Halle Bailey Wears Sunglasses at the Airport so She Can People Watch in Peace

My favorite type of vacation is a beach vacation. I just did a staycation here in Malibu this weekend actually. I feel like it always just refreshes me, and zens me out, and it was so much fun being with my baby by the beach.

I’ve traveled with [my son] Halo a bit. I think about where he wants to go for sure, but at this stage in his life, he’s just happy to go anywhere. It’s all the new experiences. It’s really beautiful to see him see things for the first time.

When I travel for myself, I travel for relaxation. Most of the time I’m traveling for work, so when I have work trips I try to find little pockets of time for a massage here and there, in between interviews or performances. But when I go away, it’s just to relax. I love the Maldives. I went to St. Lucia for my birthday in March. I always love going there—it’s so special and beautiful.

In the past, when it came to planning a trip I was like, “Yeah, I’m going tomorrow, I just got the ticket, I’m going, bye!” But now, I’m a planner. I’m much better at organization. And I love group trips. My favorite travel partner is definitely my sister Chloe. I love going places with my siblings. They’re just my best friends. We have the best time, and especially now with Halo, it’s like a whole other adventure.

Group trips are so much fun, especially getting the trip planning out of the group chat and into the world. But that can be difficult. It normally takes a push of one of us being like, “Okay, I got this ticket. Hello! Everybody screenshot the ticket you got and send it.” Because people flake, and then they’re like, “Oh, I can’t, I have to wait for this, or I have to wait for that.” And it’s like, come on now, let’s get it together.

Rapid fire

Window, middle, or aisle seat?

Window! I love to look outside. I also love to have something to lean my head on, with my hood up. You just feel like you’re in your own little bubble by the window.

Pack light or overpack?

I overpack. But it comes in handy! Because I’m always like, “Oh, if we go to dinner, I’m gonna need this dress, and I might want to change. And what if we go to the beach, I’m gonna need another outfit after that.” So I just bring all that I can, and then I have options.

Favorite way to pass time on a plane?

Sleep. I love sleeping on a plane. I’m very good at sleeping anywhere. It’s like a hidden talent: I can be sitting up, and fall asleep wherever. It makes me happy to take little cat naps any time of the day.

Biggest travel fear?

My biggest travel fear is leaving something really important behind. Leaving your keys or passport on a plane—that really scares me.

Best tip for fighting jet lag?

Try your best to get accustomed to whatever time zone you’re in. Try to stay awake the night before if you have to, or take some melatonin on the plane. Do what you have to do so that when you get there, you’re on their time.

Favorite travel snack?

I’ve been really obsessed with bananas. I think it’s because my baby likes bananas, so we’ve just been eating them together.

Go-to drink order on a plane?

Oooh, ginger ale. I love to have some ginger ale, or some apple juice. Apple juice was a really big pregnancy craving for me. And now that I’m not pregnant, I still want it really bad.

Must-have travel items