A Must Have List for a Trans-Atlantic Flight
Quick answer: A must-have list for a Trans-Atlantic flight comes down to six things: a bottle of water, your own pillow, a TSA-compliant toiletry bag, a phone full of music, good headphones, and a pen and notebook. Together they keep you comfortable and make the long hours in the air fly by.
Statistically, flying is the safest way to travel, and these days it has become just as mundane as driving a car or riding a bike. However, a long flight can get boring pretty fast if you don’t have anything to distract yourself with. That’s why I carry my own “flight pack” of basics. Flights across the ocean can get quite placid, so here’s my must-have list for Trans-Atlantic flights.
Trans-Atlantic flight essentials at a glance
- Bottle of water (reusable)
- Your own pillow
- Toiletry bag packed to TSA rules
- Phone full of music
- Noise-cancelling headphones
- Pen and notebook
1. Bottle of water
International flights can often last for what seems like an eternity, so you need to prepare for the long haul. Hydration is the first thing to check off the list.
Flight attendants will be glad to bring you tasty beverages or even some alcoholic refreshment, but you don’t really want to be high on sugar or alcohol during a long flight. If you didn’t bring your own bottle of water, ask if they can get you one and take a short sip every now and then. Reusable bottles are a great option, since you can empty them before the security check and fill them up once you’re through passport control.
2. Pillow
Here’s another thing you can get on the plane. However, more often than not, airplane pillows are a synthetic mess. They can be so uncomfortable you’d be better off without them, so it’s always a safe bet to bring your own.
Of course, some people go as far as to bring more than essentials on their long-haul flight, but I am pretty content with the things on this list and my own nice, soft pillow.
3. Toiletry bag
Your toiletry bag should be light and packed according to the TSA regulations. Trust me, when it comes to liquids in toiletry bags, I had to learn the hard way. All liquids, creams, gels and pastes have to be kept to 3.4 ounces or less per container and placed in a transparent plastic zip-top bag.
Apart from that, you just need the essentials:
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Hairbrush
- Deodorant and shampoo
- Sunscreen and moisturizer cream
- Feminine hygiene products
- Some makeup
4. Phone full of music
The choice of movies on international flights is limited and can be hit-or-miss. As far as entertainment is concerned, a music-filled phone is the best possible solution. Technology lets us carry hours upon hours of our favorite albums and genres on one small device.
With Spotify and Deezer, all you have to do is click sync or download for whole playlists already made to your taste. I love that! My phone is filled with music. Don’t forget your headphones, though, because a music player is pretty useless on a flight without them.
5. Headphones
We all know airplanes are loud, and it can get quite cacophonous with people chatting and other background noise. To get around this, it’s amazing to have a solid pair of “earplug” headphones that can cancel out all the distracting sounds.
Since my husband is an audio engineer, he’s always up to date with the latest devices and trinkets, so he recommended AKG headphones to me. They’re really comfortable and perfect for long flights. They cancel out external sounds and the performance is cutting-edge high-res. I think I really got spoiled by them.
6. Pen and notebook
A pen and notebook are faithful companions of every experienced traveler. A friend recommended them to me and at first I laughed it off, as I am not exactly the greatest artist out there. But after a few flights, I tried it out.
It can actually be surprisingly calming to fill the pages with scribbles and drawings. And the best thing about it is that there is no pressure of expectation: you can freestyle as much as you like and the time just flies by.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I bring on a Trans-Atlantic flight?
A reusable water bottle, your own pillow, a TSA-compliant toiletry bag, a phone full of music, noise-cancelling headphones, and a pen and notebook.
How much liquid can I take in my carry-on toiletry bag?
Under TSA rules, liquids, creams, gels and pastes must be 3.4 ounces or less per container and packed in a transparent zip-top bag.
Can I bring a water bottle through airport security?
Yes, if it’s empty. Empty a reusable bottle before the security check, then fill it up after you’re through.
Conclusion
Flying has become a sort of lifestyle for many people, who spend hours every week shuffling between flights. Every experienced flyer learns, sooner or later, that a few essential things make the flight more comfortable and entertaining. After all, time is a precious commodity, so you should always try to make good use of it.
Author Bio
Roxana is a Sydney based travel enthusiast with a passion for writing. She loves fashion and has an eye for anything visually appealing and aesthetical. She is all about the healthy lifestyle, loves to run with her husband and dogs and has fun cooking exotic meals for her family. You can find her articles on HighStyleLife.
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