What to take in your hand luggage on a flight – especially longhaul!

Last updated on May 21st, 2026 at 07:13 am

Its a real juggle getting it just right with your hand luggage for a flight – especially when its long-haul! It is something to think about carefully!

As a person that grew up far from anywhere (NZ), long haul flights unfortunately come with the territory. I have managed 36-hour flights (and transit times) solo plus three (my baby, toddler, and child), as well as on my own, or with my girls as they got older. Trust me – its relatively easy flying alone! With kids it a whole different ball game 🙂

I’ll start with details for those flying alone or with another adult, then go on to cover what else you need if you are flying with kids!

Side note: See the Resources page for a handy packing list you can download to use for your next trip!

1. Traveling solo / with other adults

So, what should you carry in your hand luggage for a flight – even if it’s not that long of a haul?
These 12 things are a priority to think about for your hand luggage!

Bag or case

First, think about what you use to carry your hand luggage in. A small backpack can be useful when you are out and about for a day in town or city, or going for a day walk on your trip. A small suitcase is not so useful – although you can always pack the small back pack inside it and take both.

Consider moving around airports and trains stations with whatever bag you plan to take too – will it be easy or cumbersome?

hand-luggage-bags-for-flying — Bags for hand luggage

Your electronics -laptop, phone, camera, power bank etc

Usually you want to keep these close anyway – god forbid the airline loses your luggage and your laptop is included!

1. If you put them in checked luggage they may not be insured by your travel insurance – do check this.

2. Power banks and spare batteries are not allowed in checked luggage.

Valuables including jewelry

Try and go without obviously, but if you must then again keep it close – you wouldn’t want it going astray, and again, check your insurance as you may not be insured if you check in valuables.

Any prescription medicines and medications you need in-flight

Make sure you have enough in case of delays – up to 2 days would be wise. You never know!

Passport / visas / money

Obvious I know – but it has to be mentioned!

Car keys / glasses / sunglasses

Also obvious – also has to be mentioned!

Toiletries

If your flying business or first – not so important, but if you’re in good old cattle class (economy) then consider these:

tissues
lip balm – air travel dries you out
disinfecting wipes / hand sanitiser
toothbrush and small tube of paste – that will get through security 100ml restrictions

Water bottle and snacks

Bring an empty water bottle through security and fill it up before you board. It just makes life easier than constantly having to ask for more drink – and helps keep you dehydrated. Long haul flights really dehydrate you. And of course some airlines don’t even give out free drinks.

Also snacks – even if you are on a decent airline that feeds you – its not always great or to your taste so snacks are useful. And of course, if the airline doesn’t supply meals then this is likely going to be high on the list.

Backpack, small suitcase or both – hand luggage options!

Comfort items

If you are not travelling business or first class, and depending on your airline, consider the following items – especially long haul!

eye mask
earplugs
travel pillow
some form of blanket – maybe your jacket
noise cancelling headphones

Good airlines will supply pillows and blankets to economy on long haul flights, but budget and other not so good airlines don’t tend to these days. That’s fine – its a bonus to get cheap flight options, but just be prepared. It can get cold on flights!

Headphones and inflight entertainment app / downloaded movie / podcasts / e-books etc

If the airline is a budget airline and doesn’t supply headphones as a matter of course for in-flight entertainment, bring your own.

And if there is no in-flight entertainment or you want to make sure you have something that definitely will entertain you, then download some good books, movies or podcasts before you fly. Bring your headphones for that too!

A jacket and socks

It can get cold on flights – make sure you have clothes to keep you warm if that happens. You can use a jacket as a bit of a blanket too.

Change of clothes

It can be good to have a change of clothes if you are transiting on a super long haul flight and often airlines have showers even if you are not in a lounge. But its really good to have a change in case the airline delays or loses your luggage too! Ever been in that situation? I have and was very glad I at least had some spares!

2. Traveling with kids and babes

It’s a different ballgame with kids – you might get them to sleep and you might not. These are things to think about packing in your hand luggage for a flight:

Take all of the above!

Everything above that you would pack in your hand luggage for a flight applies. You just need a few more items.

Entertainment

Movies might cut it for a while, even a long while depending on the age, but books, games, toys are probably going to be needed too – particularly on a very long haul flight. Not so much if it’s a shorter haul – then let them choose one or two things to take in their backpacks.

Good airlines will have entertainment packs for children too – but they only last so long!

Snacks and water bottles

Definitely bring plenty of these – more than you think might be necessary. If you have a baby you are not breast-feeding, make up a bottle before you fly to give them on take off. Take another for landing – it can save them from horrible ear pain. Take something for older kids to suck on if they have ear problems when flying.

Clothes

I would recommend two extra changes depending on the age of your child and likely spills and all that stuff!

Who can carry what?

Before you head to the airport also work out what they can carry and how you are going to juggle all the hand luggage – getting to and from the airport, at the airport, and on the plane! Make sure it’s all in a minimal number of bags and not going to be a hassle for you.

A note – before you board

Get them to run around, and do anything to use up energy. Just don’t let them sit around while you wait to board. There’s plenty of time for that on the plane.

If you are travelling with kids you might like to read Top tips for surviving long-haul flights with a toddler!

If you would like a useful packing checklist – for hand luggage and your main luggage, go to the resource page and get this as well as three other free downloads.

What to take in your hand luggage on a flight – especially longhaul!