Every year, I vow never to take another red-eye flight. And then inevitably, I find myself boarding a dreaded overnight plane ride.
Whether it’s a travel deal I can’t pass up or an exciting destination with limited flight options, the reality of travel means I, along with many others, fly at inopportune times.
So when there’s no avoiding a red-eye flight, I focus on making the journey as comfortable as possible. And now, after more than a dozen overnight flights, I’ve built a packing list that never lets me down.
These are the essentials that help me sleep better, stay hydrated, and land ready to explore.
In this article
1. Stay Hydrated with Electrolytes
Before even boarding a flight, my focus is on staying hydrated. Research shows that planes can dehydrate passengers due to low cabin humidity, so I drink water both before my flight and while I’m on the plane.
Before boarding, I make sure my reusable water bottle is filled with water, and ideally, an electrolyte packet. I typically choose Liquid I.V. with immune support to help ward off any potential sickness that I may be exposed to along the way.
2. Pack Products to Quench Your Skin
Low humidity while flying isn’t only linked to dehydration; it can also drain skin of moisture.
On past red-eye flights, I’ve woken up with cracked lips and achy skin. I now do my best to avoid that by packing a toiletry bag stocked with moisturizing lotion, lip balm, a face mist, and sunscreen to keep my skin soft, hydrated and protected.
My trusted flying companion is my Prequel Multi-Quench Hydration Mist to lock in moisture for hours.
3. BYO-Plane Snacks
I never know what I’m going to crave during a flight. It might be something sweet or salty. Most likely, it’ll be both. Before I leave home, I pack an array of snacks to satisfy me during a flight. This way, I’m not left starving if there’s no in-flight meal or snack service, or if a longer-than-expected security line has me running to my gate without time to stop and buy something.
I try to avoid processed foods since whole foods help me feel energized and refreshed. My favorites include hydrating fruits like berries and oranges, nuts, cheese sticks, and, of course, a small indulgence. For me, that’s dark chocolate.
4. Be Prepared for Sleep
Typically, my focus on a red-eye flight is to get as much rest as is feasible in such cramped quarters.
While an eye mask and neck pillow—I rely on my trusty Trtl pillow— help, I also pop a Lemme Sleep magnesium and melatonin gummy at the beginning of the flight. I find it helps me to fall asleep, relax, and combat jet lag when I land.
5. Take Care of Your Mouth
The best way for me to feel refreshed after a red-eye flight is with clean teeth. That means my electric toothbrush and travel-sized toothpaste are always packed on any red-eye flight.
I recently switched to a Philips One by Sonicare electric toothbrush, which has a battery that lasts for months, fits in a toiletry bag, and comes with a travel case, making it a great choice for my flights and trips.
6. Slide Into Hotel Slippers
I’m often wearing my bulkiest pair of shoes on a flight, so I don’t sacrifice too much luggage space. While that helps me with packing, it’s not exactly comfortable on a long-haul flight.
Constricting, sweating feet are no fun, and neither is going barefoot, so I’ve started making sure a lightweight pair of slippers or flip-flops is packed in my personal item, as well.
Though if you’re on your way home, you might instead take hotel-provided slippers with you. This is one of my favorite travel hacks, as they’re often super slim and take up little space in my bag and are disposable, so I can toss them if they become dirty during the flight.
7. Noise-Canceling Headphones are a Must
Whether it’s crying babies, chatty passengers, or ambient plane noise, I work hard to drown out surrounding sounds during a flight so I can get some rest.
My go-to pair is the Bose QuietComfort Headphones. They’re comfortable enough to wear for hours on end, do a solid job at eliminating surrounding noise, and the battery lasts for multiple flights.
8. Always Wear Layers
Plane temperatures can vary drastically. When you first board, the cabin be really hot. An hour later, temperatures might drop to teeth-chattering.
I come prepared for any climate with plenty of layers. I wear flowy, non-constricting pants like these Abercrombie and Fitch linen-blend pants; they tend to keep my legs at the right temperature.
Up top, I layer a tank top, a long-sleeve shirt, and a jacket for every potential environment. Plus, my jacket can always double as a pillow if needed.
The Shortcut
Red-eye flights can be a nightmare, but sometimes they’re the best or only flight option.
After taking a dozen red-eye flights, I’ve built a survival kit I swear by that features eight key items.
These items prioritize rest, comfort, and hydration, leaving me ready to tackle any post-flight destination.
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