It’s My Job to Travel—Here’s What I Always Pack for a Long-Haul Flight

It’s My Job to Travel—Here’s What I Always Pack for a Long-Haul Flight


Monica Mendal is a Who What Wear editor in residence, a former fashion editor, a travel writer, and the author of So There’s This Place…—a Substack newsletter where she shares curated guides, insider tips, and off-the-beaten-path destinations.

As a travel writer, I sometimes feel like I spend more time in the air than on the ground. Long-haul flights are a regular part of my month, and I’ve learned the value of packing light. I’m really not an overpacker—after all, I spent much of my career as a fashion editor, and the secret to that job is knowing how to edit. So you won’t find me hauling an eight-step beauty routine onto a plane. Efficiency matters too, and juggling that many liquids through security is the fastest way to arrive at your gate late and flustered.