Between increasingly back-to-back trips and the general chaos and unpredictability of modern air travel, I've come to rely on a tight edit of in-flight essentials that really make a difference mid-flight — these are items that I like to keep within arm’s reach at my seat (and not in the overhead bin).
Some of these are obvious, some might be a little extra, but all of them have earned their spot. Whether it’s a daytime hop or a brutal red-eye, this is the stuff that gets me through and not totally falling apart by the time I land.
Floss picks – Few things drive me crazier mid-flight than feeling something stuck between my teeth.
Hydrating eye drops – I've dealt with dry eyes for years, worsened after a long-haul flight over a decade ago when I slept in contacts and ended up with a nasty infection. Lesson learned. Now I never board a plane without moisturizing drops or glasses.
Heated eye mask – I started with the single-use steam masks (still a favorite), but recently upgraded to a rechargeable version that blocks out cabin light with a soft, adjustable strap. It's a game changer — for both red-eye flights and literal red eyes (zing!).
Anker charger/battery – A multitasking marvel: a wall charger and portable battery in one, complete with a built-in USB-C cord. I usually plug it in during the flight, charge my phone and the battery simultaneously, and land fully powered. I can power my camera in a pinch with this as well.
Hand cream – Cabin air is notoriously drying. Kiehl’s thick unscented hand cream is a staple I restock without fail.
Lip balm – While I don’t use it much day-to-day, my lips immediately crave moisture the second I step onboard. I love the cooling applicator tip of the one from Nécessaire.
Steam eye masks – The disposable kind I mentioned earlier. Perfect for a quick warm-up and decompression, plus they’re slightly less bulky to pack than the rechargeable version.
Ear plugs – For drowning out ambient airplane noise without the added pressure of headphones. I’m loyal to the ones from Muji and buy them by the handful.
AirPods Pro & Beats Pro – I bring both for long flights. The Beats double as my workout headphones, and I like having a backup pair for when one inevitably runs out of battery mid-journey.
Muji pill case – Packed neatly with essentials: magnesium, vitamin D, melatonin, Naproxen, ibuprofen, Pepcid AC, and Noon sleep gummies.
Makeup remover wipes – Great for cleansing before takeoff or freshening up before landing. If I’m feeling extra fancy, I’ll slap on a sheet mask mid-flight—but more often, laziness wins.
Snack bar – Because no one should have to face a travel delay while hangry.
Kindle – Needs no introduction! Even if I don’t end up reading on the flight, just knowing it’s there is comforting — I know I can withstand a long delay with a good book in hand.
Hand sanitizer – I’m not particularly germaphobic (more of a "what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger" type), but it’s still handy in a pinch.
Not pictured: Invisalign retainers – Still committed to wearing them overnight and on long flights. After investing so much in my teeth, I’m not about to backslide.
Another honorable mention I forgot to include in the photo: a small container of sunscreen, as UV exposure is worse in the air.
Most of these essentials fit neatly inside a cute little checkered pouch I picked up recently. (I'm a sucker for a checkerboard print and am already considering a second one just for chargers and electronics.)
Next up: a small leather pouch where I stash a few basic makeup items for when I want to feel slightly more human before landing.
Tsu Lange Yor perfume – The scent “Luca” is delightful. A little spritz after a flight is all I need.
e.l.f. Wow Brow Gel – My favorite bang-for-buck $5 brow product, perfect for a quick fluff and polish, and petite enough to fit in the tiniest pouch.
Fara Homidi favorites – Can you tell I’m a fan? I carry the concealer/highlighter palette (my shade is Sable), lip essentials palette, lip pencil, lip brush, and concealer brush. I’m a total sucker for beautiful branding, and everything she releases just works — plus her palette packaging is weighty and stunning.
Sweed Lash Lift Mascara – I love the ultra-fine and precise brush on this: it lengthens without weighing down lashes, doesn’t clump, and removes easily with a basic cleanser (unlike all my favorite Asian mascaras).
Augustinus Bader x Sofia Coppola Lip Tint – My alternative when I want a more sheer, hydrated lip instead of the Fara Homidi palette.
Surratt Eyelash Curler – Mentioned this before in my personal care post, but it deserves another shoutout. It opens wider than any other curler I've tried, catching even the tiny lashes at the corners.
And finally: the most “unexpected” thing I travel with, without fail?
A pour-over coffee kit.
Making pour-over coffee is the one morning ritual I try to keep consistent, no matter where I am. It gives every day a tiny sense of normalcy, and it’s something I greatly look forward to.
Some hotels are starting to include pour-over stations in their rooms, which makes me irrationally happy. (It’s always a bonus if there’s a gooseneck kettle 🤓, but I’ll make do with a standard one if needed.)
My travel coffee setup includes a small hand grinder, an April Coffee Brewer, paper filters, a mini travel scale, and whatever beans I’m into at the moment. Often I leave space in my bag so I can buy fun local roasts wherever I land.
That’s the gist of the lineup for now, though I’m always tweaking it based on new discoveries (or inevitable travel fails). If you have any non-negotiable essentials or genius travel hacks you swear by (for instance, do compression socks really make a difference? I haven’t properly tried enough to know the difference!), I’d love to hear them. May is another busy travel month for me, and I’m always trying to optimize my setup.
I agree that the wax earbuds by Ohropax or Quies are the best (much better than the silicone or squishy foamy ones). They soften quickly and are very comfortable and keep out more noise than others.
Weleda Skin Food !