My travel essentials : Long-haul flights

Hi there,

If you’re reading this, thank you for stopping by. It’s so nice to see that people from all over the world read this blog. Whether you stop by every week or this is your first time, thank you, and I hope you enjoy it.

So, I’ve been flying long-haul for as long as I can remember. For about 6 years, I flew Delta’s 11hr route from Atlanta (ATL) to Lagos (LOS)(Nigeria not Portugal) religiously. However, this year I’m changing things up a bit and flying to Lagos via Doha – solo; where I have a 14hr layover. I can’t wait to get out and see a bit of the city!

If any of you have flown direct from the United States to Dubai, Abu-Dhabi or Doha, you know it’s about 13-14hrs. Long right? Some of my friends ask how I can do it. Honestly, my only answer is that I’m so used to these flights by now that I’ve learned how to enjoy them (or at least be as comfortable as possible).

As such, I wanted to share with you guys a few of my essentials for long-haul travel.

1. Books Books Books – I love to read, so it’s only appropriate that when I’m stuck in one place for a few hours, I have a book with me. I find that time passes by quickly when I’m immersed in a book. On this trip, I’m taking Ta-Nehisi Coates “Between the World and Me”. Have any of you read this?

2. Music – Music and books are my stuck-on-a-desert-island items. Sometimes I bring my own music on my phone or iPod, but other times I stick with whatever in-flight entertainment has. It’s a great way for me to find new artists too. On this trip, I’ll most likely be listening to these albums on repeat- Beyonce’s “Lemonade”, Obongjayar’s “Home” and Bon Iver’s “22, A Million”. Google these and thank me later.

3. My Laptop – For the sole purpose of playing The Sims. I’m a long-time fan of this series  and it’s rare that I get enough uninterrupted time to play. In-flight presents the perfect setting.

4. A Blanket – I bring my own blanket because the complimentary ones given by the airline can be a bit too thin and short. I like to cover my head AND my feet when I sleep. This particular one fits nicely in my carry-on bag.

5. Skincare & Hygiene – I like to treat myself like I would if I were at home, so I pack face wash, toner, moisturizer, a toothbrush, and toothpaste. This is something I started recently and it’s become routine. Since you can’t take a shower (unless you’re balling in first class – on some airlines) this is the closest I get to feeling refreshed. Someone gave me the idea of a mini-facial so I’ve packed a face mask too.

Besides what I bring with me, I also like to check in-flight entertainment for any movies I’ve been itching to see.

Are any of you flying long haul for the holidays or just in general? Let me know what some of your essentials are in the comments below!

Safe travels & as always, thank you for reading!

All photos shot on iPhone 6S+ & Olympus OM-D E-M10 

same footprints, different sands