I Just Got Back From Europe—These Essentials Made the Long Flight Fly By

Maybe this is just a me problem, but the complimentary headphones they pass out on airplanes never fit my ears right. I’d much rather use my own headphones (and not have to worry about the pesky cord getting tangled), but unfortunately, airplane seat-back screens have yet to catch up with the magical innovation that is Bluetooth. This handy little adapter solves that problem. It plugs into the headphone jack and connects via Bluetooth to your wireless headphones of choice so you can enjoy your in-flight movie cord-free.

As previously noted, I’m terrible at sleeping on planes. My head is constantly lolling off to the side and making it impossible to get comfortable (or move my neck the next day), but this travel pillow has been a game changer. The memory foam perfectly conforms to my face, and the adjustable strap across the front keeps my chin from bobbing as I nod off. It even comes with straps you can attach to your seat’s headrest to keep yourself from falling forward as you sleep (don’t worry, you can remove the pillow cover and wash it when you get home). After the flight, it rolls up like a cinnamon roll and easily fits back in its little bag.

Besides my phone and passport, my Kindle is the #1 thing you will always find in my bag when I travel. It’s so much easier than carrying around a physical book, and you don’t have to annoy your neighbors by turning on that pesky overhead light when you want to read. Plus, a single charge can last me weeks at a time, so I don’t usually have to worry about charging it at all during my trip.

File this under non-sexy flight essentials that don’t seem like they should work as well as they do. Compression socks put light pressure on your legs to improve circulation, which is key when you’re sitting in a cramped airplane seat for hours on end. If you’ve ever gotten off a flight with achy, swollen legs, it’s time to invest in a pair of these for your next flight.

My personal item of choice is a basic black tote bag that is spacious but doesn’t have many pockets or compartments on the inside. Instead of just tossing everything in and hoping for the best, I use this tote bag insert for extra organization. It has tons of pockets in various sizes, so everything from hand sanitizer to my Kindle has its own place and is easy to access.

I sleep best in total darkness (I’m high-maintenance, I know!!!), but I don’t love the feeling of something pressing on my eyeballs. Unlike basic eye masks, this one has a contoured design that fits around your eyes, blocking out all light without compressing your eyelids or rubbing against your lashes. Plus, the silky fabric is nice and breathable, so it’s not uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time.

OK, so technically, this zippered pouch is meant to hold desk supplies like pens and highlighters, but I love bringing it with me when I travel to keep small items corralled in my bag. I use the larger zippered compartment to stash things like snacks, Liquid I.V. packets, and medication. The other side features a mesh pocket—where I store charging cables for my phone and Kindle—and elastic loops that are great for holding things like lip balm or a travel toothbrush.

I had one too many incidents where my water bottle leaked everywhere mid-flight, and now I travel exclusively with my Owala one. The lockable lid is truly leakproof, so I don’t have any qualms about tossing it in my personal item. Plus, when the lid is closed, the drinking spout is totally covered to protect it from plane germs. I fill it up at the airport right before boarding to make sure I stay hydrated throughout the flight.

Speaking of staying hydrated, plain water sometimes doesn’t cut it for me, especially when I’m subjected to dry plane air for eight-plus hours at a time. I always bring at least one pack of Liquid I.V. to mix into my water on the flight. This golden cherry flavor is my favorite, and it makes me feel so much more hydrated after drinking it.

After many, many flights, I have finally perfected the art of the airport outfit. I know exactly what I’m going to wear whenever I travel because it is just so comfortable and never fails me. A key component of my travel uniform is these joggers. The stretchy, high-waisted fit is super comfortable, and the breathable, moisture-wicking fabric is perfect for when the plane temperature fluctuates from stifling hot to frigid throughout the flight. Plus, they have nice, deep pockets, so I can slip my phone in a pocket for easy access without worrying about it flopping out as I bend down to take my shoes off in the TSA line.

The key to actually sleeping on a flight is to follow your normal bedtime routine as closely as possible, and that generally includes brushing your teeth. I like this travel toothbrush because it folds into itself, making it super compact and protecting the bristles from anything gross when you toss it in your personal item.

Shoutout to our Wellness Editor, Josie, for this tip because I’m literally never traveling without peppermint tea again. My stomach is not a huge fan of crossing time zones and eating weird airplane food, but drinking peppermint tea is my go-to when it starts acting up on a flight. Peppermint tea has been shown to relax muscles in your digestive system and improve symptoms like bloating, nausea, and indigestion. I pack a few sachets of peppermint tea in my personal item along with my snack stash, then just ask a flight attendant for a cup of hot water when I want to brew myself a cup.