10 In-flight Travel Essentials, per a Flight Attendant

If there’s one group of people you can count on to have valuable travel tips and tricks, it’s flight attendants. Not only do they have to pack carry-on luggage for week-long trips smartly, but they’ve also mastered how to fly comfortably since the plane is basically their office. 

Flight attendant Karen Young has been in the business for more than 45 years and knows all the do’s and don’ts of flying — including in-flight travel essentials you’re most likely forgetting and what not to wear on the plane. We spoke with Young to learn all of the products you should be packing to ensure you have a comfortable flight no matter how long you’re in the air. Everything is available at Amazon’s travel hub, with two-day shipping for Prime members. 

Don’t: Forget to Hydrate Your Face

Instead: Pack a Face Mist

Your skincare can easily be forgotten while you’re in the air, but the air gets really dry and your skin quickly loses moisture, according to Young. One of her favorite skincare products to travel with for a quick refresh is Evian’s face mist. It has a fragrance-free formula that’s pH balanced and provides a boost of hydration.

“I love that you just spritz it on,” she told Travel + Leisure. “It feels fabulous and wakes you up after a flight.”

Don’t: Let Your Eyes Dry Out During Long Flights

Instead: Pack Eye Drops

Young also points out that your eyes get impacted by dry cabin air, which can make for a miserable flight if you don’t have eye drops. Her favorite is Refresh Tears, which come in a TSA-approved bottle you can pop in your personal item to keep nearby when you need to give your eyes some TLC. When she works 14 hour flights, she finds it useful to put some drops in before taking a nap, then top them off when she wakes up to keep her eyes lubricated.

Don’t: Ask for a Blanket Mid-flight

Instead: Pack a Travel Blanket 

Planes are naturally drafty due to their design, and airlines keep the planes on the cooler side to keep the air fresher to prevent passengers from getting air sick, as per Young. You can’t always count on the airline to have a blanket, which is where this two-in-one travel blanket comes in handy. It can fold up into a plush pillow and has a built-in sleeve so you can  attach it to your carry-on. When you get cold, just unfold the blanket and you’ve got instant warmth.

Don’t: Wear a Bulky Sweatshirt

Instead: Pack a Zip-up Fleece Jacket

You won’t catch Young on a plane without layers. Her jacket of choice? A soft fleece that’ll insulate heat but doesn’t resemble a tracksuit. Columbia’s fleece jacket has a zip-up design that’ll let you quickly unzip when you’re hot, and has two side pockets you can store your phone and wallet in. 

Don’t: Wear Shoes With Laces

Instead: Wear Slip-on Shoes

Comfortable shoes are a no-brainer for flights, but Young suggests wearing slip-on styles that you can easily take off. She points out that your feet may swell during a flight, and it can be difficult to put lace-on styles back on once you’ve landed.

“Sometimes, I’ve had people take their shoes off and they can’t get them back on for landing on long flights,” she said.

These Skechers sneakers are a best-seller for women’s walking shoes and feature a flexible sole that’ll bend with your foot as well as mesh material that’ll stretch and form to your foot for a cozy feel.

Don’t: Use Scented Lotions

Instead: Bring a Fragrance-free Hand Cream

Heavy scents won’t go unnoticed on a plane. Since it’s a smaller, contained space, fragrances can make scent-sensitive people nauseous, which Young has seen often and I’ve personally experienced. Being up in the air though, sucks the moisture from your skin including your hands, which is where a scent-free hand cream comes in handy. La Roche Posay’s moisturizer is made with nourishing ingredients like shea butter, niacinamide, and glycerin to lock in hydration for hours.

Don’t: Risk Losing Wireless Earbuds 

Instead: Pack Over-ear Headphones 

Sony’s over-ear headphones come with a sleek design that can fold into your backpack and won’t fall out of your ear. Plus, its noise-sensor technology will help block out background chatter and engulf you in your music, podcast, or audio book. Over-ear headphones are also harder to lose between the cracks of seats, according to Young who has discovered missing ones after flights.

Don’t: Rely on Just a Sleep Mask 

Instead: Use Reusable Ear Plugs, Too

For anyone who needs silence to fall asleep, Young recommends packing a pair of ear plugs to muffle any distracting noises. I’ve tested these reusable ear plugs and love their noise-cancelling feature, and how easily they fit inside the ear — no smushing and twisting like disposable options. 

Don’t: Just Close the Window Shade

Instead: Pack a Sleep Mask

Sleeping on a plane comes with its challenges, including unwanted light. Whether it’s the sunlight streaming through another passenger’s window, or your neighbor using an overhead light, having a sleep mask will give you complete darkness. Plus, this style comes with cozy memory foam that gently pads your eyes.

Don’t: Wear Sweatpants

Instead: Wear Leggings

Young prefers a classic pair of black leggings instead of sweatpants for its versatility and wrinkle-free qualities. This high-waisted pair can easily be worn with an oversized sweater for a more elevated look, or you can pair it with a casual hoodie. You can also choose between full-length or capri style depending on how much coverage you want.

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