Let’s face it: When you’re about to embark on a six-plus-hour intercontinental flight and your body is buzzing with anxiety at the thought of potential delays, missed connections, and lost luggage, piecing together a stylish outfit is probably the least of your concerns. Factor in the near-impossible feat of sleeping upright on a plane and tolerating snoring seat mates, and it feels necessary to prioritize comfort on long-haul flights.
While matching sweatsuits are one (beloved) way to go, there are plenty of options in the way of loungewear these days. Pieces made of finely woven knits that feel as soft as a cloud, compression fabrics that prevent swelling, and buttery cashmere travel blankets that you can cocoon yourself in are among the ones we recommend for overnight or otherwise lengthy flights. Below, find 23 brands whose clothes and accessories will make deciding what to wear on a long flight as easy and comfortable as possible, broken down by categories:
Performance wear and athleisure
With activewear for your next yoga retreat, outerwear to brave the cold weather, and sweats to lounge in around the Airbnb, Alo Yoga offers everything you need to feel comfy and cozy while traveling. The popular brand designs its performance wear with movement in mind, so expect to find smooth, silky, breathable pieces that you’ll be comfortable in all day long.
Lululemon is a perennial favorite for basic black leggings, snag-one-when-you-can belt bags, and comfortable joggers. The rest of its athleisure is also worth the hype: These breathable half-zip sweatshirts and jackets can take you from the plane to the hotel gym effortlessly.
Huckberry serves up menswear basics made for the active traveler, including soft yoga joggers and water-resistant workwear-inspired pants that will take you from the plane to a bike ride or beachside stretch session with ease. The brand’s bestsellers section is full of pieces you can wear in the air and repeat on vacation, like the 72-Hour Merino T-shirt and The 365 Pant. You can find travel and outdoor gear from brands like Patagonia, Barbour, Marine Layer, and Saturdays NYC on Huckberry’s site, too.
You may have heard the Vuori pitch before (the brand is an active podcast sponsor for many popular shows like Smartless and Crime Junkie): It offers premium performance apparel inspired by the active coastal California lifestyle, and wants to offer a new perspective on the athleisure category as a whole. I admit, the clothing is some of the softest I’ve ever worn, which certainly sets itself apart from more traditional activewear brands like Nike or Adidas. Try Vuori’s joggers, shorts, and super-soft tees for an outfit that feels like pajamas, but looks respectable enough for the airport lounge.
When warm weather is in the forecast, the exercise dress comes back out. Often designed with shorts underneath and a built-in bra, the practical, sweat-wicking one-pieces are a great multi-purpose vacation outfit: Wear one on the plane with a jean jacket layered on top, then break it out again for a pickleball game or afternoon walking around to see the sights. Outdoor Voices makes a comfortable one with adjustable straps and a built-in shorts liner. If a dress doesn’t sound appealing, opt for the Zephyr pant—it’s made of a lightweight performance fabric that will serve you well in warm destinations.
Loungewear sets
Barefoot Dreams is a Traveler favorite for cozy robes and slippers. The brand’s loungewear doesn’t disappoint, acting as a socially acceptable version of pajamas. While we’ve raved about the CozyChic collection that’s made with the brand’s signature cotton blend, the Malibu collection offers more lightweight and breathable staples that can easily be layered with your choice of tank tops, knitwear, sweatpants, and more.
If the only thing that comes to mind when you hear the name Spanx is shapewear, you’re missing out. The brand has extended its offerings over the years to include everything from work dresses to jeans and blazers. But for long-haul flights, we’re partial to the AirEssentials collection, which has a super-soft, drapey, scuba-like fabric. Shop the Travel edit for even more style options, including shorts and jumpsuits.
If it’s good enough for Oprah, it’s got our vote. Cozy Earth’s bamboo joggers received the media mogul’s official seal of approval in 2020, by way of her Favorite Things list, and after trying them on ourselves, we understand why. The mix of premium viscose from bamboo, acrylic, and Spandex produces a super smooth, cool-to-the-touch fabric that’ll make you feel like you’re wrapped in your favorite set of sheets. The brand’s Stretch-Knit Bamboo Lounge tee and Ultra-Soft Bamboo hoodie are among other bestsellers.
Wearing a bunch of layers can be uncomfortable while traveling. Sleepwear brand Lunya has an all-in-one fix with its Silksweat sets crafted from a breathable Pima cotton-blend and washable silk fabric that promises to help regulate your body’s temperature no matter the weather. Made with style and comfort in mind, the monochromatic fit will make you look put together whether you’re traveling by plane or train.
Launched in 2022, Friend + Folk is a woman-owned, gender- and size-inclusive line made in downtown Los Angeles at Bomme Studio, a CFDA-approved, ethical and sustainable production house. The pieces are produced in small batches to reduce waste, and are supremely comfortable—the Joon joggers are a personal favorite of mine, but for a more classic sweatpant, try the Harbor style. Other in-flight staples include the long-sleeve Witter T-shirt and Crosby classic hoodie.
Cashmere and wool basics
Eileen Fisher has been making timeless pieces since 1984 and has been committed to reducing the environmental impact of the fashion industry. While on the pricier side, the Italian cashmere staples are made from the finest fibers. The pieces can stand the test of time and will grow even softer and more luxurious after every wear.
Spun from the finest goat hair, Naadam’s 100 percent Mongolian cashmere basics are so ridiculously soft, it feels like a luxurious blanket that you can wear out in public—and on transcontinental flights. The built-in perks of cashmere include high breathability, and anti-wrinkle and odor-blocking benefits. The brand’s tailored sweaters and hoodies will keep you comfy without looking unkempt.
Former Traveler editor Noah Kaufman calls Ibex’s clothing “some of the nicest, most comfortable stuff I’ve ever put on.” Made of Ibex’s signature Merino wool fabric, the clothes are built to curb odor, and the fabric is naturally thermoregulating—meaning you can wear pieces year-round—and smooth against skin (no itchiness here). He’s been wearing a pair of ultra-soft joggers around the house, and says they’ll make a great addition to any long-haul flight uniform.
Elevated basics
J.Crew’s attainable price point makes it the one-stop-shop for elevated wardrobe staples. The brand’s focus on offering well-made, timeless pieces makes it a go-to for young professionals. With a wide range of button-down shirts, chinos, sweaters, and blazers, there’s something chic and polished for every traveler.
Athleta has plenty of great leggings, workout wear, and athleisure, but if you’re looking for something a little more versatile to wear throughout your trip, check out the Brooklyn mid-rise ankle pant. Made with a stretchy, wrinkle-resistant material, these pants are comfortable enough to wear on a plane, but have a tailored fit that can be dressed up or down. They’re also super lightweight, in case you decide to pack them on the way back home.
If there’s a brand that can get us to wear “real clothes” on a plane, it’s Universal Standard. With clothes from size 00 to 40, its mission is to create clothing that looks and feels good on every body, using fabrics like premium Peruvian cotton, soft Italian Merino wool, and French satin-back crepe to do so. The Promenade linen jumpsuit could easily be worn all day long, and the Sally Liquid Jersey shirt dress is a piece you’ll wear again and again. As for the jeans, before you shake your head, know that the brand’s styles are stretchy, with a truly relaxed, comfortable fit—look to the ComfortDenim collection for the most plane-friendly pieces. If jeans are a no-go (fair), try the Go-Stretch pant for a looser waistband.
With its penchant for solid colors (and the occasional stripe) and classic silhouettes, Everlane makes tons of mix-and-match travel essentials. The Cashmere Stroopwafel turtleneck and Dream Pant are some of our readers’ favorites, and our editors are fans of the Relaxed Oxford shirt and Utility Barrell pant—all of which are versatile must-haves for any packing list.
Free People is known for its breezy, bohemian-style clothes, so of course they’d make the kind of pants, coats, and utility suits that are comfortable enough to wear on a plane. The Studio to Street collection and FP Movement collections are filled with layering pieces and roomy pants you can throw on after a workout, though like leggings or yoga pants, they serve many purposes. For overnight flights, we like the Hailee Cardi set. If you’re in need of a versatile jacket you can wear on cold planes and chilly fall evenings alike, the loose-fitting Dolman Quilted Knit remains popular and comes in tons of different colorways.
Plane to office clothing
Abercrombie & Fitch has been able to do a rare thing in the fashion industry—mature with its audience. The A&F team has been dipping its toes into workwear and is offering pieces that fit the brand’s polished aesthetic with a more laidback flare. For your next work trip, think about pairing a classic blazer with a pair of the ’90s Low Rise Relaxed jeans or the viral Sloane tailored pant.
If you’re not the type to wear loungewear on a plane, no matter the flight time, you’ve still got options that prioritize comfort. Banana Republic’s linen resort pieces fit the mold, with breathable basics that can take you from the airport to the office, or to the resort pool, depending on how you style them.
Versatile and multidimensional, Aday ensures that every single one of its items has more than one feature—the result of working with engineers to source technologically advanced fabrics that can wick moisture, regulate heat, defy wrinkles, resist ultra-violet rays, and so much more. Simply put, Aday’s pieces are exactly what you want to wear on a long flight.
The maker of many a wardrobe staple, including some of our favorite basic tees, California-based brand Buck Mason offers plenty of thermal tees, sweaters, and button-ups that make great layering pieces on chilly flights. For a classic but slightly elevated sweats look, Traveler‘s commerce editor Meaghan Kenny loves traveling in the brand’s cozy sweatpant and crew neck.
Embody the laid-back, California-cool aesthetic with pieces from Jenni Kayne. The brand’s designs are made to last, and often come in soothing neutral tones. You can find comfortable but structured essentials like its popular cardigans, as well as cozy accessories like cashmere socks and oversized blanket shawls.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Andrea Cheng.
