Ten items I always take when flying long-haul in economy class

Zen-like powers of endurance are required when you’re wedged into an economy class seat halfway between Australia and Dubai, seven hours down and seven more to go. Long-haul economy class flights are where travel dreams stumble, but there are ways to make them more bearable.

Essentials: Eye mask, noise-cancelling earphones and a neck pillow.Credit: iStock

Pack a few life-enhancing items in your carry-on and you can turn your cattle-class cabin into something close to comfort. But take care: the quest for a more comfortable flight has produced some weird ideas. The knee defender, a wedge designed to prevent the passenger in front reclining their seat, made a brief appearance over a decade ago until fights erupted and airlines banned it.

Sonictrek QuietMix II earphones.Credit:

The foot hammock is a sling that suspends from your tray table, guaranteed to raise eyebrows. But the gold medallist in the absurdist stakes has to be the Ostrichpillow, a sleep aid that looks like an octopus latched onto your head, recommended only if you want to amuse your fellow passengers. And it seems some travellers just can’t face a long flight without the pillow from their bed. I mean, really?

The sound that comes through those cheap in-ear headphones the airlines hand out takes the shine off even the best in-flight movies. You can pick up a set of Sony MDR-EX155AP In-Ear Headphones that offer a much better audio connection for about $30. However, for a truly sublime audio experience, nothing beats noise-cancelling headphones. As the sound comes crisp and clear to your ears, engine noise or the disturbance of a shouty child are reduced to whispers, a big plus for snooze time. Even high-spec items from Bose can be yours for about $250, while Sonictrek QuietMix II earphones, which do a very decent job, can be bought for less than $200.

Cheap, throwaway slippers are the perfect in-flight footwear. If you’ve slept overnight in a medium posh hotel, those towelling slippers are ideal, and the hotel bins them after they’re used once so why not pack them in your cabin bag? They’re even fine for visits to the toilet, and you’re losing them as soon as you leave the aircraft. They’re also available from online retailers from about $3 a pair.

As well as a carry-on case, most airlines allow a personal item, a small bag or case, provided it fits under the seat in front. The maximum size for underseat cabin storage varies by airline, but generally, a personal item such as a small backpack or handbag should fit within dimensions of about 40cm x 30cm x 20cm. That gives you a respectable pack size of 24 litres, which can swallow everything you need for a comfortable in-flight experience right up to a laptop, and several luggage makers sell under-seat bags. Some have rigid frames, or even wheels and extendable handles – and that’s a mistake.

The 20-litre Decathlon Sports Shoulder Bag Essential, a steal at under $20.Credit:

In some aircraft, the housing box for the in-flight entertainment system is located under the seat. If you find yourself seated behind one of these boxes, your storage space is compromised and a solid case isn’t going to fit. What you want is a soft-sided, squishable pack, and a daypack is ideal. The 28 litre Cabin Zero backpack is available on the Qantas Marketplace website for $89.95, but there’s a lot to like about the 20 litre Decathlon Sports Shoulder Bag Essential, a steal at under $20.

Quality earplugs are a must if you’re looking to catch some sleep. Loop Quiet 2 Earplugs are made from silicone and they’re ace, but at $35 a pair, and since they tend to wander from my ears, I’m not buying. My favourites are the soft, tapering and cheap Howard Leight MAX1 Foam Earplugs.

An eye mask is another essential for catching a few zzzs on a long flight, or signalling to fellow passengers that you’re not in a conversational frame of mind. Even the masks that airlines hand out to business-class passengers fall short. Invest in a soft version with contoured pads surrounding the eyes – they’re super comfortable and available from online retailers from about $15.

A neck pillow makes a big difference to your comfort level when you’re trying to sleep, and your seat buddy will appreciate it if your head isn’t lolling around on their shoulder. I see plenty of passengers with foam-filled versions yoked around their necks in airports, and I’ve used them but prefer the inflatable version. Air out, it packs down to practically nothing, and who wants to lug a full-sized model around when they’re earthbound? Budget models cost between $5 and $15. I use a Z ZHOUHAI Travel Pillow ($26.99 from Amazon), but I’m not in love with the furry material.

The humidity level in an aircraft cabin is about on par with Chile’s Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on earth. That can leave you with dry, flaky and irritated skin. Moisturiser is a simple fix, and your skin will thank you. So, too, is water: drink more than you think you need, and even more if you’re drinking alcohol or coffee. Even real men moisturise.

That low-humidity also leaves my eyes tired, red and scratchy. I use Refresh Plus single-use vials, with just a few drops in each. Sinuses can suffer as well; a squirt of Fess and you’ll feel fine. Both are available at any chemist.

For an instant refresh, it’s hard to beat a clean set of teeth. You can buy cheap, single-use toothbrushes such as the Colgate Wisp, but let’s not add to the plastic plague. Pack your home toothbrush, and use clean water from a bottle, not the stuff that comes from the bathroom tap.

A pen – required for filling in departure and arrival cards (don’t annoy the cabin crew by asking to use theirs). Ballpoints are better, some pens leak when air in the ink chamber expands with altitude. Leave the Montblanc at home.