Carry-on packing list for long-haul flights
Twelve hours in a seat, no chance to quickly grab something from your suitcase: on a long-haul flight, your carry-on is your home. What’s inside determines whether you arrive well-rested and fresh or crumpled and thirsty.
In this carry-on packing list, you’ll find everything that really counts on a long-haul flight – as a checklist to tick off, including the new 2026 rules for liquids and power banks, and a few tricks we wouldn't want to fly without anymore.
The most important things in 30 seconds
- Liquids: Since July 4, 2026, containers of up to 2 liters are permitted at Vienna Airport at the new CT scanners. On the return flight, most holiday airports still require: 100 ml per container, all in a 1-liter bag.
- Power banks: Only in carry-on luggage. On Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and Eurowings, they may not be used or charged on board as of 2026.
- Essential: Passport, medication, charging cable, neck pillow, eye mask, earplugs, empty water bottle, a warm layer.
- Lost-luggage plan: A fresh outfit, underwear, and the most important toiletries should always go in your carry-on.
- Insider trick: Pack everything you need for the flight in a small extra bag that goes under the seat in front of you. Put the backpack in the overhead bin.
Carry-on rules 2026: What’s changing
Liquids: 2 liters out, 100 ml back
First, the good news: More and more airports have new CT scanners that take 3D images of carry-on bags. There, liquids no longer need to be unpacked and can be up to 2 liters per container. The less good news: This only applies where these scanners are installed.
| Airport | Rule (as of September 2026) |
| Vienna | Up to 2 liters per container at the new CT scanners, since July 4, 2026 |
| Zurich | Up to 2 liters at all security lanes, since June 26, 2026 |
| Munich, Frankfurt, Berlin, Cologne/Bonn, Nuremberg | Up to 2 liters at lanes with CT scanners, sometimes only in specific terminals |
| Most holiday airports (e.g., Spain, Turkey, Egypt, Asia) | Still 100 ml per container, all in a clear 1-liter bag |
Insider tip: Pack liquids as if the 100 ml rule applied everywhere. Otherwise, you might have to hand over your large sunscreen at the holiday airport on your way back. Always keep duty-free liquids in a sealed bag with the receipt when transferring. Current information for your specific departure airport can be found, for example, via the EU or the airport's website.
Power banks: bring them, don't use them
Following several fires on board, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has tightened the rules. For the Lufthansa Group, which includes Austrian, Swiss, and Eurowings, the following applies according to ADAC:
- maximum 2 power banks per person, only in carry-on luggage, never in checked bags
- must be kept accessible at your seat, not in the overhead bin
- on board, do not charge your phone with the power bank, and do not charge the power bank itself
- over 100 Wh only with prior airline approval
Other airlines have similar rules. Therefore, charge everything fully before departure and use the USB port at your seat if one is available.
Weight and size
In economy, you are usually allowed 7–8 kg of carry-on luggage plus a small personal item, such as a handbag or laptop bag. The exact dimensions can be found in your booking. On long-haul flights, luggage is weighed more frequently than in Europe.
The carry-on packing checklist
Documents & Money
- Passport (valid for at least 6 months) and visa or entry form if applicable
- Boarding pass digital and as a screenshot
- Credit card, some cash in local currency
- Booking confirmations (hotel, transfer) saved offline
- Travel health insurance: card or policy number
Tech
- Phone and charging cable
- Power bank (fully charged, max. 2)
- Headphones, ideally noise-canceling, plus an adapter for in-flight entertainment
- Travel adapter for the destination country
- Movies, series, music, and maps downloaded for offline use
Toiletries (max. 100 ml each)
- Toothbrush and small toothpaste
- Moisturizer and lip balm
- Eye drops or nasal spray for dry air
- Deodorant, refreshing wipes, hair tie
- Contact lens case and glasses
Health
- All regularly taken medications for the entire trip plus a few days' reserve
- For liquid medication over 100 ml: doctor's note
- Small travel first-aid kit: painkillers, bandages, anti-nausea medicine
- Disinfectant gel
Food & Drink
- Empty water bottle, fill up after security check
- Snacks like nuts or bars – Note: You are not allowed to bring fresh fruit, meat, or dairy products into many countries
- Chewing gum for pressure on the ears during takeoff and landing
The lost-luggage plan
- A complete change of outfit
- Underwear for two days
- Swimwear if traveling to the beach
- Valuables, jewelry, and keys – never in the suitcase
Sleep & Comfort
- Neck pillow
- Eye mask
- Earplugs
- Warm socks or compression socks
- Hoodie, large scarf, or thin down jacket
The travel favorite neck pillow for overnight flights
The NeckDream supports your head from several sides, does not need to be inflated, and fits compactly into your carry-on thanks to its carrying bag. With your purchase, you get a travel guide worth €14.95 for free.
Insider tips for long-haul carry-on luggage
The seat pocket bag
Our favorite trick: pack everything you need during the flight into a small extra bag – headphones, neck pillow, mask, lip balm, water bottle, snack. This bag goes under the seat in front, and your backpack or trolley goes in the overhead bin. This way, you don't have to get up and rummage through the bin twelve times.
The first 24 hours in your carry-on
Suitcases often arrive later than expected, especially with connecting flights. Everything you need for the first day belongs in your carry-on. If you're flying to the beach, you can hit the ground running with a bikini, shorts, and sunscreen in your carry-on.
Tracker in your suitcase
A small Bluetooth tracker in your checked suitcase shows you if it made your connection. This saves a lot of nerves at the baggage claim.
Layers instead of a thick jacket
It's warm on the plane during boarding and cold at night. Light layers that you can put on and take off are better than a thick winter jacket that has no place to go.
Before deplaning: check the seat pocket
Most forgotten items are left in the pocket in front: phone, headphones, glasses, passport. Take a quick look before you stand up.
Our 12 tips for sleeping on a plane show you how to actually get some sleep with this carry-on gear.
Our recommendation for more comfort on long-haul flights
A good neck pillow makes a bigger difference on long flights than you might think. Many classic models are very thick at the back, which pushes your head forward. Models that stabilize the head from the side and don't add unnecessary bulk at the neck are more comfortable.
For us, this always includes an eye mask, earplugs or noise-canceling headphones, and warm socks in the carry-on. Wearing multiple thin layers of clothing is also more practical than a thick jacket, as the temperature on board often fluctuates significantly.
What is not allowed in carry-on luggage
- Knives and scissors with blades over 6 cm
- Tools, sporting equipment such as baseball bats or hiking poles (rules vary by airline)
- Liquids over 100 ml at airports without CT scanners
- Lighter fluid, gas cartridges, and other flammable substances
Conversely: Spare batteries, power banks, and e-cigarettes are only allowed in carry-on luggage, never in checked bags.
Conclusion: well-packed is half-arrived
On long-haul flights, your carry-on luggage is part of what determines how you arrive. Keep documents, medication, and tech accessible, give yourself a chance to sleep with a neck pillow, mask, and warm layers, and always plan as if your suitcase might arrive a day late. And regarding liquids, 2026 means more than ever: going is not the same as returning – if you plan for 100 ml, you won't face any surprises at the holiday airport.
Where to next?
Our travel guides for Bali, Singapore, Vienna, and more fit into every carry-on: as a PDF on your phone, readable offline even above the clouds.
Frequently asked questions about long-haul carry-on luggage
What belongs in your carry-on for a long-haul flight?
Passport and documents, medication, phone with charging cable and power bank, headphones, neck pillow, eye mask, a warm layer, an empty water bottle, and a change of clothes for the first day.
How much liquid can I take in my carry-on in 2026?
At airports with new CT scanners, such as Vienna since July 2026, up to 2 liters per container. At most other airports, the rule remains: 100 ml per container, all in a clear 1-liter bag. It is best to always plan for 100 ml for the return flight.
Can I use my power bank on the plane?
Not on the Lufthansa Group, including Austrian, Swiss, and Eurowings: power banks may not be used or charged on board as of 2026. You may bring a maximum of two, and only in your carry-on.
How heavy can carry-on luggage be on long-haul flights?
In economy, usually 7–8 kg plus a small personal item. The exact details are in your booking and differ depending on the airline and fare.
Can I take medication in my carry-on?
Yes, and you should. Liquid medication over 100 ml is permitted with a doctor's note. For some countries, there are specific import regulations for certain active ingredients – check briefly before traveling.
What do I do if my suitcase doesn't arrive?
File a loss report directly at the baggage counter at the airport and keep the number. With a change of clothes and toiletries in your carry-on, you can bridge the first day or two comfortably.