Going on a flight soon? In this blog post, I list some of my favorite flight essentials. When I’m traveling, if you’re anything like me, then comfort is a priority. However, at this point in my life, I have always flown economy. If you can fly first class or business, that is so wonderful! For me, that’s not happening anytime soon, since I’m working toward financial freedom. Read about my financial journey by clicking here.
To make the best of an economy flight (or any flight for that matter), I have curated a thoughtful list of favorite flight essentials that have provided me comfort throughout the decades. Hopefully, this list will also bring you comfort during your flight, whether it’s short or long!
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Flights Essentials
Noise-Cancelling Headphones
I think this may be obvious to most, but for me it wasn’t. And that’s bringing noise-cancelling headphones. I say this wasn’t obvious for me because, for a short period, I swapped my noise-cancelling headphones for bone conduction headphones (Shokz, which are great for running and biking). I thought since I’m on a flight, it would be great to hear the flight attendants or the pilot speaking when they make announcements. Plus, bone conduction headphones, like Shokz, are super lightweight and easy to bring.
I was so wrong. Yes, they are super easy to pack. But they are not the best option for a flight. Especially, not for a long flight. I made this mistake, and although I could successfully hear the flight attendants and the pilot, I could also hear the screams, cries, and laughter from both children and adults.
I’ve been loving my Sony’s noise-cancelling headphones. I’ve been a fan of Sony products since I was able to afford my first electronic, which was a sound system slash DVD player. It lasted me for a little over 20 years! Sony’s to me are super reliable, and the sound quality is really, really good!
Neck Pillow
Another flight essential is the Trtle neck pillow. My friend was the one who recommended this for me. It’s one of the most neck pillows to date. It’s not like other traditional neck pillows that are super bulky and don’t support as well as they should. In the traditional neck pillows, my head continues to bob forward when I fall asleep. With the Trtle neck pillow, my head can lean to the side, and I can wrap myself in a comfortable position. I think my problem was trying to find something cheap, but really, this is something that should be an investment, especially during long flights.
Silk Eye Mask
Another flight essential, again, especially for long flights, is a silk eye mask. I prefer 100% silk because it’s more gentle on the eyes. I also look for one with an adjustable strap. I find the stretchy straps can be too tight for my head and can cause a headache. With the adjustable strap, I can adjust it to fit my head comfortably and loosely, as I prefer. This was a game-changer for me to get some rest on the plane. I usually can’t sleep on planes that well, but when I have my silk eye mask along with my noise-cancelling headphones, and the Trtle neck pillow, it’s a wrap!
Socks
Don’t forget about socks! Even if you’re wearing sandals. Pack some in your purse or bag. I recommend either bringing compression socks or cashmere socks. Whichever you choose, they will provide that extra bit of comfort with either the feel or support.
Compression socks will help improve blood flow by gently applying pressure to the lower legs. Cashmere socks feel luxuriously cozy and can provide extra warmth on a cold plane. Whichever you choose, I recommend trying the brand Quince. Although their compression socks are targeted for pregnant women, I find them to be comfortable for my big calves and wide feet. They provide gentle pressure to my legs that is still comfortable. They also offer affordable prices for both compression and cashmere socks.
Balm
I cannot travel without my Bag Balm. It gets so dry on the plane that this little balm is such a lifesaver for my skin. I love that this little balm is versatile enough to use on my hands, lips, and skin. When I’m flying, I’ll apply it anywhere I feel dry. This includes my face, too. It doesn’t break me out at all, either. It’s also small enough to throw into your makeup bag. Just make sure to bring it on the plane with you so you can use it during your flight. You won’t regret it!
Santizing Wipes
I also bring Purell’s Hand Sanitizing Wipes. They’re my favorite! They clean your hands well and don’t leave a sticky afterfeel either. I find that other antibacterial wipes tend to leave a sticky feeling on my hands when I use them. I like the Purell’s hand sanitizing option that is supposed to kill 99.99% of most illness-causing germs. There’s a new option that isn’t antibacterial that I haven’t tried and don’t plan to. I like using the antibacterial wipes to wipe down surfaces I’m touching on the plane as well.
Allergy Medicine
This may not apply to you, but I also like bringing allergy medicine with me on flights. It’s something in the airplane air that can make me cough. If I feel like my throat starts to get a little itchy, I immediately take an allergy pill. It does the trick to calm my throat down instantly. My daughter also likes to take allergy medicine. For her, she takes it to decrease the pressure she feels in her head when we’re landing. My daughter likes using Sudafed for sinus pressure. I like using Cetirizine for my throat and allergies in general. I’ll usually get the generic brand at my pharmacy or drug store.
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