This post is coming to you live from India (on assignment for Travel + Leisure), and it’s been about five full days since I got off the longest flight of my life. From Washington, D.C. to Dubai was a solid 13.5 hours. I then had a six-hour layover before another 3.5 hours to Delhi. Admittedly, I was nervous about this long-haul, red-eye flight—and I spent the two weeks prior to departure carefully thinking through my game plan.
I despise being uncomfortable or unprepared while I’m traveling—the impetus of this Substack—so I wanted to make sure I was ready for everything: the dry air, the layover, the soreness. Granted, I was flying business class with Emirates, which made things significantly more comfortable, but I’ll be repeating the packing list below for incredibly long flights (not in business) this spring.
Typically, I would have brought my roomy MZ Wallace Large Metro Tote Deluxe as my personal item, but I was conscious of weight restrictions for the flights I’d be taking around India during this trip. So I went with the Antler Icon 2-in-1 Tote Backpack. This was actually the first time I’ve traveled with this style, and I was delightfully surprised with how much it holds (laptop, chargers, toiletries, camera). I also appreciated the zip top—you don’t want things to fall out while the bag is under the seat in front of you—and the versatile handles and straps. I mainly carried it as a backpack, but I utilized the tote bag handles when deplaning.
I’m always testing new toiletry bags, and I’ve officially found my new favorite one: the Kusshi Neoprene Train Case. It’s taller than toiletry bags I’ve used in the past, but it isn’t bulky. The small size can hold 20 to 25 products (more than I brought with me to India), and the neoprene material is washable.
I knew dryness was going to be an issue on this flight. I already have dry skin, so I’m militant about carrying moisturizer and lip balm. For this trip, I went with the Dieux Mini Air Angel Collagen & Peptide Hydrating Gel Cream and multiple lip balms (this one from Nuxe is my favorite)—and I made sure my contact solution and toothpaste were easily accessible. When I landed in Dubai, I went straight to the bathroom to freshen up; this was imperative before sitting for another six hours, waiting to begin the second leg of the journey to India.
The 4AM Clean Sheets were an absolute game-changer for me. I didn’t want to have to wash my face in the airplane or airport sink, but I also had zero interest in not washing my face for a full 24 hours. That’s when I remembered an ad I kept seeing for these cleansing (and moisturizing) towelettes that don’t require water. The box comes with 25 individually wrapped towelettes, and I slid a couple of them into my toiletry bag. They also came in handy after a dusty safari through Panna National Park (more on that when I write my India packing list next week).
Along with skincare items, I also packed things that would help me deal with the sheer length of the journey. This hip flexor release ball is a godsend for my tight hips and glutes (it’s bigger than a lacross ball, but still packable). This memory foam eye mask was recommended to me by a massage therapist. My Bose noise-canceling headphones travel with me everywhere, and I always carry a portable power bank to charge my phone. You never know when the plug in your seat will malfunction—and you don’t want to arrive at your destination with a dead phone.
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