proper eye mask, earplugs and something to stop your head falling forward. In that order — light wakes you more reliably than noise does.
- What should never go in the hold?
- Medication, documents, chargers, a change of underwear and anything you cannot replace. Bags do get delayed, and the first 24 hours are the ones that hurt.