For flight attendants, long layovers, last-minute trips, and changing climates are part of the job — which means they need to be prepared for just about anything. This makes them an excellent resource for packing tips. From must-have essentials to surprising items you probably haven’t thought of, these are the items that flight attendants always pack in their carry-on bags.
Hydration Essentials
A lot happens to your body on an airplane, but one of the worst side effects is dehydration. As family medicine physician Dr. Goldman explains, “About 50% of the air circulating in the cabin is pulled from the outside, and at high altitudes, the air is almost completely devoid of moisture.” This causes your skin, throat, and nose to feel dry.
Since flight attendants take to the skies multiple times daily, they know this feeling better than anyone. One flight attendant shared with Daily Passport that she carries a 50-ounce reusable water bottle every time she flies, stopping: d to fill it up in the terminal before each flight. She also recommends taking your regular skin care products (as long as they’re less than 3.4 fluid ounces), along with body lotion and chapstick. After all, no one wants to start a vacation with dry or irritated skin.
Lost Luggage Kit
There are few worse feelings as an airline passenger than finding out your luggage has been lost, especially if it happens en route to your destination. To avoid being left without essential items in a faraway place, pack a lost luggage kit in your carry-on. Emily, an Australian flight attendant, shared on TikTok that this is the one step you should never skip while packing. “Always, always, always have a small packing cube filled with essentials like a spare change of clothes and toiletries. That way, if your checked luggage is lost or delayed, you’ll have enough to get by comfortably for at least a couple of days,” she says.
Medication
It might sound surprising, but some travelers pack their medication in their checked luggage, which can lead to big problems during a delay. Not only can medication be lost in checked luggage, but you might not be able to find the replacement medication you need at your destination, especially if you’re traveling abroad. Avoid these concerns by keeping medication with you at all times.
Marissa, a flight attendant from the U.S. Midwest, shared on TikTok that she always carries two different pill boxes in her carry-on. One contains nonprescription medications, such as headache or allergy medication, to use as needed. The second pill organizer contains her daily prescription medications, vitamins, and supplements.
Valuable Items
If you’re traveling for a special event like a wedding, chances are you’re bringing along valuables such as jewelry, watches, or even cash in a card for the happy couple. If this is the case, always keep any valuable or irreplaceable belongings with you in your carry-on. In the event that your luggage is lost — or worse, stolen — you’ll be glad to have these items. Not only do flight attendants recommend this, but so does the Transportation Security Administration. The TSA warns against putting valuables in checked luggage and offers private screenings by request for valuables to maintain your discretion at the security checkpoint.
Noise-Canceling Headphones
This is one accessory that will change how you fly. When they aren’t working, you’ll often find flight attendants wearing noise-canceling headphones — and many recommend that passengers try them, too. One social media travel influencer, KJ, who is the daughter of a flight attendant, lists the device as one of her carry-on essentials. “Even if you’re not listening to music, just to put on the noise canceling when you’re trying to sleep — game-changer.”
She prefers Bose QuietComfort Headphones, which are also bluetooth-enabled, so you’ll have no tangled cords in your bag. If you’d like to connect your wireless headphones to your personal screen on the plane, remember to purchase a Bluetooth adapter. It plugs into the headphone jack on the side of the screen, allowing your headphones to connect to the in-flight entertainment.
Snacks
Although passengers often have the option to purchase food on a flight, many flight attendants love bringing their own snacks in their carry-ons. “I also bring my own little snack bag, so I don’t have to pay airport prices — and I get to eat what I like if I don’t love the onboard options,” a flight attendant shared with Daily Passport. Not only will you save money at the airport, but you’ll also save time scouring through lackluster snack options. Additionally, packing snacks is essential if you have food allergies or sensitivities, because the last place you’d want to have a flare-up is on a flight.
Bulky Clothing
If you’re packing for a cold-weather journey, you might have trouble fitting your boots and winter jacket in your luggage. Instead, take them with you on the plane — not in your carry-on, but on your body. When sharing tips for packing light, flight attendant Bernice recommended on TikTok that passengers wear their bulkiest clothing while flying. This also helps with weight limits in checked luggage and space limitations in your carry-on.
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