It can seem like a stress-inducing game when packing cabin baggage. What on earth are you supposed to take on a plane with you?
Well, it’s best to decide on your packing essentials based on how you anticipate your experience in the air to go. You know you’ll be sat down in a smaller-than-ideal seat, there will be low humidity, the engines will make noise, the lights will be bright, and you’ll want some kind of entertainment and good drink and food to see you through.
Despite knowing what they’re about to endure, many arrive at the airport in smart tailoring, heeled pumps and a full face of makeup.
Sure, this is all well and good for last minute shopping at the departure lounge, but once you’ve sat down on the plane you’ll realise it’s all been quite a massive mistake. No, no you cannot remove those skinny pants, unfortunately.
To avoid this pitfall, follow these top 10 packing essentials and genius tips for your next trip.
Photo: 123rf
ALSO READ: SAVE YOUR DOLLARS AND LUGGAGE SPACE WITH THESE TRAVEL-SIZED BEAUTY BUYS
You’re going to need comfy leggings or sweatpants for your flight. If you’ve boarded the plane wearing something else, change into them immediately as soon as you’re on the plane and shown to your seat. Dump your stuff and head to the toilet. Once changed, you’ll feel like you’re in your living room on a Sunday in no-time. A plane is no place for jeans, tights or tailoring.
Why not give these ones a whirl, they’re baggy for sitting-down comfort, poppers at the side for when you want to open your calves up and they’re a fab price too!
ALSO READ: SAVE YOUR DOLLARS AND LUGGAGE SPACE WITH THESE TRAVEL-SIZED BEAUTY BUYS
P.E. Nation Fast Break striped twill track pants, $140 from Net-a-Porter
The plane ones will drive you nuts – they are badly-fitting cheapo $1 gadgets that will fall out of your ears, relay bad sound quality and break in five minutes.
Bring your own! Ideally some big, noise-cancellation headphones if you can.
Photo: 123rf
ALSO READ: SAVE YOUR DOLLARS AND LUGGAGE SPACE WITH THESE TRAVEL-SIZED BEAUTY BUYS
Bring a big bottle of water on board with you – 500ml-1l. That should keep your body and skin hydrated further, so your health suffers less from the dry air. It will make you feel a million times better on the inside. Drink it; drink it all. Water on the inside and water on the outside – winning formula!
Don’t forget – you can’t take water from the outside through security (some exceptions) so buy your H2O once you’ve got into the departure lounge. Otherwise you’ll have to throw it away and thus wasted those dollars.
Photo: 123rf
ALSO READ: SAVE YOUR DOLLARS AND LUGGAGE SPACE WITH THESE TRAVEL-SIZED BEAUTY BUYS
Those ones on a plane can be so scratchy and stiff and too tight around the head. How can you want to sleep with a flat plastic bean on your face? That is even IF you get one supplied on your flight of course.
Bring your trusty one from home with you – ideally padded and satin with a gently elasticated strap round the head that won’t pull your hair and will sit softly on your eyelids.
For extra luxury during your in-flight sleep, why not buy some of the disposable heated eye masks? Check these out and other sleep-inducing products here.
Image: 123rf
ALSO READ: SAVE YOUR DOLLARS AND LUGGAGE SPACE WITH THESE TRAVEL-SIZED BEAUTY BUYS
They’re small and compact and perfect for removing makeup and dirt in an instant with no water. This means you can embark on your makeup removal process when you board the aircraft and your makeup application process when you’re close to landing, from the comfort of your seat.
Try buy ones that can double up as body refresher wipes too – we suggest fragrance-free wipes so if you need to use them elsewhere on your body (we say no more) then they’re safe to use for sensitive areas.
Photo: 123rf
ALSO READ: SAVE YOUR DOLLARS AND LUGGAGE SPACE WITH THESE TRAVEL-SIZED BEAUTY BUYS
You want to pack the biggest most comfortable sweatshirt or cardigan you own: something that you can wear or which can double-up as a blanket or pillow. It will be chilly, it will be uncomfortable, and you will want to try to have a nap.
Opt for something made from soft fibres and oversized so that you can curl up into your window-seat ball without the sweater restricting your movement. This number is just what the jet-lag doctor ordered:
R13 distressed cashmere jumper, $695 from Net-a-Porter
ALSO READ: SAVE YOUR DOLLARS AND LUGGAGE SPACE WITH THESE TRAVEL-SIZED BEAUTY BUYS
Just some raw protein bars and a couple of bananas should do you wonders. Stay away from the pretzels and potato chips if you want to feel fresh on arrival. When bringing your own snacks, you take away the temptation of getting on-flight food that is, as we all know, not the nicest or the most healthiest for you.
Once again, buy the food in departure lounge rather than bringing in your own from home as you won’t get it through security!
Photo: 123rf
ALSO READ: SAVE YOUR DOLLARS AND LUGGAGE SPACE WITH THESE TRAVEL-SIZED BEAUTY BUYS
I don’t need to tell you about the very real dangers of deep vein thrombosis, blood clots and water retention, which is a common side-effect of sitting down for ages on a plane. It most certainly still affects those who lift their heels up and down, walk around the plane or even do yoga on it. Just put them on. Ideally, before you get on the plane. No-one likes the gout look.
These ones are more than just flight socks – they’re recovery socks and can be used for post-workout compression too.
Compression socks, $51.66 from Lazada
ALSO READ: SAVE YOUR DOLLARS AND LUGGAGE SPACE WITH THESE TRAVEL-SIZED BEAUTY BUYS
This is the chunkiest item on this list. ‘Why don’t I just get a cheap blow-up one?’ I hear you ask. TRUST ME. Your neck will feel no pain at the end of your plane journey and you will sleep like a baby if you want to.
And you will be surprised at how affordable they can be! My Go Travel Memory Foam Luxury Travel Pillow at less than $30 has seen me through about 20 breezy long-haul flights.
Photo: SunshinePillows
ALSO READ: SAVE YOUR DOLLARS AND LUGGAGE SPACE WITH THESE TRAVEL-SIZED BEAUTY BUYS
I cannot stress this enough. Humidity on a plane is in the low single figures whereas in daily life on the ground it’s 15% or more. Slather double your usual amount all over your well-cleansed face, neck and hands. Of course, you must moisturise outside AND inside.
We recommend heading down to a Watsons or Guardian to pick up some travel-sized pots, potions and lotions to avoid you lugging your huge favourite tub around with you.
Photo: 123rf
ALSO READ: SAVE YOUR DOLLARS AND LUGGAGE SPACE WITH THESE TRAVEL-SIZED BEAUTY BUYS
