Flight Travel Essentials

Travelling can be rough on the mind and body.  It can really suck to find yourself ready for takeoff and you’re not prepared for the noise, the temperature change, or the lack of personal space. I decided to list a few essentials and creature comforts that might make your flight experience easier. Before you board your next flight, check out my list of flight essentials.

Compression Socks

Compression socks are designed to promote better blood circulation in the legs. The lack of movement while flying can cause blood pooling in the legs that can lead to swelling, discomfort, skin changes, damage to veins, and blood clots. If you’re on a long flight (5 hours or more) you may want to consider wearing compression socks to aid in blood circulation.

Headphones

The plane engine naturally makes a low-level hum that is pretty persistent throughout the flight, which some people can find quite annoying.  However, there are other annoyances as well. People have conversations which are typically loud due to wanting to talk over the engine noise.  There’s also the possibility of kids crying or playing with toys. Noise-cancelling headphones are great if you are wanting to snooze, but they are also great for entertainment purposes.

Blanket or Comfy Hoodie

The plane can get a little nippy. Having a blanket or comfy hoodie makes things bearable. There are foldable blanket options online.  Having another item to keep track of may not be for you. If that’s the case, a comfy hoodie will suffice. Here is an awesome and affordable blanket option.

Travel Pillow

Although they can look quite silly, travel pillows were created for a reason.  I rarely travel without mine.  Whether you’re road tripping, train hopping, or flying, a travel pillow can save the day (and your neck). There are lots of options and colors available so you can find the right fit for you.

Cellphone Stand or Tripod

Airlines are becoming more tech/device friendly with their seat setups. Most flights have cubbies at eye level for placing your device. However, that doesn’t mean the setup they have will work for you.  Bring along a stand or mini tripod (preferably inexpensive) to hold your device(s) and you won’t risk fumbling around trying to set your device up so that you can zone out on a movie or podcast. Here is an awesome and affordable cellphone stand option.

Eye Mask

Taking a snooze during a flight can be a life saver, especially on long flights.  The cabin lights typically stay off during the flight.  This might not be enough for those who are light sleepers.  If you’re someone who needs it to be pitch dark in order to drift off to sleep, an eye mask is something you should consider bringing.  An eye mask can also be helpful in the airport gate while waiting for your flight.

Reusable Water Bottle

Sometimes that snack cart just can’t come quick enough, and if you’re on a short flight it may not come at all.  Save yourself the agony of waiting until you land to quench your thirst. Pack your own water bottle. Make sure it’s empty prior to going through security. Then once through you can fill it up and one of the water stations in the airport. Here is an awesome and affordable reusable water bottle option.

Motion Sickness Medicine

Somewhere in my young adulthood I found out that I suffer from motion sickness.  I lost my lunch after a rocky boat ride in my 20’s and ever since my stomach gets unsettled easily.  If you’re anything like me, you might want to include Dramamine in your carry-on luggage or personal item. Take it as directed, and you should be fine.

Gum

Gum is a big life saver when flying.  The action of chewing gum helps with ears popping or the feeling of pressure in your head during takeoff.  Of course, be considerate when chewing.  Don’t be that person who is popping and smacking your gum. It’s annoying, trust me.

Cough Drops

Something weird happens with the cabin air on flights, or at least I think it does.  It might be a good idea to have a cough drop or two handy. On a recent flight, a guy in the seat next to me really needed a cough drop or sip of water. The flight attendants were not bringing the cart down the aisle quick enough. I felt bad for the guy. No one wants to be “that person” loudly coughing in a packed airplane while getting the side-eye from fellow passengers. Throw a few cough drops in your pocket before you board and you’ll be prepared for a dry or itchy throat.

Entertainment

If you plan to use your phone or a tablet to watch movies, listen to a podcast, listen to music, or read while flying you should consider downloading your entertainment to your device prior to boarding. This simplifies the process, and you don’t have to worry about wi-fi or losing your connection.

This list was created to aid in making your next plane ride as easy and pain free as possible. If I left off any must have plane essentials from the list, let me know in the comments!