Plane essentials for any length of journey

As a flight attendant, I’ve picked up some tricks for surviving a flight, whether that be a one hour commute or a 24 hour travel day. Here are 8 things you should definitely have in your carry-on, some of which you probably hadn’t thought of. I’ve complied this list from my own experiences when travelling full time as well as from the mistakes I see made time and time again by so many passengers who really don’t realise the mistakes they’re making.

Long layers

I CANNOT stress this enough but please please please please DO NOT wear short layers on a plane, especially shorts. Those seats do not get cleaned regularly at all and the horrors those cushions have seen. *Bleh* 

Passengers more often than you would think relieve themselves where they sit. That’s vile and I can’t stand the thought of sitting in that with bare legs. 

Also, planes get very cold, especially if you’re sitting by the doors so it’s better to have layers and you can always take off bulkier ones if you get too warm. 

Always wear long sleeves and long bottoms, even if they’re super thin, that’s far better than realising you sat in something rather revolting with your bare skin. 

Fluffy socks

Planes are cold! 

Especially if you’re sat near the doors.

I always pack some fluffy socks, or even just an extra pair to put over the top. You loose heat through your head and feet as a way for your body to regulate your temperature so if you’re prone to being cold on planes I’d highly recommend putting on extra socks or even a hat. It’s why on some airlines in some classes they give you complimentary socks. 

Also, don’t take your shoes off. That’s just gross, and the floors have seen some really gruesome things, there’s a reason planes carry anti-nausea medications and flight attendants are trained in child birth…. if you’re that uncomfortable, wear slippers or crocs.

Headphones with a Jack or a Bluetooth adapter

I can’t stand the headphones that planes give you. They hardly ever work or they’re the ones with the weird silicone end that never fit in my ears. Either that or they just don’t even give you any! 

I always make sure I bring headphone that have a Jack attachment because the utter devastation of realising you have the iPhone headphones is heartbreaking on an 8+ hour flight!! 

Alternatively, more and more people are using the Bluetooth adapters that mean you can use your AirPods, beats etc on the TV. This is genius I think, especially since you won’t have to worry about cables getting caught on things and sending your dinner flying!

Eye mask

Airlines have different policies on cabin lighting, often doing food services at 3am because that’s the procedure on a flight. This means the cabin lights have to be on because it’s far too dangerous to take a trolley into a pitch black cabin with people fast asleep, sprawled out at all angles in the cabin. 

If you are wanting to make the most of your long flight and sleep away some jet lag, an eye mask is essential if you’re a light sleeper. 

Since Covid, many airlines have stopped carrying complimentary eye masks so if you’re relying on the ‘free’ ones you’ve received in the past, you are quite possibly going to find yourself in a spot of bother without them!

Adapters

Just because you’re flying with a European airline, doesn’t always mean there will be European outlets. This catches SO many people out! 

The amount of passengers who get annoyed and angry because planes aren’t all fitted with US or EU outlets is huge. While there may be USB ports too, they’re never guaranteed, especially on older aircraft. 

If you forget an adapter, buy one in the airport but it should definitely be in you plane essentials list

Antibacterial wipes

Planes are disgusting places. The turn around on aircraft’s, especially short haul routes are as quick as they can possibly manage. This means things like window panes, arm rests, tray tables, seat buckles and over head lockers (basically EVERY touch point) isn’t cleaned between flights. 

The ground crews will simply do a quick whizz around with a vacuum, pick up any obvious litter and empty the bins. That’s it. On longer turn arounds, they will do a more thorough clean, however that could be after 6 back-to-back flights

Can you see why you should ALWAYS wipe down your seat area with an antibacterial wipe and use hand sanitiser constantly? A lot of airlines give out free wipes for this reason so always take one, or a few they won’t mind. 

Tote bag

So this is a little cheeky but in reality the only people who care about your baggage are the gate agents. Security don’t know where you’re going and as long as you’re following the rules, they really don’t care about baggage. If you think about it, they really have no time to look up whether or not you’ve paid that extra £60 for a carry on item.

On budget flights, I stuff my pockets FULL of little bits and bobs like adapters, cables, mini first aid kits, even a packing cube full of undies once! Amongst those items I always carry a little tote bag, which packs up so small it doesn’t take up any room and you can fill it with the items from your pockets as soon as you pass the boarding gate. 

But don’t abuse this, if you take a small bag to fill when boarding put it under the seat not in the lockers if there’s no space, after all, you’re not paying for it. I cannot emphasise enough that if you’re not paying for the locker, don’t use it! Plane’s just aren’t built to take an entire passenger load of cabin bags.

This also works with duty free carrier bags. You can’t be charged for taking your duty free purchases onto the plane, so therefore, it’s always worth asking if you can have a slightly bigger bag or even to double bag an item, especially if it’s breakable. Or keep bags from previous purchases and bring them along with you. That way you don’t even need to stuff your pockets to the brim as you’re ‘allowed’ take that through.

Chocolates for the crew

Although it’s at the very bottom of this list, this is probably the most important item on this list *wink wink*. Bringing the crew either chocolate or a £5 Starbucks gift card or anything else that would be considered a small yet thoughtful gift will be incredibly appreciated. 

It can also lead to a bit of special treatment (but just don’t expect it). We often receive a small box of chocolates, either a bag from duty free or something from a local supermarket (I like to do this option as I think it’s nice to receive something local, especially if it’s just a short flight there and back and we don’t get to stop over). You really don’t have to spend much but it means a lot and you will be treated very well by the crew. And it’s the same on all airlines, my most recent trip to Skopje, I flew with Wizz Air and on the way out my mum and I were offered free hot drinks and on the way back a bottle of water. It’s a small gesture of appreciation, but like I said, don’t expect it. 

I have heard of cases with other airlines of them bumping you up to premium economy or business class, however I’ve never actually witnessed this. I don’t know, maybe I’m biased as I like the thoughtfulness, but I will always offer out something in return because it’s a rare act of kindness.