Best Travel Accessories for Long Flights in 2025
We tested every product on this list during actual long-haul flights — New York to Tokyo, LA to London, and a brutal red-eye from San Francisco to Miami. The difference between a miserable flight and a tolerable one comes down to about $200 worth of gear that fits in a small packing cube.
Here are the six accessories that earned permanent spots in our carry-ons.
1. napfun Travel Neck Pillow — Sleep Actually Happens
We tested five neck pillows across three flights. Most of them were either too thin (neck flops forward anyway), too bulky (takes up half your personal item), or too hot (synthetic fabrics trap heat). The napfun solved all three problems.
napfun Travel Neck Pillow
Memory foam with 360° head support. Breathable mesh cover. Snap closure, carry bag included.
The memory foam is dense enough to actually support your head without bottoming out. The snap closure keeps it from falling off when you doze. And the included carry bag compresses it down to about the size of a water bottle. One of our testers slept for four straight hours on a 14-hour flight — a personal record.
2. Twelve South AirFly Pro — Use Your AirPods on Any Plane
Every flight's entertainment system uses a 3.5mm headphone jack. Your AirPods are Bluetooth. This little device bridges the gap — plug it into any headphone jack and it streams audio to your Bluetooth headphones wirelessly. It's one of those products that feels like it should have existed ten years ago.
AirFly Pro Bluetooth Transmitter
Use wireless headphones with any 3.5mm jack. Pairs two headphones simultaneously. 16-hour battery.
The "Pro" version pairs with two headphones simultaneously — perfect for watching a movie with your travel partner from the same screen. Battery lasts 16 hours, which covers even the longest flights with headroom. We also use it at the gym, in hotel rooms with old TVs, and on trains.
3. Kindle Paperwhite — Carry 1,000 Books in 7 Ounces
A phone works for short flights. But for anything over four hours, a Kindle is categorically better. No notifications, no blue light, no battery anxiety. The Paperwhite's display looks like actual paper — readable in direct sunlight and zero glare from the reading light of the person next to you.
Kindle Paperwhite (16GB)
6.8" glare-free display, adjustable warm light, waterproof (IPX8). Weeks of battery life.
Weeks of battery means you'll never charge it during a trip. The adjustable warm light is perfect for late-night reading without disturbing your seatmate. And the waterproof rating means poolside reading at your destination. Library books work too — borrow Kindle books for free through Libby.
4. Apple AirTag 4-Pack — Never Lose Your Luggage
In 2024, airlines mishandled roughly 7.4 bags per 1,000 passengers. That sounds low until it's your bag with your medication, your presentation outfit, or your kid's stuff. An AirTag in each checked bag means you always know exactly where your luggage is — even before the airline does.
Apple AirTag 4-Pack
Ultra Wideband precision finding. Billion-device Find My network. CR2032 battery lasts a year.
The four-pack gives you one for checked luggage, one for carry-on, one for your backpack, and a spare for keys or wallet. Apple's Find My network has over two billion devices, so your AirTag pings its location from basically anywhere on earth. We tracked a bag through three connecting flights in real-time — it's weirdly reassuring.
5. Stanley Quencher H2.0 — Stay Hydrated, Skip Airport Prices
Stanley Quencher H2.0 Tumbler (40oz)
Double-wall vacuum insulation. Cold 11 hours, hot 7 hours. Fits cupholders. 3-position FlowState lid.
Fill it at the water fountain after security and you won't need to buy a $6 bottle of water at the gate. The 40oz capacity is enough for a full flight, and the insulation keeps it ice-cold for 11 hours. It fits in seat-back cup holders, and the straw lid means no spilling during turbulence.
6. 3-in-1 Wireless Charger — One Charger, All Devices
3-in-1 Foldable Wireless Charger
MagSafe-compatible. Charges iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously. Folds completely flat.
Three devices, one USB-C cable, and it folds flat enough to slip into any pocket of your bag. This replaced our tangle of three separate cables and chargers. At $26 it's cheaper than most single-device wireless chargers from brand names.
7. Owala FreeSip Water Bottle — Better Than Airport Plastic
Owala FreeSip 24oz Insulated Water Bottle
Built-in straw + wide-mouth opening. Cold 24 hours, hot 12. Lid locks for bag safety.
Best for: Day trippers, carry-on travelers, anyone who hates paying $5 for airport water.
The Owala FreeSip is designed for one-handed sipping without removing the lid — the built-in straw flips up under the lid so you can sip without opening the bottle fully. This matters when you're moving through security, on a turbulent flight, or hiking. The lockable lid prevents accidental opening in your bag. Cold drinks stay cold for 24 hours (airport to destination no matter how long the journey). At $30, it's the same price as 5-6 airport water bottles — and you use it for years.
8. Polaroid Now Gen 3 — Make Memories Physical
Polaroid Now Gen 3 i‑Type Camera
Autofocus instant camera. Prints in 90 seconds. Double exposure, self-timer modes. 8-shot film packs.
Best for: People who take hundreds of photos on their phone and forget all of them. The Polaroid forces intentionality and creates physical memories you actually keep.
The Polaroid Now solves a problem we didn't realize was real until we tried it: phone photos feel disposable because there are too many of them. We take 200 photos on a trip and look at maybe 10 afterward. The Polaroid, at 8 shots per $14 film pack, forces you to be intentional. You look at the scene, decide it's worth capturing, and press the button. The physical print that comes out 90 seconds later goes on a wall, into a travel journal, or handed to the person in the photo. We've brought it on 4 trips and it's generated more conversation and memorable moments than any other item on this list.
Budget film costs: each shot costs about $1.75. We budget 2 packs ($28) per trip, which sounds expensive but is genuinely cheaper than most souvenir shopping and more memorable.
The Complete Travel Kit
Neck Pillow — $19.99
AirFly Pro — $54.99
Kindle Paperwhite — $149.99
Apple AirTag 4-Pack — $79.99
Stanley Quencher — $35.00
3-in-1 Charger — $25.99
Owala FreeSip — $29.99
Polaroid Now Gen 3 — $89.99
You don't need all six for your next flight. Start with the AirFly and neck pillow (under $75 combined) and add from there. See the full Travel Essentials Under $60 collection on our main page.