My Carry On Essentials
Deciding what you really need with you on the plane can be difficult. It took me years to figure out what essentials I needed for every flight I take. Lately I have been traveling twice a month and I think I finally have my list of carry on essentials. Below my must have items that I bring with me on every flight and where to find them!
TSA-Compliant Backpack
In the past 3 years I have gone through 3 different backpacks and I think I have finally found THE ONE! The other backpacks I have had have been TSA compliant and had a lot of pockets and places to put things which is great, but they were so huge on me and they took up a lot of space, especially below the seat in front of me.
This backpack is my favorite so far! It’s slim design does not take over my whole back and makes it look sleek.
Likes:
-TSA compliant: The back zipper where the laptop pocket is zips all the way open, making it easier to go through security. Just simply leave your laptop in the bag, unzip the zipper all the way, and lay the bag flat, and you are good to go!.
-Fits two laptops: I am able to fit two laptops in the laptop compartment of this bag. 1 13inch Windows laptop and my 15inch macbook pro.
-Anti-Theft pocket: the small pocket on the back of the bag is great to put important items that you don’t want stolen.
-Water bottle pocket and zippered pocket on the other side.
-Lightweight and padded
-Outer USB hookup: I’ve used this once, it’s nice to have but you still have to plug in a batter pack on the inside in order to charge your phone or other items.
-Plenty of room for my essentials.
Dislikes:
-Limited internal pockets: I wish the backpack had more pockets inside the front pocket. To keep my things organized I pack them in smaller bags that I then put in the backpack
-No small front pocket: I wish there was a small pocket in the front of the bag to put quick access items (chapstick, lipstick, etc.)
Turtleneck Pillow
I went through 4 different neck pillows (my husband complained every time I bought a new one). This is the one that works the best for me.
Likes:
-Slim and packable
-Holds your head up: This is like a padded neck brace. It works great keeping your head up and in place, which is great for any seat you’re in including the middle seat when you have nothing to lean on.
-Washable: The fabric cover can be removed and washed!
Dislikes:
-Not the most padded: but still does the job and I have fallen asleep using it many times.
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones
These are so nice! They are comfortable and block out almost all noise. Get them here.
Likes:
-Great Noise Cancelling Quality
-Comfortable
-3 Levels of noise cancelling: Off, low, and high
-Alexa built in: I haven’t used it but it’s nice to have
-Call quality is great
-Can pair to two devices
-Easy to use: App to help you set up the headphones -Includes aux cord to plug into plane TV screens
Dislikes:
-Only negative is that when I lean to sleep up against the window, I would rather have in ear phones. This is when I would use AirPods pro which are also great on planes! (This has nothing to do with the product itself, just my preference)
Phone Holder Clip
This is a new gadget I bought just a month ago from Amazon and I am loving it! Sometimes planes don’t have TV screens and you want to watch a movie or show on your phone and have to end up holding it or getting a stand, this resolves that problem.
Likes:
-Clips onto many surface widths: Clips onto plane table trays of different widths because of the clamp that can expand to different sizes
-Can use even when tray table is closed!
-Works well: Holds the phone tightly and does not fall off of the surface it’s clamped to (in my uses so far)
-Different Angles: You can adjust the angle to what you want.
-Easily packable
Dislikes:
-None that I have found!
Bag-O-Chargers
I always pack may chargers and cables. I put all of my cables in this bag. It is not as organized as it can be, but I like that the bag is see through so I can see the cable that I am looking for.
Here’s what’s in this bag:
–Two iPhone cables: One came with my phone, the other is from Target
-Three charger blocks: Two have one USB port, the other has 3 USB ports ( from IKEA)
–Anker Charging Bank: Gives two full iPhone charges. Bought at Target
–Aux Cord: For rental cars when they don’t have USB ports
–iPhone Dongle: When I need to use the Aux cord in a rental car with my iPhone.
–Car Charger: This small one was from Walgreens (similar ones on Amazon)
–Magnetic Car Mount: This small magnet attaches to car vents so I can see maps when driving in rental cars. Get it from Amazon.
–Micro USB Cable: For charging headphones and power bank
–Regular wired headphones: Never know when you’ll need some
–SD Card: For storage purposes
–Apple Airpods Pro: I like to wear these when I’m trying to sleep, not as bulky as over the ear headphones but still great noise cancelling!
–Bluetooth Transmitter: Used to connect wireless headphones to airplane TVs
–Phone Holder Clip: Described earlier, fits in this bag
Miscellaneous Items
–Brita Water Bottle: Bring it through security empty and fill it up once you get past security. The Brita water bottle filters the water so there is no weird taste depending where you are at.
–Travel Straw: I got one from Amazon and it folds, reusable and great for places that don’t give straws
-Snacks: Never know when you’ll get hungry or not have enough time to eat!
-Travel Tissue: I have allergies so tissue is a must!
-Small Hair Brush and Hair Spray: To keep those fly aways at bay.
-Hair Ties
-Travel Lotion
-Clorox Wipes
-Emergen-C, Tylenol, Liquid I.V. packets: To stay hydrated and healthy!
