Whether I am boarding a long flight or taking shorter trips, my carry-on essentials remain the same. After all, they aren’t called “essential items” for nothing! After hundreds of flights (maybe thousands, who’s counting?), here are the items I can’t live without while on board a flight. And my favorite bags that are not only stylish, but make traveling a cinch! If you’re looking for the best tips for what to pack in your carry-on for a short trip or long-haul flights, here are my Top 10 recs for your next trip:
Image credit: @themillennialdecorator
1. Tote Bag
The Goyard Saint Louis GM Bag is my favorite travel tote. It’s the perfect size for carry-on items, it weighs nothing on its own and it fits perfectly under the seat in front of you for easy access to all of your in-flight essentials. It also makes getting through airport security a breeze. My lap top slides in and out along with the bottle of water I always seem to forget is in there!
If you prefer a duffel bag style, the Louis Vuitton Keepall Bandoulière 45 is also super stylish and the perfect size to travel with. They are both pricey but worth it if you’re a frequent traveler as they truly last forever. You can also find pre-owned options with much more affordable price points.
2. Rolling Carry-On
If you need a slightly larger sized carry-on luggage or are trying to skip a checked bag and the wait at baggage claim, I highly recommend Tumi’s Alpha 3 Continental 4-wheel rolling bag. It’s slightly heavy, especially if needing to lift it into an overhead bin, but it’s the perfect size and has a compartment for everything. If you’re looking to pack clothes for a weekend getaway or a quick business trip, this is an amazing suitcase. It makes for a super smooth and highly organized travel experience.
3. Wallet
I always have my wallet in my tote bag with credit cards, my passport, travel documents and cash. I love using a sleek pouch as a wallet so that I can also slide in receipts, business cards, other important documents and a pen.
4. Pouch/ Small Purse
I have another pouch in my carry-on that contains the following travel essentials: a phone charger, lip balm, a pack of gum, hand sanitizer, eye drops, travel sized Tylenol or Advil and headphones. It’s a great way to keep all of these things organized in a smaller bag and easy to find vs. floating somewhere in my tote. You can also throw in some Airborne or zinc supplements to make sure you stay healthy throughout your travels! My favorite bag to keep these small items in is Anya Hindmarch’s In-Flight Case, mostly because it’s clear so I can find what I’m looking for easily.
5. Cell Phone
I mean, who goes anywhere without their cell phones? And who wouldn’t put this as #1 on their list? It goes without saying that my cell phone is in my bag at all times for short flights or big trips. I may also bring an iPad to watch movies, depending how long the flight is.
PS. My go-to in-flight movie is Crazy Rich Asians. I’ve seen it a thousand times and have cried every time. Blame it on the altitude.
6. Chargers and Adapters
Portable chargers for all of your electronic devices are also important to keep in your carry-on to ensure they don’t get lost along the way. And if you are going on an international trip, you should also carry a travel adapter with you as a general rule.
7. Sweatshirt or Wrap
I always have a sweatshirt or wrap in my bag to stay warm & comfy on a flight, especially if I’m hoping to take a nap! Sometimes I also throw in an extra pair of socks to change into if I’m heading somewhere with cold weather or just want to curl up on the flight.
8. Travel Pillow/ Neck Pillow
If you are taking a long-haul flight, make sure to put your travel pillow in your carry-on. There is nothing worse than needing to sleep on your flight and not being able to, or landing with a stiff neck that you can’t move!
9. Lotion
Dry skin is unavoidable on flights so I always make sure I have face and hand lotion in my bag. You want to land looking refreshed and glowing. Make sure you apply during the flight and again before you land to keep your skin hydrated!
10. Book/ Magazine
If you’re like me, a flight is one of the few moments of silence I get to flip through a magazine or read a book for any length of time. So don’t forget to pack your amazon kindle or pick up the latest fashion mag at the newsstand before hopping on your flight!
