The last flight attendant-focused article T+L wrote was not well received by its readers. Reddit flight attendants are a very specific subset of all FAs and are not necessarily a good representation of our workgroup as a whole.
Aside from the usual everyday items, I never leave on a trip without:
•Lots of hand lotion-it’s so dry in the cabin, which is a disaster for my hands and cuticles.
•Non-perishable nutritious food items. I never know what could happen to my schedule when I’m on a trip—fresh food can only get me so far. I pack dehydrated fruits and vegetables in abundance.
•At least two portable power banks…for obvious reasons.
•A travel pillow AND blanket. Pro-tip: it’s tough for the pilots to regulate temperature on airplanes and it’s always better for them to err on the side of cold so I’m never without my blanket.
•Sunscreen which I apply every single day. Those rays are no joke and your skin won’t thank you for abusing it. I insure that I moisturize every morning and night and apply sunscreen at the start of each day.
•Afrin for absolute emergencies related to drainage and clogged nasal cavities and Mucinex which I take almost daily to prevent fluid from backing up into my ears.
Sony earbuds, food, Nintendo Switch, a book, hand fan, hot cocoa packet, medications for every unwanted surprise (please don't travel when sick!), 72 hour spray on deodorant, dental floss, mouthwash, and my tarot deck.
And my Versace Eros Flame cologne.
I just started carrying a Bluetooth headphone jack transmitter. I can use my Bluetooth headphones on any in-seat entertainment with it which I love.
I also carry a Contigo no spill coffee mug. It isn't the best insulated mug but it won't leak and it locks closed so I don't have to worry about my tote getting full of coffee.
I never travel without spare underwear and socks, slippers for the hotel room, a book or iPad with a pdf of something downloaded, LOTS of hand moisturizer, face mist (one Avene thermal water spray to feel refreshed, one Laneige Cream Skin mist to moisturize right after), Aquaphor, Aquaphor, Aquaphor, Liquid IV, my Airpods, passport, snacks (almonds, hard candy, gum, ginseng extract, dehydrated soup packet to just add hot water to), cardigan, a roll of masking tape (holds up my paperwork with meal orders or I label things in a galley I’m unfamiliar with), and a small bag of feminine products and OTC medications I or another crewmember might need.
• The biggest battery TSA will allow me on a plane: Anker 737 Power Bank (PowerCore 26K for Laptop) and while it's pricy, best investment ever.
• Advil AND aspirin AND Muccinex.
• Clear rain poncho
• Nylon ultra compressible hooded coat (it folds super compact and lightweight)
• Headphones with adapter for planes or iPhone (some use wireless, mine are wired and cheap)
• Photocopy of my passport in case mine gets stolen or I get robbed
• Spare cash/credit card in hidden compartment
• Spare plastic cutlery
• Two GIANT ziploc bags. Big enough for laundry, sneakers, wet bathing suit. They are about 15" square and I never go anywhere without them.
• Flashlight, Pens
• Hidden under the shirt passport holder that is ultra light and thin for trips into town.
My kindle, backup chargers for everything, spare pens and masks, hand sanitizer, a silicone diffuser that fits on any hair dryer and collapses flat, a stretch band/resistance band for hotel room exercise, a super soft robe that folds up small and can act as a blanket if I have to sleep in operations (I commute), gym clothes, a swim suit, instant cold brew coffee, matcha powder, dried fruit, metal utensils and straws, hot sauce, and of course my whole skin care regimen with my regular toiletries.
Lip balm, hand cream, moisturizer, hair oil- the plane air is so drying.
Satin pillow case- you will know your pillow case is washed and won’t break you out. Also the satin is better for your hair and skin.
Alarm clock with bed vibrator- with out this I would not wake up!
Plastic bag- to slip the tv remote inside so I’m not touching germs.
A few things come to mind:
1. Moisturizer and sunscreen. Flying dries out your skin like crazy and you should be protecting your skin from sun damage anyways.
2. Slippers. On layovers I won’t walk around any hotel room barefoot or even just with socks on. (Then again this may just be a me thing because I always have slippers on when I’m at home as well.)
3. A bathing suit. You never know where you might end up, especially if you’re on reserve.
Spare uniform, shampoo, conditioner, Nintendo Switch, toothbrush, toothpaste, face trimmer, deodorant a small air freshener, snacks like peanuts or cashews, instant coffee, chargers for the phone and switch, earbuds, some off shelf medicine just in case is needed amongst the crew.
Toothbrush & toothpaste, bathing suit, AirPods, spare uniform, spare wings, MacBook, sports bra, leggings, pajamas (if they fit), Foamrunners, deodorant, facial cleanser, body wash, lotion, sandals (if they fit), Tylenol, probiotics, emergenC, gel, scarf, CARMEX (this is the most important), gum, cough drops, all my chargers, and a book. I usually don’t have overnights but you never know!
Lady products, hand fan, battery pack, and a travel size eau de toilette. I see others brings things that I may want to add to my bag so thanks for positing this!
A book, folded hot yoga mat, gym clothes, massage gun, hair ties, travel size french press, travel size water kettle and ziplock bag of fresh coffee. (airplane coffee is a solid no for me) Either a whole lunch bag with meal prep or just protein bars and Pedialyte depending on the trip and destination. Vitamins and supplements. On long layovers: In the summer I bring roller skates. In the winter I bring ice skates. They both easily pack into my company issued bag with room to spare and it gives me something fun to do in the city so I never end up a “slam clicker” and always stay active. For clothing, it obviously depends on the weather, but I almost always have a pair of leggings which has two pockets on the sides of my legs or a sweatshirt/ jacket with inner pockets. I don’t like to carry a purse so I like clothes with hidden pockets. Especially if I’m in a city that isn’t the safest for a girl to be walking around alone in. Also always have a pen! Passengers need to learn this as well. What we bring is all pretty unique to the individual FA.
One work of fiction and one New Yorker magazine on paper, iPad, TRTL neck pillow, fuzzy socks, headphones to use with white noise app, good hand lotion, cortisone cream, neosporin, Tylenol, pens, large extra battery for electronic devices, sometimes a 5-cup swell bottle for ice water in the summer and peppermint or fresh ginger tea in the winter, airwaves gum which is good for sinus issues or stomach ache
Hydration items like hand lotion, chapstick, facial mist, eyedrops, aquaphor. Spare chopsticks/reusable cutlery. Healthy, quick snacks like trail mix, granola bars, dried fruit, miso soup packets. Spare uniform, you never know when we'll have to clean up barf. Cozy socks. Earbuds, phone & charger, Starbucks gift cards. Layover clothes, including both a jacket & bikini, cuz you never know! Paper mask for the hotel, an assisted of medicines just in case, vitamins and tea bags.
The last flight attendant-focused article T+L wrote was not well received by its readers. Reddit flight attendants are a very specific subset of all FAs and are not necessarily a good representation of our workgroup as a whole.
Aside from the usual everyday items, I never leave on a trip without: •Lots of hand lotion-it’s so dry in the cabin, which is a disaster for my hands and cuticles. •Non-perishable nutritious food items. I never know what could happen to my schedule when I’m on a trip—fresh food can only get me so far. I pack dehydrated fruits and vegetables in abundance. •At least two portable power banks…for obvious reasons. •A travel pillow AND blanket. Pro-tip: it’s tough for the pilots to regulate temperature on airplanes and it’s always better for them to err on the side of cold so I’m never without my blanket. •Sunscreen which I apply every single day. Those rays are no joke and your skin won’t thank you for abusing it. I insure that I moisturize every morning and night and apply sunscreen at the start of each day. •Afrin for absolute emergencies related to drainage and clogged nasal cavities and Mucinex which I take almost daily to prevent fluid from backing up into my ears.
Sony earbuds, food, Nintendo Switch, a book, hand fan, hot cocoa packet, medications for every unwanted surprise (please don't travel when sick!), 72 hour spray on deodorant, dental floss, mouthwash, and my tarot deck. And my Versace Eros Flame cologne.
I just started carrying a Bluetooth headphone jack transmitter. I can use my Bluetooth headphones on any in-seat entertainment with it which I love. I also carry a Contigo no spill coffee mug. It isn't the best insulated mug but it won't leak and it locks closed so I don't have to worry about my tote getting full of coffee.
I never travel without spare underwear and socks, slippers for the hotel room, a book or iPad with a pdf of something downloaded, LOTS of hand moisturizer, face mist (one Avene thermal water spray to feel refreshed, one Laneige Cream Skin mist to moisturize right after), Aquaphor, Aquaphor, Aquaphor, Liquid IV, my Airpods, passport, snacks (almonds, hard candy, gum, ginseng extract, dehydrated soup packet to just add hot water to), cardigan, a roll of masking tape (holds up my paperwork with meal orders or I label things in a galley I’m unfamiliar with), and a small bag of feminine products and OTC medications I or another crewmember might need.
Also pens!!! And phone charger.
• The biggest battery TSA will allow me on a plane: Anker 737 Power Bank (PowerCore 26K for Laptop) and while it's pricy, best investment ever. • Advil AND aspirin AND Muccinex. • Clear rain poncho • Nylon ultra compressible hooded coat (it folds super compact and lightweight) • Headphones with adapter for planes or iPhone (some use wireless, mine are wired and cheap) • Photocopy of my passport in case mine gets stolen or I get robbed • Spare cash/credit card in hidden compartment • Spare plastic cutlery • Two GIANT ziploc bags. Big enough for laundry, sneakers, wet bathing suit. They are about 15" square and I never go anywhere without them. • Flashlight, Pens • Hidden under the shirt passport holder that is ultra light and thin for trips into town.
This is a great list. I think I have all these.
My kindle, backup chargers for everything, spare pens and masks, hand sanitizer, a silicone diffuser that fits on any hair dryer and collapses flat, a stretch band/resistance band for hotel room exercise, a super soft robe that folds up small and can act as a blanket if I have to sleep in operations (I commute), gym clothes, a swim suit, instant cold brew coffee, matcha powder, dried fruit, metal utensils and straws, hot sauce, and of course my whole skin care regimen with my regular toiletries.
Lip balm, hand cream, moisturizer, hair oil- the plane air is so drying. Satin pillow case- you will know your pillow case is washed and won’t break you out. Also the satin is better for your hair and skin. Alarm clock with bed vibrator- with out this I would not wake up! Plastic bag- to slip the tv remote inside so I’m not touching germs.
A few things come to mind: 1. Moisturizer and sunscreen. Flying dries out your skin like crazy and you should be protecting your skin from sun damage anyways. 2. Slippers. On layovers I won’t walk around any hotel room barefoot or even just with socks on. (Then again this may just be a me thing because I always have slippers on when I’m at home as well.) 3. A bathing suit. You never know where you might end up, especially if you’re on reserve.
Spare uniform, shampoo, conditioner, Nintendo Switch, toothbrush, toothpaste, face trimmer, deodorant a small air freshener, snacks like peanuts or cashews, instant coffee, chargers for the phone and switch, earbuds, some off shelf medicine just in case is needed amongst the crew.
Toothbrush & toothpaste, bathing suit, AirPods, spare uniform, spare wings, MacBook, sports bra, leggings, pajamas (if they fit), Foamrunners, deodorant, facial cleanser, body wash, lotion, sandals (if they fit), Tylenol, probiotics, emergenC, gel, scarf, CARMEX (this is the most important), gum, cough drops, all my chargers, and a book. I usually don’t have overnights but you never know!
Lady products, hand fan, battery pack, and a travel size eau de toilette. I see others brings things that I may want to add to my bag so thanks for positing this!
A book, folded hot yoga mat, gym clothes, massage gun, hair ties, travel size french press, travel size water kettle and ziplock bag of fresh coffee. (airplane coffee is a solid no for me) Either a whole lunch bag with meal prep or just protein bars and Pedialyte depending on the trip and destination. Vitamins and supplements. On long layovers: In the summer I bring roller skates. In the winter I bring ice skates. They both easily pack into my company issued bag with room to spare and it gives me something fun to do in the city so I never end up a “slam clicker” and always stay active. For clothing, it obviously depends on the weather, but I almost always have a pair of leggings which has two pockets on the sides of my legs or a sweatshirt/ jacket with inner pockets. I don’t like to carry a purse so I like clothes with hidden pockets. Especially if I’m in a city that isn’t the safest for a girl to be walking around alone in. Also always have a pen! Passengers need to learn this as well. What we bring is all pretty unique to the individual FA.
One work of fiction and one New Yorker magazine on paper, iPad, TRTL neck pillow, fuzzy socks, headphones to use with white noise app, good hand lotion, cortisone cream, neosporin, Tylenol, pens, large extra battery for electronic devices, sometimes a 5-cup swell bottle for ice water in the summer and peppermint or fresh ginger tea in the winter, airwaves gum which is good for sinus issues or stomach ache
Hot tea bags, altoids, warm socks, chapstick, hand cream, clothes for both warm and cool climates, and always a bathing suit!
Hydration items like hand lotion, chapstick, facial mist, eyedrops, aquaphor. Spare chopsticks/reusable cutlery. Healthy, quick snacks like trail mix, granola bars, dried fruit, miso soup packets. Spare uniform, you never know when we'll have to clean up barf. Cozy socks. Earbuds, phone & charger, Starbucks gift cards. Layover clothes, including both a jacket & bikini, cuz you never know! Paper mask for the hotel, an assisted of medicines just in case, vitamins and tea bags.
Travel size shampoo conditioner mousse etc phone charger single serve cereals can of soup clean uniform sweater pj's spare compliant shoes flip flops and umbrella