I’m a Frequent Flier, and I Never Board a Plane Without These 13 Travel Essentials

As a (very) frequent flier, I have some long-set rules when it comes to plane travel: don’t eat smelly food, always wear headphones, and never forget to bring the essentials. Even if you have a carry-on suitcase stowed up above, I strongly recommend also packing a separate bag just for your most important travel items, so you can ensure that they’re all easily on-hand during the flight.

Not sure what to bring? No worries—I’ve rounded up some of my favorite plane-ready products across retailers like Amazon, Target, and Nordstrom below, including many options on sale for big discounts.

Best Travel Essentials for Flying

• Yeti Rambler 30-oz. Stainless Steel Tumbler, $38; amazon.com.
• Ugg Chenille Crew Socks, $20; nordstrom.com.
• Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, $130 (was $160); amazon.com.
• CoBak Case With Stand for Kindle Paperwhite, $14 (was $19); amazon.com.
• Pavilia Travel Blanket and Pillow 2-in-1 Combo Set, $24; amazon.com.
• Dagne Dover Hunter Large Neoprene Toiletry Bag, $65; nordstrom.com.
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Noise-Canceling Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds, $230 (was $300); target.com.
• Cozy Earth Women’s Ultra-Soft Jogger Pant, $106 (was $165); amazon.com.
• Iniu Slim Portable Charger, $18 (was $22); amazon.com.
• E.l.f. Jet Set Travel-Friendly Hydration Kit, $17; amazon.com.

Yeti Rambler 30-oz. Stainless Steel Tumbler

It’s so important to stay hydrated during flights, and with the help of this large 30-ounce Yeti tumbler, you’ll always have a beverage on hand. Available in 28 colors, the stainless steel bottle has a magnetized lock to keep your drink safe (even during turbulence!) and is light enough to throw in your bag.

UGG Chenille Crew Socks

As someone who typically runs cold, airplanes can be especially uncomfortable due to the always-blasting A.C. But ever since I started packing a pair of these ultra-soft and cozy crew socks from UGG in my bag, my travel experience has been way less painful. The top-rated socks (which come in three colors) keep me warm and comfortable all flight long. “I wore these on a long flight and they kept me warm,” raved one reviewer, adding: “they don’t fall off like other fuzzy socks when you move in your sleep.”

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

A flight is the perfect opportunity to catch up on some reading, but rather than shoving some heavy books in my bag, I like to pack a convenient and slim e-reader like this Kindle Paperwhite. Featuring a long battery life, glare-free screen, and super-fast page turn speed, this device is a must for any book-loving traveler. Speaking of which…

CoBak Case With Stand for Kindle Paperwhite

Tired of leaning over your tray table or holding up your e-reader for hours on end just to enjoy your book? This cool Kindle accessory, on sale for 29 percent off, is here to help. Available in four colors, the durable case has a built-in hand strap that converts to a kickstand to free up my hands, in addition to a convenient card slot to keep money and bookmarks secure. One customer called the case “classy and comfortable,” going on to say that they “like the faux leather ‘binding’ and the handle [that] makes it nice to use on a plane or when in bed.”

Pavilia Travel Blanket and Pillow 2-in-1 Combo Set

Save room in your luggage by packing a handy pillow-blanket combo set like this in your airplane bag! Compact and cozy, the convertible set is a travel must-have, giving you all the in-flight comfort you’ll want without taking up too much space. Get it in 10 colors and on sale for 40 percent off its usual cost.

Dagne Dover Hunter Large Neoprene Toiletry Bag

Designed specifically for travel and on-the-go-use, this gorgeous toiletry bag has multiple pockets and pouches to store essential items. The elastic loops make it easy to click it onto a bigger bag, and its durable polyester keeps the bag looking new even after dozens of uses.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Noise-Canceling Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds

Whether you’re trying to watch a movie or catch a couple hours’ snooze, a pair of noise-canceling headphones can upgrade your in-flight experience. What I love about these Bose earbuds is that they’re slim yet powerful enough to provide ample noise-cancellation. Plus, they hold a six-hour charge and come in five colors. One Target reviewer said they were impressed by the earbuds’ “quality and comfort” during travel, writing that they “were blown away [by] how nice these are to wear on the airplane.”

Cozy Earth Women’s Ultra-Soft Jogger Pant

Some people like to dress up for the airport, but personally, I’m all about comfort—which is why I always wear at least one piece of Cozy Earth clothing on flights, such as these ridiculously soft joggers. On sale for 20 percent off, the bamboo-made pants (available in three colors) are plush, gentle, and temperature-regulating, making them a perfect choice for travel.

Iniu Slim Portable Charger

With over 52,000 five-star reviews at Amazon, this portable charger is beloved for its slim size, powerful battery, and multi-device versatility. You can use your phone, tablet, or laptop as much as you want during the flight thanks to this handy device, which happens to be on sale for 40 percent off.

E.l.f. Jet Set Travel-Friendly Hydration Kit

While you may not be able to do your full skincare routine until your flight lands, you can still take care of the basics with this cute and seriously convenient travel-size kit from E.l.f. Featuring a cleanser, hydrating balm, moisturizer, eye cream, and night cream, the low-priced set will help you feel and look good while traveling. “Love the resealable pouch!” praised one shopper, adding that the kit contained the “perfect amounts of exactly everything I needed to travel.”

Nodpod Sleep Mask

Speaking of comfort, I highly recommend bringing a weighted sleep mask like this one from Nodpod onto any overnight flight. The soft fleece mask won’t just block light, but it’ll help soothe any travel anxiety due to its light but firm pressure. Plus, it comes in five colors.

Universal Thread Belt Bag

I keep my phone, wallet, headphones and more small-sized essentials in place during your flight with this stylish and compact belt bag. The long (removable) strap allows me to wear it with ease, the pockets are sizable, and the five pretty color options will look good with any travel-ready outfit.

Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Invisible + Acne Pimple Patches 24 Count

I often break out during flights, and one thing that helps me calm down any rising acne is putting on one of Hero Cosmetics’ pimple patches. In addition to absorbing the gunk under my skin, it prevents me from picking at my blemishes and making the problems worse. Even more, the patches’ “invisible” design means you can sport some in public on the plane without feeling too self-conscious. 

Want even more plane-ready product recs before your next flight? We’ve got you covered.