Flight & Carry-On Essentials
Long flights, airport delays, layovers, and hours spent in transit can make the right carry-on gear worth having. These are the flight and carry-on essentials I use or recommend to stay comfortable, organized, and prepared from the airport to arrival.
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EarPlanes Earplugs
Helps reduce uncomfortable ear pressure during takeoff and landing, especially on flights where my ears are bothering me.
(Paid Link)
AirPods Pro
Noise cancellation makes flights much more comfortable for music, movies, podcasts, or simply blocking out cabin noise.
(Paid Link)
MZOO Sleep Mask
Blocks out cabin light and makes it much easier to rest or sleep, especially on overnight flights.
(Paid Link)
Avantree Relay
Lets me connect my Bluetooth headphones to the airplane entertainment system without using wired headphones.
(Paid Link)
Airplane Phone Holder
Keep your phone at eye level for movies, shows, or other entertainment without holding it for the entire flight.
(Paid Link)
Collapsible Water Flask
A lightweight, collapsible bottle that's easy to pack empty and refill after airport security, then folds down when you're finished.
(Paid Link)
What I Keep Within Reach on a Flight
Once I'm in my seat, the last thing I want to do is constantly dig through an overhead bag looking for something I need. I like keeping the essentials I'm most likely to use during the flight easy to reach, whether that's my headphones, phone charger, something to help me sleep, or anything else I know I'll want before landing.
Traveling with Type 1 diabetes makes this even more important for me. My diabetes supplies, fast-acting carbohydrates, and other essentials stay with me in my carry-on rather than somewhere I can't easily access them. I try to think through what I could realistically need during the flight before boarding so I'm not figuring it out at 35,000 feet.
Pack Your Carry-On for Delays, Too
I don't pack my carry-on assuming everything is going to happen exactly on schedule. Flights get delayed, connections get missed, gates change, and sometimes a travel day becomes much longer than expected.
That's why I like having enough with me to stay comfortable and prepared if a few hours at the airport unexpectedly turn into most of the day. A charged power bank, something to help pass the time, basic comfort items, and the things I wouldn't want stuck inside checked luggage can make an unexpected delay much easier to deal with. The goal isn't to overpack my carry-on, it's to make sure the things that would actually matter during a long travel day are with me.
Keep Planning Your Trip
Explore more of my travel gear recommendations, including travel technology, flight essentials, luggage, diabetes travel gear, and other products that make traveling easier.