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We’ve all been there. You’re in economy sitting uncomfortably squished between people who you don’t know with barely enough room to breathe. Once the flight takes off, you’ll be stuck there for hours. Well, here are some smart travel products for a more comfortable flight experience.
A Compact Pillow + Blanket Set, $25 – $30
A good pillow and blanket are essential for having a comfortable flight. We all know those little airline pillows and blankets just don’t cut it. And some airlines don’t even offer them. These are all great compact pillow and blanket options to suit any style. What’s special about them is that each pillow holds a secret zipper where you can store the blanket, making them really convenient to travel with.
Promising Review: “I just purchased this blanket and took it on a trip to Oregon just this past week. It was the perfect blanket to have along, as one of the airplanes was pretty cold and the blanket was so soft and cozy. I loved that it folds so easily into its travel bag and the fact that the bag slides right over your luggage handle. I purchased the teal color and it is beautiful. I washed it right away before my trip just in case it would shed, which it didn’t. I highly recommend this blanket.”
Trtl Neck Pillow, $45
This pillow is designed for ultimate plane sleep comfort and is scientifically proven to give you neck support while you take your much deserved plane nap.
Promising Review: “Amazingly simple, amazingly functional and amazingly good are the best terms I can use to describe this travel pillow. I fall asleep on airplanes no matter what time of the flight. I’ve tried memory foam, inflatable and bead type of pillows to support my head and reduce how uncomfortable airplane seats are when sleeping. This pillow, once you get it in the proper place, allows for more comfortable position of the head. It packs extremely well by just using the velcro around a luggage handle too. Numerous plane trips and the occasional long car ride prove this to be the best I’ve had.”
Collapsable Water Bottle, $13
You can’t bring water past security onto your flight, but if you want to save yourself from purchasing an overpriced bottle of water at the airport, bringing a water bottle is a great hack. This BPA free 20oz water bottle is collapsable, which is perfect because it won’t take up extra space in your backpack! After passing security, you can just expand it and fill it up at a water fountain.
Promising Review: “I bought this for my disneyland trip. I knew I would get thirsty, but I KNOW myself and I would hate to lug around a big heavy bottle around even when it’s empty. I wanted something that I could easily break down and stuff in my fanny pack when not in use. And this, this was it. It did exactly what I needed it to do. It was so cool, even my hubby wanted to steal it from me after.”
Disposable No-Toothpaste Toothbrushes
Edit (Sep 26, 2022): The individual packs are currently unavailable on Amazon, however you can still get this pack of 2 there for $15.
When you want to freshen up a bit on the go and take care of your teeth, this is a godsend. It’s a pack of 24 disposable toothbrushes that come complete with toothpaste already! When you want to clean the gunk out of your teeth, you can just use one and then throw it out. You won’t need to carry around all of your toothbrush, toothpaste, and a container for them.
Promising Review: “I wish I had known about this product earlier!”
Foot Rest Hammock, $22
If you’ve been on a long-haul flight, you know how helpful it would be to have a place that you could rest your tired feet. Well, this product is here to the rescue. You can attach this little hammock to the seat in front of you and put your feet on its soft supporting cushions to give them some rest.
Promising Review: “At 5’2, my legs often lose circulation during long flights since my feet dangle off the seat. I purchased this as a last ditch effort to try and get comfortable during a transatlantic flight. It actually worked and I had other passengers ask me where I got it! Super easy to pack and store. Definitely a must travel accessory for us short gals.”
Contact Lens Kit and Glasses Case, $13
Planes are super duper drying. That means if you’re planning on flying with your contacts, you better be prepared to take them out so they don’t dry out your eyes. And airplane bathrooms are not really the best place to do that. This is where this travel product comes in handy. With this product, you will not only be able to keep your glasses safe, you’ll also be able to take your contact lenses on and off right in the comfort of your own seat!
Promising Review: “As an avid contact wearer I wanted a glasses case for my flight to Europe and 3 weeks of travel. This case was perfect for that! I added contact solution to the little bottle and was able to fill up the contact case 3 times with it which was perfect for when my big bottle was in the checked bag. It held my glasses perfectly and the tweezers and contact suction stick were perfect for when I didn’t want to wait in the long line for the lavritory and didn’t feel like my hand sanitizer was cutting it. The case is pretty compact and offers so many little perks! I’m so happy with this purchase for all my travels”
Travel Wallet, $15
When you’re at the airport, if you want to have all of your documents at arms reach so you’re not fumbling around for your passport, this product is made for you. I actually have one of these and I absolutely love it. Not only do I have everything in one place, it’s RFID blocking so you’re sure to stay safe during your trip. This travel wallet comes with places to put your cell phone, credit cards, id, passport, keys, sim cards, boarding ticket, and pen.
Promising Review: “I like this wallet a lot because all of my others seemed too bulky. This one isn’t bulky, and looks stylish as well. It holds my cards perfectly and more. I’m really happy with this purchase. I need a few more in different colors. It would be cool if it had a long shoulder strap too….but the wristlet will do…so far it’s heavy duty and I haven’t had any problems with the snap or wear and tear. And I’m pretty rough n this thing….just buy it.”
P.S. If you’re traveling with a family, check out this travel wallet which was made for that and that has room for multiple passports.
Soap Paper Sheets, $8
Honestly this is a life-saving thing to always have in your purse, whether you’re flying or not flying. Has the airplane or airport bathroom run out of soap? Well, if you have yourself one of these, you’re in luck. Just take a sheet and rub it in your hands under the water and it’ll instantly dissolve into soap that you can use to wash your hands!
Promising Review: “These are so much better then sanitizer!! The smell is amazing and your hands actually feel clean after”
Noise Cancelling Headphones, $380
I don’t need to explain this one. These Bose noise-cancelling headphones were voted the best ones by the New York Times.
Promising Review: “Took a big risk with the price but oh boy, I was not disappointed! I have some sensory issues and have been travelling a lot recently. They allowed me to fall asleep during a flight which I’ve never been able to do! I really like that I can change the amount of noise cancelling depending on how I’m feeling. The sound quality is also outstanding! You can change the sound settings to your liking with the Bose app too. Also, insanely comfy!!!! I can wear these for hours at a time without getting uncomfy, and that’s a big plus for me, especially cause most over the ear headphones push my glasses against my head and get uncomfortable after a long period. So far, haven’t had that problem. Would definitely recommend!”
Bluetooth Audio Jack Connector, $55
With the popularity of wireless headphones, it can be easy to forget that they’re not yet compatible with airplanes. If you want to watch a movie or a series through your wireless headphones (better, wireless noise-cancelling headphones), make sure to bring this gadget with you.
Promising Review: “Used on long haul flight. Really easy to set up before I got to the airport. Easily lasted my 8.5/9hr flight. Lots of questions about it on the flights.”
Portable Arm Rest, $20
There are just not enough armrests for everybody on a flight. This cool flight gadget splits your arm rest to two and will prevent you from fighting with the stranger next to you over who gets the coveted armrest.
Promising Review: “Really neat product, very functional, saves a lot of stress arguing over the armrest.”
Compression Socks, $13
These will definitely save your feet during the flight. When we fly, our feet swell up because they have a hard time circulating the blood back to our hearts. Compressions socks stimulate blood circulation in your feet and will therefore ease the swelling. This article has more information about compression socks when flying. If you’d rather wear short socks over long socks, there are short compression socks as well.
Promising Review: “I love the look, the material, they’re extremely comfortable, not too tight easy to put on but just perfect amount of compression and shipping was fast, I’m very happy, will definitely order more, guarantee you will be happy!!! Thank you … I have finally found what I’ve been searching for, feels amazing on my calves for long shifts at the hospital.”
Backseat Organizer, $25
If you don’t like putting your stuff in the gross pockets on the plane, just attach this product to the seat in front of you and let it hold your items instead.
Promising Review: “This makes long plane flights so much better! Just attach to the tray table and all your stuff is at your fingertips and no worries about germs.”
Stain Removing Pen, $8
You never know what may occur on a long flight. Maybe you’ll spill some coffee on your shirt. Maybe your child might vomit on you (this happened to my dad once in the beginning of a 12 hour flight). Be prepared. Bring a stain removing pen. Or better, just bring a change of clothes in your carry-on.
Promising Review: “Unknowingly cut yourself while shaving and then accidentally turned your bed sheets into a crime scene? Wearing a white jersey to a baseball game with heavy drinking and poor decisions? Thought that white jeans and loaded nachos weren’t going to be a bad combo? These are all real life examples I encountered within a WEEK of ordering Tide-to-go pens and I never knew how much I needed them in my life. No stains AND it fits in a small purse. Just give them all your money, you won’t regret it.”
Homeopathic No-Jetlag Chewables, $15
If you suffer from jet-lag, these chewables are packed with different plants and herbs such as chamomile and daisy that are supposed to help you combat jet-lag. I’ve never used this interesting travel hack, but there are plenty of reviews that say it works.
Promising Review: “No idea how but it helps”
Motion Sickness Medicine, $11
Since my brother and I both get motion sickness, we always like to have Dramamine with us when we fly. Just beware since the original will make you drowsy! For a night flight this is a great thing, but for the daytime They offer a non-drowsy version too which you can purchase here. Just make sure to consult your doctor first.
Promising Review: “I am a person who has severe motion sickness. I get sick from plane rides, boat rides, and the occasional car ride. I purchased this because I needed to fly to see my family. I used this as recommended and had no sick feeling. I would usually get: light-headed, nauseous, dizzy, hot, sweaty, and more. And this did the trick. Note: I took it 30 minutes prior and yes, it does make you drowsy.”
Sleep and Awake Patches, $45
This variety pack from The Good Patch will help you stay awake when you want to be awake and go to sleep when you want to get catch some z’s. To help combat jet lag, you can use these on your flight in accordance with the time zone you are traveling to.
Promising Review: “I have been using these patches for a while now, I really like using the awake B12 and the Dream, I can really tell that they are actually working. they are easy to apply and take off and I even forget I am wearing them.”
Phone/Tablet Mount, $20
This nifty gadget will not only hold your phone or iPad, but will also hold your drink! I’ve had the chance of experiencing a 2 leg 12-hour trip where neither leg had a tv. Not fun. The Airhook clamps onto the back of the seat in front of you so you can use your phone to watch your favorite movie or series. Just make sure to download them before you fly.
Promising Review: “This is the best travel accessory I have ever bought! Get on a plane with a full cup of coffee and nowhere to put it, pull out your air hook And you immediately have a place that is out of the way for both you and the person sitting next to you. No need to hold your phone at strange angles while trying to watch Netflix in the tiny space ever.”
P.S. If you don’t vibe with the cup holder, try this phone mount instead.
A Waterproof Kindle Paperwhite, $130
I love my kindle and I don’t go anywhere without it. If you like to read like me, this is perfect for the plane and traveling in general. You can download any books you want on here and have a whole library with you anywhere you go! Plus, this one is waterproof so you don’t have to worry about reading in the beach or the bathtub.
Promising Review: “I bought this for my wife. She had a much earlier model and really liked it, but this has been a fantastic upgrade for her. Quicker response, water resistance, additional features, and I think it’s a bit lighter weight than her last one. She’s obsessed with it.”
Bluetooth Headphone Sleeping Mask, $23
Omg yes. Let me fall asleep in silence listening to my music 😴
Promising Review: “Very comfy. Elastic velcro strap. Mini USB for charging. Blocks out light, not completely noise canceling. I like to stream white noise via Bluetooth. You can move the speakers around to match your ears perfectly 🥰”
Light Up Travel Mirror, $39
Airplanes never have good lighting, and if you need to go somewhere right after you land and want to not look like you just got off of a 12-hour flight, this mirror will surely come in handy.
Promising Review: “Exactly what I wanted. Super easy to pack great for use at home”
Conclusion
Having been on countless long flights growing up, I know how unpleasant they can be. I hope these travel product ideas will make your next long-haul flight a much more comfortable experience. Let me know what items are a must-have in your carry-on luggage down in the comments!
And until next time,
Take a shans!
Love the armrest divider.
Great idea
Agreed 🙂