A fresh pair of undies for sure; you never know if your luggage will arrive or not.

How about phone numbers to your airline in case something goes wrong before your flight (i.e. hostile transfer; overbooked;being bumped; weather)? I have read of people getting faster service by dialing the airline's 1-800# than waiting in line with other stressed customers and a harried airline clerk.

I recently got some dental floss that has toothpaste on it. The brand is Reach Cleanpaste. I figure if the water is not quite up to par in the airplane lavatory, this will do in a pinch. I can do a big toothbrushing when I'm through customs! LOL!

By the way, how is Northwest Airlines on its "hospitality" package for transatlantic flights? Can I expect sleep mask at least??? Thanks much!

No Jet-Lag

Lots of great answers....

I don't see anyone taking any Melatonin with them.

I first 'discovered' Melatonin over 20 years ago. When I went to the local health food store and bought a botte, the owner asked me why I was buying it. I told him it was for jet lag and I'd read an article about it. He told me that his only customers were flight attendants who did long haul to the Orient. (from the SF Bay Area).

Depending on your mass, take what you need when it is getting dark in the country you're going to. Repeat at least the first day in-country and you will be surprised at the lack of jet lag. It will also help you sleep on the plane.

Lots of good suggestions here. Does anyone know if Alitalia provides a hospitality package to coach passengers on transatlantic flights?

Gosh. I havn't had a hospitality package from either Northwest or Alitalia in years, although I still have a few of the things in my travel drawer, will have to try to remember to bring the slippers and eyemask next time. Have a good one. Halfpint

I bring a couple prescription sleeping pills, Ambien. As soon as it is nighttime where I'm going, I pop one. It usually provides me 4-5 hours of good sleep so I'm ready for the next day (works well on the particularly timed flight I like to do).

Also, if you're like me, don't forget cough drops. Never know when that dry air will cause a caughing spell.

Last time I went, I was very impressed with the quality of recent movies that the airline offered on the individual tv's. But, the earphones really sucked. Bring your own.

And I disagree with Earplanes, unless you have a bad cold. I actually think they make the pressure on your ears worse.

not only do the earphones suck, but they charge you $5.00 and are re-used . I have really been thinking of bringing one of those nose masks - on my last flight a guy in the same row was coughing and sneezing without covering his mouth and not wiping his nose with a handkerchief -it was disgusting - I tried to turn my face away but--- a year later I still cannot get rid of the cough - and at one point I was pretty sure I had pneumonia- wish there was a way to wear the mask without looking like a nut.

A few snacks that fill the desire for something I desperately want most when it is not available (haribo twin cherries, dried berries, pretzels, sixlets).

Sorry, that floss thing gives me chills. I worked with a person who did it at the table in the company's only break room at the dining table.

To me flossing is something to do in your own room. For that matter, please have mercy on others and don't have long grooming sessions in the plane restroom.

No worry of me doing that - they are so small, I want to leave asap.

We are leaving Sydney for Paris in 2 weeks and it takes us 22 hours with a 2 hour stop and plane change in Singapore!
Apparently on Singapore Air (economy)we will be getting socks, toothbrushes and other comfort items as part of the service. Don't US to Europe flights serve meals??
That sounds dreadful even though it's a shorter trip!!
I have bought a pair of those ear plugs...I hope they work ...my ears really hurt and stay blocked for days!
I'll report back as to the result of the earplugs!
Rosie

Pkg'd single use slippers I found in a travel section at my local drug store.
My hiking boots take up too much room in my luggage so I deal with security and wear them onto the plane and then put on travel slippers and bag my boots under the seat.

read this one somewhere and I liked it...took an old pillowcase and folded it into a pocket of my jacket and when on the plane folded my jacket into the pillowcase for a pillow.

They also have finger shaped teeth wipes you can rub on your teeth (in the restroom!)with flouride that work well.

extra 81mg aspirin before, during and after flight to reduce possibility of blood clots (especially if you have varicose veins)

<i>They also have finger shaped teeth wipes you can rub on your teeth (in the restroom!)with flouride that work well.</i>
Clarification:
Stores sell the teeth wipes
like brushing and flossing- please use the restroom, I have horror stories!!!