Long-haul flight survival guide: 5 travel essentials

Hours spent in dry cabin air can leave your skin feeling tighter and less comfortable than usual, so a small moisturiser is an essential addition to your carry-on, as well as a toothbrush and toothpaste to feel fresh throughout as well as when you land!

Choose a size that is easy to pack and a container that closes securely. The best moisturiser for your trip is one you know suits your skin. As Tom cautions, a long journey is not the ideal time to test something completely new.

Also keep it somewhere easy to reach rather than buried at the bottom of your cabin bag. If you're taking liquids through airport security, check the current rules for the airport you're using before you travel.

Tom’s pick: Right now, Tom recommends Clarins Hydra-Essentiel Night Cream for ultimate long-haul hydration and plumping.

Shop the Avios skincare range.

Headphones or earbuds can make it easier to create your own little pocket of calm. Tom recommends good-quality headphones to help reduce outside noise and distractions from the people around you.

Your choice depends on what you want from them - over-ear headphones offer better noise cancellation, whereas earbuds take up less space. Simple earbuds may be all you need if your main aim is to rest rather than listen to audio.

Before you leave, check charging needs and how your headphones connect to your devices. If you plan to use an aircraft entertainment system, check whether you may need an adapter. Download films, music, podcasts or audiobooks before you travel so you're not relying on a connection in the air.

Sound quality matters, but comfort matters too. Something that feels fine for 20 minutes may feel very different several hours into a flight.

Tom’s pick: Right now, Tom recommends the noise cancelling and wireless Beats Studio Buds+.

Explore the full range of headphones with Avios.

A travel pillow can make rest more comfortable for some people, but it's not a universal cabin-bag essential. The right choice depends on how you tend to sleep, how much support you like and how much space you have.

Consider what is important to you. Inflatable designs can pack down small, compressible pillows may feel softer, while more structured shapes can offer firmer support.

Think about cleaning as well as comfort - a removable or washable cover can be useful after a long journey, allowing you to have a fresh, clean pillow for the next trip.

Tom’s pick: Right now, Tom recommends the Ostrich Go Neck Pillow for its easy to use adjustable straps and ergonomic design.

A reusable water bottle is useful on plenty of trips, but it really earns its place when you are spending hours on the move. Tom recommends carrying one so a drink is close by throughout the journey.

Many airports have water filling stations, which can make it easy to refill once you're through security, as well as saving money and reducing plastic waste. Check the current rules at your departure airport and take your empty bottle through security before filling it afterwards.

For travel, look for a bottle that closes securely and is easy to clean. A lightweight design can help when cabin-bag space and weight are limited. An insulated bottle may keep your water cooler for longer, but can also add extra weight.

Think about the whole trip too - bottle can come in handy at the airport as well as exploring your destination.

Tom’s pick: Right now, Tom recommends the Chilli’s series 2 water bottle which will keep liquids both hot or cold depending on your need on the day!

Shop all travel water bottles.

Tom recommends packing cubes to help organise your luggage and make the most of limited cabin-bag space. You can group clothes by type, by person or by part of the trip - whatever makers your life easier.

A small cube with a fresh outfit can be especially useful in hand luggage if you face a spill, delay or overnight journey. Another can keep underwear or small items from disappearing to the bottom of the bag.

Compression cubes can reduce bulk, but it doesn't increase your baggage allowance or remove weight from what you pack, so you still need to stay within your airline's size and weight rules.

Cubes can also make it easier to take out one thing without turning the rest of your bag upside down. On the way home, you can use them to separate worn clothes from clean ones.

Tom’s pick: Right now, Tom recommends Antler’s Black Chelsea Packing Cubes featuring compression zips and mesh windows.

We hope you have a wonderful trip and a relaxing flight! And remember,it is always worth keeping an eye on the Avios Shop where you can use your Avios to reduce the cash price of various travel essentials, whilst still collecting Avios on the balance - so this trip could help take you towards the next one.