We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A pair of compression socks for anyone whose feet, ankles, or legs tend to swell up on long flights. These cozy socks can help prevent that, and double as another thermal layer (planes be cold).
Read more about compression socks and swelling on long flights at Cleveland Clinic.
Promising reviews: "Used for an 11-hour flight. Very comfortable in comparison to the MANY other brands I've had and zero leg/feet swelling for the first time on that same long-haul flight." —Sean
"After wearing these socks for over 24 hours straight for travel on an overseas flight, I had absolutely no swelling at all in my feet or ankles. I was worried about the potential for blood clots being on an airplane for a long time. So, I am glad I invested in these socks. Very comfortable. I washed them out by hand and hung them to dry. They were ready to wear the next day. I will continue to wear these and recommend them." —islandgirl
Get it from Amazon for $17.95+ (available in unisex sizes S–XXL and 13 colors).
2. A cooling memory foam seat cushion to make you and your aching back feel ~supported~ even on painfully long travel excursions.
The velour cover zips off for easy cleaning in the washing machine.
Promising reviews: "Got this to use on long-haul flights because I usually have back pains for a good couple of days after. This helped a ton on my recent flights. Made my economy seat way more comfortable!" —L
"I bought this before a trip to Asia. I typically find airplane seats to lack padding and to become uncomfortable for long flights. This seat was very comfortable and kept my butt from being sore on the flights. I really like it and will probably use it on all flights moving forward." —Carter Cathey
Get it from Amazon for $44.99 (available in three colors).
3. A pair of reusable anti-nausea bands that may help soothe churning stomachs caused by long flights, car rides, and cruises without copious amounts of Dramamine.
For more info on how to use acupressure for nausea management, check out this guide from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
There's a kid's band, too!
Promising review: "Wore these flying and while taking a ferry out to the Aran Islands. It was quite choppy, and these helped! Combine these with medications for very rough adventures, and you will be good. I got through with just these alone on a flight and felt good on my long-haul journey." —Zahra Kiesler
Get a pair from Amazon for $8.53.
4. A pair of affordable wireless Bluetooth earbuds because the idea of being tethered to the back of the seat in front of you for the entirety of your 12-hour flight is, in a word, unbearable. Break free from the wires without breaking the bank.
Great news! They're waterproof for when you hit the hotel hot tub later.
Promising review: "I wanted a wireless noise-canceling set when traveling on the plane. This worked really well, and I managed to get through an audiobook during my long-haul flight without issues." —Amelia
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in five colors).
5. Plus, an AirFly Pro wireless transmitter if you (and a buddy) actually want to use said Bluetooth earbuds to watch those free in-flight movies.
Promising review: "Bought this for several trans-Pacific long hauls — this is a game changer. Transmission is good quality, although the sound lags every once in a while. Paired easily with a major brand name set of Bluetooth noise canceling headphones. Battery lasted the entire trip through a number of movies, TV episodes, and audiobooks. I would highly recommend. Update: My ONLY issue as I continue to use this is the inability to determine the status of the battery. That would make a great addition to the device." —Shelly Lincoln
Get it from Amazon for $54.99 (available in black and white and two other styles).
6. A moisturizing saline gel so you can put an end to the frequent nosebleeds and restore some desperately needed moisture to your dry, irritated nasal biome. If you use a CPAP machine or get dried out on long-haul flights, I'd add this to cart STAT.
Promising review: "This stuff works. Used it for the first time on a 13-hour flight to Asia this past summer. My only disappointment: I didn't find this product years ago. Talking about how wonderful this product works may not be the most socially acceptable topic, but when I happened to mention it when asked how I survived the longest legs of the flights between the southeast US and southwest China, the interest of those listening convinced me writing a review might be a favor to fellow long-haul flyers. I used both the gel and the nasal spray — so I'm not sure if one works better than the other or if the combination is what did it. But, on arrival, my sinuses were not aching, and no bloody nose. Not a pretty review — but a very positive one." —Critical Thinker
Get it from Amazon for $3.62.
7. A Trtl neck pillow for actually supporting your neck while you try to catch some mid-flight Z's. It's way less bulky than traditional travel pillows and will keep you from head bobbing onto your neighbor's shoulder.
Promising review: "I purchased my first Trtl about four years ago for a long-haul flight and have used it every flight since then. I have never been able to sleep on flights with traditional travel pillows; my neck would just keep bobbing and waking me up. I just purchased a second Trtl because my husband keeps stealing mine. They're very easy to pack and take up less space than a traditional travel pillow. Sleep is extremely important to me, especially while traveling, so this comes on every trip with me if there's a long or overnight flight involved." —valerie
Get it from Amazon for $64.99 (available in four colors).
8. Plus, a soft kid-size travel pillow with double neck support to make sure the nap you scheduled your entire travel itinerary around actually happens.
Promising review: "This was invaluable for my long flights to and from the East Coast to Hawaii. I also bought the kids' version for my son, and he loved it. It collapses easily into a bag that attaches to your hand luggage. My husband had a traditional neck pillow which was more supportive, but ended up being unwieldy to travel with. I think this pillow struck the right balance between support and flexibility." —A&J
Get it from Amazon for $38.97 (available in four sizes and 11 colors).
9. Or, a memory foam travel pillow because it can be bent any which way to get you in a suitable sleeping position no matter what kind of train, plane, and automobile situation your travel plans entail.
Promising review: "I used this pillow on a long-haul flight to China, and it was perfect! Loved that I could twist it however I needed for different positions and easily attach it to my luggage for carrying. Would highly recommend for people who have had trouble finding the 'right' pillow for traveling." —Dave
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in four colors).
10. A 2-in-1 travel blanket and pillow if you're always shivering through airplane naps because traveling with a bulky blanket seems untenable.
Promising review: "I purchased this for my international business trips. The flights, whether domestic or international, are always freezing for me. This is perfect as a pillow for short flights and much appreciated for warmth on long hauls. It's very soft and easily fits over your luggage handle. It washes very nicely and packs easily into the cover." —SD
Get it from Amazon for $29.95 (available in six colors).
11. A pack of reusable water-reveal activity pads for when your tot has exhausted the pre-downloaded supply of Bluey and Super Why! episodes. These pads come with a water "marker" that reveals colorful pictures without any stain risks.
Recommend for ages 3 and up.
Promising review: "One of the items I got to entertain my 2.5-year-old on a nine-hour flight overseas. It's not only compact, mess-free, and a great price...but it kept him busy far longer than I had ever dreamed. Played with it long after we returned home, and so often he wore the thing out." —WifeMomRN
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in three themes).
12. An inflatable footrest so you can really put your feet up and relax with a travel-friendly stool that inflates to three different heights to suit any situation. It's also a great option for kiddos when their wittle feet can't yet reach the ground.
Promising review: "I loved using this for our long-haul flight to Australia. It made sleeping much more comfortable and provided relief for my legs during the flight. I always struggle to get comfortable when flying in economy, and this footrest helped a lot!" —Happy Kosel
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in four colors and a two-pack).
13. Or an in-flight foot hammock to make kicking back in the flight cabin a whole lot easier. It easily mounts onto the seat tray, and not only ups that economy seat comfort, but can also help reduce in-flight foot swelling.
Promising review: "This made all the difference for me on a long-haul flight to the UK. I have short legs and find it difficult to get comfortable in an airline seat. With my feet elevated in this device, my lower back was able to relax. I arrived much more rested than ever before. It will always be a travel accessory for me." —Gal from the mountain time zone
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in four colors and multipacks).
14. An in-flight phone mount for a hands-free way to watch all those episodes of Ted Lasso you downloaded for the flight. It can also mount on your luggage for long (aka boring) layovers.
Perilogics is a small business creating hyper-functional tool holsters and bags for carrying your stuff on the go.
Promising review: "This was perfect for a recent long-haul flight. Worked as intended, and we didn't have to hold our phone or try and keep it propped up on the tray table. Highly recommend!" —Strazie
Get it from Amazon for $13.97 (available in five colors).
15. A freezable snack box with built-in cooling technology that you can load up with snacks to fight off any mid-flight stomach rumblies knowing they'll stay cool and fresh for hours.
Promising review: "This is a repeat purchase — I bought my first one for long international flights and liked it so much I bought this second one for my teenager for hiking. I pack crudites, cut fruit, chocolate, cheese, and other refrigerator-temperature snacks on flights from the US to Asia and they stay cold through at least half of those 20+ hours (+ layovers) on the plane. Best still is how the bag doesn't 'sweat' on the outside. It's compact enough to keep in a carry-on or hang outside a backpack with a carabiner. Highly recommended!" —LiEr
Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (available in 13 colors and prints).
16. A contoured sleep mask because the bright light of this random kid's iPad is making it *very* difficult to sleep through the flight. The concave shape effectively blocks out light, and the adjustable strap helps you get a comfy, customized fit.
Promising review: "These eye masks are so soft and fit my face so perfectly that I don't even feel that I have them on. Other eye masks (including the rather expensive silk ones) annoy my face after a little while and leave a mark on my nose. These masks are adjustable and have a nice notch to fit the nose perfectly. They are thick and plush and won't let any light through, which allowed me to sleep 8+ hours on a recent long-haul flight." —Sara Rastegar
Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in seven colors).
17. Or try this brilliant travel hoodie with a built-in sleep mask (🤯) if you want to be the cutest, comfiest, and most well-rested human on your flight.
Pond Los Angeles is an Asian-American, woman-owned small biz based in California. They create super chic minimalist clothing and accessories that just so happen to be ULTRA functional. Plus, the brand creates its goods in partnership with a woman-led manufacturer!
Reviewers say it's oversized, so size down if you want a snugger fit.
Promising review: "I purchased this specifically for a long-haul trip overseas. Wanted warmth, non-restrictive and comfortable, and the built-in eye mask is genius. My travel friend kept saying she was looking for a large, comfortable sweatshirt to travel with. I mentioned this item, and she didn't seem interested and bought something else, which she returned. Then she saw me wearing this and immediately loved it and ordered one as well. 😊" —EM
Get it from Pond Los Angeles for $102.40 (originally $128, available in women's sizes XS–XXL; also available in black, oak, cream, and blue tie dye).
18. A beloved Kindle Paperwhite to bring your entire TBR list with you on the road without bogging you down. So when your flight is delayed, and you fly through your vacation book in one sitting, a backup is just a few taps away.
19. Some citrusy Liquid I.V. Hydration packets loaded with 3x the electrolytes of a regular sports drink because sometimes you drop the ball on that whole drinking water thing. This helps you maximize the power of every glass to aid a speedy recovery from a hard workout or ages-long flight.
Psst — it's also gluten-, soy-, and dairy-free!
Promising review: "A+ from a flight attendant. I fly long flights to Asia. During the course of the flight it is easy to get dehydrated. My husband suggested that I take one of these packets to drink each way. It has really made a difference in my energy level." —Amazon Customer
Get a pack of 16 from Amazon for $23.45 (available in 12 flavors).
20. A pair of thick fleece-lined joggers for perpetually cold snuggle-bugs desperate for something comfy that'll finally keep you warm enough inside those frigid flight cabins. And you thought sweatpants couldn't get any cozier!
Most reviewers recommend sizing up! AND you can snag a matching fleece-lined zip-up hoodie here.
Promising review: "These joggers are super comfortable. I wore it on a six-hour flight, and it was perfect. The fleece material inside gives you that warm comfort, especially during colder temperatures. I definitely recommend it." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $38.99 (available in women's sizes XS–XXL and 17 colors).
21. An airplane seat back organizer to slip over the tray table and really make this little slice of Airbus feel like home. The machine washable surface provides a clean space for working and eating while adding some much-needed pockets for easy access to the snacks, drinks, and activities you've prepared to make it through this long-haul flight.
Airplane Pockets is a small business doing exactly what the name implies — creating an in-flight organizational unit with plenty of pockets.
Promising review: "Just completed a long-haul trip, and this was invaluable! Easy, clean, convenient. And takes up practically no space. Well worth being a part of your travel kit." —Sue B
Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
Check out BuzzFeed writer Emma Lord’s Airplane Pockets review for more deets!
22. Plus, a window seat BevLedge that frees up precious tray real estate by giving all your other travel essentials a safe perch to call their own. We're talking sleep masks, earbuds, glasses, and a decedent bevvy (or two!) that are now out of the way yet still instantly accessible.
BevLedge is a small business that specializes in mind-blowing travel accessories.
Promising review: "This is a very useful product, and I take it with me on all my flights. Almost every time, the person next to me asks about it. It's especially useful on long-haul flights and international flights when you want that space the tray table takes up. It's light and thin, so it takes up little room on my carry-on. Great accessory overall!" —Trung L.
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
23. A comfy Warner's wire-free bra with 30,000+ 5-star ratings because there is a 0% chance you're going to endure this red-eye flight with an underwire stabbing you the entire time.
Promising review: "I am not large chested, typically a 36B. This is a magical bra! I have tried other wireless bras, and the bottom band always rolls. Not in this bra!! Wearing this bra for 12 hours or more is easy peasy. I plan on ordering more and replacing all my expensive bras with this brand and style. Great for travel, too. Worn on two long flights and was very comfortable. Try this bra, you won't be disappointed." —AshnOK
Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in women's sizes XS–3XL and 18 colors).
And here are some more wireless bras if you're looking for similar styles!
24. A set of silicone "EarPlanes" with a twist-on design so you can maybe avoid that painful popping sensation amid altitude changes for once without sucking your way through an entire bag of hard candy.
Promising review: "I've been flying for 30 years, and I've never noticed anyone wearing these. I only came across them when I was searching for an earplug to reduce noise on a long-haul flight. Anyway, I'm so glad I found them; they are hands-down the best thing for anyone who suffers from ear pain while descending. Just pop them in when you feel the plane beginning to land and take them out once you're on the ground. You will have no pain. These little guys are magic. I will never travel without them again." —VMA74
Get a pack of four from Amazon for $24.08.
25. A rechargeable 3-in-1 handheld fan to beat the heat no matter where it strikes. It's the perfect size to keep stashed in your bag *and* it doubles as a power bank for on-the-go charging. Did I mention the built-in flashlight? Just in case it wasn't already multifunctional enough for ya!
This gadget has been such a lifesaver in hot temperatures. Four of my friends have already bought themselves one, too, and are also loving it.
Promising review: "Perfect addition to my carry-on during a long overseas flight where temperatures in the plane fluctuated from extremely humid to freezing." —CLAUDETTE
Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in four colors).
26. A portable digital power bank with four built-in charging cables that can juice up just about any device you throw at it, whether you're mid-flight or mid-museum tour.
Promising review: "This portable charger was an essential item for my recent travels. I do not trust the charging ports in the airports, and this kept my phone, iPad, and headphones charged nicely for long intercontinental flights. I had others on the trip ask to borrow it because one of the attached cords fit their Android phone. It recharged nicely in the hotels, and I will not travel without it!" —AMFischer
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in seven colors/styles).
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.