At LocalsInsider.com, we’ve been traversing the planet for years, sharing our insights into the best vacation destinations and travel tips.
In this article, we turn our attention to getting to your dream vacation destinations and the tools we recommend to ensure you get the most out of your flying time and don’t arrive exhausted.
There’s an accessory for everything, from blocking out the noise of kids screaming in coach to keeping your devices fully loaded on power.
Powerbank
Price from $49.99
Our pick: Anker 533 Wireless Power Bank
We all now have many devices that require power for entertainment and work purposes, so it’s essential to recharge on the go without the stress of hanging around charging stations at busy airports.
The mighty power bank is an absolute godsend for this; we wouldn’t leave home without one.
We like the Anker 533 model for long-haul travel because it has USB and USB-C ports for high-speed charging and wireless charging functionality for universal compatibility. It’s an older model that doesn’t include MagSafe charging, but that suits just fine for accommodating older devices.
Noise-Canceling Headphones
Price from $129 for Bose
Our pick: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones.
Noise-canceling headphones are an absolute travel essential. Whether you’ve got work to get through, an important meeting that requires sleep, or really want to concentrate on your podcast/audiobook/movie, blocking out the sounds of your fellow travelers is a must.
Our pick is from the Bose range, which includes over-ear and earbuds in various styles. Their sound quality is second to none, and the noise-canceling is super effective.
We particularly like the Quiet Comfort Ultra over-ear headphones for their superior comfort and sleek design, but they are somewhat pricier than other models available. You don’t have to break the budget to get a decent set and enjoy the bliss of blocking out the cabin sounds.
Audio Jack Adapter
Price from $34.99
Our pick: Avantree Relay Airplane Bluetooth Adapter
Don’t settle for shoddy airline-supplied headphones when you want to make the most of the inflight entertainment. With one of these handy devices, you can use your noise-canceling headphones and enjoy the movie in peace.
Our favorite is the Avantree Relay, which comes with a dual 3.5mm adapter so you can plug it in on virtually every flight. The battery life is up to 20 hours so that it will do for even the longest flights, and you can share it with your travel partner as it accommodates two devices at once.
Reusable Water Bottle
Price from $25
Our pick: SHO Insulated Sports Bottle
Another don’t-leave-home-without-it product is the reusable water bottle. They’re perfect for airline travel.
It’s well known that airplane cabins can dehydrate you, particularly on long-distance flights, so it’s important to keep topping up. Rather than waiting for the flight attendant’s attention, keep a good-sized bottle of water on you.
Add ice from the bar before you board your flight, and the insulated, double-shell stainless steel SHO bottle will keep your drink chilled for the duration of your flight. We love that these come in various sizes, and you can buy additional lid fittings to customize your bottle.
TSA Approved Reusable Toiletries Bottles
Price from $9.99
Our pick: Morfone Travel Bottles
These TSA-approved reusable toiletry bottles will ensure you have everything you need to hand without exceeding the 3.4-ounce travel limit. Fill them up from your big bottles at home so you can take your favorite brands with you.
We love the Morfone bottles because they’re reasonably priced, see-through, leak-proof, and made with non-toxic BPA-free plastic. The pack includes pump bottles, great for hand sanitizer, and handy little tools to help with refilling.
Freshen up in-flight and arrive looking rejuvenated. And because they’re TSA-approved, you don’t have to worry about your products being taken off you.
Pre-Packed Snacks
Price from $25 for the Bentgo Lunch Bag
Our pick: Bentgo Lunch Bag
We love to pack snacks for our long-haul flights. It’s not that we don’t enjoy the inflight meals, but who doesn’t love munching on some popcorn when you’re watching Brad Pitt do his thing?
We recommend hitting the supermarket before you go and making a packed snack box at home to avoid those exorbitant airport prices. Always check the TSA website before you pack to ensure you’re up to date with what’s allowed.
Our pick is Bentgo’s range of lunch bags. Yes, we know they’re technically for kids, but the little compartments are perfect for separating snacks, and the removable trays make cleaning them a breeze. Plus, you can remove the straps to save space in your cabin bag.
Travel Pillow
Price from $29.99
Our pick: Dot & Dot Twist Memory Foam Pillow
While the first half is about keeping you entertained as those hours tick by, it’s time to think about getting your head down and the best accessories for uninterrupted sleep.
Even if your airline provides pillows and blankets, extra padding is always good; for that, we love our travel pillows. They’ve come a long way since first becoming a long-haul go-to, with some fantastic options now on the market.
Our pick is your best bet for long-haul flights as the design factors in your need to change position. Its adjustable, bendy arms allow you to switch up the shape of the pillow to suit the space you’re sleeping in and the position of your head. This provides fantastic neck support to help ensure you arrive feeling refreshed.
We like that the covers are removable, making them super easy to wash before your flight home.
Eye Mask
Price from $37 from Blissy
Our pick: Blissy Silk Sleep Mask
There will always be some light coming from somewhere, and if you’re unlucky enough to be sitting next to someone who keeps their reading light on for the entire flight, you need to be prepared.
We loved the silk sleep mask from Blissy because it’s better for your skin than cotton or synthetic fibers. It comes with a matching carry case, which is convenient and helps keep your carry-on bag organized.
We also recommend the Audree sleep mask and earplugs set if you’re looking for a set that includes earplugs—the perfect combo for a good night’s sleep.
Our Essential Picks to Take Onboard & Alternative Brands
So, there you have it, the LocalsInsider.com in-flight travel essentials for your next long-haul flight.
Eye Mask – Blissy Silk Sleep Mask
The Blissy Silk Sleep Mask offers superior comfort and light-blocking capabilities. Its silk material provides a soft, luxurious feel against the skin, making it ideal for long flights. Alternative brands like Alaska Bear, Manta, and Slip also offer quality eye masks with varying features such as contoured designs or different materials.
Powerbank – Anker 533 Wireless Power Bank
The Anker 533 is a compact and affordable option with versatile charging capabilities. Alternative brands like Mophie, RAVPower, and Zendure offer power banks with varying capacities and features such as fast charging or multiple ports.
Noise-Canceling Headphones – Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones provide excellent noise cancellation and immersive audio. Alternatives like Sony WH-1000XM5, Apple AirPods Max, and Sennheiser Momentum 4 offer competitive features such as adaptive noise cancellation, spatial audio, or extended battery life.
Audio Jack Adapter – Avantree Relay Airplane Bluetooth Adapter
The Avantree Relay supports aptX codecs and Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring high-quality audio transmission. Alternative options like AirFly Pro, TaoTronics, and RHA Wireless Flight Adapter offer similar functionality with varying battery life and connectivity options.
Reusable Water Bottle – SHO Insulated Sports Bottle
The SHO Insulated Sports Bottle keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours with a leakproof design. Alternatives such as Hydro Flask, S’well, and YETI Rambler offer similar insulation properties with different designs and capacities.
TSA Approved Toiletry Bottles – Morfone Travel Bottles
Morfone Travel Bottles offer a comprehensive set of BPA-free, leakproof containers. Alternative brands like Humangear GoToob+, Kitdine, and Vumos provide similar TSA-compliant sets with varying bottle designs and additional features.
Pre-Packed Snacks – Bentgo Lunch Bag
The Bentgo Lunch Bag is durable, leakproof, and has multiple compartments for organizing snacks. Alternatives like PackIt, YETI Daytrip, and Lifewit Insulated Lunch Bag offer different designs, sizes, and insulation capabilities.
Travel Pillow – Dot & Dot Twist Memory Foam Pillow
The Dot & Dot Twist Memory Foam Pillow offers a customizable design for optimal comfort. Alternative options like Trtl Pillow, Cabeau Evolution S3, and BCOZZY Chin Supporting Travel Pillow provide different approaches to neck support and comfort during travel.
Travel Essentials for Long-Haul Flights:
- Eye Mask – Blissy Silk Sleep Mask
- Powerbank – Anker 533 Wireless Power Bank
- Noise-Canceling Headphones – Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
- Audio Jack Adapter – Avantree Relay Airplane Bluetooth Adapter
- Reusable Water Bottle – SHO Insulated Sports Bottle
- TSA Approved Toiletry Bottles – Morfone Travel Bottles
- Pre-Packed Snacks – Bentgo Lunch Bag
- Travel Pillow – Dot & Dot Twist Memory Foam Pillow
Our advice is simple: Pack your cabin bags right with these essential accessories, and you’ll never need to press that call attendant button again.
