8 In-Flight Accessories For Your Next Trip
Your comfort isn't up for negotiation.
These eight travel accessories will make your next flight comfortable, quiet and hassle-free!
1. Scholl Flight Socks
If you're flying long-haul, these comfortable compression socks will relieve achy, twitchy legs and help prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) which is associated with long periods of inactivity. Pop these on before your flight -- and walk up and down the aisle when there's a break in the trolley service -- to keep your legs feeling fresh.
2. CoolMax Travel Blanket
Airline blankets never seem to be quite big enough or warm enough to ensure you get a good night's rest on an overnight flight -- so pop this lightweight, breathable travel blanket in your hand luggage and be sure of a cosy trip. Great for long bus and train trips worldwide, too.
3. Boots Flight Earplugs
Screaming infant in Row 33? Pair of Australians having a loud conversation across the aisle? Noisy Nu-rave fan with leaky headphones sitting next to you? Block it all out with these ribbed earplugs designed for flight use -- they also help balance air pressure changes on takeoff and landing that can lead to ear pain.
4. Mophie Juice Pack
If, like many travellers, you use your phone as an in-flight entertainment system, you may find it runs low on battery power over the course of a long flight. Avoid running out of juice with the Mophie Juice Pack -- a case for your phone that can double your battery life. There's a Juice Pack for most leading handsets (currently excluding iPhone 6).
5. Wet Ones Travel Wipes
Anyone who has ever managed to pour half of an in-flight meal over their own lap (yes, it's possible, we've done it) will know how useful it is to have a slim travel pack of wet wipes in a handbag or pocket. Wet wipes are great for freshening up hands and face at the end of a long flight, and vital for removing accumulated sticky messes if you're travelling with children.
6. J-Pillow
Launched in 2012, the award-winning J-pillow was designed by a former Virgin Atlantic flight attendant to provide support for neck, chin and the side of the head, reflecting the way most people actually sleep on planes. The pillow rolls up into a compact ball for packing -- and there's an inflatable version that packs completely flat for the tiniest of hand luggage.
7. Kindle Touchscreen eReader
A good book used to be the most important travel accessory for a long flight -- but with the advent of eReaders it's now possible to carry hundreds of books, magazines, newspapers and even comics on a device that weighs less than a typical paperback. The Kindle is still the best-known brand of reader and this new model has an intuitive touchscreen interface and glare-free display for hours of happy reading.
8. Totes Toasties Slipper Socks
Joan Collins used to swear the best route to long-haul comfort was to remove her stilettos and slip on a pair of paper bags for the flight. We think these cosy slipper socks with a non-slip grip on the sole are a much more glamorous solution to sore feet and puffy ankles.
Is there a travel accessory you can't live without? Share it with us in the comments below!
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Written by Lise Smith, a former contributor to Lonely Planet's India guidebook - she's seen her fair share of hotel rooms (both grotty and glamorous!). She learned to walk in a hotel corridor in Tunisia, and at the age of three had been on more aeroplanes than buses. Lise writes for a number of local news, technology and arts publications.
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