Airborne Essentials
Wondering what to bring on a plane with you the next time you fly? You’ve come to the right place. From essentials like your passport to games for entertainment, here’s everything you need for your flight. Read on to discover our ultimate packing list.
Must-Have Items for Your Air Travel
Passport and Travel Documents
The most important items you’ll need to take on the flight with you are your passport and travel documents. Without them, you may be denied access to the plane and therefore unable to reach your vacation destination.
Too many travelers make the mistake of putting these items in their checked baggage, meaning that when they reach the gate to board and are asked to present these, they don’t have them to hand. In the best-case scenario, this blunder delays the flight a little. Worst case scenario, it can leave you sitting in the airport lounge watching your flight take off without you.
Before traveling, it’s useful to establish exactly what travel documents you’ll need to enter a country. While many countries don’t require anything other than your passport, countries like the United States and Colombia have additional documentation requirements.
Self-Care Items
Long flights can leave your lips chapped and your hands cracking. That’s why it’s great practice to pack lip balm and hand cream in your carry-on luggage. Think of the future you enjoying the first night at your travel destination. You’ll be grateful for the version of you that planned.
Calm balm is a helpful tool for those who get nervous when flying. If this is you, go shopping before travel day for a lavender-scented calm balm and add this to your carry-on bag.
Reusable Water Bottles and Snacks
Picture the scene. You’re halfway through your six-hour flight and the attendants still haven’t ventured down the aisle with their trolley of snacks and drinks. By taking a reusable water bottle and snacks onto the plane with you, you won’t have to rely on anyone else.
Pack snacks according to the length of your journey and make sure the whole family is catered for. You’ll be able to take reusable water bottles through security at the airport, so long as they are empty - and can then fill them up in the lounge while you wait for your gate to be called. Remember to consider whether it’s safe to drink the water!
Compression Socks
Compression socks are a worthwhile investment. Designed to apply pressure to your legs, they’re especially useful for longer flights where you’ll be sitting for hours at a time. Compression socks help to prevent deep vein thrombosis by increasing blood circulation.
Entertainment
Flights can be extremely boring, especially if you experience long delays. It’s important to plan and make sure that you have all the entertainment you need for the journey. Most planes still don’t offer Wi-Fi to customers, so download content onto your phone before you leave your home. That way, you’ll have the new season of your show or favorite podcasts at your fingertips. Just don’t forget your headphones!
If you’re traveling with children, why not pack some activities and games to keep them entertained? There are plenty of travel-size games available to purchase at the airport.
Eye Mask, Earplugs and Travel Pillow
If you’re excited to take a nap on your flight, ensure it isn’t disturbed by loud children and snoring adults with these essential items. By placing earplugs into your carry-on bag, you’ll be able to shut out your fellow passengers and get some shuteye. An eye mask further enhances your chances of sleeping by blocking out reading lights and bright sunshine.
Resting with the aid of a travel pillow will ensure that you arrive at your new destination feeling refreshed and ready to jump into the adventure. Avoid a stiff neck and settle in for hours of good sleep!
Medication
One of the main essentials to bring on a plane is your prescription medications. Don’t make the mistake of packing these into your checked baggage as you might need them during the flight. Even if you know you land at 6 pm and don’t need to take your medication until 7 pm, factor in potential delays that may leave you stuck on the plane.
Power Bank, Travel Adaptor and Phone Charger
Don’t forget to include a power bank, travel adaptor and phone charger on your travel checklist. A power bank ensures that you don’t lose your phone battery during that crucial final scene of a new movie you’ve downloaded, while a phone charger and universal travel adaptor mean you can charge back up as soon as you land.
Face Mask and Hand Sanitizer
It’s safe to say that planes are full of germs: coughing passengers, small restrooms and tightly packed seating. To limit your risks from the recirculated air on your flight, consider wearing a face mask and using hand sanitizer when touching surfaces.