In-Flight Haircare: How to Arrive in Style

“Catching flights, not feelings” sounds glamorous in theory - but in practice? Not so much when it comes to your hair. Whether you’re flying long haul or city-hopping short haul, airplane cabins aren’t kind to your lengths. Cramped seats, abrasive headrests, dry cabin air and awkward sleeping angles all conspire to flatten, frizz or dehydrate your hair mid-flight.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. With a few simple tricks - and the right tools in your carry-on - your hair can arrive just as fresh and polished as when you boarded. Co-founder of SILKE London and hair expert of over 35 years, Maria Sotiriou, shares her best in-flight beauty routine for travel season.

1. Pre-Flight Prep: Hydrate Before You Fly

Just like your skin, your hair loses moisture rapidly at altitude - so hydration is key. And it starts before you reach the airport.

“When we fly, our hair can become flat or frizzy,” explains Maria.
“This is mainly due to the low level of humidity in an aircraft, which tends to be dehydrating for both your hair and skin.”

Start with a treatment or natural oil

Apply a leave-in conditioner or hydrating hair oil before you travel to lock in moisture. Maria swears by coconut oil, which she uses to slick her hair into a sleek up-do secured with a SILKE Hair Tie. It’s a two-in-one: the treatment soaks in while your hair looks chic and stays off your face during the flight.

Consider a leave-in mask

Clear, leave-in treatments are a game-changer for long-haul flights — just make sure to check the label, as not all masks are suitable for prolonged wear. Pair with a low-maintenance style like a loose braid or bun, and simply wash it out once you land. Feeling fancy? Book a blow-dry at your destination and arrive with your hair pre-treated and ready to go.

Flying with curls or waves?

A curl cream or moisturising mousse is a must. Apply pre-flight and comb through with a wide-tooth comb to distribute product evenly and detangle gently. For all hair types, a wide-tooth comb is a great tool to use during and post-flight to avoid knots caused by dry air and seat friction.

2. In the Air: Protect, Preserve and Style

If you’ve treated yourself to a blow-dry before you fly, don’t let it fall flat in-flight. And if you’re embracing your natural texture or curls, now’s the time to keep definition intact.

For blow-dry protection

“A simple way to preserve a blow-dry is to loosely tie your hair into a high ponytail using a SILKE Hair Tie, which helps hold volume at the roots,” says Maria.
“Then wear your SILKE London Hair Wrap over the top, tucking in all your strands. This will prevent friction and frizz caused by the seat’s headrest, while sealing in hydration.”

For curls and textured hair

Curly and wavy hair textures are more vulnerable to frizz at altitude, as the hair cuticle doesn't naturally lie flat. Low humidity causes the cuticles to lift — resulting in dryness, loss of curl definition and halo frizz.

“By wearing a Hair Wrap, curls are instantly smoothed and protected,” Maria advises.
“You’ll land with your definition intact and no need to re-style.”

For next-level in-flight styling

Want to step off the plane with flawless waves? The SILKE Heatless Curler Kit is your best-kept travel secret. Made with 100% silk and ultra-soft padding, it’s comfortable to wear while you nap or lounge, and doesn’t strip hair of moisture like synthetic materials can.

Pop it in post-security, add a touch of product (Maria’s go-tos include Living Proof Instant De-Frizzer and Sam McKnight Save The Do), and let it work its magic while you fly. The result? Fresh, damage-free curls by the time you hit arrivals — no plugs or effort required.

Maria’s recommended styling products for use with the Heatless Curler Kit:

• Living Proof Instant De-Frizzer
• Kevin.Murphy Easy.Rider
• Kérastase Curl Manifesto Gel-Cream
• Sam McKnight Save The Do

3. Touch-Down Ready: Keep It Polished from Take-Off to Arrival

Once you’re in the air, the key is low-tension, low-friction styling.

Avoid:

• Loose hair rubbing against your seat (hello, tangles and static)
• Tight ponytails or buns (expect deep kinks that only a wash and restyle can fix)

Instead, try:

• Loose braids or top knots secured with 100% silk ties or scrunchies
• Wearing your SILKE Hair Wrap for full hydration and friction control
• Tucking the Heatless Curler in overnight for instant styling

Combatting cabin static

We’ve established that cabin air is dry. That means one thing: static. Your Hair Wrap is your best defence — but if it’s not on hand, try one of these quick fixes:

• Smooth a tiny bit of hand cream between your palms and gently glide over flyaways
• Lightly mist your hair with water (a travel-size spray bottle works wonders)
• Use a dryer sheet to pass over the hair just before landing
• Pack a mini anti-frizz or anti-static serum to keep strands sleek

Managing oil build-up

Long flights often mean oily roots. Your Hair Wrap helps by redistributing oils from root to tip, but a dry shampoo can also help if used before take-off.

“Spritz your dry shampoo before boarding - this gives it time to absorb excess oil and stop more from building up,” says Maria.
“It works best as a preventative, not a quick fix mid-flight.”

A word of caution: overuse of dry shampoo can cause product build-up and, over time, hinder hair growth. Stick to occasional use, and wash thoroughly between applications.

Don’t forget hydration from within

Finally, drink water. It sounds simple, but it’s often overlooked. Hydration starts from the inside, so skip the caffeine and wine if you can, and keep sipping water throughout the flight. Beauty supplements or collagen powders can also give your hair (and skin) an added boost.

Final Boarding Call: Your Carry-On Haircare Kit

Treat your flight like bonus beauty time. Whether it’s a quick hop or a long-haul escape, your time in the skies is the perfect moment to nourish, protect, and prep your hair for that holiday glow.

Your SILKE In-Flight Essentials:

• SILKE London Hair Wrap – for hydration, frizz-control and blow-dry preservation
• Heatless Curler Kit – for effortless styling while you fly
• SILKE Hair Ties & Scrunchies – for protective styles with zero breakage
• Mini hair oil or mask – for pre-flight nourishment
• Wide-tooth comb – for gentle detangling at altitude
• Travel-sized dry shampoo – applied before take-off
• Anti-frizz product or dryer sheet – for mid-flight touch-ups

“Next time you fly, think of your carry-on as your cabin beauty bag,” says Maria.
“A few key items can transform your flight into a spa moment - so you can touch down polished, refreshed and ready to shine.”

So pack your passport, grab your silk essentials, and take off in style.

Love,
SILKE xo