My Must Have Items for Every Flight, Volume 1
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I’ve been flying domestically and internationally since I was in middle school, and since then I’ve learned a LOT about how I like to travel. Below are my must have items for air travel. Let me know if there’s anything you love that you think I should try out!
Our baby’s first trip to Seattle, where we enjoyed time spent with one of our very best friends
The PERFECT carry-on bag - I fly carry-on luggage ONLY whenever I can, and this bag checks all the boxes for me - a trolley strap to sit on top of my roller suitcase, tons of pockets, and very easy to organize. I can find everything I need, and my back doesn’t hurt at the end of the day
My carry-on suitcase to set my backpack on top of - my current favorite is my expandable carry-on from Roam Luggage, which is made of all recycled material AND completely color customized, by me! You can get get 10% off your order using code FWTC10
Noise cancelling headphones - I love my Bose QC35 (QC= Quiet Comfort) headphones because I prefer over the ear coverage. I’ve actually been using mine since 2015, upgraded once from corded to cordless. If you like smaller in-ear headphones, Jake really likes these
Phone charger(s) - most planes have a place to charge your electronics built in around the seat now. I like to pack a longer cable charger just in case we have to stretch
Computer charger - especially with a shorter flight (for example, to the west coast of the US), I like to do some work while I fly. Even if I decide not to work, it’s nice to arrive to a destination and have my computer at 100%
iPhone charger
Bluetooth jack - If you have wireless headphones like me, it can be a pain to connect to the in flight TV if you don’t have a connector cable. Here’s an example
Sleep mask - I love a plane nap, but I have a really hard time sleeping if a neighbor has their reading light on or the plane’s lights are left on. I like my eye masks to really block out light, and these do a pretty good job
Travel pillow - I have yet to find one I really love and that meets my requirements of being extremely comfortable and extremely packable, but this one isn’t bad! For shorter flights I don’t pack one, but for long haul (like US to Europe and further) I really love having something to lay my head on - and the plane pillows don’t cut it.
Melatonin or similar - sometimes I have a hard time falling straight asleep (which is my NUMBER ONE RECOMMENDATION when flying from the US to Europe) so I like to pack some melatonin gummies to help
Excedrin - every now and then I get a travel headache, and excedrin has been the quickest fix for me lately
Water bottle - Bring it into the airport EMPTY, and fill it up once you’re inside the terminal. We seriously save SO MUCH MONEY doing this and not paying airport water bottle prices. Filling up at a drinking fountain is free! This is the one I use. Make sure to stay hydrated, even if this means you’re using the plane bathroom. You’ll be able to operate much better and won’t experience jet lag as hard if you’re well hydrated
Comfortable walking shoes, ideally tennis shoes - I am firmly in the camp of WEARING SOCKS to the airport, even though I have TSA PreCheck and Global Entry and get to keep my shoes on. It can be a long walk to your gate, and especially if you have an international connection it’s hard to say how long this trek will be! The last thing you’re going to want is for your feet to be in pain on an already tiring travel day. I LIVE in my Brooks Adrenaline, even when I’m not traveling.
Travel size toothpaste - to freshen up
Toothbrush - to freshen up
Aluminum free deoderant
If our baby is with me, my Tushbaby - get 15% off yours with code FWTC15
The book I’m currently reading
Snacks!
Wherever you’re flying next, I wish you a lovely flight!
I’m Erin, your travel bestie. Based in Michigan with plans to see the entire globe, I am passionate about empowering my travel clients to create and experience your very best adventure. After studying abroad in Rome during college, marrying the love of my life in 2020 (COVID wedding!), and becoming a mom, I know that we all want to spend less time stressing on the internet and more time enjoying the people we love. Let me help you achieve this by taking on the work of your next vacation so you can spend more time enjoying your people.
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