13 Pilot-approved Anti-theft Travel Accessories for Fliers

My travel safety education started during packing in my childhood home. As the daughter of an airline pilot (who also flew for the military), safety was always a top priority when it came to traveling. Pilots talk in the cockpit, and my dad heard too many stories from other pilots and air crew about in-flight theft to let his wife and daughters fall victim to something that could be avoided.

“Keep everything important to you in your hand baggage,” he would tell us, “and never let that bag out of your sight.” Our carry-on suitcases were for clothes and non-valuable items, since those would end up in overhead bins that could potentially be stored out of sight (if anyone took something from our rollaboards, it would be a bummer—likely for them, too, unless they were looking for a kid-sized Texas Rangers T-shirt—but not devastating). However, our handbags and personal item bags were the baseball … and you like Dad always says, “Never take your eye off the ball.”

Decades later, I still bring my backpack with me to the bathroom when I’m traveling solo and wear it while I stretch my legs on long hauls because a little inconvenience isn’t worth the risk of losing something that would be hard to replace. I’ve picked up a few other habits over my years as a professional travel writer, and here are some of my favorite safety essentials for staying safe in-flight.

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Nite Ize S-Biner SlideLock Carabiner

I always travel with a carabiner because this tiny little tool comes in handy for so many things. I can hook my backpack to my rollaboard, attach my water bottle to a backpack, or even attach my purse strap to my belt loop while sleeping. This one from Nite Ize is my favorite carabiner because it has slide locks to ensure the aluminum gates won’t open unintentionally.

Pacsafe Go 34L Carry-on Travel Pack

No matter how many bags I test, I will always revert to traveling with a backpack because I like having compartmentalized storage and my hands free. I don’t, however, like how backpacks leave me vulnerable to theft from behind, which is why I opt for backpacks with locking zippers and RFID-blocking pockets, like this water-repellent backpack from Pacsafe. It also has a turn-n-lock security hook so I can attach it to a chair, bar, etc., which, although I don’t recommend using it on an airplane (because, honestly, an entire backpack is not the target on an airplane), the lock does come in handy at airports where grab-and-flee thefts are more common.

Apple AirTag

There are so many benefits to traveling with an Apple AirTag (or four, if you opt for this wallet-friendly set), and even though you likely won’t be able to track your bags while in the air, they come in handy as a theft deterrent when attached to the outside of a bag. I hang one from my carry-on with an AirTag Luggage Tag, and also from my purse to let would-be thieves know I mean business.

Lumintrail TSA Approved 4-digit Combination Lock

This TSA-approved combination luggage lock is great for locking zippers together on overhead baggage or under-seat carry-ons. It’s also a great visual deterrent for potential thieves if nothing else (i.e., most thieves look for easy targets, and messing with a lock isn’t as easy as a non-locked bag).

Nite Ize S-Biner MicroLock Set

I bought a cheaper set of zipper carabiners a while back and tossed them after a few uses, and bought these instead. I’m clearly a fan of carabiners, but these teeny-tiny stainless-steel ones are my trick for securing my zippers together to deter theft. I realize they’re not an iron-clad solution to locking up valuables, but, again, the goal is to not make yourself an easy target, and these provide one extra barrier between your valuables and an opportunistic thief.

Travelon Anti-theft Heritage Tote

Of all the anti-theft features on this canvas tote (and there are many), it’s actually the tethered key clip at the bottom of the bag I like most. I don’t use it for my keys, though; I tether my wallet to the clip so I know it’s secured at all times.

Cluci Mini Backpack Key Pouch

Although this mini key pouch is great for stashing keys, I like it as a sort of secure pouch for smaller valuables like earbuds, jewelry, or even emergency cash. You can either wear it or lock it in place inside a bag with a carabiner lock while seated or easily take it with you when you go to the bathroom.

Mngarista 2-pack Retractable Keychain

Most people use these retractable keychain carabiners for keys and ID cards, which they’re great for, of course, but I like using these to secure valuables inside my carry-on. I’ve tethered a camera and a jewelry roll to the inside of my bag before, and I also like tethering my wallet to an internal zipper in my backpack.

Tripped Tech Bag Organizer

Between my pilot dad’s warnings and my personal travel experiences, I’ve realized that the seatback pocket isn’t as safe as one might think for stowing phones, wallets, and other tiny essentials you’ll need in-flight (it’s actually the No. 1 place where items get lost or stolen). Instead, you can use a leather folio to keep these items more secure (and organized) in the seatback pocket, making it harder for thieves to swiftly snag them.

Vlando Travel Jewelry Organizer

My family rarely traveled with any expensive jewelry, but I love compact jewelry cases for the times when I do want to bring something a bit more valuable with me. I never leave this in my carry-on or any checked luggage, but prefer to have it in my underseat bag, and typically tether it to an internal zipper with a carabiner or lock.

Baggallini RFID Currency Organizer

I like this RFID-blocking wristlet wallet for travel since it can hold a passport, smartphone, and up to three cards. It has great compartments designed for holding different currencies, but I always slip an Apple AirTag in one, my earbuds in another, and a toothbrush in one as well. If I only bring one thing with me to the bathroom, it’s this wearable wallet.

3M Bright Screen Privacy Filter

I love working on an airplane, but I’m always hyper aware of people reading what’s on my screen (yes, lady in 17C, I’m writing about you right now). This privacy screen makes it very difficult for other passengers to see your screen, in the off chance you end up checking any sensitive info in-flight (i.e., bank accounts, changing passwords, and more).

Samsonite Elevation Plus Carry-on Luggage

Hardside luggage is hard to top when it comes to in-air security because of its limited access points and super secure exterior. I personally like this Travelpro carry-on for its locking zippers (TSA-compliant), and also because it fits into most U.S. airlines’ overhead compartments, but you can achieve the same level of security with this carry-on from another pilot-approved brand, Samsonite.

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