15 Clever Travel Gadgets That Make Long Flights So Much Easier

Aug 31, 2026

By Shahrukh Khan

15 Clever Travel Gadgets That Make Long Flights So Much Easier

Long flights can be exciting when you're heading somewhere you've been dreaming about.

The actual flight? That's another story.

After a few hours in the air, your phone is running low on battery, your neck is uncomfortable, your bag is a mess of cables and you're suddenly wishing you'd packed a few things differently.

The good news is that you don't need to turn your carry-on into a second suitcase to make a long flight more comfortable.

A few practical travel gadgets can make a surprisingly big difference, particularly when they're designed to solve the small annoyances that tend to become much bigger after several hours in the air.

From keeping your phone charged and your belongings organised to getting more comfortable in your seat, here are 15 clever travel gadgets worth considering for your next long-haul flight.

1. A Travel Phone Holder

If you've ever tried to watch something on your phone during a flight while holding it at arm's length, you'll know exactly how uncomfortable it can get.

A travel phone holder lets you position your phone at a more convenient viewing angle, making it easier to watch movies, follow a travel itinerary or simply keep your screen visible without constantly holding it.

The ProMount MagSafe Travel Phone Holder is designed for travellers who want a hands-free way to position their phone while travelling.

It's particularly useful during long journeys when you might want to watch downloaded shows, follow a map during a layover or keep your phone easily visible.

Best for: entertainment, hands-free viewing and keeping your phone accessible.

2. A Comfortable Travel Pillow

Sleeping upright in an economy seat isn't exactly everyone's idea of luxury.

A good travel pillow can provide additional support for your neck and make it easier to settle in during a long journey.

The ProRelief Memory Foam Travel Pillow is designed to provide neck support while travelling and is compact enough to take with you on flights, road trips and other journeys.

Memory foam can mould around the neck and provide a more supportive feel than simply leaning your head against the seat.

Pair it with comfortable clothing, headphones and an eye mask, and you've got a much better chance of making your seat feel a little more like a place to rest.

Best for: long-haul flights, overnight flights and travellers who struggle to get comfortable in their seat.

3. A Universal Travel Adapter

A dead phone is inconvenient.

A dead phone in another country when you need directions, boarding information or your hotel address is considerably less convenient.

If you're travelling internationally, a universal travel adapter is one of those things that is easy to forget until you actually need it.

The ProCharge Worldwide Travel Adapter includes four built-in plug types and is designed for use in more than 150 countries. It also features USB-A, USB-C and AC charging options. (simplify-australia.com.au)

That means you can use one compact adapter for multiple devices instead of packing a different adapter for every destination.

Best for: international travel and travellers carrying multiple devices.

Remember: A plug adapter doesn't necessarily convert voltage. Check your destination and device requirements before using electrical equipment overseas.

4. A Travel Electronics Organiser

Phones, chargers, headphones, cables, power banks and adapters all have one thing in common:

They somehow become tangled the moment you put them in your bag.

A dedicated electronics organiser gives all those little items somewhere to live.

The ProTech Travel Electronics Organiser has compartments designed for cables, chargers, power banks, earbuds and other small technology accessories.

Instead of digging through your carry-on looking for one cable, you can keep everything together.

It's particularly useful if you travel regularly because you can keep your travel electronics packed and ready to go.

Best for: keeping chargers and small electronics organised.

5. A Digital Luggage Scale

A luggage scale might not be the most exciting gadget in your travel bag, but it can save you from an unpleasant airport surprise.

Airline baggage allowances can be strict, and your suitcase can become heavier than expected after a few days of shopping.

A digital luggage scale allows you to check your bag before leaving for the airport and again before your return journey.

Simplify Australia's travel collection includes the ProWeigh Digital Luggage Scale, designed to help travellers check luggage weight before heading to the airport. (simplify-australia.com.au)

It takes up very little room but can potentially save you from having to reorganise your suitcase at the check-in desk.

Best for: checked luggage and international travellers.

6. Compression Packing Cubes

Technically, packing cubes aren't a gadget in the traditional sense, but they're too useful to leave off this list.

Long trips usually mean more clothes.

More clothes mean more suitcase organisation.

The ProPack Travel Compression Packing Cubes are designed to organise clothing while compressing it to help make better use of suitcase space.

You can use different cubes for:

Tops
Bottoms
Underwear
Sleepwear
Swimwear
Children's clothing

They also make unpacking easier.

Instead of taking your entire suitcase apart when you arrive at your accommodation, you can simply remove the cubes you need.

Best for: longer trips, family holidays and travellers who like an organised suitcase.

7. A Hanging Toiletry Bag

Hotel bathrooms aren't always known for having plenty of bench space.

When you're trying to fit your toothbrush, skincare, hair products and toiletries onto a tiny bathroom counter, things can get crowded quickly.

The ProPack Hanging Travel Toiletry Bag provides a practical way to organise toiletries while travelling and can be hung up when you need access to your products. (simplify-australia.com.au)

It's especially handy for travellers who move between hotels rather than staying in one place for the entire trip.

Keep your everyday toiletries in one place and simply hang the bag when you arrive.

Best for: hotel stays, frequent travellers and keeping toiletries organised.

8. An Anti-Theft Crossbody Bag

Long flights often involve more than just sitting on the plane.

You've got airports, security queues, boarding gates, public transport and sightseeing once you arrive.

A crossbody bag can keep your most important belongings close without requiring you to carry a larger backpack everywhere.

The ProSafe Anti-Pickpocket Crossbody Bag is designed with features including hidden zippers, RFID-blocking pockets, water-resistant material and an adjustable strap. (simplify-australia.com.au)

It's useful for keeping essentials such as your phone, wallet, passport and travel documents close while you're moving through busy areas.

Best for: airports, sightseeing and keeping everyday essentials accessible.

9. A Travel Umbrella

You can check the weather forecast ten times and still end up walking through unexpected rain.

A compact umbrella doesn't take up much space, which makes it one of those travel accessories that's worth having even if you're not expecting bad weather.

The WeatherPro UV Travel Umbrella & Case is designed as a compact travel umbrella that can easily be kept in your luggage or day bag.

And if you're travelling somewhere sunny, an umbrella can also provide useful protection from the sun.

Best for: unpredictable weather, city trips and sightseeing.

10. A Portable Travel Fan

Long journeys can get uncomfortable when you're too warm.

Whether you're sitting in an airport, waiting for a connection or exploring a hot destination, having a compact way to cool down can be useful.

The CoolBreeze 3-in-1 Pocket Travel Fan is designed as a compact travel fan that can be carried in a bag without taking up much space.

Its small size makes it easy to keep accessible rather than buried at the bottom of your luggage.

Best for: warm destinations, airports and travellers who tend to overheat.

11. A Foldable Travel Bag

A lightweight foldable bag can be surprisingly useful during a holiday.

It can act as:

A day bag
Shopping bag
Beach bag
Backup luggage
Extra storage for the return journey

The ProPack Lightweight Foldable Travel Bag can be folded down when you don't need it and expanded when additional storage is useful.

It's especially handy if you expect to do some shopping while you're away.

Rather than packing an additional bulky bag from the beginning, you can keep it folded inside your main luggage.

Best for: shopping, day trips and extra luggage space.

12. A Travel Gadget Accessory Kit

Sometimes you don't need one specific gadget.

You need a collection of small things that help solve the little problems that happen while travelling.

The 9-in-1 Travel Gadget Accessory Kit combines multiple practical travel accessories into one compact kit.

This can be particularly useful if you're travelling with electronics and want to reduce the number of separate accessories you're carrying.

Instead of packing multiple individual items and hoping you remember where each one is, a travel accessory kit keeps useful gadgets together.

Best for: tech-heavy travellers and anyone who likes an all-in-one solution.

13. A Portable Travel Clothesline

Not every accommodation has enough space to dry swimwear, underwear or small clothing items.

A portable travel clothesline can be useful when you're travelling for an extended period or staying somewhere without convenient drying facilities.

The ProDry Portable Travel Clothesline is designed to provide a compact option for travellers who need to hang small clothing items while away.

It's particularly handy for:

Longer trips
Beach holidays
Backpacking
Family travel
Accommodation with limited drying space

It also takes up considerably less room than packing extra clothing just because you aren't sure you'll be able to wash and dry everything.

Best for: longer trips and travellers who plan to do laundry while away.

14. Luggage Wheel Protectors

Your luggage wheels probably aren't something you think about much.

Until one breaks.

Wheels take plenty of punishment during travel, particularly when you're dragging your suitcase across airport floors, pavements and other uneven surfaces.

The ProShield Luggage Wheel Protectors are designed to provide additional protection for suitcase wheels when your luggage is being stored or transported.

They're a small addition, but they're aimed at one of the most vulnerable parts of your luggage.

Best for: frequent travellers and people who want to protect their luggage between trips.

15. A Travel Memory Foam Neck Pillow

Yes, we're including another travel comfort essential.

Because sometimes one neck pillow simply deserves another mention.

Long-haul flights are when travel comfort gadgets really earn their place.

A ProRelief Memory Foam Travel Pillow can provide support while you're sitting upright for extended periods.

Combine it with your headphones, comfortable layers and a good playlist, and your seat can become a little more bearable.

Best for: overnight flights, long-haul travel and anyone who struggles to sleep upright.

How to Choose the Right Travel Gadgets

You don't need to buy every gadget on this list.

The best travel accessories are the ones that solve a problem you're actually likely to have.

If you're constantly running out of phone battery, prioritise charging accessories.

If you struggle with an uncomfortable seat, a travel pillow could be more useful.

If your suitcase is always disorganised, start with compression packing cubes.

If you travel internationally, a universal adapter should probably be much higher on your list.

Think about your own travel habits rather than simply buying something because it looks clever.

For Long-Haul Flyers

Prioritise:

Travel pillow
Phone holder
Electronics organiser
Travel adapter
Travel gadget kit

For Frequent International Travellers

Consider:

Universal travel adapter
Passport wallet
Luggage scale
Anti-theft crossbody bag
Electronics organiser

For Family Holidays

Useful options include:

Compression packing cubes
Foldable travel bag
Toiletry organiser
Travel gadget kit
Portable clothesline

For Hot Destinations

Consider:

Portable travel fan
Travel umbrella
Comfortable travel accessories
Lightweight foldable bag

Don't Forget the Non-Gadget Essentials

As useful as travel gadgets can be, don't let them distract you from the basics.

Before you leave, make sure you've sorted your:

Passport
Visa requirements
Travel insurance
Accommodation
Flights
Medication
Money and bank cards
Clothing
Toiletries
Phone and charger

A suitcase full of clever gadgets won't help much if you've forgotten your passport.

Make Your Next Long Flight Easier

The best travel gadgets aren't necessarily the most complicated ones.

They're the little products that solve annoying problems before those problems have a chance to ruin your day.

A phone holder can make watching a movie more comfortable.

A travel pillow can make it easier to settle in.

An electronics organiser can stop your cables becoming a tangled mess.

A luggage scale can save you from an overweight bag.

And a universal travel adapter can keep your devices powered when you're thousands of kilometres from home.

Simplify Australia's travel range is built around practical solutions like these, with products designed to make travelling more organised, comfortable and convenient. (simplify-australia.com.au)

You don't need to pack all 15.

Pick the gadgets that match the way you travel, organise them before you leave and keep the things you'll need during the journey somewhere easy to reach.

Because after all, the best travel accessory is the one that makes you think:

"I'm really glad I packed that."

Ready for your next adventure? Explore Simplify Australia's travel collection and find practical gadgets and accessories designed to make your journey easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best travel gadgets for long flights?

Useful options include a travel pillow, phone holder, electronics organiser, universal travel adapter, travel gadget kit and luggage scale. The best options depend on your individual needs and how you travel.

What should I take on a long-haul flight?

Consider packing your travel documents, phone, charger, headphones, comfortable clothing, travel pillow, water bottle, entertainment and any medication you need. Keep important items in your carry-on where they're easy to access.

Is a travel adapter necessary for international travel?

It depends on your destination. Many countries use different plug configurations from Australia, so check your destination before travelling. A universal travel adapter can be a convenient option when visiting multiple countries.

How can I make a long flight more comfortable?

Wear comfortable clothing, stay hydrated, move around when appropriate, bring entertainment and consider travel accessories such as a neck pillow and phone holder.

Are travel packing cubes worth it?

Compression packing cubes can help organise clothing and make better use of suitcase space. They're particularly useful for longer trips and family holidays.

How do I keep my electronics organised while travelling?

A dedicated electronics organiser can keep chargers, cables, power banks, earbuds and other small accessories together, making them easier to find.

What should I keep in my carry-on?

Keep your passport, travel documents, valuables, medication, phone, chargers and other essential items in your carry-on rather than checked luggage.

What travel gadgets are useful for international travel?

A universal travel adapter, passport wallet, luggage scale, electronics organiser and anti-theft crossbody bag can all be useful for international travellers.

What are useful gadgets for travelling with kids?

Compression packing cubes, a foldable travel bag, organised toiletry storage and a travel gadget kit can make family travel easier. Choose accessories based on your children's ages and the type of trip you're taking.

Do I really need travel gadgets?

Not necessarily. Travel gadgets are most useful when they solve a specific problem you regularly experience. Focus on practical accessories that make your particular journey more comfortable, organised or convenient.