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A pilot says these 10 carry-on essentials make for a first-class experience
When I'm packing for a trip, I'm planning for the destination and the journey — especially when I'm flying. Few people fly more frequently than pilots, and though they're typically the ones doing the heavy lifting (as it were), they're also experts on the topic of in-flight comfort — and they certainly rub elbows with frequent flyers almost daily.
Beats Studio Buds - True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds
Biotrue Hydration Boost Eye Drops (10 ml)
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier (16 servings)
Mavogel Cotton Sleep Mask
Vapur Collapsible Wide Mouth Anti-Bottle (34 ounce)
Buffway Slim RFID Blocking Leather Wallet
Aloh Sweet Orange Bergamot + Aloe Sanitizing Hand Wipes
O'Keeffe's Working Hands Cream
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream (1.7 fl oz)
Cliganic USDA Organic Lip Balm Set - 6 flavors
So, with holiday travel right around the corner, I decided to chat with pilot and aviation enthusiast Duke Armitage about how to pack properly for a commute at 30,000 feet, where the air is rarefied (and very dry), perfect strangers are packed into close quarters and legroom is at a premium. Now, if you're flying first class, you're already ahead of the game — but if not, Armitage suggests packing a "comfort kit" (a fanny pack, cosmetics bag or dopp kit will do) filled with TSA-friendly essentials like the ones below.
"The number-one item I'd pack is noise-canceling headphones. Few things are more irritating than listening to loud conversations or baby screams on a flight," says Armitage. "This doesn't have to break the bank, as you can find a quality pair for $50 to $100."
Earbuds are more portable than headphones, and able to fit in a comfort kit of any size. These wireless noise-canceling buds from Beats are one of the most popular options on the market, with nearly 54,000 perfect ratings on Amazon.
They come with tips in three size options to ensure in-ear comfort and even feature transparency mode for when you need to switch off noise-canceling to hear in-flight announcements or order a ginger ale.
They come in black, white or festive red, making them a great holiday gift too.
The airplane cabin is a pressurized environment with very low humidity, which is why your peepers tend to dry out and get irritated. Armitage recommends moisturizing eye drops so you can feel content reading or watching streaming video.
Biotrue drops are safe even for contact lens wearers. They contain hylauronic acid to help your eyes retain moisture, electrolytes to maintain fluid balance and antioxidants to reduce inflammation.
If you feel headachey or tired enroute, you might be dehydrated. And while no one's saying you can't enjoy a nice in-flight snooze, staying hydrated is important. Armitage suggests electrolyte tablets, which hydrate you way faster and more effectively than water alone.
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier might be the most popular electrolyte drink mix out there (40,000-plus packets have sold in the past month!). Just ask your flight attendant for 16 ounces of water (or two eight-ounce cups) or mix it into your own reusable water bottle.
If sweet dreams are your preferred in-flight entertainment, invest in a quality sleep mask, says Armitage, but make sure it's soft — we're going for comfort, after all.
The Mavogel Cotton Sleep Mask fits the bill, and it's generously sized so it won't put pressure on your delicate eye area while you doze off. It's thick and breathable, and it comes in 11 great colors. It also folds up into a matching carrying case that fits nicely in your kit.
Forget your regular reusable water bottle and try a collapsible one instead, recommends Armitage.
Or, you can opt for an "anti-bottle" instead, like this collapsible one by Vapur. It holds up to 34 ounces of liquid (bought after you pass through security, of course) and folds up for easy packing when you're done. It's BPA-free and machine-washable too.
You may not classify a wallet as a comfort item, but Armitage does — and so does anyone whose trip has been upended by skimming, or remote credit card theft, which is more common in busy places like airports when people are caught off guard.
An RFID-blocking leather wallet will fit nicely in your fanny pack or purse, and it'll literally help you rest more easily during your flight, knowing you won't have any unwelcome surprises when you land. This unisex wallet by Buffway is slim and holds the essentials, while keeping everything protected and secure. Choose from dozens of colors.
Did you know that most airplanes have HEPA filters that capture 99 percent of airborne germs and viruses? Still, touching surfaces and being in close proximity to other passengers can lead to the transmission of colds and flu.
Armitage says to pop hand sanitizer in your comfort kit, and we say to take it a step further with sanitizing hand wipes by Aloh. They use essential oils like sweet orange, bergamot, peppermint and eucalyptus to give you some on-the-go aromatherapy, too. They contain aloe, too, to keep your hands soft instead of dried out. This deal includes three packs of 20.
Just to give you an idea, an airplane's humidity level can be as low as 10 percent, whereas typical indoor air is between 30 in 60 percent. No wonder your hands start cracking when you fly. Armitage says a moisturizing cream is a necessity in your comfort kit — and since he works with hands, we believe him.
We went over to Reddit and found out that flight attendants are obsessed with O'Keeffe's Working Hands Hand Cream, a heavy-duty hand hydrater that's also Amazon's No. 1 bestseller.
A great face cream is a no-brainer, so of course Armitage includes this in his kit essentials.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream comes in a travel-sized tub and contains all the things that make for a stellar moisturizer. Hyaluronic acid helps retain hydration, squalane is a plant-based emollient that makes you glow, and ceramides keep your skin's barrier intact.
Armitage understands the perils of dry, chapped lips — there's no comfort in that! Your lips are different than other parts of your skin — they're thinner, have no oil glands and lose water faster, especially in a dry environment.
Chapped smackers can make your whole trip painful, so grab a USDA organic, moisturizing lip balm like Cliganic, which comes in six flavors — including coconut, vanilla and mint — and is made with all-natural essential oils and vitamin E.
