Airplane Essentials you need in your Travel Bag

The last trip I took I spent 9 hours traveling, including 1 connection and a 2 hour delay. Travel can be so unpredictable despite every effort we make to prevent this. As I sat on my plane I realized how grateful I was to always have my airplane essentials with me. I was frustrated that we had been sitting for an hour and were not allowed to get up, but I had the essentials with me to keep me feeling good.

Airplane essentials can often be an after-thought. Before I started traveling consistently, I would pack my backpack last. A book, my phone, and maybe my laptop would be stuffed in. I’d make sure to have my license and any medications. Boom, done. I was ready to go. Fortunately, this is no longer how I pack my travel bag. I now have a list of things that I refuse to travel without because I’ve had too many moments where I’ve thought, “Wow, I really wish I had that.”

Lip Balm

Really Cate? Lip Balm? Yes, LIP BALM. Airplanes are so ridiculously dry that half the time I leave the plane feeling like I have alligator lips. I’m not one of those people who is obsessed with lip balm (no judgement if you are). I have plenty of friends that carry lip balm everywhere like it’s going out of style. BUT, when I head to the airport, you better believe I have my lip balm tucked nicely into the front pocket of my backpack.

A Book

Alright, this isn’t anything novel (pun intended), but it is what I would consider an airplane essential. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve gotten onto a flight and the movie that I was dying to watch isn’t available because the screens aren’t working. Or, surprise, the internet that I was planning on using is nowhere to be found. Queue book. A good book can save you from hours of boredom. As someone who travels a lot, there are times when you need something to do other than nap or peruse the airplane magazine. Trust me, I love a good nap, but not for 4 hours (hello sleepless night my old friend).

Noise Cancelling Headphones

If you’ve been on an airplane in the past decade then you’ve probably seen some of these bad boys floating around. I recently had a woman sitting next to me ask if they are worth the money. My response? 1000%. Now, if you travel once a year for vacation then maybe don’t splurge on something like this. On the other hand, if you hop a plane at least 4 times a year I would be asking that cheeky fairy god mother for a set of these.

I personally use the Bose headphones, but I am confident you can find a cheaper pair that also works well. Most people have a slight misconception of what they’re getting, myself included. When my headphones arrived in the mail a few years ago I was pretty pumped. The headphones say Noise Cancelling so I shouldn’t be able to hear anything, right? Wrong. I put them on at my apartment and had a full blow conversation with my roommate. I thought I had received a defective pair, but I gave them a shot on my next flight anyway just to see what all the hype was about.

My expectations were pretty low when I slipped my headphones on during my next flight. What I realized? These headphones are meant for airplanes or noisy environments. I first noticed that I could barely hear the engine of the plane. Major bonus as my ears were thanking me because I didn’t have to crank the volume on my movie to 100% just to hear what Anne Hathaway was saying. Halfway through the flight, my neighbor tapped me on the shoulder. I turned and saw her lips moving but had no idea what she was saying. I slipped my headphones off and learned the flight attendant was trying to take my drink order. Basically, if you’re not trying to hear something while wearing these, you probably won’t. Selective hearing to the rescue.

Eye Drops

Honestly, eye drops are non-negotiable for me. Like most people, my eyes are already like the Sahara Desert due to my insane amount of screen time. Then you add in recycled cabin air and bam, full on civil war for your eye balls. One time, I looked in the mirror after a 3 hour flight and looked straight up stoned. Sick, just the look I was going for. Literally, any eye drops should do, but I go for the ones with lubricant cause I find they keep my eyes feeling fresh.

Face Mist

Have I mentioned recycled air? I know it’s kind of beating a dead horse, but I think it’s vital to carry some sort of face mist (yes even for the guys). Almost like clockwork, I will get a pesky little pimple the day after a flight. Prior to carrying face mist/spray with me on every trip, my skin would be begging me for help. Airplanes suck the moisture from everything which is why when you get off your flight you feel like a shriveled little raisin. I often mist my face right before I get on the plane, once or twice during, and right after I get off. Although this might not completely prevent breakouts, it does make a huge difference in how my skin feels. Remember to keep the bottle TSA compliant for a carry on!

Water Bottle

This goes hand in hand with the face mist. Drink, drink, drink. I see sooooooo many people consuming alcohol on a flight, which can be super fun, but there’s a reason that one drink can put you right to sleep. In order to stay hydrated during a flight, you need to drink more water during that time than you normally would. If my flight is longer than 2 hours, I make a goal of using the restroom at least once. I always carry a 32 oz bottle with me so that I can stay hydrated at all times.

Another reason to bring a reusable water bottle with you is to cut down on plastic water bottle use. If every person carried their own reusable bottle with them, collectively we would save so much plastic. People get plastic water bottles out of convenience. I get it. But this is one simple change that you can make that will help cut plastic water bottle use.

When I first started traveling every other week, I was so disheartened by the number of people who simply did not carry water with them. Plastic water bottles are EVERYWHERE. In airport convenience stores, on flights(cups), in hotel rooms, etc. The list goes on and on. Over the past 2 years, I have been able to turn down plastic use hundreds of times. Even on flights I will ask the flight attendant to fill up my bottle. Yes they still have to fill it up with a large plastic water bottle, but at least I know one less plastic cup is being used. One small change can make a difference and impact. The next time you book a flight, try to bring your water bottle with you and cut down on plastic use.

Healthy Snack

Travel can take a major toll on our bodies. When I’m jumping from flight to flight and am hungry, I tend to turn to whatever is quick and easy. Often, this means compromising my health and eating something that does not nurture my body. If I eat crappy while traveling, I feel crappy the following day. After months of non stop travel, I started packing a few protein bars, nut packs, and fruit in my bag so I wasn’t forced to buy a snack. Obviously there are times you get stuck in an airport during lunch/dinner time, but it’s often easier to find a healthy meal than a healthy snack.

Eye Mask

On work trips, I don’t bring this along. I like to travel as light as possible so I’m willing to make a cut to certain items. On the other hand, this is one of the first items I pack for personal trips. A good eye mask is incredibly valuable when the person next to you on an 8+ hour flight is desperate to read the next Nicholas Sparks novel. Sleep is absolutely crucial to enjoying your trip and overcoming jet lag, so I try to do everything possible to give myself that extra boost.

Ear Plugs

Similar to the eye mask, this is more of a personal trip preference. I dread the thought of not being able to sleep because the hotel is practically on the highway or the walls are paper thin. Personally, I don’t need these for the plane, but trying to wear ginormous headphones while your sleeping really doesn’t work out (trust me, I’ve tried it). I use a pair I got for free and they work perfectly fine.

Portable Charger

Last, but certainly not least, the Portable Charger. This is probably the most 21st century item on the list, particularly because we all have handful of devices that we are constantly using. Airports are notoriously hit or miss on good outlets to use and if your flight is full, you may have to venture pretty far from the gate to find a good plug in. I make it a habit to charge all my devices the night before, including my portable charger. That way, if I’m losing battery during my layover or the plane doesn’t have a seat outlet, I’m covered. Nothing is worse than getting to your final destination and not being able to call a lyft right away because you’ve got 2% battery life.

Key Takeaway

Having a well thought out travel bag packed with all the airplane essentials is crucial to a smooth travel day. The ability to navigate all the unexpected mishaps allows us as travelers to have a better experience and eliminate a lot of the unnecessary stress travel can sometimes entail. On your next flight, take a little extra time to review this list and ensure that you have everything you need to get painlessly to your next destination.