12 Flight Attendant-loved Travel Hacks Under $25

If you’ve ever been on a trip and thought, “It would be so much easier if I had this accessory”, or “I wish I had a gadget for solving this recurring issue I have on the road,” you’re not alone. In reality, no one can be a perfect traveler, really—but flight attendants are as close to one as it gets.

In the air for up to half of every month, flight attendants know the ins and outs, and dos and don’ts of travel better than any of us. So when they share their travel hacks, we listen. From portable fans to keep you cool during hot summer months on the tarmac to expandable duffel bags to pack all your souvenirs to a white noise sound machine to help you adjust to a new sleep schedule, these 10 travel hacks will prepare you for success for all your future trips. The best part? You can get them all on Amazon for under $25. 

Best Flight Attendant-approved Travel Essentials

Jisulife Portable Fan

Regardless of where you’re traveling, airplane cabins can warm up quickly—especially during the boarding process when the AC doesn’t work well on the ground. “Until the engines turn on it can be hot,” shares Joel Hebert, flight attendant for over a decade. He travels with a portable fan to save him in this lesser thought of scenario. Plus, if you are traveling to a warm destination, it can double as a way to cool down in between sightseeing (especially as Europe is notorious for their lack of AC). 

Fygrip 3D Eye Mask

You might think that you can just close your eyes and fall asleep on a flight, that is until your window seat mate keeps their window open the entire flight, says Desiree, a flight attendant with American Airlines. In this case, “having an eye mask makes a huge difference if you’re hoping to get a little rest,” she says. And if you’re sitting by the window and think you have control over the shade, remember there’s always the personal light above your seatmate which they could turn on at any time. 

PhysFlex Compression Socks

When Desiree is traveling for work, she relies on her compression pantyhose uniform for support and inflight circulation. But when she’s traveling for leisure, she turns to compression socks which she puts on before she boards the plane. They really are “key” for circulation and muscle support at altitude. 

Pack All Expandable Duffel Bag

“I always tell overpackers to pack less and instead throw a duffel bag in your carry-on,” shares  one Delta flight attendant. This way, you can pack carry-on for your outbound flight and not have to worry about lost luggage while still having space for souvenirs as you can check a bag on the return flight, using the duffel bag for your extra goods or dirty laundry. 

Babelio Portable White Noise Sound Machine

Whether or not you’re a sound sleeper, sometimes jet lag gets the best of us all. That’s why Ally Case, flight attendant at a major airline carrier for 6.5 years, packs a portable sound machine. “Calming sounds are great for winding down before sleep,” she says on its efficacy. This one can literally fit in your pocket, has 15 looping sounds, can be set to a timer and is rechargeable for on-the-go zen. 

Apple AirTags

If you’re still checking a bag without AirTags or some other sort of luggage tracker, you are really gambling with lost luggage. Apple AirTags are so easy to “add to your suitcase so you always have eyes on it,” says Case. When you think about all the stress, time and money that comes with lost luggage, you’ll also realize that these tags are so reasonably priced at $25 for one, or $65 for a set of four.

Nooncrazy Foot Hammock

A foot hammock might be a polarizing hack, but once you try it, you’ll probably be hooked as it “creates a comfortable place for your feet to rest,” says Case. And, it doesn’t even take up extra space as you can attach it by clip to the outside of your carry-on bag. Then, all you need is your tray table to secure it for the duration of your flight. Try it on a red eye and you’ll be a changed traveler. 

Olly Melatonin Gummies

Once again, travel can really disrupt your sleep so to help her wind down for sleep or for sleep support in flight, in a new city or on a new timezone, Case swears by these extra strength melatonin gummies. A 50-pack is just $10 right now, and all you need is one for a deeper sleep—so this jar can really go a long way. If you don’t want to pack the whole container, Case recommends using a pill container for safe storage.

Dr. Scholl’s Blister Cushions 8-pack

Traveling often translates to a lot more walking than you’re used to at home. While you should always test out your shoes for comfort prior to a trip (especially if they’re new), sometimes a style we think is comfortable in the short term ends up causing major blisters after 20,000 consecutive steps. “Use these to keep your shoes from causing any uncomfortable blisters,” suggests Case. Whether you use them preventatively or pack a few blister cushions in your purse, they can definitely make or break a trip. 

Nicoshow Compression Packing Cubes

Case uses compression packing cubes to allow her to pack more using less space. She particularly appreciates this pack for the variety of sizes, including two small cubes, two medium cubes, and two large cubes. In addition to creating more room in your luggage, Case says “it also helps you to keep your bags organized!”

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