Long flights and travel days can be challenging, but what you wear can significantly impact your comfort and overall experience. As a seasoned travel blogger and founder of a travel advisory, I’ve spent years perfecting the art of dressing for long journeys. My goal is to help you find the perfect balance between comfort, style, and practicality, so you can arrive at your destination feeling refreshed and ready to explore.
Long-haul flights often involve hours of feeling cramped, and sometimes, dealing with travel anxieties like lost luggage or delayed flights. Having your favorite travel essentials and a reliable, comfortable, and versatile outfit can ease some of these stressors.
Long Flight Outfits: Comfort Meets Style
The key to dressing for long flights is to strike the right balance between looking put-together and feeling comfortable. When creating your packing list, don’t sacrifice your personal style for comfort. Aim for an outfit that allows you to step off the plane ready to take on your destination.
Consider the entire journey when planning your outfit. Avoid complicated clothing items like bodysuits or jumpsuits that can be a hassle in airplane bathrooms. Similarly, coats with too many buttons or clothing with metal components can slow you down at airport security. Flip-flops are not ideal for running to catch a connecting flight and aren’t the most sanitary option for long travel. I also generally avoid wearing jeans on overnight flights, if possible.
This post offers various outfit ideas for travel at 30,000 feet and recommends brands that make travel-friendly clothing that can be mixed and matched throughout your trip.
Follow @meghandono and @enroutetoreverie for more travel tips throughout the year.
Outfit Ideas for Long Flights
Comfy Separates
Wearing comfortable clothes is essential for long flights. This is my go-to look for extra-long flights when I don’t need to rush upon arrival or can arrange to change later.
A comfortable jogger and a cashmere hoodie or a merino wool sweater are ideal. I’m almost always cold on planes, so a cashmere hoodie like my favorite Jenni Kayne one is perfect for staying warm and cozy.
Woman in a comfy stylish travel outfit consisting of a grey sweater and black joggers
Coatigan + Athleisure
A coatigan is a versatile layering piece for travel. It takes the place of a bulkier coat in your luggage and pairs well with athleisure wear.
This Vuori coatigan is a great option.
Woman wearing a Vuori lounge set, perfect for comfortable travel.
Matching Lounge Set
A matching lounge set is an easy way to look put-together while maximizing comfort.
The above lounge set is from Vuroi – one of my favorite athleisure brands. Related: Vuori Review.
Matching Knit Set
For winter travel, a knit set of separates is great for mixing and matching once you arrive.
This set from Kilte exceeded my expectations. It’s more luxurious in person, incredibly comfortable, and yet put-together. I’m wearing a size 2.
Wearing with my favorite Adidas Gazelle sneakers.
Woman wearing Kilte Liz knit set for travel with Adidas Gazelle sneakers.
Trouser + Sneakers
For warmer weather long flights to Europe, I often choose light-colored trousers and a little knit jacket, layering a favorite tee underneath.
Wearing the Sezane Betty Jacket (size L) and the Artizia Effortless Pant (size 8 – recommend sizing up!).
Woman wearing trousers and sneakers, a comfortable outfit for warm weather travel.
Knit Sweater Jacket + Trench + Trousers
This is what I wore on a flight from New York to London. I wore my comfiest trousers, a knit lady jacket that I styled differently later in the trip, and my trench coat, which was the bulkiest coat I brought, so I wore it on the plane.
These J.Crew Trousers are my favorite travel pants for long flights to Europe when I need to be ready upon arrival and can’t change immediately. (Wearing an 8 – recommend sizing up).
Woman wearing a knit sweater jacket, trench coat, and trousers for a stylish travel outfit.
Linen Set
For summer travel, consider a comfortable linen set. These easy, breezy separates can also be worn as a cover-up or casual poolside attire if you’re near a beach or pool.
I always bring my favorite cashmere travel wrap in three colors for an extra layer. I use it as a blanket, wrap, or scarf to stay warm and cozy.
A Travel Cardigan
I consider a cardigan that’s great for comfortable travel days aka The Travel Cardigan. Pair it with leggings or your most comfortable pair of jeans.
Oversized cardigan.
Athleisure + a Trench Coat
For spring trips, I always bring one of my favorite trench coats and easily pair it with a matching athleisure set, sneakers, and a ball cap for an off-duty street-style vibe.
Vuori Athleisure Outfit
Comfy Leggings
While I generally avoid wearing yoga pants on a plane, I sometimes make exceptions for a favorite comfy pair of leggings on a long flight.
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. This piece is easy to dress up or dress down.
Joggers
A go-to comfy pant for me for domestic travel involving longer flights are my Vuori Joggers. They’re so soft and 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 the sort of look I travel in for long flights. It’s often my go-to when traveling from New York to California.
Woman wearing comfy joggers for a relaxed travel outfit.
Matching Half Zip 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 made of a great fabric. Cozy yet cool and comfy. I have a M in both.
For more budget-friendly sets, shop some at Amazon.
Spanx AirEssentials travel set, a comfortable and stylish option.
Another good option is this Frank & Eileen travel set. I own it in a size M. Super high quality, comfy triple fleece that’s not too hot. The brand makes a lot of really chic and yet practical travel sets.
Get the look for less with this set from Amazon.
Satin Pants
Satin pants are a dream to travel in: comfortable and slightly dressed up. I wear them with heels in the evenings after arriving or dress them down with sneakers for a day of 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 prefer a wider leg.
Woman wearing satin trousers for a comfortable yet dressed-up travel outfit.
These Toteme patterned silk pants are perfect for airplane travel. They feel like pajamas but are still elevated and beautiful. Wearing size 36.
Woman wearing Toteme patterned silk pants with an oversized sweater.
Essential Travel Accessories
Travel Bra
Underwire bras are a no-go on long flights! Instead, opt for a comfortable yet supportive bra like this one or this one.
Of course, you’ll also want to consider traveling with compression socks as an in-flight essential. Compression socks help ease tired, achy feet and fight deep vein thrombosis and blood clots that can occur during long-distance travel in a pressurized cabin.
If you’re a travel pillow fan, make sure you have it packed. I always try to sleep on overnight flights and can only succeed when I pack this eye mask. Even a few hours of sleep on a long flight helps me combat jet lag upon arrival.
For a comfy bra to wear on the long flight, I highly recommend this one.
Shop Travel Outfit Ideas
The above curation features brands I personally love and shop. I hope this post is helpful as you plan your next trip!
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