PACK LIKE A PRO: CARRY ON ESSENTIALS

Being a flight attendant also means I live out of a small carry on, a purse, and a lunchbox. After more than three years of having to pack all my life in a suitcase, I think I am now in a good position to offer packing advice! I made an exhaustive “carry on packing list” that I refer to every time I need to pack to go on a personal trip (I pack differently for work). I am happy to share with you this list and all my favorite items to have in my carry on at all times!

COMFORT

Many people forget this category when packing their carry on even though it is one of the most important ones (in my opinion). If you are going on a long (or even shorter) journey, you absolutely need to be comfortable! We all know that space in a carry on suitcase/bag is limited, so I’ve narrowed down my most important comfort items to bring:

• Neck pillow. I personally don’t fly travel anywhere without my neck pillow (unless I am working, obviously). This small item makes a world of difference in your comfort level on a plane, train, bus, car, etc. Neck pillows are easy to find and usually not too pricey.
• Scarf or Light Blanket. For some reason, planes always seem to get quite cold during long flights. Many airlines have small blankets for purchase (or even gives them out for free), but you should always come prepared nonetheless. Bring a nice big scarf or a light blanket and be sure the take it out of your carry on before takeoff.
• Eye mask and earplugs. If you want to get some sleep on your flight, these 2 items will be lifesavers. I definitely recommend bringing them everywhere you travel.

CLOTHING

Even if you packed your clothes in checked luggage, you should always have a few pieces of clothing in your carry on (in case your suitcase gets lost or delayed).

• Underwear. I always have enough underwear for 2-3 days in my carry on. That way, if your luggage gets lost, you won’t be stuck without clean underwear! (this includes bras for ladies and also socks)
• Swimwear. Having a swimsuit with you at all times may seem funny but you never know when it could come in handy. Most hotels have pools.. and what better than a nice jacuzzi after a long day of travel?
• Shirt and Pants. Like I mentioned before, even if your clothes are all in a checked suitcase, you should bring at least one extra outfit with you in your carry on.
• Shoes. You are most likely already wearing shoes if you are traveling by plane (I would hope so haha!), but I would recommend bringing one extra pair depending on your destination. For example, if you are traveling to a hot country/city, have a pair of sandals in your carry on.

TOILETRIES

This category is my favorite! So many passengers ask us for cream, toothbrushes, even hairbrush on long flights (and we only carry these items in business class). It is super important to have your own toiletries onboard and to also have all your mini liquids/gels (100mL or less).

• Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss/gum. These items are pretty self-explanatory.. nothing worse than having bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth for an entire flight. Even gum is absolutely essential to have on a flight.
• 100mL liquids/gels. As we all know, when traveling by plane you can only carry liquids of 100mL or less (all inside a ziplock bag and for a total of 1L). This means you should always bring mini hand cream, hand sanitizer, face moisturizer, and shampoo/conditioner. I have little reusable plastic bottles I bought specifically for travel. You can buy packs of 5-10 bottles and just fill them up from your bigger product bottles. If you have space for more (like makeup, hair spray, etc) then feel free to bring everything you need with you. Also, deodorant would fit into this category.
• Hairbrush. This recommendation is more for the ladies (or men with luscious long hair). Brushing your hair during or after a long flight is the most amazing feeling ever.
• Razor. Whether you have an electrical or regular plastic razor, they are all permitted onboard.
• Mini First Aid Kit. Although planes are equipped with everything you need, I find it useful to always carry the following: bandaids, Advils/Tylenol (pain relief), Gravols, tweezers.
• Face wipes. Bringing little face towels on the airplane is life-changing. Airplanes often feel dirty and dry and having these little wipes help a lot.

ELECTRONICS

Your electronics should NEVER be items that you leave in your checked luggage. Any electronic with lithium batteries should never go in the cargo because there is a risk they could catch on fire. If you are forced to check your carry on luggage, the gate agents or flight attendants should always ask you to remove any electronics. In your carry on though, they are perfectly fine and safe.

• Laptop Computer. If you are bringing your laptop with you, you want to make sure you have it in your carry on (as well as the charger).
• Tablet. On airplanes that don’t have in-flight entertainment systems, I always like to download movies/series from Netflix on my iPad first. I also use my tablet to play games.
• Chargers (Converter/Adapter). Always carry your chargers on you. Depending on the country you are visiting, you might need to get a converter and/or adapter as well. Make sure you do the research.
• Other Electronics of value. If you are bringing any other electronic devices (like camera and equipment, for example), I would definitely recommend always having them close to you. This means packing them in your carry on.

ENTERTAINMENT

• Magazines/Books. In the age of electronics, many people forget how fun it can be to read a magazine or a book (especially on an airplane)!
• Headphones. Forgetting to pack earphones in your carry on is probably the most annoying mistake you can make. Most airlines have cheap earphones (but many only have them for purchase).
• Pen and Paper. Don’t you hate being the person on the plane that does not have a pen when it’s time to fill out the customs form? Always have one or two pens with you (and I like having a little notebook too).

DON’T FORGET THIS!

• Masks!! We are in the middle of a pandemic, NEVER forget your masks.
• Phone
• Wallet (credit cards, cash, and IDs.. very important)
• Passport (visas, and other documents depending on the country you are visiting)
• Boarding Pass. Although most people now get their boarding passes on their phones or printed at the airport, it’s important to always have it with you!
• Flight/Hotel/Travel Info. In a time where everything is digital, we seem to rely on our phones a lot. I always find that it’s a good idea to print flight and hotel information you as well as anything other info you may need (in case something unfortunate happens to your phone).. especially when going abroad where there is a potential language barrier.
• Reusable Water Bottle. You can bring an empty water bottle through security and fill it up with water before the flight. This is an amazing way to stay hydrated throughout your travels and it is very good for the environment.

These points sum up my most important carry on items while traveling! Everyone has different tastes and needs so feel free to adjust these items to better fit your travel style. I hope this is helpful and makes the stress of traveling and packing more bearable. Have a safe trip!!