As I sat in a café with my friend Amee, discussing her recent long-haul flight to Australia and my impending flight to Mauritius, I came to the realisation that I am always horribly underprepared for flying. Apparently there is another way! A more comfortable way that requires some preparation but means you don't arrive at your destination feeling crumpled, doped on Valium and with a blanket over your head. Desperate to make that 12-hour journey a little smoother, I asked Amee and some other well-travelled friends to share their in-flight rituals, products and tips.
Amee Patel, Founder, AMPR
Neck pillow
I bought this after finding out I had the middle seat in a 13-hour solo flight to Texas where I knew I wouldn't have anyone's shoulder to snooze on. It was a total game-changer. It stops that dreaded chin-to-chest drop which wakes you up every time you try to fall asleep sitting up on a plane. It's a little bulky but has a clasp so you can attach it to your flight bag.
J-Pillow, £18.95, available at Amazon
New York Times crossword app
Despite best intentions to settle in on a long-haul flight and read that book you've been putting off for months, more often than not, you actually just want to veg out with eight episodes of the Kardashians. But for the long, long-haul flights, when you've watched too many Zac Efron films and are in need of a little brain stimulation, I recommend the NYT crossword app. It's something like £3.99 per month and you get the entire archive and can pre-download them before a flight.
NYT crossword app, available at iTunes
Aesop hand gel
After one too many times getting sick immediately after getting off a flight, I am now obsessed with cleanliness on a plane. Some things you have to just put up with, but hand gel tends to get you through: I use it after the bathroom, during films, after eating. Many gels contain a lot of alcohol and can dry your hands out, but the Aesop one is kinder to skin.
Aesop hand gel, £7, available at Aesop
Lounge pants
I recently read a fiercely argued debate between Condé Nast Traveller editorial staff about whether it is acceptable to wear pyjamas on a plane. An all-out pyjama may be a little too far in front of 300 people you've never met, but no one wants to be wearing jeans for 11 hours in a static chair. This is where you can indulge a little by basically buying the nicest pair of lounge pants you can – something with a little cashmere, or silk if you're flying to somewhere hot. If they're a little tailored, even better; you can stay in them if you've got a layover somewhere and not look like a woman in her pyjamas. Mine are from Uniqlo.
Lounge pants, £19.90, available at Uniqlo
Heating eye masks
My friend recently flew halfway around the world in two weeks and came back raving about these self-heating eye masks from Japan. They work like hand pocket-warmers: once you open the packet and put them on, they start to heat up. These aren't pretty but they really do the trick in helping you feel relaxed and ready to sleep. If you can, get the ones infused with lavender for an extra treat.
Optrex warming lavender eye mask, £9.99, available at Boots
Noise-cancelling headphones
Everyone would suggest these for long haul. I think their best use isn't actually for watching films, but for when you want to sleep – by putting them on, you drown out some of the residual plane noise, which makes you feel calmer. They don't have to be expensive, either; I picked these up in an airport shop recently.
Luisa Savoia, Account Director, Beauty & Digital, Purple PR
Moisturising face spray
This will keep the face suitably moisturised and hydrated throughout the flight! I don’t believe people who say they do sheet masks... I never see anyone doing them! Plus they are super messy. A few mists throughout the flight is enough for me.
Tata Harper hydrating floral essence, £80, available at Net-A-Porter
Calming oil
This is a new ritual I have picked up since becoming a fan of Tata Harper. Simply roll the oil onto your wrists, rub together and inhale the aromatherapy in five deep breaths. It makes you feel much calmer. I then sometimes roll a little bit behind my ears as well. Very soothing!
Tata Harper aromatic stress treatment, £73, available at Cult Beauty
Water
I find this to be the most important thing to do when flying. It helps with everything from hydration to digestion!
Podcasts
If I was facing a flight without a good solid backup of podcasts, I would be at peak anxiety. I like to start with Kermode & Mayo (Wittertainment) as they keep me very calm and lightly chuckling throughout.
Mascara
Mascara is my makeup life blood. If I’ve had a long flight, it’s great to know I can top up or reapply and feel like I’m on top form for arrival. My very favourite (and I’ve tried so many) is MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash. It’s buildable, super black, doesn’t budge, but cleanses off with ease!
MAC Gigablack Lash Mascara, £15.50, available at MAC
Rachael Jevons, Senior Account Director
Calming pillow spray
I use this product every day and take the mini version with me when I travel. It helps me to relax on a flight – as well as to sleep in a new place when I reach my destination.
This Works deep sleep pillow spray, £18, available at This Works
Cosy scarf
I like to take layers with me on a flight as I’m usually cold and I have a favourite cashmere scarf that doubles as a blanket. It’s warm, but not bulky.
Toast cashmere scarf, £155, available at Toast
Good quality headphones
Good quality headphones are important on a flight. I like the Master & Dynamic MW60 wireless headphones, which are super comfortable and sound great. As they are over-ear, they also help to block out unwanted noise from other passengers (if necessary!).
Master & Dynamic MW60 wireless headphones, £499, available at Master & Dynamic
Luggage that holds all
I recently upgraded my luggage. I find packing a bit of a chore and welcome clever solutions to make the process easier. Horizn Studio’s smart luggage is lightweight, tough and high quality. The suitcases also feature a removable smart charger hidden under the handle, so I can recharge my phone without needing to find a socket. Pale rose is my preferred colour as it stands out from the usual luggage offerings.
Horizn Studios Model H suitcase, £212, available at Horizn Studios
Tom Wiltshire, New Business Director, Boiler Room
Socks and pool slides
If it’s long-haul, there’s no compromise on comfort. It’s also the only time when I can get away with this look.
adidas adilette slides, £29.95, available at adidas
Quality headphones
Everyone praises over-ear, noise-cancelling – but who wants to carry those things about to and from the airport? Expandable foam ear buds are as good if not better. Sometimes I just put them in to be in my own space.
SoundMAGIC E10C headphones, £44.95, available at SoundMAGIC
Audiobooks
I recently tried audiobooks on a flight for the first time and they're great because you can shut your eyes and totally drift off.
Snacks
I’m vegetarian and wheat-intolerant. Sadly, very few airlines have caught up with the rest of the world when it comes to vegetarian options and their default is pasta, which screws me. So I’ve learnt to hit Pret or something similar before.
Beer
It never ceases to amaze me that one of the sole focuses of any flight after 10am, no matter what distance, is an alcoholic drink. Beer makes the time fly. You can even get a pale ale on easyJet now.
Rita Tavares, Brand Director, Marques’Almeida
Face mask
I love Tata Harper's resurfacing mask, it’s all-natural and super hydrating and my skin is so dry so I need to make sure it’s well hydrated when I travel. The mask is great for sensitive skin, too; I leave it on for the first 20-30 minutes of the flight and then take it off with Bioderma Sensibio wipes.
Tata Harper resurfacing mask, £53, available at Cult Beauty
Wipes
Bioderma Sensibio wipes are my go-to wipes when I travel. I have very sensitive skin and wipes are not ideal but these ones keep my skin clean and fresh and are super gentle.
Bioderma Sensibio wipes, £7.10, available at Boots
Refreshing face mist
After the mask I always use the hydrating floral essence spray which leaves my skin so soft and luminous, it feels really fresh! It’s great to keep around and use throughout the flight and after landing. And smells so good!
Tata Harper hydrating floral essence, £62, available at Cult Beauty
Eye mask
I have trouble sleeping with light and I’m not an easy in-flight sleeper so I always travel with an eye mask to make sure I get some rest. This one feels so gentle and comfortable, I take it everywhere.
Slip pure silk sleep mask, £45, available at Cult Beauty
iPad mini
I try to travel with my iPad instead of laptop to make sure I don’t carry a lot of weight but still have everything I need with me. I have all my favourite TV shows and films there ( Game of Thrones and Sex and the City are the ones I always go back to).
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