Carry-on bags for long flights

6-7 hours doesn't sound like a long flight to me. For a flight of that length I'd only take a book, some pain killers, sweets, and my purse for any purchases . I wouldn't need anything else , and the only bag I'd have is my handbag.

IPad, tissues, wet wipes, a snack probably fruit, water, purse, phone it all goes in a rucksack no handbag.

Having had my suitcase lost for several days on more than one occasion, and missing a connection that meant we had to overnight in a hotel, my carry on bag contains a spare set of underwear, my camera, my kindle, any jewellery I’m taking with me, my makeup, perfume, cleanser, moisturiser, toothbrush & toothpaste.

Oh and a face flannel!

Thanks. Separate handbag is because I need it the other end and find it bulky in main suitcase. You set a high standard, Stella!

Toothbrush, mouthwash and mascara. Especially if it’s an overnight flight.

Kindle, phone, medication, money, snacks, wipes, tissues, lipstick, underwear, documents like passport and insurance. change of footwear. All in a medium sized easily managed backpack.

Always spare underwear - had luggage lost for 3 days once and it was pretty difficult. Other than that my glasses, contact lens solution (for the above reason) toothbrush and toothpaste and iPad, phone and charger cable. Always take something warm to put on on the plane too - the temperature goes up and down that often!

Put in a small case all my medication, change of clothing, camera, books because they are heavy and a warm top. In my handbag it’s the usual plus iPad, ear plugs, hand wipes etc. We go to south east Asia every for a few months and it’s three flights, two just an hour and one 12 hour one so need careful packing.

In case of luggage going missing I would always take a change of underwear. If going somewhere hot I had a swimsuit with large sarong which could double up as a dress if necessary.

Always assume your luggage is not going to arrive. Spare undies, all travel documents, medication, toothbrush/paste, wet wipes, tissues, biscuits or food of some kind, large scarf, glasses, charger, phone, ipad or book, pen.

Definitely spare knickers - because you never know! (I've found these useful when faced with an unexpected delay - once this was a stay-over in a hotel.) And a wee bottle/pot of moisturiser. Maybe a tooth brush/paste, though these can usually be purchased. And a Kindle, a puzzle book, and a few "travel sweets".

Moisturiser. Tiny little bottle that spray mists my face. Money to pay for Gin.

At one stage I tried travelling on long flights with the minimum of items in a large handbag as my only carry on luggage. That was until someone told me about her awful experience when a fellow passenger vomited all over her. She was offered a "onesie" sleep suit from first class by the cabin crew but said there was no way she was going through immigration and customs in a onesie suit with kangaroos all over it and fortuitously she had a change of clothes with her. Since then I always take mini size toiletries, facial mister, a change of underwear and light clothing as well as the usual essential documents and a book.

No matter how long the flight or the holiday, we only ever take hand luggage. It needs very careful planning. We don’t do posh when we are away so a simple selection of clothes that will wash and dry easily are essential.

I go to Australia most years 2 flights one stop over for 2 hours.
Hand/ face wipes.
Tissues
Book
Sweets
Purse
Tea shirt to put on when I land
Roll on deodorant
Purse
Don’t need anything else if I do I buy it.

Whatever would have made my checked baggage too heavy.

My heaviest hand baggage included four shock absorbers and a set of 16 hydraulic cam followers for my ancient V8 Range Rover that resided far from any dealer.

But I always make room for my toothbrush and toothpaste.

Meditation, Kindle/book (for delays), hand lotion/deodrant (in a sealed bag for security), spare pair of knickers (You never know!)

Oh and a pashmina as aircraft can get chilly and if overnight eye mask and ear plugs

I dont think I am the person to ask about minimal packing. I am just back from South East Asia (13 hour flight) and had a soft carry on bag with: Flight socks, neck pillow, blanket, spare pants and top, a snack, water bought after security, asprin, tissues, hand sanitiser, noise cancelling headphones, eye mask, book, toothbrush and toothpaste. I used everything. My first trip with noise cancelling headphones and they are amazing.

Travelled to Egypt recently. Only one bag allowed - no handbag. Kindle, passport, wallet, medication, tissues, sanitiser, mobile and spare underwear.

Travel quite often long haul. Only ever take a smallish rucksack with purse, glasses, book, spare pants, phone, travel docs. Can't help feeling a bit cross with people who board with mini suitcases and proceed to fill up the overhead lockers so others can't use them. These travellers never seem to use the cases during the flight so are presumably just using them as extra baggage outside of their weight allowance.

I have a mini roll on case for hand luggage. I have HM a shoe bag to put inside and pull out once on the plane. I have seen people hang this useful bag from the tray hook. This year on a long hall flight I will be taking in my hand luggage -passport and documents. plastic cup with straw, I pad & lead, few magazines, pen, small torch, t.shirt shorts and swim wear. pashmina. boiled sweets mints/fruits. cereal bar. clear bag with wet wipes, lip savel, toothbrush and toothpaste. moisturiser.

There is a Facebook group devoted to this topic called Travel Fashion Girls. I am amazed/amused/and gobsmacked in equal measure at what some people take in their carry-on!