Carry On Essentials for the Plane

Do you like packing? The Type A person in me really enjoys making a packing list, folding everything up neatly, and feeling organized. Plus it gets me all excited knowing my trip is coming up SOON.

But packing is also a little anxiety inducing. I tend to run those "what if" scenarios that lead to overpacking. What if we go someplace nice for dinner? What if it gets cold at night? What if I need a pair of sneakers to hike around? Thankfully, traveling so often has turned me into a pro at packing. Where I once would check oversized bags for weekend getaways, I can say I've survived a month out of a mini carry on and a purse. I've outlined my essential, universal carry on clothing list HERE, but wanted to take some time to point out something often overlooked.

Most attention is focused on what to bring for the trip, but not so much on what you bring with you for the plane. Sure, we think of bringing our passport and wallet and headphones, but packing along some small must-haves can go a long way in keeping you comfortable during a flight. You're spending hours on board a cramped aircraft, zipping through time zones at 37,000 feet and ending up in a foreign country. Might as well make it as enjoyable as possible, since I’m assuming none of us are flying first class. I present to you...

1.) Ear Plugs

Getting some snooze time in during your flight goes a long way in making the day bearable once you arrive at your destination. Planes are noisy - from the flight attendants doing their jobs to people getting up all the time. While many think their headphones will do the trick and help them drown out the noise, I find it annoying when the cords get tangled or the earbuds fall out every time I shift around. Plus, with the rate in which I lose my headphones, I don't have a nice set of noise cancelling ones. Pick up a set or two of inexpensive, squishy ear plugs to get some peace and quiet during your flight. Bonus - if you end up in a hotel with thin walls and noisy neighbors, these will help you sleep soundly then, too.

2.) Lotion

The dry environment of an airplane will zap your skin of any moisture it has. No one wants to spend the flight feeling dry and itchy. Pack along a travel sized bottle of lotion to soothe your skin mid-air. You'll feel more comfortable and wonder why you've skipped out on packing this essential along in the past. Just be a good flying neighbor and pack a mildly scented variety - no one wants to smell your mango bubbalicious lotion in such cramped quarters.

3.) Antibacterial Wipes

Airplanes are like petri dishes. Imagine who may have been sitting in that seat before you - for all you know, a small child could have wiped their boogies up and down your seat. Really want to eat your in-flight meal on that seatback tray? Keep the nastiness at bay and store a travel pouch of wipes (baby wipes work too) in your carry on. Give your seat and tray a good wipe down once you get situated. You'll feel better, I promise. Bonus - keep these with you while you’re traveling to combat any grimy situation you encounter.

4.) Midol – YOU TOO DUDES!

Expert travelers will pack a painkiller of some sort to prevent headaches. But I like to glow up my ibuprofen with this lady-approved medication. A dose contains the caffeine equivalent of a cup of coffee, which keeps me feeling refreshed and energized once I land. It also wards off the jet lag-induced headaches I seem to get whenever I fly a red-eye. I'll pop a dose when we make our descent and arrive ready to hit the ground running. Need another reason why this should be an essential? Most in-flight meals are packed with salt to help preserve flavor while onboard. This can lead to uncomfortable bloating. Midol also reduces water retention, making you feel less sluggish.

5.) Lip Balm

Remember those airplane desert-like conditions I described in #2? Well, that dryness extends to your lips. Prevent flakes by tucking some Chapstick or lip balm in your carry on. My go-to is the Beautycounter lip conditioner - it's super effective and is free of any harsh chemicals or products that dry out your skin even more. It's pricey but my jar has lasted me over a year and is still going - plus it smells like a mimosa (not sponsored or affiliated).

6.) Provisions

Most long haul flights provide an in-flight meal service, which leaves many thinking they'll be full during the flight. But when you're short on sleep (typical with flying), you feel hungrier since your body is looking for energy to keep it going. Surprisingly, snack services aren't always available when in-flight meals are being served, plus it's overpriced. Do yourself a favor and pack some granola bars or other packable snack to satisfy those midnight munchies. If you tend to get extra hangry, know that you can pack substantial food (like a sandwich or Lunchable) - just abide by the carry on liquids rule. Also make sure you have a water bottle with you - the dry plane will make you extra thirsty. Don't skip on your fluids to avoid getting up to use the bathroom during the flight, either. Staying hydrated is key and it will do your body good to get up and walk around during the flight.

7.) Books

You can usually bank on some form of in-flight entertainment on long-haul flights. If not, most people prepare by having a movie or music downloaded and ready to go on their phone or tablet during the flight. But - things happen. I've been on multiple flights where the in-flight entertainment doesn't work or the screen is broken. I've also had my phone die mid-flight with no charging port around. It makes for a very, very, very (VERY) boring flight. Be prepared and have some non-electronic form of entertainment, just in case. Plus, reading is always a good idea (I might be a bookworm....)

8.) Scarf

My rule of thumb for dressing while flying is to stick with layers. I'm usually flying from a cold climate to something warmer, so I like being able to add or remove layers as needed to stay comfortable. With that being said, I find some flights freezing. Planes can be stuffy, but that doesn't mean they're warm. Blankets are usually reserved for first or business class, depending on the airline you fly. Rather than have your teeth chatter the whole flight, wear a big scarf aboard. It can double as a wrap or blanket if you get the chills. I opt for scarves that I can use on my trip as a sarong/beach cover up (when going tropical).

9.) Beauty Pick-Me-Ups

Depending on your arrival time, you might not be able to immediately get into your hotel room. You also might want to maximize your time by seeing the sights ASAP once you land. Having some tools on hand to refresh yourself can make a world of difference and prevent you from feeling like a musty zombie when you only have a bathroom mirror at your disposal. I like to bring along a perfume rollerball, face lotion, mascara, dry shampoo, toothbrush/toothpaste, and sometimes undereye soothing patches in my purse. I'll pop on the patches during the descent to wake up my puffy eyes - I don't care if people stare. I can quickly spritz some dry shampoo in my hair, throw on some minimal makeup (I don't usually travel with makeup on since it gets all flaky and irritating during the flight anyways), and freshen my breath. I'm ready to sight see and look somewhat awake in 5 minutes or less.

10.) Contact Information

This one is crucial but doesn't actually require packing anything at all - just some prior planning. I like to use the Notes app on my phone to jot down the hotel address and front desk number, as well as the phone number for a reputable cab company. Mishaps happen and the last thing you need when arriving in a new country, exhausted and feeling out of sorts, is to get lost finding your way to the hotel. Not all cities have public transport that runs 24/7 - a flight delay might derail your plans to utilize a bus or subway. You might mis-navigate yourself and wind up lost. Having the hotel address saved on your phone (this means you don't need data or WiFi to access it, either!) can make it less stressful if you have to flag down an unexpected cab. Having the phone numbers available will assist if you need to use a phone booth to call for directions or a cab. Staying safe is important. Cell phones aren't always reliable while traveling - your data might not work or you have a weak signal. I got lost in Vancouver since I planned to just use my Maps app to guide me to the hotel, but the skyscrapers blocked my signal. It was a little nerve-wracking to be lost without an address to go off of. Plan ahead and save this information - just in case.

Whew, there you go guys. The essentials I always bring with me for plane rides! I usually stick with a carry on so I have these items on-hand regardless, but it's nice to keep these with my personal item (purse) that goes under the seat. Then I don't have to be that person digging around in the compartments in the middle of the flight. Any items that surprised you? Do you have a go-to airplane trick for staying comfortable while flying? Post a comment and let me know!

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