12 Items to Stop Bringing on Flights in 2026

After nearly 12 years as a flight attendant, I feel like I’ve seen just about everything. Unruly passengers barely register anymore, but truly efficient travelers always do. They board calmly and prepared, slide seamlessly into their seats, and settle in without breaking a sweat.

From the front of the plane, it’s easy to spot where trips go sideways: overstuffed vintage luggage, items better suited for a bedroom than seat 12B, and habits that quietly add stress before the plane even leaves the gate. The good news? Most of it is fixable. Ahead are 12 items to never bring on a flight, along with smart swaps that will make your next trip smoother, easier, and far more relaxing.

Flight Attendant-approved Travel Essentials

Skip: Home bedding

Bring: A lightweight travel blanket

Look, I get it—you sleep better with your favorite blanket. But it’s bulky, smells a little, and takes up way more space than it should. It’s definitely not your seatmate’s favorite blanket, yet somehow they still end up half-smothered by the quilt your Nana made for your high school graduation. Do yourself (and everyone in your row) a favor and swap it for a blanket made specifically for travel, like this one from Litume. It’s lightweight, cozy, and surprisingly warm, making in-flight naps easy without the sprawl. Best of all, it packs down into a carrying case barely bigger than your phone. And if you accidentally leave it on the plane? No awkward conversation with Nana about why her masterpiece is now living in Lost and Found.

Skip: Hand-me-down luggage

Bring: An upgraded luggage set 

It’s very sweet that your parents passed down the luggage they received as a wedding gift, but let’s save that set for road trips. Luggage technology has come a long way, and modern upgrades are worth embracing. Collapsible handles, smooth-rolling wheels, and lightweight materials make navigating airports infinitely easier—and they’re no longer optional. A modern set like this one from Melalenia is a great starter kit, with four wheeled suitcase sizes plus three personal-size pieces for valuables and essentials. Add in the on-trend colors and sleek styling, and you’ll travel more efficiently and look the part doing it.

Skip: Medication bottles

Bring: A compact pill organizer

There’s no reason to travel with bulky prescription or supplement bottles. Five minutes of sorting your meds into an efficient pill organizer saves space for far more important things (like an extra pair of shoes). And honestly, who enjoys digging through mostly empty bottles just to find one tiny pill? A compact organizing system keeps everything accessible, streamlined, and stress-free—exactly how travel should feel.

Skip: Pillows from your bed

Bring: A travel neck pillow

Please leave your full-size pillow at home. And if you truly can’t sleep without it, use a compression packing cube and put it in your checked luggage. If you want to nap comfortably in the air, swap it for a neck pillow specifically designed for travel, like this one from Buyue. Its unique 360-degree support keeps your head in place and prevents the dreaded mouth-breathing sleep. It also includes a few bonus napping essentials, like an eye mask, earplugs, and a compact bag to keep everything neatly packed.

Skip: A selfie stick

Bring: A compact tripod

Selfie sticks had their moment, but we’ve all moved on. A compact tripod like this one from Omoton solves multiple problems at once. Savvy travelers use it to enjoy in-flight entertainment on their personal devices without juggling a phone the entire flight. And since social media requires proof that you actually went on vacation, it’s also perfect for hands-free photos, videos, and travel vlogs once you land.

Skip: Multiple charging cords

Bring: A single multi-charging cable

Who wants to sit tangled in a mess of cords while squeezed into a coach seat? I’m not saying you need to leave every cable at home—just don’t keep them all within arm’s reach. Store the extras in your larger carry-on or checked bag. Instead, keep one multi-device charging cable in your smaller personal item. This Top-up option replaces four separate cords with a single, streamlined solution. One outlet, everything charging at once? Honestly, that’s the dream.

Skip: A full-sized toothbrush

Bring: A mini disposable toothbrush

This recommendation is very specific: please pack your regular toothbrush in your luggage. If you want a quick refresh after an in-flight snooze, reach instead for disposable toothbrushes with toothpaste, like these from Crest Scope. They eliminate the risk of dropping your toothbrush on the bathroom floor—or watching it tumble out of your bag at the worst possible moment. Compact, mess-free, and surprisingly refreshing, these disposable brushes are too convenient to skip.

Skip: Bulky phone cases

Bring: An adjustable phone lanyard

I’d probably add a full year to my life if I got back all the time spent helping passengers search for their phones. So why not keep yours exactly where you can see it? A phone lanyard like this one from Surphy is as practical as it is stylish. Bulky phone cases with wallets, finger holds, and kickstands seem helpful—until they don’t fit in a pocket and you’re left wondering if your phone is even still on you. This adjustable lanyard keeps your phone secure, hands-free, and within reach, and it even has a spot for your sunglasses. One less thing to lose, one less thing to stress about.

Skip: Full-sized razors

Bring: A travel razor kit

It’s embarrassing how many nice razors I’ve accidentally left behind in hotel bathrooms. I’ve officially switched to these travel razors from Gillette because they solve that problem completely. Gillette’s Venus razors are especially kind to women’s curves, which is why I love using them at home, and the travel version is the perfect carry-on companion. It uses the same refill blades as my full-size Venus, so there’s no need to juggle two systems. And while this swap might not look like it saves much space, it always does. Somehow, it reliably turns into room for one more product you swear you can’t live without.

Skip: A tangled bag of cords

Bring: A compact cord organizer 

I love a multi-charger when I’m seated and ready for takeoff, but once I reach my destination, I want each device on its own setup. Since switching to this cable organizer from Travelkin, the days of opening a jack-in-the-box of cords and charging blocks are officially over. With straps, zippers, and thoughtfully sized pockets, everything has a designated place. The cube-shaped design fits right in with the rest of my packing cubes, which means no digging, no tangles, and no wasted time hunting for the one cable you actually need.

Skip: Chaotic heaps of clothing

Bring: Compression packing cubes

Packing cubes have long been a favorite of savvy travelers, and these in particular are some of my go-tos. Compression zippers are essential, especially when you’re transitioning from sweatshirt weather to sleeveless tops and still need everything to fit. I truly can’t imagine my delicates touching shoes or dirty laundry, and these washable cubes make separation effortless. Everything stays organized, contained, and smelling fresh, which somehow makes unpacking (and repacking) far less painful.

Skip: Hotel laundry services

Bring: Portable laundry soap

Stains happen, but surprise trips to the laundromat don’t have to. Most of the time, you only need to wash one or two items while traveling. These compact detergent packs from SinkSuds are TSA-friendly, spill-proof, and take up almost no space in your bag. A quick sink wash saves your time, your money, and your sanity—because your vacation memories should not include the community washer and dryer.

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