As the founder of a travel advisory and a long time travel blogger I am on the road a lot each year. Between international trips, long haul flights and countless red eye flights to Europe, I’ve had plenty of time to refine exactly what to wear on a long flight. At this point, my long flight outfits are something of a science — built around comfort, practicality and looking put together from airport to arrival.
Long haul flights often mean many hours in the air, limited space and the unpredictability that comes with travel, whether that’s delayed flights, missed connections or lost luggage. I’ve found that having a reliable long flight outfit and my go-to travel essentials on hand makes a noticeable difference. Choosing comfortable clothes for a long flight that are also versatile helps reduce stress and ensures you feel confident and comfortable throughout the journey.
What to Wear on a Long Flight
When planning what to wear on a long haul flight, I always aim for a balance between comfort and style. Comfortable airport outfits don’t have to look sloppy. As you’re building your packing list for a long plane ride or overnight flight, consider choosing travel outfit ideas that feel effortless but still polished — pieces that allow you to step off the plane and head straight to your destination without needing a full outfit change.
It’s also important to think about the logistics of travel when choosing long flight outfits. Airplane bathrooms, airport security and long walks through terminals all factor into what makes sense to wear on a plane. I avoid complicated pieces like bodysuits or jumpsuits on long flights, steer clear of coats with excessive buttons or hardware and prioritize layers that are easy to remove. I also skip wearing flip flops when flying — they’re impractical if you need to move quickly through an airport and not ideal for long travel days. For overnight or international flights, I generally avoid jeans when possible in favor of softer, more comfortable fabrics that make long hours of sitting far more manageable.
This post is full of long flight outfit ideas I personally rely on, along with travel-friendly clothing brands I love. These are pieces that work not only for what to wear on an international flight, but also integrate seamlessly into the rest of my travel wardrobe once I arrive.
Now, read on for some long flight outfits and you can follow @meghandono and @enroutetoreverie for more travel tips throughout the year.
You can also head over to Substack where I’ve curated more outfits for your next flight here and here!
Long Flight Outfits
Comfy Separates
Wearing comfortable clothes for long flights is of course essential. For extra long flights where I don’t need to hit the ground running upon arrival or can arrange to change looks, this is a go-to look for me to wear on long flights.
A comfy jogger and a cashmere hoodie or a merino wool sweater are ideal. I am almost always cold on planes so a cashmere hoodie like my favorite Jenni Kayne one is perfect for remaining warm and cozy.
Trench Coat + Athleisure
When considering what to wear on an overnight flight, a trench coat is a great topper for travel. It takes a bulkier layer out of your luggage and pairs well to dress up athleisure a bit.
Matching Knit Set
For winter travel, a knit set of separates is great for re-mixing and re-matching once you’ve arrived in your destination. Plus it makes for a comfortable airport outfit!
This set from Kilte blew away my expectations. It’s way more luxe in person and oh-so-comfy and yet put together. Wearing a size 2.
Trouser + Sneakers
For warmer weather long flights to Europe I often opt for a light colored trouser and a little knit jacket. I layer a favorite tee under the knit jacket as well.
Wearing the Sezane Betty Jacket (size L) and the Artizia Effortless Pant (size 8 – recommend sizing up!)
I also adore the AYR High Hope pants; they’re a great knit trouser that look dressier than they feel. They’ve become favorites I love traveling in – particularly for long flights. I’m wearing them in a size L above.
Knit Sweater Jacket + Trench + Trousers
This is the outfit I wore on an overnight flight from New York to London. My comfiest trousers, a knit lady jacket I would go on to style throughout the trip and my trench coat (which was the largest coat I was bringing so I wore it on the plane).
Linen Set
For summer travels, consider a comfy yet put together linen set. Easy, breezy separates that you can also wear as a cover up or casual poolside attire for the remainder of your trip if you’ll be near a beach or a pool.
For an extra layer, I always, always fly with my favorite cashmere travel wrap that I own in three colors. I use it as a blanket or a wrap or a scarf to keep warm and cozy. It really serves so many purposes and while it’s a splurge, it’s well worth it IMO. This version from J.Crew is a bit more budget friendly (but not as large).
A Travel Cardigan
One of the most comfortable airport outfits is a structured but soft travel cardigan. Pair it with leggings or your most comfortable pair of jeans.
Comfy Leggings
While I generally am not one to be caught dead in yoga pants on a plane, every now and then I will make exceptions for a favorite comfy pair of leggings for a shorter plane ride or an early one to a more casual destination like say, California.
Related: All My Favorite Leggings
T-Shirt Dress
For spring and summer travels where lots of layers aren’t required, consider a cute midi t-shirt dress that’s comfy yet versatile for a long haul flight. This is a piece that is easy to dress up or dress down.
Joggers
A go-to comfy pant for me for domestic travel that involves longer flights are my Vuori Joggers. So soft and so comfy and when styled well they still manage to keep you looking put together.
If I know I can be casual when I land in a destination, this is a sort of look I travel in for long flights. It is often my go-to when traveling from New York to California.
Related: All My Vuori Favorites
Matching Half Zip Set
One of my favorite travel outfits for long flights is a matching set! A matching set with a half zip is a great go-to for comfy style on a long flight. Varley and Spanx make some of my personal favorites.
The Spanx AirEssentials Zip Up and these AirEssentials pants are a great fabric. Cozy yet cool and comfy. I have a M in both you can see on me below.
For more budget friendly sets you can shop matching sets at Amazon.
Another good option for shopping travel sets is Frank & Eileen. Super high quality, comfy triple fleece that’s not too hot. The brand makes a lot of really chic and yet practical travel sets. I typically wear a M in their sets!
Satin Pants
Satin pants are a dream to travel in because god bless an elastic waist, am I right? Comfortable and yet slightly dressed up. I wear them for evenings with heels once I’ve arrived in a destination or dress them down with sneakers like below for a day spent exploring.
I love the Varley satin pants in particular (I have them in a size S). The LaLigne Colby pant and Jenni Kayne Demi Pant are also great if you like more of a wide leg.
Related: How to Style Satin Pants
These Toteme patterned silk pants are perfect for airplane travel. Like pajamas but still elevated and beautiful, and I can rewear them when I arrive at my destination. Wearing size 36.
Travel Bra
We’re not doing underwire on long flights. Nope! Instead I always opt for a really comfy yet supportive bra like this one or this one. I rounded up all my very best travel bras for long flights here.
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Of course you’ll also want to consider traveling with compression socks as an in flight travel essential. Compression socks help ease tired, achy feet but also help to fight deep vein thrombosis and blood clots that can occur when traveling for extra long distances in a pressurized cabin.
And if you’re a travel pillow fan, be sure you have it packed. I also personally always try and sleep on over night flights and can only have success doing so when I pack this eye mask. Even getting in a few hours of sleep on a long flight helps me fight jet lag when I arrive in my destination.
Shop What to Wear on a Long Flight
The above curation are from brands I love and shop personally. I hope you’ll find this post helpful as you plan for your next trip!
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