New ✈️ New! Premium Economy returns from Asia to South Africa — book now
Contact
WhatsApp
Admin

Long-Haul Packing Guide

Everything you need — and nothing you don't — for the Asia to South Africa journey. Includes cabin-specific advice for Economy, Premium Economy and Business.

Carry-On Essentials
  • Passport in easy-access pouch (not buried in bag)
  • Printed boarding passes as backup
  • Noise-cancelling headphones — non-negotiable on 10h+ flights
  • Power bank under 100Wh (checked baggage not permitted)
  • USB-C and Lightning cables
  • Universal adapter — South Africa uses Type C, M and N
  • Neck pillow — inflatable saves space
  • Eye mask — the good ones block all light
  • Earplugs as backup to headphones
  • Empty 500ml water bottle — fill after security
  • Snacks: nuts, protein bars, dried fruit — no liquids
  • Change of clothes in carry-on (in case bag is delayed)
  • Lightweight layer — aircraft cabins are cold at altitude
Comfort Kit
  • Compression socks — essential on 8h+ flights, reduces DVT risk
  • Lip balm — cabin air at altitude is extremely dry
  • Travel-size moisturiser (under 100ml)
  • Saline nasal spray — keeps airways hydrated
  • Face mist or wipes
  • Hand sanitiser
  • Face mask — for sleep hygiene and dry air
  • Melatonin or sleep aid if crossing 6+ time zones
  • Pain relief (ibuprofen/paracetamol) — earache on descent common
  • Antihistamine — useful for dust or food sensitivity
  • Small toiletry kit: toothbrush, paste, deodorant wipes
Sleep Strategy
  • Book night flights where possible — easier to sleep
  • Avoid alcohol — dehydrating and worsens jet lag
  • Set your watch to destination time on boarding
  • Recline as soon as the seatbelt sign goes off
  • Ask for extra blanket early — they run out
  • Request an aisle seat if you sleep lightly (bathroom trips)
  • Window seat if you prefer uninterrupted sleep and a wall to lean on
  • Avoid the middle seat in a 3-3-3 config — no armrest control
  • Exit row has extra legroom but no recline in front — weigh the trade-off
Tech & Documents
  • Passport — valid for 6 months beyond return date
  • Visa approvals saved offline (screenshots)
  • Digital arrival cards completed before flying (check per country)
  • Travel insurance policy and emergency number
  • Hotel and car hire bookings accessible offline
  • Download movies/series before flight — in-flight WiFi unreliable
  • Download offline maps (Google Maps, maps.me)
  • International SIM card or roaming enabled before departure
  • Kindle loaded — IFE can break or bore
  • Passport photo copies stored in email and cloud
What to Wear on the Plane
  • Wear your heaviest, bulkiest items — saves checked bag weight
  • Loose, comfortable clothing — no tight jeans on 12h flights
  • Slip-on shoes — you'll remove them at security and during flight
  • Compression socks — wear from departure, not just when seated
  • Layer up — vest/T-shirt plus lightweight jacket minimum
  • Avoid synthetic fabrics — they don't breathe and trap odour
What NOT to Pack in Carry-On
  • Liquids over 100ml — this includes water, drinks, large toothpaste
  • Power banks over 100Wh (most airlines allow up to 160Wh with approval)
  • Sharp objects — nail scissors are usually fine, knives are not
  • Lighters — max 1 common lighter on your person, not in bags
  • Spray cans over 100ml — deodorant, hairspray etc.
  • Fresh fruit or meat (quarantine restrictions into South Africa)
  • Valuables in checked baggage — always carry-on for cameras, laptops, jewellery
Premium Economy gives you more space but the same cabin altitude and dry air. You can leave behind the bulkier economy comfort items but you still need the basics.
Still Essential
  • Noise-cancelling headphones — airline headphones in PE are better but still not great
  • Compression socks — still a long flight
  • Eye mask and earplugs — even with more recline
  • Lip balm and saline spray — cabin air no different to economy
  • Power bank — power sockets are available but can be occupied
  • All documents and offline downloads as per economy
  • Melatonin or sleep aid — seats recline more but not flat
Perks to Use
  • Larger seat means you can leave the neck pillow at home — use the headrest wings
  • Usually get an amenity kit — skip the cheap toiletry bag
  • Better meals — skip carrying as many snacks
  • More legroom — compression socks still advised but leg exercises easier
  • Priority boarding — more overhead locker space
  • Usually a dedicated cabin — quieter, fewer children
Which Airlines Offer PE to SA?
  • British Airways — World Traveller Plus (LHR–JNB, LHR–CPT)
  • Air France — Premium Voyageur (CDG–JNB)
  • Lufthansa — Premium Economy (FRA–JNB)
  • Singapore Airlines — Premium Economy (SIN–JNB)
  • Qantas — Premium Economy (SYD–JNB)
  • Qatar Airways — does NOT offer Premium Economy — Business or Economy only
  • Kenya Airways — does NOT offer Premium Economy
  • Ethiopian Airlines — does NOT offer Premium Economy
In Business or First, many of the economy survival items are unnecessary — the airline provides them. Focus on what the airline doesn't give you.
Leave These Behind
  • Neck pillow — flat beds make these redundant
  • Economy blanket — you'll get a duvet
  • Basic amenity toiletries — airline kit is high-end
  • Cheap headphones — airline provides noise-cancelling
  • Snacks — meals are multi-course, often pre-ordered
  • Inflatable lumbar support
Still Worth Bringing
  • Your own eye mask — airline ones are often thin
  • Compression socks — even in business, long-haul DVT risk exists
  • Saline nasal spray — pressurised cabins still dry at altitude
  • Your own headphones for calls/laptop use on the ground
  • Power bank — suites with doors sometimes have limited socket access
  • Melatonin — for resetting your body clock on arrival
  • Pyjamas on some airlines (QR, SQ, EK First only) are provided — check beforehand
Pre-Flight Must-Dos
  • Pre-order your meal — Qatar, Singapore, Cathay: Book the Cook mandatory for best options
  • Select your seat early — suites and window seats go first
  • Request pyjamas in advance on SQ and QR if not automatically provided
  • Access the lounge — most business class tickets include lounge access at departure airport
  • Check chauffeur drive — QR, EK, EY offer it for business class in select cities

General Long-Haul Tips

Hydration

Drink 250ml of water per hour of flight. The cabin at cruise altitude has 5–10% humidity — drier than the Sahara Desert. Avoid coffee and alcohol.

Move every 2 hours

Walk to the galley, do calf raises at your seat, stretch in the aisle. DVT risk on flights over 6 hours is real. Compression socks reduce it significantly.

Jet lag

The Asia–SA route crosses 5–7 time zones. Start shifting your sleep schedule 2 days before departure. Stay awake until local bedtime on arrival day regardless of exhaustion.

Baggage claim strategy

If your bag hasn't arrived after 30 minutes, file a missing bag report immediately at the airline's baggage desk before leaving the arrivals hall. Get a reference number.

Liquids rule

100ml per container, all in a single clear zip-lock bag (approximately 1 litre). One bag per passenger. At most Asian airports this is strictly enforced at every security point including transit.

SARS customs

SA allows R5,000 in goods duty-free per trip. Gifts must be unwrapped. Declare all goods including gifts, electronics bought abroad, and cash over R25,000. See our Customs Hub for details.