The time is creeping ever nearer to our next Disney holiday which is exciting, so I am starting to think about what to pack in your hand luggage to survive the eight-hour flight. I don’t like flying very much, it doesn’t scare me but I have a feeling of being trapped and can’t leave so I know I need plenty to distract myself for the journey.
Miss A is very easy to entertain. Give her a couple of screens and the TV on board and she is very happy. We did come up with some ways to keep her entertained on our last long haul flight which worked really well so we’ll be packing some of the same this time around.
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During our last flight I decided not to take a handbag but instead bought a rucksack which I would then be able to use to take into the parks during the day. This worked really well for me last time so I’m taking it again this time. It also means I can fit quite a lot inside.
I always find the outbound flight easier than the inbound which is due to the excitement of the upcoming holiday, so I know I can concentrate better when I’m reading on the outbound flight, but when we are on the return journey I find I can’t read very well so I am being prepared this time around with a couple of audio books so I can hopefully drift off whilst listening to someone else read to me.
Hand Luggage Essentials For Long Haul Flights
I do love taking an actual book to read whilst laying by the pool, but one of my essentials for a long haul flight is my kindle. It’s so much lighter and easier to use when travelling that I charge it up the day before we fly and I don’t have to worry about it until we come home again.
I have noticed that I can waste some time when colouring in recently, as it’s such a great way to destress, so I will be packing my colouring book and pencils.
I am quite easy when it comes to airline food and am happy to eat most of it. If I don’t like the meal then the roll, salad and dessert are enough to keep me going so I don’t tend to pack too many snacks for the journey. We always have a few for Miss A incase she doesn’t like the food but thankfully we have always been lucky with the choices.
Last time I took a notebook and pen so I could jot notes and ideas down as I thought of them. I found that my imagination had no where else to go and I ended up planning quite a few blog posts when I was on the return flight last time and couldn’t sleep.
It’s also a good way of just getting thoughts out of my head and onto paper, but this time around I may use my tablet for this as I will have it with me for playing games when I really don’t have the energy to think straight anymore which usually happens in the middle of the night coming home.
Some people thrive on plane journeys like Hubby, but not me. I have accepted I need to endure them to get to where I want to go at the other end and then I have no choice but to travel home, but the easier I can make it the better it is for me.
Another one of my long haul flight essentials is a pair of comfy socks to put on when we are in the air. This is mainly because my feet get cold and when I take my shoes off to curl up (or try to) on the seat, my feet stay toasty in thick socks. I also have learned to pack a neck cushion and use the airline cushion to support my lower back.
An eye mask is coming with me this time as we didn’t get one in our flight pack last time and I think this may have helped me drift off instead of noticing the slightest movement or shadow when my eyes were closed.
Do you have any tips on what to pack in your hand luggage for a long haul flight?