15 Travel Essentials That Make Flying More Comfortable

I’ve centered my entire adult life around travel, even making a career out of it. Whether I’m traveling for work or just going on an adventure for the fun of it, I find myself on a plane more often than not. Something I’ve learned from traveling often is that, although flying will always have an impact on your body, there are plenty of things you can do to make it much more comfortable—and even fun. 

Enjoying air travel really comes down to having a solid plane routine. I’ve perfected mine by suffering through a lot of mishaps. Now that I have more experience and know which items I need to pack for in-flight comfort, most of my plane trips are all smooth (air) sailing. I used this routine on the 42 flights that I boarded in 2025 to numerous destinations in the U.S., Latin America, Europe, and the Caribbean. These 15 items helped make each of these flights enjoyable, and I’d recommend them for any traveler.

My Must-have In-flight Travel Essentials

Travelpro Maxlite Air V2 21-inch Hardside Carry-on

A good flight experience starts with a reliable carry-on. I’ve had too many cheap carry-ons with stuck handles and wheels that break easily to know that you should always invest in a high-quality suitcase. I’m a huge fan of Travelpro’s durable and spacious suitcases, and actually own multiple ones in different sizes. The 21-inch carry-on option is great for trips where you want to pack as much as possible without checking a bag (I’ve done several two-month trips with mine).

For trips when I want to travel light, I use the 18-inch carry-on, which can still hold a surprising amount of stuff. This summer, I used it for a multi-destination trip to mountainous Wyoming and beachy Baja California Sur, Mexico. Despite needing very different outfits for each leg of the trip, I still had enough space left over to bring home gifts and souvenirs.

Trtl Travel Neck Pillow

The final piece of the sleep trifecta that helps me sleep well on planes is the Trtl travel pillow. This isn’t your traditional half-donut-shaped pillow that’s bulky and uncomfortable to carry. Rather, this unique item is designed to shape to your neck and reduce head bobbing. It did take me some time to get used to it, and I usually have to change the pillow from one side to the other to avoid neck pain. It’s not perfect, but it is the best one I’ve tried, especially since it’s so light that it usually fits in my personal item. I also like that it comes with a fabric pouch that keeps it clean and that can be clipped to a backpack. After using it on almost every flight this year, I can see why it’s a flight attendant-approved travel item. 

Hetp Mini Portable Charger

Absolutely everyone in this modern world should carry a portable charger at all times. This is especially true for travelers. You don’t want to get off a plane and realize that you need to stop at a charging station to get your reservations or look up transit routes. Phones are also one of the main ways we keep ourselves entertained while flying, so I like being able to charge mine whenever and wherever. I prefer this mini charger to its competitors because it’s tiny and barely weighs anything. Even when I’m not traveling, this is an item I always keep in my purse or bag.

Itoda Foldable Travel Slippers

I’m a huge proponent of taking off your shoes on long flights. I don’t care if it’s controversial, I’m not doing any flight over six hours with shoes on. That said, being barefoot on a plane is gross. That’s why I always pack my trusty travel slippers that fold into themselves and come with a pouch. They allow me to keep my feet warm and cozy without ever having to touch the plane carpet. It should go without saying that you should only use slippers when you’re sitting down—never go into the plane bathroom without your real shoes.

4Monster Adjustable Fanny Pack

No one wants to fumble through a backpack or purse looking for their wallet, phone, or passport, especially when there’s a line of tired travelers behind you. To avoid this, I put all my most important travel essentials in this adjustable fanny pack. I do this even if I end up placing the fanny pack inside my personal item during boarding, as it still helps me keep valuables handy. It also gives me peace of mind to know that I can quickly grab it in case of an emergency where I have to leave my bags behind.

Miikare Portable Hands-free Phone Mount

Although screens were once the norm on most planes, they’ve become increasingly rare. Many airlines now expect us to hold our phones up for hours if we want to stream anything. The best solution that I’ve found is to get a portable phone holder. Because you’re not allowed to use it during takeoff or landing, I wait until the plane has stabilized to hang it from the back of the seat and then sit back and enjoy my movie. While you won’t need this item on every flight, it’s a handy gadget to have around, as it can double as a stabilizer for pictures and videos. It doesn’t surprise me that it has thousands of perfect ratings at Amazon and that over 9,000 people have purchased it this month alone.

Adidas Grand Court 2.0 Tennis Shoe

Comfortable shoes are important for every step of air travel, which is why Adidas Grand Court sneakers are my go-to travel shoe. I’ve walked for hours in them without getting tired, so I know that they’ll get me through airport security. Once I’m boarded, I keep them on for short flights and never feel uncomfortable. On long flights, I can easily slip them off to get into my travel slippers, and then just as quickly put them back on whenever I need to stretch or go to the bathroom. They’re also versatile, which makes them perfect for work trips when I need to get off the plane looking presentable, or for leisure trips when I want to be cute but comfy.

Amazon Kindle

I resisted buying a Kindle until last year. Yes, I was very late to the game. Blame it on my romanticism and love for paper books. Although I still read physical books when I’m home, I now rely on my Amazon Kindle when I travel. This six-inch model is ideal for planes, as it barely takes up space and has an impressive battery life. (I think I’ve only charged it twice in an entire year). Being able to switch between literature and non-fiction when I want a bit of variety in my reading material has made airplane rides much more bearable.

Lee Ultra Lux Comfort Trouser Pant

The U.S. Department of Transportation recently caused an uproar after asking people to stop wearing sweatpants and pajamas while flying. Clearly, this request is absurd, and travelers will keep sporting fashionable matching sets on planes. While I fully support this choice, I’m not one of those travelers. I normally only wear sweats on hikes, and they’re not always an appropriate option for work trips. On most flights, I travel with these stretchy Nine West pants. They’re so comfortable that I’m glad I wore them on a two-flight, 14-hour trip from Miami to Vienna in October. Because they can be dressed up or down and worn in different climates, I bring them with me on almost every trip. Since my favorite pair is no longer available, I recommend this ultra-comfy, best-selling pair from Lee, with nearly 17,000 perfect ratings at Amazon.

Soundcore by Anker Q20i Noise-canceling Headphones

For years, I made the mistake of thinking that regular headphones were good enough for flights. I was so wrong. I finally invested in these Anker noise-canceling headphones after dealing with too many uncomfortable airline earphones, and they’ve completely transformed my in-flight experience. Whether I’m watching movies or just want to drown out engine noises while I’m reading or sleeping, this item lets me disconnect and rest.

TakeToday Collapsible Water Bottle

Airplanes have very low humidity, which is why we always feel dehydrated while on a plane. That constant feeling of thirst is a surefire way to have a terrible flight. My strategy is to bring a foldable water bottle and fill it up after going through security. Sure, most decent carriers will give you at least one free drink, but I don’t want to run the risk of being thirsty and having to wait for the drink service. This bottle keeps me hydrated and happy during every flight. As a bonus, it’s great for reducing the amount of plastic water bottles that I use once I’m in a destination. 

Lulusilk Mulberry Silk Sleep Eye Mask

I’m blessed to be the kind of person who can sleep anywhere. Plane, bus, nightclub; no place is too bright or too noisy to get between me and my sweet dreams. This is why I made the mistake of thinking that I didn’t need a sleep mask while flying. Although I can’t remember what finally convinced me to try it out, I’m very thankful that I did. Blocking light helps me sleep even more deeply on planes. So much so that I often knock out completely for hours and wake up just for dinner service. This sleek sleep mask is small enough to be packed anywhere and, because it’s made with 100 percent mulberry silk, it’s smooth and comfortable.

Project Reef SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Stick

By now, most of us know the importance of wearing facial sunscreen to prevent skin problems and premature aging. Even so, many people forget the importance of reapplying sunscreen on long-haul flights, especially if you’re sitting by the window. I have very sensitive skin, so I can easily get sunburned or have a rosacea flare-up if I don’t take care of my skin while flying. The Project Reef sunscreen stick comes with me everywhere: flights, hikes, dives, or errands. It’s ideal for reapplying because it’s small and lightweight. Even better, it has a high SPF, and it’s reef-safe, which means it has fewer chemicals and doesn’t have a strong smell.

Timesavvy No-drip Sheet Mask 5-pack

Yes, I am that person who wears sheet masks on planes, and I’m not sorry about it. Sheet masks are my secret to getting off planes looking decent and refreshed. They’re particularly useful for work trips in which I’m expected to be ready to go as soon as I land. In everyday life, Mediheal has been my go-to brand ever since I lived in South Korea eight years ago. However, they (like most sheet masks) drip too much and are inconvenient to use on planes. Timesavvy is the only brand I’ve found that doesn’t drip at all. Though these triple-layer masks are a bit more expensive than others, they’re worth it for plane trips. They leave my skin smooth and moisturized without making a mess. 

Nobs Toothpaste Tablets

Oral hygiene is non-negotiable for me on overnight flights. I simply can’t settle down for the night and go to sleep if my mouth isn’t clean. I switched to toothpaste tablets after a tube exploded in my bag, leaving everything gooey, sticky, and smelling like fake peppermint. Never again. Nobs is costly compared to other toothpastes, so I mostly use it on trips. Since the container can be too bulky to carry in a personal item, I bought a smaller glass tube that I can pack in my long-flight mini toiletry bag. 

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