As a seasoned travel blogger and founder of En Route to Reverie, I spend a significant portion of each year on the move. Countless red-eye flights to Europe have turned me into something of an expert on crafting the ideal long flight outfits. I’ve learned firsthand that selecting the Best Airplane Travel Clothes is crucial for a comfortable and stress-free journey.
Long-haul flights inevitably involve hours of confinement and the potential anxieties of travel – lost luggage, tight connections, or flight delays. Having your essential travel items readily accessible and wearing a reliable outfit that balances comfort and versatility can significantly reduce travel-related stress. Your clothing choices can truly make or break your in-flight experience.
Curating Your Long Flight Outfit
When it comes to dressing for long flights, my aim is always to strike the perfect balance: looking presentable while feeling completely comfortable. As you create your packing list and consider what you’ll wear on the plane, remember that comfort doesn’t have to come at the expense of style. Choosing the best airplane travel clothes means selecting pieces that allow you to step off the plane feeling refreshed and ready to explore your destination immediately.
It’s important to consider the entire travel process when choosing your outfit. Navigating airplane bathrooms in restrictive bodysuits or jumpsuits is less than ideal. Dealing with numerous buttons on a coat at airport security or having to remove layers due to metal detectors can be cumbersome. Personally, flip-flops are a no-go for me – they’re not practical for rushing to catch a connecting flight and, in my opinion, not the most hygienic footwear for extended travel. Whenever possible, I also try to avoid wearing jeans on overnight flights.
This guide is packed with outfit inspiration for your next flight at 30,000 feet, featuring brands I personally rely on for travel. These brands offer clothing that is not only travel-friendly but also versatile enough to be incorporated into various outfits throughout your trip. Let’s dive into some best airplane travel clothes ideas! For more travel style inspiration and tips, be sure to follow me on Instagram at @meghandono and @enroutetoreverie.
What to Wear on a Long Flight: Comfort and Style Combined
Woman in a cozy grey sweater, black joggers, and white sneakers, sitting in an airport lounge, smiling, representing comfortable yet stylish travel attire for long flights
Comfortable Separates: Your Cozy Travel Staples
For those extra-long flights where immediate post-arrival engagements aren’t a concern, or when I know I can change upon landing, comfortable separates are my go-to best airplane travel clothes.
Think cozy joggers paired with a luxurious cashmere hoodie or a soft merino wool sweater. I tend to get cold on planes, so a cashmere hoodie, like my beloved Jenni Kayne option, is perfect for staying warm and snug. These pieces are not only comfortable but also easily layered, making them ideal for fluctuating cabin temperatures.
Overhead shot of travel outfit laid out on a white surface, featuring an oversized beige cardigan, black leggings, a white t-shirt, and white sneakers, suggesting comfortable and practical clothing for air travel
Coatigan and Athleisure: Elevated Comfort for Travel
A coatigan is a fantastic layering piece for travel. It provides the warmth of a coat without the bulk, saving valuable luggage space, and effortlessly elevates athleisure wear, making it one of the best airplane travel clothes combinations for looking polished while staying comfortable.
This Vuori coatigan is an excellent choice. Pair it with your favorite athleisure set for a flight-ready ensemble that’s both chic and practical.
Woman wearing a dark grey Vuori lounge set with a zip-up hoodie and joggers, sitting in an airplane seat, demonstrating a comfortable and stylish athleisure outfit suitable for air travel
Matching Lounge Sets: Effortless Style and Comfort
A matching lounge set is the epitome of effortless style and comfort, making it a top contender for best airplane travel clothes. It’s an easy way to appear put-together while maximizing comfort – crucial for long-haul flights.
The lounge set pictured above is from Vuori, one of my all-time favorite athleisure brands. (Related: Vuori Review). Investing in a high-quality lounge set is investing in your travel comfort and style.
Close-up of a cream-colored knit lounge set, showcasing a long-sleeved top and matching pants, highlighting the texture and comfort of knitwear as ideal travel attire
Matching Knit Sets: Warmth and Versatility for Colder Flights
For winter travel, a matching knit set is a brilliant choice. These sets offer warmth and coziness for chilly flights and can be easily mixed and matched with other pieces once you reach your destination, making them incredibly versatile best airplane travel clothes.
This set from Kilte truly impressed me. It feels even more luxurious in person than it looks online – incredibly comfortable yet surprisingly polished. I’m wearing a size 2 for reference. I’ve paired it with my favorite Adidas Gazelle sneakers for a complete travel look.
Woman wearing a casual travel outfit consisting of a beige sweater and black trousers, standing in front of a blurred outdoor background, illustrating a simple yet stylish look for airplane travel
Trousers and Sneakers: Chic Comfort for Warmer Destinations
For warmer weather long flights, especially when heading to Europe, I often opt for light-colored trousers and a lightweight knit jacket. I layer a comfortable tee underneath the knit jacket for added versatility. This combination is stylish, breathable, and comfortable, landing it on the list of best airplane travel clothes for warmer climates.
I’m wearing the Sezane Betty Jacket (size L) and the Artizia Effortless Pant (size 8 – I recommend sizing up!).
Woman wearing a beige knit jacket, white trousers, and white sneakers, posing outdoors with luggage, showcasing a light and fashionable travel outfit ideal for warmer weather flights
Knit Sweater Jacket, Trench, and Trousers: Layered Sophistication
This is the outfit I chose for a flight from New York to London. My most comfortable trousers, a stylish knit lady jacket that I would later style in different ways during my trip, and my trench coat, which was the bulkiest coat I was bringing, so I wore it on the plane. Layering is key to managing temperature changes during travel, making this a smart choice among best airplane travel clothes.
These J.Crew Trousers are my absolute favorite travel pants for long flights to Europe, especially when I need to be ready to go upon arrival and changing clothes immediately isn’t an option. (Wearing a size 8 – again, sizing up is recommended).
Overhead shot of a travel outfit including a beige trench coat, a white knit sweater jacket, grey trousers, and white sneakers, laid out on a bed, presenting a layered and stylish ensemble for air travel
Linen Sets: Breezy Comfort for Summer Travel
For summer travels, a comfortable yet put-together linen set is an excellent choice for best airplane travel clothes. Linen is breathable and lightweight, perfect for warmer temperatures. These breezy separates can also double as beach cover-ups or casual poolside attire for the rest of your trip if you’re heading to a beach destination.
For an extra layer, I always fly with my favorite cashmere travel wrap, which I own in three colors. I use it as a blanket, a wrap, or a scarf to stay warm and cozy on the plane. A versatile wrap is an essential travel companion.
Close-up of a white, oversized cardigan hanging on a hanger, emphasizing its soft texture and loose fit, suggesting it as a comfortable layering piece for travel
The Travel Cardigan: Your Versatile Layering Hero
What I consider the ultimate cardigan for comfortable travel days – The Travel Cardigan. Pair it with leggings or your most comfortable jeans for an easy and cozy travel outfit. A good cardigan is a must-have for any list of best airplane travel clothes due to its versatility and warmth.
Overhead shot of a travel outfit featuring a grey cardigan, black leggings, a white t-shirt, and white sneakers, laid out on a wooden floor, illustrating a simple and comfortable travel ensemble
Athleisure and a Trench Coat: Street Style Meets Comfort
For spring trips, I always pack one of my favorite trench coats. It’s incredibly versatile and effortlessly elevates any outfit. Pair your trench with a matching athleisure set, sneakers, and top it off with a ball cap for a relaxed, off-duty street-style vibe that’s still perfectly comfortable for flying. This combination is both stylish and practical, making it part of the best airplane travel clothes repertoire.
Woman wearing a navy blue Vuori athleisure set with a zip-up jacket and leggings, standing outdoors with a neutral-toned backpack, showcasing a sporty and comfortable travel outfit
Comfortable Leggings: When Comfort is Key
While I might not always be seen in yoga pants outside of travel, I do make exceptions for a favorite comfortable pair of leggings, especially for long plane rides. Sometimes, ultimate comfort takes precedence, and leggings are undeniably among the best airplane travel clothes for maximizing comfort.
(Related: All My Favorite Leggings) Choose a high-quality pair of leggings that provide support and comfort for hours of sitting.
Overhead shot of a travel outfit including a black long-sleeve top, black leggings, a grey scarf, and black sneakers, laid out on a white surface, presenting a classic and comfortable travel look
T-Shirt Dresses: Effortless Summer Style
For spring and summer travels where heavy layers aren’t necessary, consider a cute midi t-shirt dress. It’s comfortable, versatile, and requires minimal effort. A t-shirt dress is easy to dress up or down, making it a surprisingly adaptable piece for best airplane travel clothes in warmer weather.
Close-up of grey Vuori joggers folded neatly, highlighting the fabric and drawstring waist, emphasizing their comfort and practicality as travel pants
Joggers: Your Go-To for Domestic Comfort
A go-to comfortable pant for me, particularly for domestic travel involving longer flights, are my Vuori Joggers. They are incredibly soft and comfortable, and when styled well, they still allow you to look put-together. Joggers are definitely a staple in my best airplane travel clothes rotation.
If I know I can embrace a casual vibe upon arrival, this is often the type of outfit I travel in for long flights, especially when traveling from New York to California.
Overhead shot of a travel outfit featuring a black sweater, black Vuori joggers, and white sneakers, laid out on a white surface, showcasing a sporty and comfortable yet stylish travel ensemble
Matching Half-Zip Sets: Stylish and Cozy Coordination
A matching set with a half-zip is a fantastic go-to for comfortable style on a long flight. Varley and Spanx offer some of my personal favorites. These sets are easy to wear, stylish, and prioritize comfort, solidifying their place among the best airplane travel clothes.
The Spanx AirEssentials Zip Up and these AirEssentials pants are made from a wonderful fabric – cozy yet cool and comfortable. I wear a size M in both, as you can see below.
Woman wearing a light grey Spanx AirEssentials half-zip set, standing in an airport, demonstrating a comfortable and stylish matching set for travel
For more budget-friendly options, you can find similar sets on Amazon.
Close-up of a navy blue Frank & Eileen travel set, featuring a zip-up hoodie and jogger pants, highlighting the quality and comfort of high-end travel loungewear
Another excellent option is this Frank & Eileen travel set. I own it in a size M. It’s made from super high-quality, comfortable triple fleece that’s warm but not too hot. The brand offers a range of chic and practical travel sets.
Get a similar look for less with this set from Amazon.
Woman wearing wide-leg satin trousers, a black top, and a beige cardigan, standing outdoors, showcasing a dressed-up yet comfortable travel outfit with satin pants
Satin Pants: Elevated Comfort and Style
Satin pants are a dream to travel in. They offer a luxurious feel and are surprisingly comfortable, making them a unique and stylish choice for best airplane travel clothes. They feel like pajamas but look effortlessly chic. I wear them with heels for evenings out after arriving at my destination or dress them down with sneakers for daytime exploring.
I particularly love the Varley satin pants (I wear a size S). The LaLigne Colby pant and Jenni Kayne Demi Pant are also fantastic if you prefer a wider leg silhouette.
Woman wearing patterned silk pants, an oversized cream sweater, and white sneakers, sitting on a bench, demonstrating a luxurious and comfortable travel outfit with silk pants
These Toteme patterned silk pants are perfect for airplane travel. They feel like pajamas but are still elevated and beautiful. I’m wearing a size 36 for reference.
The Essential Travel Bra: Comfort without Underwire
Underwire bras are a definite no-go for long flights! Instead, I always opt for a truly comfortable yet supportive bra, like this one or this option. Comfortable undergarments are just as important as your outer layers when it comes to best airplane travel clothes.
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Of course, you should also consider traveling with compression socks as an essential in-flight travel item. Compression socks help to alleviate tired, achy feet and also help prevent deep vein thrombosis and blood clots, which can be a risk during extended travel in a pressurized cabin.
And if you’re a fan of travel pillows, make sure to pack yours. I personally always try to sleep on overnight flights, and I can only manage to do so successfully when I pack this eye mask. Even a few hours of sleep on a long flight can significantly help in combating jet lag upon arrival.
And for ultimate comfort throughout your journey, I highly recommend this comfortable bra for long flights.
Shop Travel Outfit Ideas
The curated items above are from brands I personally love and shop. I hope you find this guide helpful as you plan your next trip and choose your best airplane travel clothes!
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