What’s In My Hand Luggage for a Long Haul Flight*

Packing! I love when I get to that point in a holiday countdown where I can think about packing properly (not just piling things on my suitcase!) and we’re here! I now have two weekends to go, one being filled with mothers day, early birthdays and Easter celebrations and this one that’s just beginning. Little Miss has 5 & a half days left at school. Things are starting to get real! This weekend I want to get to grips on my laundry and to start giving my house the pre-holiday scrub (I get severe anxiety if I leave my house a mess when I go away). I also want to start packing, starting with my hand luggage as there is nothing in there that will get creased. It’s been a while since I did a hand luggage post, and last time I was travelling without Little Miss!

Flying long haul we get one piece of hand luggage and one personal item. I use my personal item to carry all our travel documents. Usually on the way out Little Miss only takes one item with a juice bottle, lunch box and some soft toys, but on the way back I use her extra piece of luggage to carry whatever I’ve bought in.

I would love to have a super cute bag like one of these Vivienne Westwood bags, I won’t say I’m not envious of the girls with their perfect pre-holiday manicures carrying a gorgeous bag through the airport, but my days of that are over and now I need something more practical. Before I went to Disneyland Paris last month I invested in this backpack that can also be used as a pull along case, it’s actually so much better than I thought it would be for £11.99!

Laptop
Going for four weeks means I’m taking a lot more than I usually would including my laptop which of course will be in my hand luggage. I plan on working while I’m away during any downtime we have as the extra income will mean extra treats while out there such as character dining

My Camera Bag
Again, something rather special that I obviously want in my hand luggage my SLR with zoom lens.

Travel Document Holder
This is important but not because of it’s value, but because of everything that I need for travel is in it including our precious passports and all the important pieces of paper I’m going to need throughout our stay.

My Purse
That cute Snow White kisslock purse is my special holiday one that has loads of room for cash and cards, again like the travel document holiday it is vital to our trip

iPad
Yes, it is a high monatary value, but it’s also what keeps LM amused at the airport and on the long haul flight. Parents who say they don’t believe in one to keep their child occupied are living in the stone age. They’re an absolute life saver and my iPad has loads of apps on so she doesn’t get bored. It’s also great for when we’re waiting in queues at the parks

My Phone
I don’t actually go anywhere without it. Plus I have a ton of apps on it that help my journey go smoothly.

My Diary
Normally I wouldn’t take it but since I’m planning on working on holiday, it’s vital that I do. That and it has a load of important numbers and other information in it should anything happen to my phone.

Entertainment
In the form of a colouring book and pens for LM and a book for me. The only time I ever read these days is while travelling, specifically on take off as I need something to focus on while the plane is leaving the ground miles behind. It’s the only part of flying I really don’t like.

Glasses
I’m so blind these days that if I didn’t wear them I wouldn’t be able to read any signs in the airport. In fact I have them on pretty much all day while travelling these days so they are really important and that’s why they make it into my hand luggage.

Wipes, Hairbrush, Tissues, Toiletries, Medicine
Nine hours is a long time to be on a plane, and the cabin pressure always makes me skin feel horrible. I like to take wipes and moisturiser so I can take my make up off and let my skin chill. I look like a swamp creature but so does everyone so it’s not too bad. Medicine is more just in case and the hairbrush is so I can at least look a little presentable when I arrive!
Not pictured, my portable phone charger which hasn’t arrived yet and make up that although I’ve said I will put in my case, lets face it, I won’t be able to arrive in the states bare faced!

What do you take in your hand luggage on long haul flights?