Airplane Essentials You Need When You Travel by Airplane

Flights are not the easiest on the body but when you are trying to use the flight to beat jet lag or just want to arrive feeling good there a few airplane essentials that you need on every flight. Some items will help you sleep better on the plane while others will keep you entertained and maybe even productive! Whether you’re flying a short haul domestic flight or a long haul international flight across the pond you’ll be glad to her these essentials.

I have been on dozens of flights and there are several items I will not fly without. I keep my best travel essentials all handy in my bag under the seat in front of me for easy access so they are at my finger tips without having to climb over people or get into the overhead bins.

Whether it is a long trip or a short trip you will need to bring these along for comfort. These are not obvious though important things such as travel documents, your wallet with your credit cards, or travel insurance. What airplane essentials will you not travel without?

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Headphones

Nowadays there are actually a couple different types of headphones I have to pack. I miss the days when one size fit all.

I bring regular headphones that fit the on-flight entertainment systems (on International flights). This way I can watch the movies and shows they provide. Luckily if you do happen to forget your own headphones most airlines will provide a cheap pair that you can use. They aren’t fancy but they are better than nothing.

I also bring an iPhone adaptor or a separate set of headphones that work with an iPhone (my husband uses his AirPods). This way you can listen to podcasts or shows on your phone.

It’s always a bonus when headphones are noise blocking because airplanes are noisy places. Between the engines, the other people and often crying children there is a lot of background noise and noise-cancelling headphones can make things a lot quieter.

Headphone Splitter

This headphone splitter is a great option and is one of the best travel devices I have ever purchased. I’m not sure when I would ever need 6 headphone ports but the price and quality are unbeatable.

My husband and I use this exact one so that we can watch movies together on flights. No more trying to time it so you press start at the same time lol.

Blanket Scarf

Airplanes are COLD. I like to bring one of my oversized blanket scarves to use as a blanket on the plane. It is very warm and super soft. The best part is in the winter it doubles as an actual scarf which equals one less thing you have to pack.

Neck Pillow

I know neck pillows are dorky looking but they make the list of airport essentials because they work. A travel pillow prevents awful kinks in your neck by providing neck support and they will help you be as comfortable as possible in an uncomfortable airplane seat. Especially if you are planning on sleeping on your long haul flights it is a good idea to bring one along.

There are so many neck pillow options out there and you may have to experiment a little to find what works for you. Up above are the two kinds we have plus a third that is inflatable (space saving!) pillow I’ve heard great things about.

Earplugs and Eye mask

Another big asset if you are hoping to fall asleep is a pair of earplugs and an eye mask. The ear plugs will block out sounds that could wake you up and the sleep mask will block out the light from surrounding screens and reading lights.

Or go all out and bring a portable eye massager! How luxurious does that sound? You can completely forget where you really are and transport yourself to a tropical beach where you’re getting a massage. Basically starting your vacation early.

Pen

A pen might seem a little random but it may actually be the most important of all the airplane essentials. A pen is very helpful on flights in order to fill out customs forms with your personal information. I always keep a couple in my personal bag. Don’t put them in your carry-on bag where they are hard to reach.

Reusable Water Bottle

The air on airplanes is VERY dry. It will dry out your skin and make you dehydrated. On your next flight make a reusable water bottle, make sure it is empty so you can make it through security, then use a water fountain to fill up your water bottle.

This will save you from paying for overpriced airport bottled water and keep you nice and hydrated on a long flight. There are several space saving bottles that roll up when they aren’t in use. Otherwise classics like the hydroflask work great.

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Aspirin

Air travel is stressful for everyone plus it is not very comfortable. If, worst-case scenario, you get stuck on a flight with a sleep deprived baby a headache is very likely. Be prepared and bring some aspirin or ibuprofen to ward off those headaches.

Hand Sanitizer

Lots and lots of germs are living and circulating around an airplanes. You never know if your fellow passengers washed their hands plus there are too many people in a confined space for their not to be. So make sure that you are doing your part and washing your hands as often as possible. In between washes use hand sanitizer to kill extra germs and keep yourself healthy enough to enjoy your trip.

If you want to wipe down your seat and tray table to be extra cautious then you should also bring along antibacterial wipes.

Toiletries

One of the most important travel items to bring is a few key toiletries. My teeth feel SO GROSS after a long flight especially. On my way to Sweden to get married I forgot to put my toothbrush in my backpack. It made me very grumpy as my husband would be happy to tell you. I’ll never make that mistake again.

Along with a toothbrush and toothpaste I like to bring contact solution, lip balm and lotion so that I don’t feel quite as gross when I get off the plane. If you would like to you could also bring a small makeup bag to freshen up after a flight.

Activities for the Plane

Next airplane essential you need for your next trip is things to do while on the plane. This could be anything from a book to read or work you can do on your computer. I always have a few games downloaded on my phone and I like to download a show or two onto the Netflix app.

Podcasts are another favorite plane activity of mine lately. My favorites are: My Favorite Murder and Goal Digger.

Portable Charger

I go through my phone battery so fast when flying between playing games while waiting and downloading Netflix shows. To make sure my battery can last the whole flight and still have juice to direct me to my hotel (maybe call an Uber) I always bring a portable charger.

This power bank by Anker is compact but can still charge an iPhone 3 times. The Anker powercore has amazing reviews and I haven’t had any issues with mine. Extra bonus, it is small so it doesn’t take up much space and is easy to pack up.

Airplane Essentials for Every Flight

I bring these 12 airplane essentials on every flight I go on, both domestic and International. Of course there could be times you won’t need the neck pillow or the headphone splitter such as a really short domestic flight.

This list of travel essentials can all help you feel comfortable and make traveling a little less stressful. Happy travels!

Here are all the airplane essentials that I bring on every flight. This airplane packing list works for men and women. I would even say these airplane essentials work for teens and older kids. These are some of my best travel tips to help you survive a long flight in economy. So next time you're headed out on vacation make sure you bring all these items in your carry on or airplane personal item.