When you are traveling by plane, there are just some things you should always have with you. These items make your time in the air (or waiting for your flight) much more bearable.
With that in mind, I’ve put together this list of 11 things you should always pack in your carry on whenever they are flying. These carry-on essentials will help make every trip more enjoyable.
From waiting for your next flight, to enjoying your flight, and even those unplanned overnight stays in the airport, these travel essentials will make the whole thing just that much better.
Packing 3-4 quart size heavy duty freezer bags may seem silly, but let me tell you that they are invaluable. From putting toiletries in for going through security to stashing dirty things in, or collecting shells into, plastic bags are super handy.
2. Sandals
I wear sandals pretty much everywhere, so I don’t need to take a spare set with me, but for those of you that wear shoes packing a pair of sandals is a good idea so you have something comfortable to change into or have to wear on the beach if your bag happens to wander off into the bottomless pit of baggage handling.
There are never enough chargers available at the airport, and some planes have USB plugs while others don’t. Being stuck in an airport or plane that is sitting on the runway with dead devices is not the way to travel. Always take along a power bank and a spare charging cord (or two).
If you are just charging up your phone, a 10,000mAh phone charger will work nicely. If you want to charge bigger things, like tablets or even laptops, or take really long flights, consider stepping up to a 20,000mAh or larger power bank.
Don’t forget an extra charging cord and AC power block! Cords always die at the worst possible time, so I usually have two around. As for power blocks, I like the ones with two USB ports and folding prongs.
Buying $6 bottles of water in plastic containers full of microplastics is not a win in my book. That is why when I travel I bring along an empty stainless steel water bottle.
Now I love my 32 oz Klean Kanteen water bottle, and while I take it almost everywhere, it is a bit too big to fit in the seat back pockets on airplanes. For flying, I’d suggest something more along the lines of 18-20 oz in size.
Just be sure to arrive at the airport with it empty so it doesn’t cause a fuss at the TSA checkpoint.
5. Snacks
Yeah, I’m old. Old enough remember when the airlines brought you snacks, snacks that were good. Now you pre-pay for a meager meal that you would highly question at a convenience store.
The answer is to bring your own in-flight snacks.
I’m a big fan of beef jerky or meat sticks on flights. Protein is my friend, and beef jerky puts up with a lot of abuse in my carry on. Trail mix, or even the right combo of cheese, crackers and meats can work.
6. Valuables
Anything you have of value should stay with you at all times when flying.
Whatever you put in your luggage could be gone through and items stolen. At Sea-Tac airport alone, my home base, nearly 500 stolen item claims are filed a year. On a national level we are looking at least 30,000 claims a year.
Locks are nice and make you feel like your luggage is more secure, but the fact is that thieves can still get into your luggage. The lesson here is to keep your jewelry, expensive electronics, and hard to replace items with you at all times.
If you want to listen to the movie you are playing on your tablet, some relaxing music, or just anything to drown out the screaming kid two rows back, you will need some good noise cancelling headphones.
Noise cancelling technology used to be pricy, but now it is very affordable, and there is no excuse to not bring a pair of good quality headphones or ear buds with you.
I don’t like the regular earbud style ones as they never stay in my ear. Instead I like the over-the-ear style ones. That way they stay in place better and I can pull them out a little and leave them there to hear what is going on around me, without them falling between the seats.
Sometimes you get stuck in airports overnight, or have just been sitting too long and have that ‘swampy’ feeling in your shorts. The solution? A pack of adult wipes.
These handy premoistened towelettes are not the baby wipes of old. Adult wipes are bigger and don’t smell like baby diapers. I’m a fan of Dude Wipes. Not just because I’m a guy, but because they are big wipes and come in some great scents.
You don’t have to bring the whole package along. Just pull out 5-6 and stash them in a baggie. Then if your day goes long or you just need a freshening up, you are good to go!
9. Essential Toiletries
Your flight is delayed, you missed your connector, and your luggage is God knows where. Now you are sitting in the airport with a mouth that tastes like yesterdays socks and pits that aren’t much better.
This problem could have been solved by packing the essential toiletries you need in your carry on. From the basic toothbrush and toothpaste to feminine hygiene products, having a small stash of these in your bag can really improve life for those times when you aren’t going to be home anytime soon.
10. Medications
Bags get lost and if you have medication that you need to take on a regular basis, you don’t want it wandering off. Scrambling to find a drug store that can replace your medications at your destination can be a pain at best and impossible at worst.
Be sure to keep prescriptions in their original bottles, just in case the local authorities question it. While I’m on the subject of medications, it is a good idea to pack a few of the travel packets of all the common medicines, like pain relievers, decongestants, and anti-diarrheal in your bag.
One or two of each takes up almost no room, and buying them ahead of time saves money and having to hunt through stores to find them when the need arises.
Along with bags of peanuts on flights, are the days of planes having pillows and blankets for travelers. I’m sure they have some, but really, when did they get washed last?
That is why I always bring along my own travel pillow and blanket. They come in cool sets and are perfect for staying warm or catching a nap on a plane. If you get stuck in an airport overnight, you will be VERY glad you have these with you.
I like the basic rectangle blow up pillow style, like in the picture above, but there are a multitude of variations to fit your personal preference.
Now You Are Ready For Your Next Flight
Assemble all these items and you will be ready for your next flight, in a little more comfort. I won’t say completely in comfort as it is flying (unless you are one of those first-class elites). These 11 carry on essentials will though, keep you better prepared for all the chaos and hurdles that modern air-travel will throw at you.
11 Things To Always Pack In Your Carry-On
When you are traveling by plane, there are just some things you should always have with you. These items make your time in the air (or waiting for your flight) much more bearable.
With that in mind, I’ve put together this list of 11 things you should always pack in your carry on whenever they are flying. These carry-on essentials will help make every trip more enjoyable.
From waiting for your next flight, to enjoying your flight, and even those unplanned overnight stays in the airport, these travel essentials will make the whole thing just that much better.
Related:
1. Plastic Baggies
Packing 3-4 quart size heavy duty freezer bags may seem silly, but let me tell you that they are invaluable. From putting toiletries in for going through security to stashing dirty things in, or collecting shells into, plastic bags are super handy.
2. Sandals
I wear sandals pretty much everywhere, so I don’t need to take a spare set with me, but for those of you that wear shoes packing a pair of sandals is a good idea so you have something comfortable to change into or have to wear on the beach if your bag happens to wander off into the bottomless pit of baggage handling.
3. Phone Charging Bank and Cord
Anker Power Bank
There are never enough chargers available at the airport, and some planes have USB plugs while others don’t. Being stuck in an airport or plane that is sitting on the runway with dead devices is not the way to travel. Always take along a power bank and a spare charging cord (or two).
If you are just charging up your phone, a 10,000mAh phone charger will work nicely. If you want to charge bigger things, like tablets or even laptops, or take really long flights, consider stepping up to a 20,000mAh or larger power bank.
Don’t forget an extra charging cord and AC power block! Cords always die at the worst possible time, so I usually have two around. As for power blocks, I like the ones with two USB ports and folding prongs.
4. Empty Water Bottle
Klean Kanteen Water Bottle
Buying $6 bottles of water in plastic containers full of microplastics is not a win in my book. That is why when I travel I bring along an empty stainless steel water bottle.
Now I love my 32 oz Klean Kanteen water bottle, and while I take it almost everywhere, it is a bit too big to fit in the seat back pockets on airplanes. For flying, I’d suggest something more along the lines of 18-20 oz in size.
Just be sure to arrive at the airport with it empty so it doesn’t cause a fuss at the TSA checkpoint.
5. Snacks
Yeah, I’m old. Old enough remember when the airlines brought you snacks, snacks that were good. Now you pre-pay for a meager meal that you would highly question at a convenience store.
The answer is to bring your own in-flight snacks.
I’m a big fan of beef jerky or meat sticks on flights. Protein is my friend, and beef jerky puts up with a lot of abuse in my carry on. Trail mix, or even the right combo of cheese, crackers and meats can work.
6. Valuables
Anything you have of value should stay with you at all times when flying.
Whatever you put in your luggage could be gone through and items stolen. At Sea-Tac airport alone, my home base, nearly 500 stolen item claims are filed a year. On a national level we are looking at least 30,000 claims a year.
Locks are nice and make you feel like your luggage is more secure, but the fact is that thieves can still get into your luggage. The lesson here is to keep your jewelry, expensive electronics, and hard to replace items with you at all times.
7. Headphones/Earbuds
Noise Cancelling Earbuds
If you want to listen to the movie you are playing on your tablet, some relaxing music, or just anything to drown out the screaming kid two rows back, you will need some good noise cancelling headphones.
Noise cancelling technology used to be pricy, but now it is very affordable, and there is no excuse to not bring a pair of good quality headphones or ear buds with you.
I don’t like the regular earbud style ones as they never stay in my ear. Instead I like the over-the-ear style ones. That way they stay in place better and I can pull them out a little and leave them there to hear what is going on around me, without them falling between the seats.
8. Disposable Wipes
Adult Wipes For Freshening Up
Sometimes travel is messy.
Sometimes you get stuck in airports overnight, or have just been sitting too long and have that ‘swampy’ feeling in your shorts. The solution? A pack of adult wipes.
These handy premoistened towelettes are not the baby wipes of old. Adult wipes are bigger and don’t smell like baby diapers. I’m a fan of Dude Wipes. Not just because I’m a guy, but because they are big wipes and come in some great scents.
You don’t have to bring the whole package along. Just pull out 5-6 and stash them in a baggie. Then if your day goes long or you just need a freshening up, you are good to go!
9. Essential Toiletries
Your flight is delayed, you missed your connector, and your luggage is God knows where. Now you are sitting in the airport with a mouth that tastes like yesterdays socks and pits that aren’t much better.
This problem could have been solved by packing the essential toiletries you need in your carry on. From the basic toothbrush and toothpaste to feminine hygiene products, having a small stash of these in your bag can really improve life for those times when you aren’t going to be home anytime soon.
10. Medications
Bags get lost and if you have medication that you need to take on a regular basis, you don’t want it wandering off. Scrambling to find a drug store that can replace your medications at your destination can be a pain at best and impossible at worst.
Be sure to keep prescriptions in their original bottles, just in case the local authorities question it. While I’m on the subject of medications, it is a good idea to pack a few of the travel packets of all the common medicines, like pain relievers, decongestants, and anti-diarrheal in your bag.
One or two of each takes up almost no room, and buying them ahead of time saves money and having to hunt through stores to find them when the need arises.
11. Travel Pillow & Blanket
Travel Pillow and Blanket Set
Along with bags of peanuts on flights, are the days of planes having pillows and blankets for travelers. I’m sure they have some, but really, when did they get washed last?
That is why I always bring along my own travel pillow and blanket. They come in cool sets and are perfect for staying warm or catching a nap on a plane. If you get stuck in an airport overnight, you will be VERY glad you have these with you.
I like the basic rectangle blow up pillow style, like in the picture above, but there are a multitude of variations to fit your personal preference.
Now You Are Ready For Your Next Flight
Assemble all these items and you will be ready for your next flight, in a little more comfort. I won’t say completely in comfort as it is flying (unless you are one of those first-class elites). These 11 carry on essentials will though, keep you better prepared for all the chaos and hurdles that modern air-travel will throw at you.
Table of Contents
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