Air travel, once the height of glamour, is now an endurance test. It was once that one got dressed up to fly, in the days of leisurely meals on china and in-flight lounges where one could have a cocktail while gazing out the window at the clouds. Now, one is lucky if one’s knees are not slamming against the seat in front, one’s in-flight snack amounting to a biscuit so dry that it seems to have been built by someone who is essentially opposed to the concept of moisture.
And yet, there is still something undeniably thrilling about boarding a plane, stepping through the doors of Heathrow or JFK with the knowledge that, in a matter of hours, you’ll emerge somewhere utterly different. Whether it’s the neon hum of Changi Airport in Singapore or the charming chaos of Rome Fiumicino, travel still holds a certain magic. And what more to preserve that magic than by carrying along a thoughtful gift—something to make the flight slightly less objectionable, or to bestow, with an air of studied nonchalance, on arrival?
1. Gifts That Entertain Without Annoying the Entire Cabin
A long flight is the ultimate challenge to one’s proficiency at amusing oneself. Books are the standard choice, though one must be artful. A hardback, although pleasing to the eye, will unnecessarily weigh down one’s hand baggage, and anything too mentally taxing can be catastrophic somewhere above the Atlantic when jet lag makes understanding a joke. The perfect in-flight book must be interesting enough to keep one’s mind but not so engrossing that you miss the trolley and your allotted thimble of tea.
And then, of course, there are puzzles—crosswords, sudoku, those infuriating logic puzzles that claim to be ‘fun’ but inevitably devolve into catastrophe regarding the significance of life. A decently bound puzzle book makes a lovely gift for a journey, provided one includes a pen that is not leaky at high elevation.
For others, a pack of small but dramatic Photowall wallpaper swatches can offer an unexpected but great in-flight diversion. Flipping through designs and guessing where they would be hung in one’s home is far more enjoyable than staring at the seat-back safety card, trying to determine whether the man in the life jacket looks more resigned or relieved.
2. The Gift of Comfort: Small Luxuries for the Weary Traveller
Even in business class, the reality of long-haul travel is one of relative discomfort. Neck pillows, though useful, are either filled to the point of ridiculousness or so poorly designed that they may as well not exist. The ideal travel pillow is one that supports without strangling, a hard discovery but a wonderful gift for those constantly in the air.
And then, naturally, there are socks. Not just any socks, however, but real, fly-worthy ones—soft, warm, and capable of making a standard-issue economy seat kind of almost bearable. Compression socks, less poetic than cashmere but more practical, are a great and practical present for anyone concerned with circulation (or anyone who is merely likely to take off on ankles the size of small loaves of bread).
A light cashmere wrap is a considerate touch—almost as useful as a blanket, a scarf, or a last-resort pillow. And one mustn’t forget hand cream, either. Cabin air has the odd ability to dry out the human body completely, and one finds oneself a shell of one’s former self. A small, inoffensive-scented hand cream will pay dividends, restoring a bit of pride and avoiding the hands from turning into dried parchment upon arrival time.
3. Food and Drink: Treats That Can Survive a Flight
Airport food, despite decades of alleged improvement, remains a hazardous undertaking. There are exceptions—Schiphol’s surprisingly decent range of cheese, and Tokyo Haneda is on a roll with sushi that outdoes what a proper restaurant has to offer. But for the most part, one is subject to pre-packaged sandwiches with an unimpressive approach to texture and flavour.
To bring one’s own supplies, then, is an act of prudence. A compact container of gourmet chocolates—something luxurious enough to make one feel a little indulgent without being so syrupy as to cause remorse—is always a welcome present. The same can be said for superior nuts, dried fruit, or a very fine bar of dark chocolate, all of which may be eaten quietly without causing the wrath of other passengers.
For the more savoury-minded, a tin of premium crackers or a modest assortment of cheese (wrapped carefully, so as not to taint the overhead locker with an obnoxious scent) is a great mid-flight snack. If one actually wants to impress, a miniature jar of artisan honey—ideal for mixing into inferior airline tea—is a refreshingly sweet gift.
4. For the Organised Traveller: Useful but Considerate Additions
There is something supremely satisfying in a well-stuffed bag, the kind where everything has its own niche and nothing gets jammed in at the last second. The blessing of organisation, therefore, is one of both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
A set of travel pouches—nicely constructed, in a color that doesn’t easily betray the history of rough use—is a good idea, as is a nicely constructed passport holder (preferably one that doesn’t require a Ph.D. to retrieve said passport when going through security).
Noise-cancelling headphones are an expensive but much-loved gift, particularly for people who are familiar with the special terror of sitting beside a very talkative baby. And for corporate travelers, a compact but fashionable notebook—a place to jot down ideas over London—is a simple but beautiful gift.
5. The Surprising and the Unusual: Gifts That Bring Joy
And then there are the presents that are done simply to get a smile from the recipient. A small, travel-sized board game—something that can be played on an in-flight tray without too many pieces disappearing down the void—is a lovely present. A wonderful, illustrated guidebook to the city one will be visiting, specific to the place one will be going, is another generous option, especially if it’s not just highlighting the standard tourist haunts.
For the more flights-of-fancy kind of traveler, a small notebook and a set of colored pencils can be an unexpected distraction, whether to doodle passers-by at the gate or attempt to capture the unique horror of a meal eaten in the air. And, for the in-flight existentialist, a small volume of poetry—something that can be slipped into a pocket—can be the perfect travel companion at 35,000 feet.
Hi! I’m James, the marketing manager at Stasher. I’m passionate about slow travel, immersing myself in new cultures and building unique memories in different places. On our blog, I share insights and stories to inspire and help you avoid pitfalls. Most importantly, I hope to make sure that you have the most rewarding travels!