- RFID-Blocking Passport And Vaccine Card Holder Combo
- Plane Lumbar Support Pillow
- S'well Stainless Steel Water Bottle
- Snacks
- Lotus Reusable Baggies
- Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray
- First Aid Kit
- Foldable Travel Toothbrush
- iPad
- Portable Charger Power Bank
- Bose Wireless Bluetooth Noise-Cancelling Headphones With Alexa Voice Control
- Games On The Go
- Change Of Clothes
We combined former flight attendant Kentrell Charles’s carry-on bag essentials and what he puts in his carry-on for an international trip and expert TravelAwaits contributor Peggy Cleveland’s Best Things To Bring On A Long Flight along with advice from a few other staffers to bring you the ultimate list of things to put in your carry-on if you’re flying this year.
RFID-Blocking Passport And Vaccine Card Holder Combo
Buy Now“Keep your passport and all documents you’ll need together. You’ll also need to have your proof of vaccination records. I have an inexpensive RFID-blocking passport holder for safety and peace of mind. The holder isn’t just for your passport. Use it to store credit cards, boarding passes, and other important documents. This keeps your personal information safe from being stolen.” — Kentrell Charles
Plane Lumbar Support Pillow
Buy Now $19.79
“I don’t feel like I need a neck pillow, but someone I know recommended a lumbar support pillow. I purchased this one and it is easy to blow up. I must admit having that extra support for my lower back was worth the purchase price. It was definitely more comfortable, especially as I am short and either my legs touch the ground or my back is against the seat but not both. This filled in that gap for me. It also doubled as a lap pad for my computer.” — Peggy Cleveland
S’well Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Buy Now“I also bring a S’well water bottle to fill up once I’ve passed through security. My friend who worked there gave me one as a gift and I love it because it keeps cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot.” — Kentrell Charles
Snacks
Buy NowAvoid skipping a meal, eating unhealthy food at the airport, or overpaying for snacks by packing delicious and nutritious snacks in your carry-on.
“Choosing snacks with natural sugars will minimize the sugar rush and crash that happens when you eat snacks with high sugar content. This includes sugary beverages as well as snacks.” — Sandi Barrett
Check out Sandi’s article 9 Delicious Road Trip Snacks That Are Dietician Approved for more nutritious snack ideas.
Lotus Reusable Baggies
Buy Now $16.99“When I travel, I always seem to have lots of cords, charging plugs, and earbuds to keep track of. I received some Lotus eco-friendly produce bags from Lotus and found they also work well for travel.
I throw a couple in my carry-on in case I need extra storage. I use one to keep all my electronic plugs, cords, et cetera. I always seem to accumulate little things such as extra Bischoff cookies when flying Delta. A Lotus bag captures all the extra clutter.” — Peggy Cleveland
Foldable Travel Toothbrush
Buy Now $6.99“I always put my toothbrush and travel-size toothpaste in my carry-on. They also come in handy if you eat something particularly offensive at the airport. Your seatmates will thank you.” — Kentrell Charles
Bose Wireless Bluetooth Noise-Cancelling Headphones With Alexa Voice Control
Buy Now $599.99“Headphones are a must on flights if you want to watch a movie or listen to music, a podcast, or an audiobook. Don’t leave home without them!” — Kentrell Charles
If you prefer earbuds, check out this affordable pair.
Games On The Go
Buy Now $11.99“Games on the Go offers up age-appropriate activities no matter where you are: in a car, on a plane, or inside on a rainy day. While some cards are designed to be specifically road trip-centric, others can be performed anywhere. Broaden your grandkids’ imaginations by creating stories together, build their vocabularies by completing word puzzles, or build rapport by reliving fun memories.” — Clayton McKibbin
For more game ideas, check out Clayton’s article The Best Road Trips Games Of 2022.
Change Of Clothes
Buy Now $119“I always have a change of clothes on hand. These come in handy if your checked baggage doesn’t arrive when you do. For this reason, it’s also a good idea to pack a change of undergarments, too.” — Kentrell Charles
This SCOTTeVEST Men’s Beachcomber Travel Shirt has seven pockets, including two hidden ones. Complete the look with a pair of Unionbay Men’s Rainier Lightweight Comfort Travel Tech Chino Pants.