My Carry-On Non-Negotiables: What I Always Pack for Every Flight
These are probably the single best investment I’ve made for travel. They drown out engine noise, crying babies, and chatty neighbors, making flights so much more relaxing. I use them for movies, music, and sometimes just for a little peace and quiet.
This little charger has saved me more times than I can count. It snaps onto my phone, keeps it charging without cords dangling everywhere, and the built-in kickstand makes it perfect for watching movies during a flight.
I’ve tried just about every travel pillow out there, and this is the one I keep coming back to. It’s lightweight, doesn’t take up much space, and actually supports my neck so I can get some sleep.
This might be my most underrated travel essential. I keep a lightweight foldable tote inside my backpack, and as soon as I board, I move everything I’ll want during the flight into it, like my headphones, charger, snacks, lip balm, etc. Then my backpack goes in the overhead bin while the tote stays under the seat. It makes the entire flight so much more comfortable and keeps me from digging through my backpack every five minutes.
Instead of carrying multiple bottles, I keep all of our essentials in one compact pill organizer. It’s organized, easy to find, and takes up almost no room in my backpack. If you are a little bit extra like me, be sure to pick up a label maker too!
Staying hydrated while flying makes such a difference. I bring an empty reusable water bottle through security and fill it up before boarding so I always have water nearby.
The first thing I do after sitting down is wipe down my tray table, armrests, seatbelt buckle, and such. It’s a quick habit that makes me feel much better about settling in for the flight. Believe it or not, we’ve yet to get sick since we started doing this each flight.
Even if I don’t think I’ll need it, I always pack it. Between turbulence, boats, winding mountain roads, and tiny commuter planes, it’s one of those “better safe than sorry” items.
My Final Boarding Checklist
Mom of two and seeking sanity in the everyday. Let’s chat about family, school struggles, travel, and living our best life. Located in the San Francisco Bay area.
