This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own. Thank you for your support and help in keeping Sarah K Voiles running!

In an era long gone, the art of flying was a mesmerizing novelty. Aboard these magnificent vessels, passengers donned their finest attire, brimming with anticipation, while pilots and flight attendants basked in the glamour of their revered professions. Airlines prided themselves on providing an unparalleled experience, ensuring their guests were pampered and content.

Alas, those halcyon days have faded into the ether, replaced by the modern-day dread of air travel. We now face the tribulations of labyrinthine security lines, stripping down to our most intimate layers for inspection, and the ever-present fear of unwelcome contact - regardless of the caution exercised. We entrust our belongings to the whims of fate, hoping they'll reach our destination unscathed and intact. Upon boarding, we are greeted by a cacophony of cramped spaces, peculiar odors, and the relentless wailing of inconsolable children. Amidst this chaos, the once-pristine cabins now seem tainted by grime.

Yet, we persevere, clad in our most comfortable attire, determined to traverse this airborne gauntlet with a semblance of sanity and dignity. Resilience, my friends, is our guiding star.

Strategically packing your carry on with everything you need to be comfortable, safe, entertained and able to sleep, especially on long flights, is essential!

What to pack in your carry-on for a comfortable flight.

Preparing your carry-on with thoughtful precision, ensuring you have all the essentials for a comfortable, safe, and entertaining journey, is paramount - particularly on those lengthy flights! So, let's delve into the nitty-gritty of packing your carry-on. Here's a comprehensive list of the items that I always have in my trusty bag.

Safety:

RFID blocking wallet - Keeping your personal data safe is a very big deal these days. People have so many ways to steal personal information and data. I use an RFID blocking wallet to keep my bank and credit card, passport, and driver’s license information safe from electronic pickpocketing.
Sanitizer - Airports and airplanes are dirty! I recently saw on the news a report on just how dirty airports and airplanes are. To give you an idea- when tested, the airport bathroom was cleaner by far than the security bins you put your items in and airplane tray tables and seatbelts! Sanitize!
Socks - This is a fantastic tip my sister taught me. It’s pretty gross to have taken off your shoes to walk through security, I can only imagine what’s lurking on that floor that’s getting picked up on our feet and socks that we then shove back into our shoes!
Bring a small pair of socks that you put on over your regular socks to wear through security. As you take off each shoe put a sock on before putting your foot on the ground. Once through, carefully pull each sock off inside out and put your shoe back on. You can then place the socks in a baggie in your bag.

Personal care:

Sheet mask - Long flights are disastrous on our skin. The air is dry and we can easily get dehydrated making our skin look less than fresh. Using a sheet mask during the flight is an easy, non-messy way to hydrate the skin and keep it glowing. It also feels amazing! Why not pamper yourself on a flight? You’ve definitely got the time! I’ll also toss a couple of masks in my bag to use at my destination.
Compression socks - Not attractive but help increase circulation and reduce the risk of swelling or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and clotting on a long flight.
Makeup - I typically fly fresh-faced if it’s a long flight. Depending on what I’m doing once I land I may want to put on a little makeup before landing. I keep it very simple and easy.

Hair tie - If I decide to pull my hair up in flight I’ll gather it at the very top of my head (so it doesn’t interfere with my head back on the headrest) and carefully twist it into a bun. This keeps my hair looking fresh and tidy once I put it down again. Even preserving any curl I had put in my hair.
Hand lotion - Airplane air dries me out!
Pain relief - Just in case of headache or another issue.
Bandaid - It’s good to be prepared for anything.

Comfort:

Thick socks or slippers - It’s not comfortable to wear shoes on a long flight so having a pair of warm thick socks or slippers to put on over your compression socks will help keep your feet warm and you cozy!
A large scarf that doubles as a blanket - This is one of my favorite items to have on a flight. It’s an extra layer that keeps you warm and feeling very cozy.
Snack - It’s not fun to be hangry and sometimes I don’t want to wait for the cart to come by or simply do not like the food being offered in-flight.
Essential oil - Sometimes planes stink, or maybe you have to sit next to someone eating something stinky. When this happens I’ll pull out an essential oil like lavender and use just a little drop on my chest to freshen the air around me. It’s also relaxing!

Sleep:

Emergen zzz - Made by Emergen-C but with added melatonin to help promote sleep.
Neck pillow - So I don’t fall asleep on a stranger or hurt my neck.
Eye mask - Blocking out the light helps support falling and staying asleep on flights.

Entertainment:

Ipad - I like to load up music, movies, tv shows, etc…
Noise-canceling headphones - A must for long flights! Block out crying and whiney children, airplane noise in general or neighboring conversations you don’t want to listen to. Noise canceling headphone create a much more relaxing space of just you and what you actually want to listen to. Also fantastic for sleep!
Note pad/journal
Pen
Book - Having a variety of entertainment is great for long flights. It’s easy to get bored of doing just one thing- even watching movies!
Deck of playing cards - Again, adding variety and this one is great because you can play solitaire alone or engage a travel buddy or great seat neighbor in a card game.

Air travel may not be the glamorous experience it once was, but with a little preparation and a well-packed carry-on, you can make your journey more comfortable, safe, and entertaining. From essential safety items like an RFID blocking wallet and hand sanitizer to comfort items like thick socks and a large scarf that doubles as a blanket, there are plenty of items you can pack to make your flight more enjoyable.

And don't forget about entertainment! Load up your iPad with movies, TV shows, and music, and don't forget to bring noise-canceling headphones to block out unwanted noise. With these tips and tricks, you'll be well on your way to a stress-free flight. Happy travels!

With warmth,

Sarah Voiles

P.S. I’m often asked what carry-on luggage I use and love.

The carry-on luggage I use is the Kenneth Cole REACTION Out of Bounds Lightweight Hardshell 4-Wheel Spinner Luggage in the 20-inch size. I love it because it fits all airline carry-on restrictions, even those smaller European sizes, which makes travel a lot easier.

As for my companion carry-on, I don't have a specific brand that I stick to. I usually grab a large, sturdy tote bag that will fit my purse and everything I need for comfort on the flight. It just needs to fit under the seat in front of me, and I find that it gives me plenty of space without worrying about my purse getting messed up during the flight.