Gate changes, a cabin that runs like a refrigerator, and a window seat with about four inches of legroom to stretch into. Sound familiar? After years of long-haul flights between New York and everywhere, my long flight outfits have stopped being a guess and become something close to a system. Comfort first, but never at the expense of looking put together when you land.
Long flights throw a lot at you: hours in a tight seat, airport security, long terminal walks, bathrooms you have to unzip or step into. I’ve found that a reliable flight outfit plus a short list of travel essentials makes a real difference in how the whole day feels. The goal is simple: clothes that work in the air and carry you straight into your destination without a full outfit change.
My long flight outfit rules
Before the actual outfits, a few rules I’ve settled on. I avoid complicated pieces like bodysuits or jumpsuits on long flights, and I stay clear of coats with heavy buttons or hardware. Layers that come off easily win. I also skip flip-flops, because you move fast in airports and you don’t want to be the person hopping around a terminal. And for overnight or international flights, I avoid jeans when I can and go for softer, stretchier fabrics. Long hours of sitting will thank you.
What I actually wear on long flights
Comfy separates
For extra-long flights where I don’t need to land and immediately run errands, this is my go-to. A comfy jogger with a cashmere hoodie or a merino wool sweater. I run cold on planes almost every time, so a cashmere hoodie, like my favorite Jenni Kayne one, is perfect for staying warm and cozy without looking like I’m already in pajamas.
Trench coat plus athleisure
Planning an overnight flight? A trench coat is the smartest topper you can pack. It takes one bulkier layer out of your suitcase, and it instantly dresses up athleisure so you still look intentional at the gate. One coat, two jobs.
Matching knit set
For winter travel, a knit set of separates is a winner. You can re-mix and re-match it once you’re at your destination, and it doubles as a genuinely comfortable airport outfit. This set from Kilte blew me away in the best way; it looks way more luxe in person, it’s oh-so-comfy, and it still reads put together. I’m wearing a size 2.
Trouser and sneakers
For warm-weather long flights to Europe, I lean on a light-colored trouser with a little knit jacket and a favorite tee underneath. I’ve been wearing the Sezane Betty Jacket (size L) with the Artizia Effortless Pant (size 8; I’d recommend sizing up) for exactly this kind of trip.
I’m also a fan of the AYR High Hope pants. They’re a knit trouser that looks dressier than it feels, and they’ve become a favorite for traveling in, especially on long flights. I wear them in a size L.
Knit jacket, trench, and trousers
This was the outfit I wore on an overnight flight from New York to London. My comfiest trousers, a knit lady jacket I ended up styling all through the trip, and my trench coat; it was the largest coat I was bringing, so I wore it on the plane. One outfit that worked from the cabin all the way into the city.
Linen set
For summer trips, a comfy linen set is the move. Breezy, put-together separates that you can also wear poolside for the rest of your trip if you’re headed somewhere with a beach or a pool. For an extra layer, I always fly with my cashmere travel wrap, which I own in three colors. It works as a blanket, a wrap, or a scarf. It’s a splurge, but I think it’s worth it. This version from J.Crew is a bit more budget friendly (though not quite as large).
A travel cardigan
One of the most comfortable airport outfits I have is a structured but soft travel cardigan, paired with leggings or your comfiest pair of jeans. It’s the layer you reach for the second the plane gets cold, and it’s the one that makes a simple outfit look like it was planned.
Comfy leggings (with a caveat)
Full disclosure: I’m not usually a yoga-pants-on-a-plane person. But every now and then I make an exception, for a favorite pair of leggings, on a shorter flight or an early one to a casual destination like California. Know which flights call for it; the rest of the time, keep it a little more polished.
T-shirt dress
When spring or summer trips don’t require a lot of layers, a comfy midi t-shirt dress is an easy one. It’s built for a long-haul flight, and it’s the kind of piece you can dress up or down once you land.
Joggers
For domestic travel that involves longer flights, my Vuori Joggers are the go-to comfy pant. They’re so soft, and when styled well they still manage to keep you looking put together. If I know I can be casual the moment I land, this is the look I fly in. It’s often my default for New York to California trips.
Matching half-zip set
A matching set is one of my favorite travel outfits for long flights, and a half-zip version is an easy way to get there. Varley and Spanx make some of my personal favorites. The Spanx AirEssentials zip-up and matching pants are a great fabric; cozy yet cool, and really comfy. I have a M in both. If you’re looking for something more budget friendly, matching sets at Amazon are a solid place to start.
Another good option is Frank & Eileen. The quality is high, the triple fleece is comfy without getting too hot, and they make a lot of sets that are chic and practical at the same time. I typically wear a M in their sets.
Satin pants
Satin pants are a dream to travel in, because an elastic waist is a gift, am I right? They’re comfortable but slightly dressed up. I’ve worn them with heels for evenings once I’ve arrived, and I dress them down with sneakers for a day spent exploring. I love the Varley satin pants in particular (I have them in a size S). The LaLigne Colby pant and the Jenni Kayne Demi Pant are also great if you prefer a wider leg.
And for a step up, these Toteme patterned silk pants are perfect for airplane travel. They feel like pajamas but still look elevated, and I can rewear them when I arrive. I’m wearing a size 36.
Travel bra
We’re not doing underwire on long flights. Nope. I always go for a really comfy yet supportive bra instead. Skip the structured ones you save for office days; the plane is not that kind of place.
Don’t forget the in-flight essentials
Outfit aside, two things I never leave home without. Compression socks first: they help ease tired, achy feet, and they also help fight deep vein thrombosis and blood clots that can happen on extra-long flights in a pressurized cabin. And if you’re a travel pillow fan, pack it. I try to sleep on overnight flights, and I’ve only had real success when I pack an eye mask. Even a few hours of sleep helps me fight jet lag when I land.
Frequently asked questions
Should I wear jeans on a long flight?
Only if you love the squeeze. For overnight or international flights I skip jeans when I can and choose softer, stretchier fabrics instead. Long hours of sitting are far more manageable in something that moves with you.
What should I avoid wearing on a long flight?
Complicated pieces like bodysuits or jumpsuits, coats with heavy buttons or hardware, and flip-flops. Anything you can’t get off quickly, or anything that makes airport security a production, is out.
What else should I pack for a long flight?
Compression socks, a travel pillow if it’s your thing, an eye mask for actually sleeping, and a warm layer you can double as a blanket. A cashmere wrap or a structured cardigan covers most of that.
If you’re already planning the rest of your trip, these pair well with my easy travel outfits and my travel packing essentials.
A note from Ava: the best flight outfit is the one you can forget about. If you can be cozy for six hours and still look like you meant it at the gate, you’ve already won.
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