These Travel Essentials Keep Me Feeling Sane and Refreshed on 10+ Hour Flights

“Another carry-on essential is my travel vanity. When I’m on a family trip with eight people, being able to keep all of my toiletries in one place saves us on hotel sink space. True to its name, the bag itself is super lightweight, so I don’t have to worry about it weighing down my carry-on. It can hold travel-size bottles of pretty much everything in my medicine cabinet. It’s also a good way to keep myself from packing too many things, because if it can’t fit in this vanity, chances are I didn’t need it in the first place.” —Janae McKenzie, Associate Shopping Editor

“I’ve tested my fair share of weekender bags, and lately, I’ve been willing to sacrifice style for a hands-free option. Backpacks are much less of a headache when trudging through major airports, as the weight is evenly distributed across both shoulders. It saves me from leaning to one side as I walk. This Béis travel backpack seriously impressed me. I previously thought the brand was more about aesthetics than capacity, but this travel backpack is the perfect mix of both. A spacious front pocket keeps my dopp kit, portable charger, and oversized wallet easy to access. The side leather pockets are chic, but also big enough to hold a water bottle and umbrella. And the main compartment has a buckle to hold your clothes in place, and more zipper pockets, including a waterproof one. This is the backpack I want to have at my feet while I’m in my seat, and it’s stylish enough to explore the city with it without looking like a complete tourist.” —Janae McKenzie, Associate Shopping Editor

“Going barefoot on an airplane might as well be a crime, but there’s no way I’m squeezing my feet in uncomfortable sneakers for the whole flight. That’s where these adjustable slippers come in. They have a tall, padded sole for extra comfort, and it’s easy to adjust their tightness. I can stretch my feet and ankles whenever I need to prevent swelling from sitting down too long. And they can be personalized with your own monogram for extra style.” —Janae McKenzie, Associate Shopping Editor

“Hours of layovers and time spent on planes take a serious toll on your skin, and you can start to feel gross pretty easily. Having a pair of towels like this one can go a long way towards feeling refreshed. I keep one for my face and one for my body, just so I can freshen up whenever I get the chance. The dark color hides any stains, and the fabric is low-linting and hypoallergenic. Trying to get a shower or wash your face in the airport is a messy process, but using these is the next best thing.” —Janae McKenzie, Associate Shopping Editor

“Yes, it’s a bit extra to fly with your own humidifier, but I stand by it. Even though planes come with their own air, it isn’t very hydrating. I usually end up with a stuffy, congested nose. I didn’t know I could get humidifiers this small, so when I found out Canopy had a portable version of my beloved Bedside Humidifier, I had to get my hands on one. To give you an idea of size, it fits in the corner of your seat-back tray table, so it’s a pretty easy way to stay hydrated in-flight. Your neighbor might thank you for it.” —Janae McKenzie, Associate Shopping Editor

“I’ve brought several viral water bottles from the Owala to the Stanley in flight, but this is my holy grail. It takes the superior insulating power (and gorgeous matte color) of the Brumate and adds a key feature: a covered straw. A magnetic straw cover keeps it away from airplane germs, so I don’t have to worry about my straw touching gross things in the seats. And the straw lid can be opened slowly, so there’s no mid-air water bottle explosion like with flip-cap models.” —Janae McKenzie, Associate Shopping Editor

“Finding a good pillow is a real Goldilocks mission, and that’s even more true with travel pillows. The half-moon shape doesn’t suit me well, as it’s often too tight on my neck. The Trtl Pillow Plus is adjustable to cradle my neck just right, keeping my head from lolling to one side as I sleep. No more waking up with an awful crick in my neck! Plus, it folds down pretty flat for easy compact storage in my backpack, so I don’t have to wear it through the whole terminal.” —Janae McKenzie, Associate Shopping Editor

“I wear glasses every day from sunup to sundown, so overseas travel is a constant rotation of taking them on and off. Usually, they either fall off while I’m asleep, or I have to store them loose in my bag, or just tuck it in my shirt and hope for the best. This spacious glasses case is my solution to that. It can hold both my everyday glasses and sunnies, and the cherry red gloss is so stylish I could just use it as a clutch purse in a pinch.” —Janae McKenzie, Associate Shopping Editor

"I've been gifted with the ability to fall asleep anywhere, which makes traveling so much easier, but I still need it to be quiet. Enter Bang & Olufsen's H100 headphones. I've had noise-canceling headphones before, but these make every other set I've tried sound so loud. They're extremely comfortable and make it seem like I'm listening to my music or a podcast in a vacuum. I literally couldn't hear anything over them on my recent 18-hour journey to India. They're definitely pricey, but if you want a luxurious set of over-ear headphones that'll provide you with a new way to listen to music, get these." —Meghan Shouse, Digital Editor

"There are so many special eye masks out there that promise to reduce pressure on your eyes or assure a fully black-out experience, but I like to keep it simple. Matouk is known for its exceptional fabrics, specifically linen, and its linen sleep mask is just perfect for me. It's lined with ultra-smooth silk, so it doesn't feel scratchy on your skin, and it comes in a range of iconic patterns on the outside. The nose part can contort to your face with ease, and it just feels so cool to the touch. It did not let any light in that I could see on my 18-hour travel day, plus it comes in a cute drawstring pouch for storage." —Meghan Shouse, Digital Editor

"I never travel on flights, especially ones that are 10+ hours long, without a hydrating facial mist. I have tried several over the years, and my current favorite is from Summer Fridays (all their products sit well on my skin). The bottle delivers an uber fine mist and leaves my face feeling slightly sticky and looking dewy, which I don't mind at all because my dry skin needs the moisture It's not scented, but I do notice a light refreshing smell that doesn't linger. The fact that it received the National Eczema Seal of approval is a big deal to me, too, because I get eczema flare-ups often and then I can't use any of my normal products. This one I can still use during my flare-ups, and I am definitely packing this with me for my trip to Thailand this summer." —Marina Liao, Senior Commerce Editor

"As soon as I get on the plane, I take off my normal cotton socks and slip on this plush pair from Cozy Earth. They don't leave marks on my ankles (like my normal socks do) when my feet swell on the plane. The material is so soft and fuzzy that you don't feel like you're wearing socks at all. The best way I can describe this comfy sensation is that it feels like a nice blanket is draped over my feet, keeping them warm but not constricted." —Marina Liao, Senior Commerce Editor

"Like my face, my hands get super dry on the plane, and I hate that feeling, so I always make sure I have some type of hand cream in my travel pouch. The one I find the most nourishing is Josie Maran's argan oil—I have gone through bottles of the brand's oil—because it keeps my hands moisturized for hours or until the next time I wash my hands. I reapply religiously throughout the flight. The only con with this product is that it leaves your hands feeling a bit 'greasy,' so when you touch your phone, glasses, or surfaces, it'll leave a mark. I know some people probably don't like that, but I don't mind it because I feel like my skin needs the extra 'grease' to survive a long-haul flight." —Marina Liao, Senior Commerce Editor