Wal-Mart. Travel shops.

I've not found them comfortable at all.

A candle is a very good idea, Starrsville. I'm sure it helps to dispel that "hotel smell"! I'll have to keep an eye out for the ones in metal containers.

Caph, try Bath & Body Works--that's where I've gotten mine. They even sell a carrying case to store / pack them in--handy in case of a loose lid.

Thanks, AnnMarie!

In response to someone who mentioned putting extra effort into getting exit row seats...
We did exactly that on a flight to Israel this past summer. Unfortunately, no less than 15 people at various times during the flight viewed the exit row area as public space. I had one man praying over me (bowing repeatedly almost onto my head) and another standing literally between my two feet as I sat in my seat. A woman behind us climbed OVER my husband's seat to the "public area" where she hung out. Did I mention the out-of-control kids who were waiting to use the restroom and the kid who threw up waiting to use the restroom? I would not have minded but these people were ALL OVER US FOR HOURS. I was quite thankful for my favorite "must haves": eye mask, earplugs and blow up neck pillow. I was ecstatic to have a "regular" seat for the flight back!

From Australia, our OS flights are always long - without a stopover, well over 24 hours to Europe.
Minimum for me, as an older traveller, is
facial moisturiser
bottled water
compression stockings
ginger (to suck if I feel off- of course, Ozzie ginger is delicious too!)
soft case with a string around my neck, for glasses when I sleep

Saline Nasal Spray - I don't think anyone has mentioned the latter. It stops dried up noses from inhaling too many of the recirculated flu germs etc. Cabin air is very dry, and lacks oxygen too.in the cabin.

Weezie, we travel a lot and usually sit in exit rows and I have never had people hang around the exit row and bother us. What kind of a plane were you on? Was it a normal exit row?

Bring a pen to fill out your customs form. You can rent it out for cash, too

Cali,

This happens quite frequently on long int'l flights where the exit rows are fairly wide (as if a whole row were removed) and next to lavatories or galleys.

Take Virgin Air A340 for example on LAX-LHR. People will flock to the exit row area to stretch out during a 10-hr plus flight.

That's why it always pays to (1) obtain upgrades on such flights using miles if at all possible, or (2) look up your flight on seatguru.com to be aware of seat conditions.

As to MUST HAVE's, other than the necessary documents and a good attitude (just in case I don't get upgraded), my usual long-haul or intl carry-on consists of the following--starting with electronics:

Apple Powerbook with airline schedules uploaded
DVD's
iPod with Belkin tunepower battery pack for extended playtime and in-ear noise-canceling headphones or BOSE noise-canceling headphones
digital camera
and an accounting journal for when I need to sleep

head to toe personal items:
comb
pillow cover (just added thanks to starrsville)
small facial towel
eye mask
eye drops
nasal saline spray
lip balm
toothbrush and toothpaste
Listerine pocketpaks
wear lightweight sweater and bring along change of clothes (just in case)
and for an overnight trip, I'd bring my own warm, lightweight blanket (e.g. DreamSack)
hand lotion
sanitation wipes in ziplock
wear my current favorite pair of jeans for the trip
lastly, I'll have to try those compression socks on my next trip

And I hope you have status so as to fit all this into the overhead compartment of your upgraded seat or to at least get early boarding

I find the armrests on airline seats very hard and uncomfortable. On long flights I take some padding for them. What I use is 3/4 inch dense foam pipe wrap that you can purchase at Home Depot, etc. Cut it into 1 1/2 foot leangths and wrap it over the arm rests. It looks ugly, embarrass my wife (but she uses it) but it works wonders. Take an extra piece as you may need it inorder to convince someone next to you to use it on his/her shared armrest.

Oh Weezie, what an awful flight. You are scaring me because I have secured an exit row seat for my flight to Hawaii. I am wondering if I will be in the "hang out " zone???? A man praying over you? I had to laugh out loud. And the kid puking, what a nightmare!

Oh, Weezie, and I am flying to Israel in less then 2 months! A flight to look forward to At least I am not in an exit seat!

By the way, about that praying man, if you are a female, all it would take is just to touch him, he'd never come near you again!

i always have:
mouthwash...wakes you up once you land.
anti-bact. lotion/wet naps...don't know if the stuff works, but it's worth it to carry. especially in europe if there are no paper towels available, only those old "towel rolls" that a million people have used...
hairbrush
and i always take off my jewelry to sleep.
;-)

We are leaving for Chile next Friday from Atlanta and I cannot begin to tell you how much this thread helped me!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

See if you can get your doctor to prescribe Sonata. It is a four hour sleeping tablet.

How long is your layover in Phoenix? If it is substantial (over 3 hours) purchase a day pass to the US Airways/America West club at the Phoenix airport.

Thanks for the clarification on the exit row problem, Bluefan. We have taken quite a few long overseas flights but have never had the problem but will keep my eyes open for that in the future. We do try to upgrade to business class or first class if at all possible. Have never been on Virgin Airlines so maybe have not been on the same kind of plane or seat configuration.

LynnieD

Among other places, you can get Arcopedicos from the travel catalogue called "Magllan's". Their website is www.maagellans.com and the item number is SS1141 They come in navy, beige, or black. Made in Portugal. I couldn't fly without them.

Hey Lynnie, I just checked magellan's online catalog and they don't show an arcopedicos (but they do have those neat disposable 'slippers' for going through the airport security). Am I looking at the right website? Thanks!

I just checked magellans.com and found 3 different styles of arcopedico's in women's shoes (I didn't check men's). Also, because of the testimony above, I ordered a pair of the slides and hope they're all that I'm expecting!