We’ve all been there, jealously glancing over at the passenger on the next seat with all the gadgets you wish you’d thought about before boarding.
If you’re taking a flight that’s longer than 12 hours (like a 13 h 30 min Santiago to Paris flight by AirFrance or from Vietnam to USA), preparation pays. Here are ten of the best long-haul flight gadgets that will help you pass the time in comfort and style.
1: RedMagic Astra Gaming Tablet
- From $549.00
- PC Mag Rating: 4.0/5.0 (Excellent)
If you’re spending the best part of a day in the sky, a top-tier gaming device will help pass the time. RedMagic’s Astra is a dedicated gaming tablet powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite, the most powerful chip available in an Android device. PC Mag has described it as a “killer mobile gaming machine.”
It has a 9.06-inch 2.4k OLED display, 24GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage. In other words, it can power the biggest and most expansive games while you’re in the sky.
You can download and play hundreds of games from the Google Play Store to enjoy while you’re traveling. Need some inspiration? Asphalt 9: Legends, Grimvalor, and Soulcraft should keep you engaged.
2: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
- From $449.00
- PC Mag Rating: 4.0/5.0 (Excellent)
Noise-cancelling headphones are vital for airplane travel. Screaming kids? Overly chatty neighbor? Stick your headphones on and escape to your happy place in blissful ignorance of the chaos going on around you.
Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Headphones deliver “world-class noise cancellation” thanks to CustomTune. It automatically measures the unique shape of your ears and adjusts the sound and noise cancellation to match you. Battery life is excellent, too, delivering up to 30 hours on a single charge.
If you plan on making the most of the in-flight entertainment system, pick up Bose’s AirFly Pro 2 wireless adaptor for $59.99. Plug the transmitter into your seat and tune into your favorite movies with exceptional sound throughout your journey.
3: PLUTO POD Travel Pillow
- From $145.00
Cheaply made travel pillows certainly aren’t gadgets, but the patented PLUTO POD has been engineered to precision to help you sleep on long-haul flights.
It wraps around your neck and comes with a fitted hood, while an in-built eye mask gives you the ultimate sense of being entirely in a world of your own.
The design, by IDEO, is based on a neck brace that provides support for your back and neck while seated.
If you’re not convinced after your first journey, you have 125 days to return it.
4: Therabody SmartGoggles (2nd Gen)
- From $219.99
If a state-of-the-art neck pillow doesn’t do it for you, Therabody’s SmartGoggles just might. A six-week SleepScore study showed that 71% of participants reported lower anxiety after using them, while 82% reported feeling less stressed, ideal for long-haul travel.
These blackout goggles deliver a compression massage to your head and use heat and vibration therapies to relieve headaches and improve sleep quality.
Impressively, a built-in biometric sensor tailors the goggles’ vibration patterns to your heartbeat, and you can manage everything directly from the Therabody app on your smartphone.
The flimsy eye masks dished out in business class on long-haul flights don’t cut it for most travelers, but these SmartGoggles can help you relax and may help you retreat into a deep and peaceful sleep on your upcoming flight.
5: Spigen In-Flight Phone Mount
- From $49.99
- Amazon Rating: 4.0/5.0 (215+ ratings)
This excellent little gadget is just perfect if you plan on watching content on your smartphone during your flight. It’s so simple to use: clamp it onto your fold-out table and place your phone on the magnet. You can then enjoy hands-free viewing throughout the flight.
It’s compatible with Apple (iPhone 12 or newer with MagFit cases), Google Pixel (MagFit), and Samsung Galaxy (MagFit) phones.
Once in place, you can adjust the mount for optimal viewing. There’s also a handy clip attached to the mount so you can add it to your bag for easy access after boarding.
6: UGreen Nexode Power Bank
- From $109.99
- Amazon Rating: 4.6/5.0 (1,365+ ratings)
This super-fast charging (140W) power bank is another travel essential that will help you through a long-haul flight. It can charge your MacBook Air/Pro, iPhone, iPad, AirPods, Samsung tablet, or even a Steam Deck. You can also switch it to trickle mode for low-current devices.
The two integrated USB-C cables extend smoothly whenever you need them, then retract and tuck away discreetly when you’re done. This clever built-in design eliminates the hassle of carrying extra cables.
Thanks to its powerful 90W input, this power bank can recharge its full 25,000 mAh capacity in about two hours. That means you can top it up quickly during a short layover or while you sleep, ensuring you’re never caught without dependable power when you need it most.
7: AirTamer A302 Personal Air Purifier
- From $79.99
- Amazon Rating: 4.2/5.0 (1,070+ ratings)
Air inside an airplane isn’t as bad for you as you might think, but if you’re concerned about the recycling of pollutants or viruses around the cabin, this personal air purifier should set you straight.
It’s compact, smaller than a smartphone, and comes with a handy strap that you can fasten around your neck while you rest on the flight.
It works by producing millions of negative ions that attach to pollutants, viruses, and allergens, pushing them away from your breathing area and reducing your likelihood of inhaling them.
The device runs on a single charge for up to 168 hours, ideal for even the longest of flights and layovers. Don’t forget to use it in the airport terminal, too, if you have a long connection.
8: Hyperice Normatec GO Air Compression Massager for Legs
- From $379.00
- Amazon Rating: 4.5/5.0 (195+ ratings)
Wearing compression socks on an airplane, particularly on a long-haul flight, can help to increase circulation and reduce the risk of dangerous blood clots. Normatec GO is a lightweight, wearable compression pad that you can wrap around your calves during a long journey. It’s TSA-approved for flying and cabin-ready.
It delivers targeted, dynamic air compression to your calves, boosting circulation while you’re seated for extended periods. This is scientifically proven to reduce inflammation and pain throughout your entire lower body and is more effective than simply wearing compression socks.
The product offers up to three hours of battery life, so you won’t be able to use it continuously throughout your 12-hour flight, but you can activate it for short 10–15-minute bursts to boost your comfort.
9: reMarkable Paper Pro Tablet
- From $629.00
- Amazon Rating: 4.1/5.0 (1,645+ ratings)
Voted by Time Magazine as one of the best inventions of 2025, the reMarkable Paper Pro tablet takes reading and editing on the go to a whole new level.
It features an 11.8-inch color display, an adjustable reading light, and a paper-like writing experience, making it perfect for taking notes or annotating student papers on your flight.
It’s a handy product for students, teachers, designers, and freelancers, especially as it helps you get through a lot of work during your extended period in the sky.
If you want to work on emails or extra written text, purchase the folio keypad for your tablet to transform it into a notebook.
10: OnePlus Pad 3
- From $599.99
- Amazon Rating: 4.5/5.0 (100+ ratings)
If you don’t want to rely on the airplane’s in-flight entertainment system for your movies and shows, the OnePlus Pad 3 is an excellent option for streaming on a long journey.
It has exceptionally long battery life – up to 16 hours on a single charge – and is powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite, just like the RedMagic Astra Gaming Tablet we introduced at the start of this article.
Its 3.4k 144Hz display with 12-bit color depth means you’ll struggle to find a higher-spec streaming tablet for your favorite shows, while the 256 GB of storage is more than enough to download plenty of shows to watch.
Aside from streaming, the OnePlus Pad 3 lets you open three tabs on screen at once, allowing you to multitask and work on several things simultaneously if you want to get some work done on your long-haul flight.
These Gadgets Will Improve Your 12+ Flying
Whether you’re a regular long-haul flyer or are anxiously preparing for a one-off long flight for your upcoming holiday, these gadgets can take the edge off. Here’s an overview of each of the products we’ve recommended, and why they could help you on your long-haul flight:
| Product | Price | USP |
| RedMagic Astra Gaming Tablet | From $549.00 | Snapdragon 8 Elite gaming powerhouse with OLED display |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd GEN) | From $449.00 | CustomTune delivers personalized, world-class noise cancellation |
| PLUTO POD Travel Pillow | From $145.00 | Neck-brace design with hood and built-in eye mask |
| Therabody SmartGoggles (2nd Gen) | From $219.99 | Biometric-synced compression to improve relaxation and sleep |
| Spigen In-Flight Phone Mount | From $49.99 | Magnetic mount enables hands-free in-flight smartphone viewing |
| UGreen Nexode Power Bank | From $109.99 | 140W fast charging with integrated retractable USB-C cables |
| AirTamer A302 Personal Air Purifier | From $79.99 | Negative ions push pollutants away from your breathing area |
| Hyperice Normatec GO Leg Massager | From $379.00 | Wearable air compression boosts circulation and reduces leg discomfort |
| reMarkable Paper Pro Tablet | From $629.00 | Paper-like writing tablet ideal for reading and annotation |
| OnePlus Pad 3 | From $599.99 | High-resolution tablet with exceptional battery for streaming & multitasking |
Here Are Top Flight Gadgets Travelers Actually Use (Based on Google, Blogs & Reddit Trends)
These are the items most frequently recommended by frequent flyers and digital nomads online:
- Wireless Bluetooth adapter for airplane screens
- Noise-canceling headphones
- High-capacity power bank (20,000mAh+)
- Travel neck pillow with hood or support
- Tablet or e-reader for entertainment
- Phone seat mount or stand
- Personal air purifier (for germ-conscious travelers)
- Compression leg massagers or socks
- Sleep mask with heat or vibration
- Multi-port USB charger
What gadgets make long flights more comfortable?
The biggest comfort upgrades are noise-canceling headphones, a proper neck pillow, a power bank, and a good sleep mask. These four alone can dramatically improve sleep quality and reduce travel fatigue on flights over 10–12 hours.
Are power banks allowed on airplanes?
Yes, power banks are allowed in carry-on luggage only (never checked bags). Most airlines permit batteries up to 100Wh without approval, which covers the majority of travel power banks such as 20,000–25,000mAh models.
Do noise-canceling headphones really help on planes?
Absolutely. Active noise cancellation significantly reduces engine noise and cabin chatter, making it easier to sleep, watch movies, or work. Frequent flyers consistently rank them as the single most valuable flight gadget.
Is it worth bringing your own tablet or e-reader?
Yes, especially on long-haul routes. In-flight entertainment systems can be limited or unreliable, while your own device lets you preload movies, books, and games. Tablets are best for streaming; e-readers are ideal for long reading sessions.
What is the most underrated long-haul travel gadget?
Many seasoned travelers say a simple phone mount or wireless Bluetooth airplane adapter is the hidden gem. These inexpensive tools dramatically improve hands-free viewing and audio quality on older aircraft entertainment systems.
Check out the best airport lounges in the world, and of course, pick some of the useful travel apps – explore them while flying (of course, if there is internet in the sky).
