We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A pair of compression socks for anyone whose feet, ankles, or legs tend to swell up on long flights. These cozy socks can help prevent that, and double as another thermal layer (planes be cold).
Read more about compression socks and swelling on long flights at Cleveland Clinic.
Promising review: "After wearing these socks for over 24 hours straight for travel on an overseas flight, I had absolutely no swelling at all in my feet or ankles. I was worried about the potential for blood clots being on an airplane for a long time. So, I am glad I made the investment in these socks. Very comfortable. Washed them out by hand and hung them to dry. They were ready to wear the next day. I will definitely continue to wear these and recommend them." —islandgirl
Get it from Amazon for $17.95+ (available in unisex sizes S–XXL and in 13 colors).
2. A cooling memory foam seat cushion to make you and your aching back feel ~supported~ even on painfully long travel excursions.
The velour cover zips off for easy cleaning in the washing machine.
Promising review: "I bought this before a trip to Asia. I typically find airplane seats to lack padding and to become uncomfortable for long flights. This seat was very comfortable and kept my butt from being sore on the flights. I really like it and will probably use it on all flights moving forward." —Carter Cathey
Get it from Amazon for $44.99 (available in three colors).
3. A pair of reusable anti-nausea bands that may help soothe churning stomachs caused by long flights, car rides, and cruises without copious amounts of Dramamine.
For more info on how to use acupressure for nausea management, check out this guide from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
There's a kid's band, too!
Promising review: "I recently started taking more flights for work and was suffering nausea and headaches. My mom suggested this after an infomercial. I usually ignore, but she purchased for me and I’m thankful. No nausea no headaches! Highly recommend after my experience!" —B3k1ndBLove
Get a pair from Amazon for $8.53.
4. A pair of affordable wireless Bluetooth earbuds because the idea of being tethered to the back of the seat in front of you for the entirety of your 12-hour flight is, in a word, unbearable. Break free from the wires without breaking the bank.
Great news! They're waterproof for when you hit the hotel hot tub later.
Promising review: "The earbuds are everything I had hoped they would be. I like the fit in my ear, and that is important for achieving the sound I want. I like the fact that they are waterproof and can use them on vacation without worrying about damaging them." —C S
Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in five colors).
5. Plus, an AirFly Pro wireless transmitter if you (and a buddy) actually want to use said Bluetooth earbuds to watch those free in-flight movies.
Promising review: "Worked beautifully on a recent eight-hour flight from New York City to Frankfurt! Really easy to pair with my Bose noise-canceling earbuds and charges quickly. The sound quality was excellent. I'm so excited about this product that I'm going to buy one for each of my family members!" —emily p murray
Get it from Amazon for $54.99 (available in black and white and two other styles).
6. A moisturizing saline gel so you can put an end to the frequent nosebleeds and restore some desperately needed moisture to your dry, irritated nasal biome. If you use a CPAP machine or get dried out on long-haul flights, I'd add this to cart STAT.
7. A Trtl neck pillow for actually supporting your neck while you try to catch some mid-flight Z's. It's way less bulky than traditional travel pillows and will keep you from head bobbing onto your neighbor's shoulder.
Promising review: "I am a terrible flyer who recently took the red-eye from Dubai to Chicago (15 hours). The Trtl Pillow was a mini lifesaver! I was able to comfortably rest my head on the support and felt warm enough to actually doze off....a rare accomplishment for this skittish flyer. The Velcro works wonderfully with regards to adjustment, and I liked wrapping the fabric around my mouth and nose. Sort of felt cozy...even if I did look like a ninja in a neck brace! Overall, this product has changed the way that I fly, and I am so thankful for this invention and the opportunity to support a small company with big ideas." —S.Viruly
Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in four colors).
8. Plus, a soft kid-size travel pillow with double neck support to make sure the nap you scheduled your entire travel itinerary around actually happens.
Promising review: "This was invaluable for my long flights to and from the East Coast to Hawaii. I also bought the kids' version for my son, and he loved it. It collapses easily into a bag that attaches to your hand luggage. My husband had a traditional neck pillow which was more supportive, but ended up being unwieldy to travel with. I think this pillow struck the right balance between support and flexibility." —A&J
Get it from Amazon for $36.95+ (available in 4 sizes and in 12 colors).
9. Or, a memory foam travel pillow because it can be bent any which way to get you in a suitable sleeping position no matter what kind of trains, planes, and automobiles situation your travel plans entail.
Promising review: "Love how soft and flexible this pillow is; my only complaint is that I didn't get more. I have two kids, and they fought constantly over it! It's very comfortable and easy to use. My favorite thing about it is that the cover is removable and washable. I always feel yucky after a flight and love that I can wash it!" —Amanda and Pam
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in six colors).
10. A two-in-one travel blanket and pillow if you're always shivering through airplane naps because traveling with a bulky blanket seems untenable.
Promising review: "I bought this product before taking a six-hour flight, and it was a lifesaver. The pillow has a strap behind it to put it on your luggage so that it doesn't have to be carried. Very convenient when traveling. The blanket kept me warm on the plane, and when the blanket was folded into the pillow, it was also comfortable. Would definitely recommend." —Robynn
Get it from Amazon for $19.95 (available in six colors).
11. A teensy travel contact kit for any lens wearers wary of dry, scratchy eyeballs halfway through your travels. This complete set comes with a tiny tube to hold contact solution, a case, tweezers, and an insertion tool so you can get your contacts in or out at a moment's notice.
Promising review: "I love this product a lot. Super cute!! It’s very minimalistic and fits in my purse just fine. I have no worries about it opening in my bag because it snaps tightly, but it isn’t hard to open at all. I would recommend this product to any contact wearer!!" —Krystal
Get it from Amazon for $4.99 (available in three colors).
12. An inflatable footrest so you can really put your feet up and relax with a travel-friendly stool that inflates to three different heights to suit any situation. It's also a great option for kiddos when their wittle feet can't yet reach the ground.
Promising review: "I hesitated to order this for our upcoming travels to Europe, but I'm so glad I did. The footrest pillow is sturdy, inflates very easily (with a choice of two different heights), and folds into a small carry pouch once deflated. The footrest came with a contoured sleep mask and ear plugs." —Maria N.
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in four colors and a two-pack).
13. Or an in-flight foot hammock to make kicking back in the flight cabin a whole lot easier. It easily mounts onto the seat tray, and not only ups that economy seat comfort, but can also help reduce in-flight foot swelling.
Promising review: "Have used this three times now on international trips and it's a game changer for me! I have to take my shoes off during long (6+hr) flights and in the past had to carefully rest my feet on top of shoes which was often uncomfortable. It allows me to rest my feet without the worry of touching the gross carpet on a plane. I usually get someone around me asking where I bought it and I always recommend. It works even when the person in front of you reclines their seat. Highly recommend." —John Merchant
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in four colors and in multipacks).
14. An in-flight phone mount for a hands-free way to watch all those episodes of Ted Lasso you downloaded for the flight. It can also mount on your luggage for long (aka boring) layovers, too.
Perilogics is a small business creating hyper-functional tool holsters and bags for carrying your stuff on-the-go.
Promising review: "I travel for a living and fly often. I regret not buying this in the beginning when I started traveling. I can clip it to the back of the seat in front of me and also on the windows. It is small enough to fold up and fit in my pocket. This is random but related — if you are sitting in an exit row on an airplane you cannot clip this to the window until the plane is in the air — other than that they do not care it is clipped to the window during the flight. Highly recommended." —Chrissie Jo
Get it from Amazon for $12.97 (available in three colors).
15. A freezable snack box with built-in cooling technology that you can load up with snacks to fight off any mid-flight stomach rumblies knowing they'll stay cool and fresh for hours.
Promising review: "This will carry four frozen breastmilk bags and keep them frozen for six to eight hours, which is perfect for domestic airport travel or small outings. I like to bring a few extra bags with me on trips for a night out or if it will be hard to nurse somewhere. Awesome product and less bulky than other cooler bags." —Joshua
Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (available in 13 colors and prints).
16. A contoured sleep mask because the bright light of this random kid's iPad is making it *very* difficult to sleep through the flight. The concave shape effectively blocks out light, and the adjustable strap helps you get a comfy, customized fit.
Promising review: "This eye mask is perfect if you like to have total darkness when you sleep. It is so comfortable around my face and the mask even comes with adjustable straps so you don’t wake up with sleep lines. Included are cute ear plugs enclosed in their own case and a silk drawstring bag to carry your things in. To add, I was also impressed with how aesthetically pleasing the packaging was. I totally recommend." —Bill Curtis
Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in seven colors).
17. Or try this brilliant travel hoodie with a built-in sleep mask (🤯) if you want to be the cutest, comfiest, and most well-rested human on your flight.
Pond Los Angeles is an Asian-American, woman-owned small biz based in California. They create super chic minimalist clothing and accessories that just so happen to be ULTRA functional. Plus, the brand creates its goods in partnership with a woman-led manufacturer!
Reviewers say it's oversized, so size down if you want a snugger fit.
Promising review: "I fly a lot and am constantly trying to find a hoodie with a big hood to cover my eyes so I can catch up on some beauty sleep on flight. I saw this product on Instagram and knew it would be a game changer. I was able to use it recently for the first time on an early morning flight and let me tell you, it is EVERYTHING I was looking for and more. It’s comfy, cozy, oversized, and the eye covers make you feel like you’re in a whole other world and not packed like a sardine on a plane. My over-ear headphones fit perfectly under it and I got the best sleep I’ve had on a plane — EVER!" —Heather G.
Get it from Pond Los Angeles for $102.40 (originally $128, available in women's sizes XS–XXL; also available in black, oak, cream, and blue tie dye).
18. A mini wallet emergency kit printed with the city skyline of your choice so you're always stocked with those easy-to-forget provisions that'll save you in a pinch! A bandage for those new shoe blisters, lip balm for your dried-out pout, or a deodorant wipe because — don't lie — we've all been there.
Anne Cate is a Cleveland-based, woman-owned small business creating minimalist keepsakes to commemorate your favorite locations, with over 100 hand-designed skylines depicting cities and colleges from around the world!
What you'll get: Inside your mini wallet, you'll find a hair tie, lip balm, floss pic, sewing kit, bandage, emery board, safety pins, earring backs, makeup wipe, bobby pins, mints, deodorant wipe, stain remover wipe, tampon, hand sanitizer, and pain reliever.
I, your resident forgetful person, bought the NYC skyline version of this to toss in my purse or work tote whenever I go out. It's filled with a bunch of easy-to-forget bits and bobs that will (and have) saved the day in a pinch, all pre-packaged in a stylish and high-quality wallet. It's my perfect little SOS kit.
Get it from Anne Cate for $25 (available in a variety of styles and in a mini dopp kit version).
19. A pair of thick fleece-lined joggers for perpetually cold snuggle-bugs desperate for something comfy that'll finally keep you warm enough inside those frigid flight cabins. And you thought sweatpants couldn't get any cozier!
Most reviewers recommend sizing up! AND you can snag a matching fleece-lined zip-up hoodie here.
Promising review: "These joggers are super comfortable. I wore it on a six-hour flight and it was perfect. The fleece material inside gives you that warm comfort especially during colder temperatures. I definitely recommend it." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $38.99 (available in women's sizes XS–XXL and 17 colors).
20. An airplane seat back organizer to slip over the tray table and really make this little slice of Airbus feel like home. The machine washable surface provides a clean space for working and eating while adding some much-needed pockets for easy access to the snacks, drinks, and activities you've prepared to make it through this long-haul flight.
Airplane Pockets is a small business doing exactly what the name implies — creating an in-flight organizational unit with plenty of pockets.
Promising review: "Very useful especially when traveling with kids. Provided easy access and storage to things like water bottle, hand sanitizer, snacks, wipes, headphones. I didn't have to access my carry-on." —JJ
Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
21. Plus, a window seat BevLedge that frees up precious tray real estate by giving all your other travel essentials a safe perch to call their own. We're talking sleep masks, earbuds, glasses, and a decedent bevvy (or two!) that are now out of the way yet still instantly accessible.
BevLedge is a small business that specializes in mind-blowing travel accessories.
Promising review: "A friend recommended this to me as a vital travel companion, now that I've returned to frequent flying. I initially thought of it as a novelty, but now that I've used it, it's a necessity. It keeps the workspace clear for my laptop, but it also organizes all the little pieces that can become so annoying to keep up with — glasses, earphones, etc. It got my seat mate's immediate attention, as well as a few other folks nearby. I suspect they'll have one soon. Watch for one soon in a window near you!" —Timothy G. Wolfe
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
22. A comfy Warner's wire-free bra with 30,000+ 5-star ratings because there is a 0% chance you're going to endure this red-eye flight with an underwire stabbing you the entire time.
Promising review: "This is legitimately the comfiest bra I’ve ever put on. I can wear it all day and barely notice it’s there. No itchy, falling, or 'digging in' straps, no uncomfortable wire, back clasp, or tags. I bought this to wear on a super long flight I have coming up, and I’m confident I’ll be comfortable." —Kailey
Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in women's sizes XS–3XL and in 18 colors).
And here are some more wireless bras, if you're looking for similar styles!
23. A set of wax ear plugs if you're scarred for life after that one long-haul flight with a screaming baby. These mold to the shape of your inner ear like putty to fully block out any unwanted intrusions.
BuzzFeed editor Emma Lord is a huge fan: "The moldable silicone of Mack's Earplugs contours easily to the shape of your ear to block out noise much more effectively than other foam or plastic varieties, and the noise reduction is so good that if I pair them with a white noise machine (or just like a white noise loop on Spotify) I genuinely don't hear noises from outside my room. Not only that, but once they're in place, they stay locked there until you decide to pull them out. I've also *loved* these for traveling — if you put these babies in on a plane not only does it help reduce some of the YIKES factor when the plane takes off (it's loud!!), but it cancels out the murmuring noises of passengers on the flight and makes it easier to get some shuteye."
For more deets, You can check out Emma's review of Macks Earplugs.
Get two pairs from Amazon for $5.57.
24. Or a set of silicone "EarPlanes" with a twist-on design so you can maybe avoid that painful popping sensation amid altitude changes for once without sucking your way through an entire bag of hard candy.
Promising review: "This product has changed my life. I travel fairly frequently and always have issues with ear pressure on the plane. My ears will be clogged up, and it is painful to swallow for a day or two after short-distance flights. But now, I use these and fly incident-free. You are supposed to insert them before the plane takes off and then before landing. I have found that it works best if I leave them in the entire flight from before takeoff until landing, but they work almost as well if you take them out once you reach cruising altitude." —Thomasina
Get a pack of four from Amazon for $24.08.
25. A set of dry-erase travel games for keeping the kids entertained with a mess-free activity so this six-hour flight doesn't end up feeling like it stretches on for eternity.
Ellesmere Home is a Myrtle Beach, South Carolina-based Etsy shop run by a husband and wife team creating unique giftables for kids and adults alike!
Promising review: "The kids loved these on our flight and by the pool!" —Chelsea Kadish
Get it from Ellesmere Home on Etsy for $27.
26. A rechargeable 3-in-1 handheld fan to beat the heat no matter where it strikes. It's the perfect size to keep stashed in your bag *and* it doubles as a power bank for on-the-go charging. Did I mention the built-in flashlight? Just in case it wasn't already multifunctional enough for ya!
This gadget has been such a lifesaver in hot temperatures. Four of my friends have already bought themselves one, too, and are also loving it.
Promising review: "I took this on a trip and I was beyond thrilled I did. With wearing a mask on an airplane, I didn't want to be too hot. It was perfect and helped me stay cool during the flight. It's obviously not silent, but makes minimal noise. The fan is not light, but that didn't bother me. It's many uses were a bonus and why I picked this option. I purchased two and very glad I did!" —Amanda
Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in four colors).
27. A portable digital power bank with four built-in charging cables that can juice up just about any device you throw at it, whether you're mid-flight or mid-museum tour.
Promising review: "I went to Australia, Bali, Singapore, and Tokyo for a month-long vacation and this was a lifesaver! It was slim and sat in my purse and I could charge many items at one time. The best is that it shows you the percentage of charge it has left, which helped me know when I needed to charge it. I felt like this was an awesome travel must-have." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in seven colors/styles).
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.