I’ve Been a Flight Attendant for 10 Years, and I Never Board a Plane Without These 15 Genius Finds From $10

I’ve been a flight attendant for 10 years, and beyond being able to recite the safety briefing from memory or my knowledge of which airports have the best dining options (easily Texas’ Austin-Bergstrom), I’ve come to learn that having the right products makes all the difference when you’re spending most of your days in the sky. Luckily for me, I don’t have to scramble to find the best deals on my in-flight essentials because Amazon is a treasure trove for versatile travel accessories and gear (and most of them are on sale ahead of Fourth of July).  

Whether it’s ensuring my coffee is always hot, my legs aren’t aching at touchdown, or my lips moisturized after a long day, over my time as a flight attendant, I’ve really honed in on what is essential to bring on a plane and what you can stay behind — luggage space is precious, after all. If you’re looking for packing inspiration, I’ve rounded up my go-to products that streamline my suitcase and guarantee a comfortable, safe, and smooth flight. Keep reading to see what I’ll never get on a plane without.

Simple Modern Travel Coffee Mug

I recently invested in a Created Co. Nomad to-go mug for my coffee and it was the best money I’ve ever spent. Not only is it sleek and stylish, but it also keeps my coffee hot for hours on end, and doesn’t change the flavor thanks to a nifty ceramic interior like other travel mugs tend to do. Another quality pick is the Simple Modern Travel Coffee Mug, which is only $16 at Amazon. It has a stainless steel interior and more than 5,600 five-star ratings from shoppers, who rave over its easy-to-clean, spill-proof design.

Yeti Day Trip Lunch Bag

Okay, maybe my best purchase was my Yeti Lunch Box. Not only is it designed almost like a packing cube, making it easy to stow away, but it’s relatively small for a lunch box (it measures just 10.5 inches by 4.5 inches by 8.5 inches altogether). Plus, it keeps whatever is inside cold for hours, and having fresh fruit and protein at arm’s reach is a must, especially when we’re delayed and all the passengers are worried about connections.

Bagsmart Compression Packing Cubes

Organization when traveling is key, and this set of six packing cubes makes it sunlike to ensure everything is always in its place. Each cube is a different size, so it’s clear which is for underwear, socks, shirts, and so on, and they even come with little ID tags to make it even easier to identify what’s inside which one without having to open them all. The brand says these help people fit double the amount in their suitcases, and I couldn’t agree more. I never travel without them.

Havaianas Slim Flip-flops

If you’ve ever wondered whether the shoes flight attendants wear are uncomfortable, I’ve got news for you: they are. It’s the main reason I always pack a pair of Havaianas flip-flops — the second I get off the plane, I’m itching to slip into a more comfortable pair of shoes. I love how these pack down small, and for just $14, they’re pretty easy to replace every now and again. 

Laneige Lip Mask

Flying can really dry out my lips, which is why I never take off without this Laneige lip mask in my toiletry bag. I use it when I’m overnight in a city to rejuvenate my lips, and it works every time. I’m not exactly sure about the science behind it, but as a flight attendant, I can tell you this for sure – a little self-care goes a long way when you’re traveling. It’s not just me, either. In fact, other flight attendants swear by it, too.

Zensah Compression Leg Sleeves

As a flight attendant, not only am I traveling, but I’m also on my feet all day long. I’m pretty much the ideal use case for compression socks, and these leg sleeves are my absolute favorite. They’re easy to slip on for a bit in between services or relaxing in my room after a long day. I really like that they’re available in several fun colors. They don’t bind or rub anywhere, and look stylish enough in black to blend in with my uniform.

Vintar Universal Travel Adapter

The way I see it, you’ve got two options: you can grab individual adapters for each region, or this genius $17 find at Amazon. Not only is it compliant with the U.K., Australia, Europe, and Asia, but it also features three USB-C outlets, two USB outlets, and one AC outlet so I can charge six devices all at once. I swear by it to ensure I always have the right country adapter, and it helps me forget things in my hotel less often as everything is plugged into one neat and tidy place.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

There’s no way I’d be able to carry books with me everywhere I go, so I rely on my Kindle Paperwhite to keep my thriller novels always at arm’s reach. There is 32 GB of storage — a.k.a. plenty — and it also has plenty of battery life, so even if I’m on a long haul, I don’t have to worry about it running out of juice. I also love the backlight, which allows me to read even when the cabin lights are off.

Cctoo V-neck Button-up Shirtdress 

Look, comfort is key when you’re traveling, and one of my recent Amazon finds my Johnny Was Milo Shirtdress. It has a floral design that goes with just about anything (including my Havaiana sandals), so I can toss it in my suitcase and use it for several outfits. Whether I’m exploring a city on my day off or enjoying the nightlife, this is one of the most versatile pieces of clothing I own. Unfortunately, it’s almost out of stock, so if you’re in the market for a similar wear-everywhere dress, the Cctoo V-neck Button-up Shirtdress is available for $41.

Baggallini Modern Everywhere Laptop Backpack

To keep my Kindle, lip mask, chargers, and work tools in handy, I rely on this laptop backpack. It measures 11 inches by 14 inches by 4 inches, and it slips nicely on top of my suitcase, making it convenient to pull around the airport. I love that it has shoulder straps and can be worn as a backpack, and it always provides easy access to my favorite travel essentials.

Logitech Keyboard Case

This Logitech keyboard case for my iPad is sturdy enough to protect my tablet from turbulence, but thin enough to easily fit in my Baggalini backpack without taking away room from other important must-haves. I love having the keyboard so I can quickly jot down experiences and ideas for future adventures, and the case makes a great mount for my iPad if I’m relaxing and just want to catch a movie.

Ray-Ban Folding Wayfarer Sunglasses

I stumbled across these great sunglasses when shopping for my favorite Ray-Ban Aviators. I mentioned to the sales associate that I travel for a living and she immediately thought of this chic and compact style. As a minimalist packer, I’m a big fan of their foldable design, which makes them smaller than a pack of gum when they’re not in use. Although I love my Aviators, these Wayfarers are more durable and better suited for adventuring on layovers.

BedStu Crossbody Wallet

BedStu has always been a favorite of mine for shoes, wallets, and purses, and this two-in-one wallet has a spot for absolutely everything – even my phone fits in the zipper pocket. The detachable strap is super handy and stays in one of my packing cubes until I’m ready to meet the crew for cocktails or head out for lunch at a local joint. It’s a great travel bag for anyone who hates being weighed down by a bulky purse and just wants to hit the town with the essentials.

Shokz Open Run In-ear Headphones

Running on a layover is my favorite way to get the lay of the land.  This unique headset with bone conduction technology allows me to stay aware of my surroundings while listening to my playlist or a podcast. I can take phone calls with a quick touch of a button and the sound quality is fantastic. Another advantage to this style of listening device is that its one-piece design makes it nearly impossible to lose – unlike the popular wireless earbuds that we spend hours helping passengers find on the plane.

Garmin Forerunner 965 Smartwatch

Every flight attendant I know wears a smartwatch. My Garmin Forerunner keeps track of my wild sleep schedule, lets me look back on great runs and hikes in an area when it’s been a few years since my last layover, and does normal watch things like telling me the date and time when I’ve lost track.  Of course, it sends me notifications from my phone, offers tap-to-pay functionality, and lets me listen to music when I’m out on a run. The biggest reason I love this watch over other smartwatch is the unbelievable battery life; I can easily go a week in between charging and the watch is back to full battery in little over an hour – talk about excellent efficiency for a life on the go!

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