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Up until recently, I always thought people who wore trousers on long-haul flights were from another planet.

(Probably the same planet as those aliens who hang out at home on the couch in jeans.)

Business Class pants-wearers, I understood. Those lucky ducks can easily change into their free pyjamas after takeoff. But trousers in Economy? Ew.

I'd sit in my trusty black leggings and wonder how on earth you could possibly be comfortable in a stuffy cabin for several hours wearing stiff material, non-breathable fabrics and a waistband digging into your belly.

Watch: A travel expert shares exactly what's in her emergency health kit. Post continues below.

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Long-haul flights have always been about comfort for me. Us millennials love a pair of tights, and as long as mine didn't veer into slob territory (no holes, no see-through material), I was happy to fly in them knowing I'd strip out of my leggings the moment I checked into my destination accommodation.

It wasn't until a recent overseas work trip that I stopped to consider an alternative to wearing leggings on a plane.

I was going to be travelling for 20+ hours with colleagues and clients I hadn't met before… I'm not ashamed of my tights, but I didn't want to look like a dag in-flight or upon arrival.

The brief was: professional, put-together, effortless, and maybe even cool.

While buying thermals and a water-resistant windbreaker at Uniqlo, I walked past the unisex Ultra Stretch Active Wide Pants. A friend had previously mentioned both her and her husband had worn pairs on an overseas trip, so off I went to try them on in the changeroom.

The moment I put them on my body, I knew I'd never wear leggings on a flight again.

Having worn them on two 13-hour flights, I'm now buying these pants in multiple colours and recommending them to everyone I know.

They're giving Business Class, on a budget. Image: Supplied.

There's a lot to love about these Uniqlo pants:

• From a distance, these 'dressy' trackpants look like tailored trousers thanks to the pleated front and wide, straight leg silhouette.

• I can confirm these are long-haul flight approved! The ultra stretch nylon and elastane fabric looks polished while feeling cool and comfortable on the skin.

• The flat elastic waistband sits just above the hip, but you can cinch them in tighter or looser using the hidden inner drawstring — a must for comfort when sitting for a long time!

• Big pockets are a bonus; these come in handy for stashing antibacterial wipes, tissues and skincare while moving around the cabin.

• The style currently comes in sizes XXS-XXL and four colours: black, chocolate brown, navy and khaki. You'll also find a fifth grey colour in select stores, but the brand releases new colour options across the seasons.

I don't think I've ever looked this stylish after a long-haul flight. Image: Supplied.

Other than being affordable and ridiculously comfortable, the other major win is how versatile these pants are.

I used the Sudoku packing method on this trip to avoid over-packing, and part of that was making sure my plane outfit consisted of pieces I could wear out and about on the trip.

From travel days to dinners, you can dress these pants up or down AND save space in your luggage, because who really wants to pack several pairs of pants?

Convinced? Shop your new travel pants below, and thank me later.

Uniqlo Ultra Stretch Active Wide Pants in Black, $49.90.

Image: Uniqlo.

Uniqlo Ultra Stretch Active Wide Pants in Brown, $49.90.

Image: Uniqlo.

Uniqlo Ultra Stretch Active Wide Pants in Navy, $49.90.

Image: Uniqlo.

Uniqlo Ultra Stretch Active Wide Pants in Khaki, $49.90.

Image: Uniqlo.

For more helpful style advice and shopping recommendations, subscribe to the weekly Nothing to Wear Substack, listen to the Nothing to Wear podcast or watch Nothing to Wear on YouTube.

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Feature image: Supplied.