15 Comfy Travel Essentials My Mom Brings on Flights

After more than 30 years of traveling, my mom, Randi Marder, has quietly mastered the art of flying comfortably. She’s taught me that the difference between a stressful travel day and a smooth one often comes down to choosing the right travel essentials before you ever board the plane. “Setting the tone for easy travel starts with prepping for a comfortable flight,” she told me—advice she’s followed for decades. From what she wears to what she keeps within reach, every item in her carry-on earns its place.

Randi’s approach isn’t about packing more—it’s about packing smarter. “No matter the destination, how I feel when I arrive impacts the success of the first few days,” she explained. That mindset is why she swears by an Amazon Kindle Paperwhite for in-flight entertainment, polished-but-comfy Spanx pants she can rewear all trip long, and lightweight New Balance sneakers she can walk in all day once she lands. Ahead, I’m sharing the exact flight-day upgrades I learned from her—the small swaps that make any flight feel noticeably more comfortable. Plus, they start at just $10. 

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

My mom’s all-time favorite travel essential is her Kindle Paperwhite, and reading is a habit I proudly inherited from her. “Download a good book before your flight,” she always says. “I just finished Theo of Golden and highly recommend it.” When she used to travel with physical books, she’d pack three or four at a time, sometimes in a separate bag, because she reads so quickly. The Kindle solved that instantly. It’s lightweight, holds thousands of books, and the glare-free screen means you can read without turning on the overhead light (your seatmate will thank you). 

Bwogeeya Open-front Cardigan

A classic cardigan is one of my mom’s smartest packing tricks. “My typical travel outfit is a white T-shirt, black pull-on pants, and a soft cardigan,” she says. The open-front style makes it easy to put on and take off in fluctuating cabin temperatures, and it layers seamlessly over almost anything. Beyond the plane, it’s perfect for chilly dinners, over-air-conditioned hotels, or unexpected cool weather.  

Apple AirTag 1st Generation 4-pack

My mom is big on peace of mind while traveling, and Apple AirTags are one of her simplest but smartest tricks. “I like knowing where my things are without having to think about it,” she explained. Slipped into a carry-on, personal bag, or even a checked suitcase, they let you track your belongings straight from your phone. That extra reassurance makes the entire flight feel less stressful—especially during tight connections or busy travel days, which, according to my mom, is half the battle.

Ryyoyy Cashmere-blend Wrap

“A soft cashmere wrap is one of the most versatile things you can pack,” my mom swears. On the plane, she uses the Ryyoyy Cashmere-blend Wrap as a blanket or folds it into a pillow. Once she arrives, it becomes a chic wrap or scarf that instantly elevates an outfit. The quality is shockingly good for the price, and with 36 colors to choose from, it’s the kind of piece you’ll want in more than one shade. It looks luxe, feels cozy, and earns its spot in your carry-on every single time.

Fyy Travel Cable Organizer 

My mom swears by staying organized on travel days, and this slim cable case is one of her easiest upgrades. “I don’t want to dig through tangled chargers when my phone is about to die,” she reminded me. The Fyy Travel Cable Organizer keeps cords, earbuds, and adapters neatly in one place, so everything is easily accessible at the gate or in your seat. It’s lightweight, takes up almost no space, and makes your carry-on feel instantly more intentional.

FlyHugz Neck Pillow

This is one of those travel essentials my mom loved so much she bought me one, too—and now neither of us travels without it. The adjustable design lets you position the support exactly how you like, while the memory foam keeps your neck comfortably in place. It’s compact, fits into its own carrying bag, and is an Amazon’s Choice pick for a reason. If you’re taking a red-eye, this pillow makes falling asleep feel effortless instead of impossible.

Spanxsupersmooth PerfectFit Ponte Wide-leg Pants

“When I travel, I wear comfortable, layered clothing that I can rewear throughout the trip,” my mom told me—and these Spanx pants are her non-negotiable. She loves that they’re soft and stretchy enough for long flights but polished enough to wear straight to dinner. “They have the perfect balance of comfort and style,” she says. She’ll wear them on the plane with a sweater, then swap in a blouse or cardigan once she lands. They’re the kind of pants you build an entire trip around because they work for nearly every situation.

Bombas Solid Ankle Socks

My mom always wears comfortable socks on a flight, and the Bombas Solid Ankle Socks are her go-to. They offer subtle arch support, cushioned comfort, and a blister tab at the heel to prevent rubbing—small details that make a big difference on long travel days. They’re simple, durable, and great for everyday wear, whether you’re on a plane, walking through the airport, or logging steps on your trip.

New Balance Women’s 237 V1 Sneakers

Comfortable shoes are non-negotiable for travel, and New Balance is a brand my mom trusts. These sneakers strike the perfect balance between support and style, making them ideal for airport days and long sightseeing walks alike. They’re lightweight, breathable, and easy to pack, and they pair effortlessly with jeans, leggings, trousers—pretty much anything in your suitcase. They’re the kind of sneakers you can wear all day without feeling weighed down.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds

“You can’t forget noise-canceling headphones,” my mom reminded me—and she’s right. The Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds are the gold standard for travel, with excellent sound quality and seamless connection to your phone. The active noise cancellation is especially clutch on flights, whether you’re blocking out engine noise, chatty seatmates, or a crying baby nearby. Put them in, press play, and instantly relax—it’s one of the fastest ways to make any flight feel calmer and more comfortable.

Travelon Anti-theft Heritage Crossbody Bag

One of my mom’s golden rules of travel is keeping essentials close and hands-free, especially when flying. “I like knowing exactly where my passport, phone, and wallet are at all times,” she says. This anti-theft crossbody does exactly that, with locking zippers and slash-resistant straps that give you peace of mind from security to boarding. Because it sits comfortably across your body, it keeps everything within reach during the flight, so you’re not constantly digging through your carry-on under the seat.  

Owala FreeSip Insulated Water Bottle

Staying hydrated midflight is one of my mom’s simplest comfort hacks—and this Owala FreeSip Bottle makes it effortless. “I always bring my own water bottle,” she says. “Planes are dehydrating, and the last thing you want is to rely on tiny plastic cups.” The insulated design keeps water icy cold for hours, and the FreeSip lid lets you take a sip without unscrewing a cap, which is perfect in tight seats. It’s lightweight, fits in most airline seat pockets, and saves space because you don’t need to buy multiple bottles throughout the day. 

Iniu Portable Charger

“Never take off without a backup battery,” my mom always tells me—and she’s never wrong. Between e-readers, phones, earbuds, and digital boarding passes, your devices are doing work on travel days, and the last thing you want is to be hunting for an outlet in a crowded gate area. The Iniu Portable Charger delivers dependable power in a compact package, so you can top up after security, at the gate, or even in your seat without adding bulk to your carry-on.

Laniege Lip Mask

One of my mom’s underrated flight comfort rules is keeping lips hydrated, especially on long-haul or overnight flights. “Plane air completely dries me out,” she shared, “and this is the one thing I always reach for.” A small swipe before takeoff—or right before trying to sleep—makes a noticeable difference, and the compact jar takes up barely any space in a carry-on.

Madewell Perfect Crewneck Tee

My mom treats a good basic like a travel MVP, and this Madewell crewneck is the kind of tee she always reaches for. “I want pieces that feel good on the plane and still look pulled together when I land,” she’s shared with me more than once. This crewneck is soft without being sloppy, breathable without feeling flimsy, and easy to layer under a cardigan or wrap. Because it’s so versatile, it makes packing lighter actually work—you don’t need a bunch of tees when one can do so many jobs from flight day to sightseeing.

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