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7 things to bring on your next long-haul flight

Flying to Europe or other long-haul destination during COVID-19?  Intercontinental travel is different from what you’re used to.  Be as prepared as you can be, with these seven items you should bring on your next long-haul flight across the pond:

1) Plenty of face masks

From arrival at the airport, through your entire plane journey and upon leaving your destination airport, you will be asked to be masked.  (Over your mouth AND nose, please!) The exception?  Only when you’re in the actual process of eating or drinking.  And for a brief moment when immigration or security officers ask you to lift your mask so they can match your face to your travel documents. Because some masks only “work” for about 4 hours, airlines like KLM ask you to bring plenty for your journey.  Also, a plastic face shield may be used in addition to a mask, but is not an approved replacement on Delta and others.

2) A plastic bag

While eating or drinking, KLM and other airlines ask you to store your mask in a clean place (the original packaging, or a clean plastic bag). To avoid contamination, don’t dangle your mask from your ear, or slip it under your chin or put it on your head.

3) Disinfectant wipes

Your friendly masked flight attendant may hand you some wipes, and your airline will tell you that they do a much better job at disinfecting frequently touched surfaces. But you will still want to give your table, seatbelt buckle, air vents, window blind, a once-over yourself.  And upon arrival, wipe down suitcase handles. And in your hotel room, wipe doorknobs, remote controls and other high-touch areas.

4) Sanitizing hand gel

Of course, washing hands is better. But after touching trays at security check points,  escalator handrails and other high-touch areas, disinfecting your hands with some hand gel feels great!  Dry skin from all this disinfectant? Bring some hand lotion!

5) Food and snacks

Food service is almost non-existent right now on short-haul flights. Even on a long-haul flight you’ll find that catering is simplified. Most airlines don’t offer special meal requests. So if you’re looking for something vegetarian/low sodium/low fat etc., I suggest you bring it yourself!  To reduce the interaction between crew and passengers, you may also find that there are no mid-flight snacks. If you might get peckish, BYO!

6) Reading material

To keep everyone from “touching” the same magazines and newspapers, airlines have removed publications from lounges and aircraft.  You may even search for an inflight magazine in vain!  British Airways and others make their magazines available through PressReader, but you might just want to bring your own reading material.

7) Pen and contact details

Expect government agencies to collect travel schedule and destination contact details, so they can find you post-flight should it be necessary.  The UK and other countries ask for this in advance and online. Others have you complete a paper form inflight.  Have your own pen and the post-arrival details in your carry-on luggage.  That will save you time, and keep you from having to borrow a (germy?) pen from someone else!

Bonus Tip:

Finally, about those carry-ons: don’t overpack! Flight attendants might not be allowed to touch your bags and thus can’t help lift them in the overhead bins. And some airports are only allowing one carry-on to reduce the amount of touchpoints at security.