There’s a particular art to the long-haul flight. One part survival, one part fantasy, and entirely dependent on what’s tucked in your tote and layered on your body. From compression socks to red lipstick, silk scrunchies to Kindle downloads, we RUSSH editors have fine-tuned our in-flight routines with the rigour of seasoned travellers and a soft spot for well-considered comforts. Here’s how we do it.

Mia Steiber 

Digital Strategy Director & Associate Publisher

My dad has lived in a different country to me since I was 9, so I am well-seasoned at long-haul flights. This is exactly what I do.

First, your outfit. If you’re heading from cool weather to hot or vice versa, your plane outfit should be a tee and linen pants topped with whatever jacket makes sense. If you’re going between mild climates, I like a chic matching set like this from Nimble. These combos will make sure you’re comfortable at all times. They’re also all airport-lounge appropriate. If your flight is 24 hours, bring two changes of t-shirt, underwear and socks, if it’s shorter, one change will do. Bring a ziplock to put your dirty clothes in. I also like to wear a pair of sambas that are very well stretched out, as my feet swell in the air.

For skincare and body care. I am very, very pro in-flight skincare. The aircon sucks all the moisture from your skin, so it will try to overproduce oil in order to compensate for the dryness. That means landing with a face full of blemishes. Not cool. To combat this, I religiously apply moisturiser throughout all flights, at least 4-5 times in a 24-hour journey. I wash my face with just water in between. Pick a barrier cream with no actives, I use this one from Avene. I bring a little travel sized face mist to use over the top. Just remember to wash your hands or sanitise before you touch your face. I use an Aesop mini hand sanitiser. Other essentials, under-eye patches from Summer Fridays, baby wipes in case you get sweaty (please buy the biodegradable kind and don’t flush them), a heavy-duty lip balm like Lanolips 12 hour lipmask, hand cream and a gentle deodorant.

Now, how you pack it all is critical to the flight experience. All your liquids should go in a clear makeup bag. That way if you get to an airport where you have to take them all out, they’re already in a clear vessel. I put a travel toothbrush, mini toothpaste and hand sanitser in here too. Also, stash a simple black dress in your bag too, just in case your luggage gets lost. Something like this from Faithfull can be worn to the beach or dressed up for dinner. If you’re bringing a carry-on suitcase, I recommend this July everyday tote as your personal item. I bought mine last year and it comes on every trip. It sits easily on a suitcase, has a long strap, laptop pocket and fits everything I’ve mentioned here so far, including the changes of clothes and my trusty neck pillow. It will fit under the seat in front of you. No overhead compartment fuss when you want to grab wipes or deodorant. It’s also machine washable for my fellow germaphobes. Happy flying.

Cassandra Dimitroff

Features and Production Editor

Comfort is really all I care about on a long-haul flight. So a knit set is ideal – soft and warm. I love this Comme Des Garçons Navy Wool Polo Sweater paired with these GUEST IN RESIDENCE Navy Everywear Lounge Pants. In an ideal world I’d be donning some JW ANDERSON Beige Padded Boots, and perhaps an Augustinus Bader Hydrogel Face Mask, my AirPods and a good novel (I’m currently reading Friday Afternoon Club). All of this, of course, tucked into a Monos Aluminum Carry-On Plus (if it’s good enough for Adrien Brody, it’s good enough for me).

Alys Hale

Music Editor and Creative Producer

Having family in England means that the only flights I ever really take are to go home and see them in Cambridge, so I’m pretty well versed in staying comfortable for 24 hours. I always need an indestructible carry-on for cameras and guitar pedals, so the RIMOWA Cabin Twist is my savior. The red handles make it easy to spot and coordinate with a red lip which I often substitute for sleep when travelling… The next thing is layers: sometimes it is boiling at your stop over but the plane can be freezing, black is always best for travel so the CAMILLA AND MARC Belfry Jacket is a utilitarian layer and a giant Loewe Scarf is a must. I need music to come with me wherever I go, so I must take headphones and a speaker with me – I cannot trust hotel room sound systems. The Bang and Olufsen Beosound A1 is waterproof and powerful (perfect for a wet British picnic!). When in transit, it's a perfect time to switch off. For many years I have used the Aesop Flight Therapy to help me relax and then will use some hardcore face masks that act as a barrier, the Chantecaille Bio Lifting Mask + is ridiculously indulgent and good for this. Lastly, hydrate. Non negotiable. Bring some cucumber as a snack (trust me) and make sure you’ve got a large Yeti water bottle.

Samantha Corry

Assistant to Editor In Chief

I think if I could support sleeping pills here I would, as they’re a big help on long haul flights, but I don't think I can. So when in doubt, comfort is key. Wearing a Skims lounge set is a must, I must say Skims clothes are super soft. The Skims shrunken baseball tee and their straight leg pants are a must. And while I haven't tried it yet, the Biodance deep collagen mask,is one I really want to try. I am a bit nervous as I find I break out on long haul flights so I usually don't like to touch my skin so much, but I am willing to try this one. I also plait my hair with silk scrunchies to make sure my hair doesn't get all static and frizzy. And to be practical, my kathmandu compression socks, where I will wear my new On Cloud Tilt sneakers with them. And I do want to invest in some AirPod Max headphones, as I really dislike the headphones supplied on planes, because you best believe I will be watching every movie under the sun on a plane. 

Emily Algar

Beauty Editor 

Obviously I want to be comfortable but I've never been one to wear sweats on a plane…blame it on any archival image of CBK at the airport — the blueprint. Instead I always wear black crepe pants because they stay mostly crease-free and repel lint (this pair from Venroy are the best). If it's a long haul and there's no pyjamas involved, I'll either layer tights underneath or pack track pants to change into. I almost always wear a black cashmere sweater (Uniqlo FTW) and my largest coat. Lately it's either my Khaite Denim jacket or a Burberry trench. Also some advice: layer a dark cotton T-shirt under the sweater in case it gets hot. My mum worked in the aviation industry for most of her life, and she would always make a point of telling me to fly with any expensive or sentimental items in case of lost luggage (touch wood). So you'll often catch me decked out in jewellery as well — probably a good distraction from my otherwise dishevelled appearance. 

As for shoes I need socks, probably my favourite Maggie Marilyn ones, plus something that slips on and off. My YSL loafers are reliable, as are my Salomon sneakers. Black sunglasses are necessary upon landing, I am loyal to a classic Rayban Wayfarer. 

Despite being the resident beauty editor, I'm actually pretty low-key when it comes to in-flight skincare. Unless it’s a 24 hour journey, I'll just do my routine before takeoff and after landing. Otherwise, it's almost always the same: Bioderma Micellar Water, some sort of milky hydrating serum, La Roche-Posay Cicaplast and lip balm, either Dermal Therapy or Lanolips. I like packing eyebrow gel, concealer and a red-tinted lip balm too (my favourite is Chanel Les Beiges). I love the Aesop hand sanitiser and Chanel hand cream, as well. And always a hair comb + this dry shampoo puff. Game changer for me and my oily hair. 

I’m quite anxious on planes so Rescue Remedy and a glass of wine are also essential. And I think it goes without saying to drink TONNES of water, I usually add electrolytes to mine. As for entertainment, I like to either sleep, catch up on movies, or work. But I've always got a book on my Kindle in case…

Elyssa Kostopoulos

Content Director

Post-Covid, my frequency of work travel increased a lot, and somewhere along the way, I transitioned from the girl who was always dressed, to pure, uncomplicated comfort. Yes, I almost exclusively wear tracksuits on every single flight – work or pleasire. My absolute favourites are the UNIQLO C collection matching set. The bottoms almost wear like a trouser if required, and I love that they aren’t fleece – as I tend to overheat. I’ve also never been denied entry into a lounge (always pack a chic coat or piece of outerwear to throw the look together – my current go-to is this CAMILLA AND MARC trench coat).

As far as carry-ons go, you’ll either see me dragging along my Antler expandable carry-on, or if I’m heading on a holiday where I’m really pushing the limits in terms of luggage allowance, my new Longchamp Le Pliage Green XL travel bag (because let’s be honest, a soft-surface bag always fits way more). Inside, you’ll always find one emergency outfit, a pair of ‘dressy’ shoes and a small assortment of emergency beauty essentials – for me, it’s a tube of Weleda Skin Food Light, a small tube of Mecca’s To Save Face sunscreen, the foolproof Merit Beauty Complexion Stick and this Stila Blush and Bronze duo.

I’ve also recently upgraded my travel tote bag to this dream cotton canvas tote from The Row. I purchased it in the XL size to be sure, and it fits the world – laptop, medical pouch (which, is actually this very chic beauty case from Oroton), my latest book obsession. Most people will hate that it doesn’t have a zip but honestly, it works for me. The shoulder strap is long enough that it sits comfortably on my shoulder, and because it’s canvas, I am way less precious about it getting damaged.