From Someone Who Would Know: Must-Haves for a Comfortable Flight

Just because you can’t take liquid through security doesn’t mean you have to be parched until the drink cart reaches your seat. Empty water bottles breeze through those X-ray scanners; fill yours up at a water fountain once you pass through security. Once you’re onboard, here’s a pro tip: Always take water from the flight attendant and pour it right into your bottle, so you don’t have chug it immediately to avoid it spilling out of the little plastic cup they give you. If you’re really opposed to carrying a bottle, opt for a collapsible one. This Amazon find folds up into a little square, the mouthpiece is cleverly designed (a huge spout = spills during turbulence), and it has over 3,000 glowing reviews.

Fact: Flying is drying. Your skin, eyes, and throat might feel like sandpaper after a long journey. And while a little bottle of lotion might soothe dry hands, cracked lips are a different story. I always have a lip balm handy, and I especially like this little gem from Malin+Goetz. The hydrating and nourishing fatty acid blend feels luxurious on lips, but it’s only $14. And it absorbs quickly, so it’s not gloopy. (Stickiness is extra-annoying when you can’t easily wash your hands.) The best part? You can also use it as face moisturizer — we love a multi-use beauty product for travel.  

I tend to contort myself into a pretzel when finding my sleeping sweet spot on a plane, which used to mean twisting myself up in my headphone cord before accidentally yanking it out of my phone and abruptly shutting off my plane playlist, which would then wake me from my slumber. Wireless headphones solved that problem, and I prefer AirPods. (Apple just released a new version with even better noise cancellation.) But you’ll still need an old pair of wired headphones, since there’s no way to connect Bluetooth headphones to your TV screen on most planes. Get a small cheap pair to use when you want to watch a movie, in case they aren’t giving out freebies (looking at you, Jetblue…).  

I’m vegan, so I plan out my plane foods very carefully. (By the way, if you have any dietary restrictions, make sure you request whatever meal you need online a few days before you leave, as some airlines don’t let you do so within 24 or 48 hours of your flight.) Regardless of my main meal — if there is one — I like to keep hearty snacks on hand that feel like a treat but will also nourish my body. Hu’s hunks fit the bill: The protein-rich nuts, covered in chocolate, are a sweet treat that will satiate. 

For a flight of more than a few hours or overnight, a pillow is a must. But I don’t really like those traditional neck pillows made for travel. I can’t tell you all the ways I’ve contorted them in an attempt to get comfortable — I stretched them straight, folded them over, and sometimes even put them on the tray table and slept face-down, massage table-style. But sleeping on a squished-up sweater or bony shoulder isn’t comfortable, either. The pillow that meets my needs is this one from Cushion Lab, which looks like a basic travel pillow but is much slimmer and adjusts to many different plane sleep styles — head bobbers, rejoice! I also found a similar one on Amazon that’s got the same features but costs a little less. 

Not all planes have outlets, so if you plan on using your devices on the plane, park yourself by an outlet while you wait to board to soak up some last-minute juice. I bring along a cheap travel charger and stash it in the seatback compartment after I sit down, so I don’t have to dig around for it later. Pro tip: Most planes have USB outlets nowadays, but certain newer chargers won’t fit into that port. So bring an old USB cord or buy a cheap older model and stash it away in your carryon for easy charging on the plane.

As much time as I’ve spent on planes, I will never understand the choreography of the light show onboard. Why do they dim the lights at the most inopportune times? Why do they insist on full brightness two hours before a plane lands in the middle of the night? And why do you have to keep the shades up during takeoff and landing? I don’t have all the answers. But I do know that I require darkness to sleep. That’s why I always pack a comfy sleep mask. If you’ve never used one before, opt for a silk number like Lunya’s — you’ll barely notice it on your skin. Plus, this one covers your ears to reduce noise as well.

I have a carefully curated plane playlist to help me fall asleep. (Thanks for all the zzz’s, Sara Bareilles and Ed Sheeran.) If music and snoozing don’t go together for you, I’d suggest buying some earplugs so you can sleep through the sounds of the training video (sorry, sleep comes before safety for me) or the person viciously typing on their laptop next to you. I’ve been relying on ​​Howard Leight by Honeywell since I lived in a college dorm. They make disposable and reusable sets, and they have options for all different ear canal sizes.

No matter the climate at your origin or destination, the temp on planes is consistently a roller coaster between Antarctica and the surface of the sun. That’s why I always wear light pants and a T-shirt on planes, but bring along a light, comfy layer to add or angrily tear off, depending on what’s being spit out of those air vents. My travel uniform usually consists of head-to-toe Calia, the fitness apparel brand. Their light joggers don’t look frumpy at all, but they are so light they feel weightless on your legs, and I’m currently living in the brand’s long sleeve cotton pullover. It’s loose and comfy, making it an ideal travel layer. It’s got a little structure and the shape gives off a preppy feel. If you tie it over your shoulders, you’ve achieved that coastal chic look. The versatility came in really handy that one time I landed late and had to go straight to a group dinner with no time to change in between. With an outfit like that, you’re ready for anything.