The change of season brings Amazon Prime Big Deal Days, and for all travelers looking to stock up on expert-approved accessories and gear, this special sale event is your chance. And who better to take advice from than flight attendants?
It’s no secret how much time flight attendants spend in the air, which means they are truly a wealth of knowledge when it comes to smart travel hacks. We turned to seven flight attendants to get their recommendations on the best items and gadgets to pack on your next vacation, from cozy airplane outfits to spacious toiletry bags. The best part? Each item on this list is on sale during the October Amazon Prime Day, so you can stock up and save.
Read on for these must-have travel essentials that the flight attendants we spoke to pack for any and every trip, starting at $6.
Bagsmart Toiletry Bag Travel Bag with Hanging Hook
A toiletry bag with a hook is always useful as a space saver in small hotel bathrooms, which is exactly why Terran Simmons-Talbot, senior cabin crew member for BermudAir, likes this “super useful” water-resistant cosmetic bag. It includes four spacious compartments to keep toiletries organized and allows you to store them upright to prevent spillage.
Depoza 16-pack Travel Bottles Set
Simmons-Talbot stocks the aforementioned bag with a travel bottle set, like this Depoza pack here, containing her favorite products from home. This pack includes 16 containers of different shapes and sizes to fit all of your products, like face cream, serums, shampoo and conditioner, makeup, and even perfume.
Iseyyox Charging Station
When it comes to keeping her electronics constantly charged, Simmons-Talbot relies on a 3-in-1 magnetic wireless charger, similar to this one, to juice up her gadgets. The foldable charger features three output powers for an iWatch, AirPods, and iPhone — a.k.a the essentials for a long travel day — and the respective 2.5-, 5-, and 15-watt outputs ensure quick charging.
T-magitic Collapsible Kettle
“I do not use hotel coffee makers,” Delta flight attendant, Jim, who has over 38 years of experience, told us. Instead, he packs this collapsible kettle to make coffee in his hotel room. Weighing just under 1.5 pounds, the food-grade silicone and stainless steel portable kettle takes up little space for the reward it offers: a consistent and hygienic coffee or tea experience in-room experience.
Vigorport Luggage Hook Strap
“This J-hook for my roller bag is the best metal hook to carry lunch bags or an additional small bag,” says flight attendant Jasmine Khadija. This luggage hook strap offers multiple adjustments to secure bags of different sizes and weights; it’s also lightweight for easy transporting, but has a buckle that’s sturdy enough to keep your belongings safe.
Ntonpower Travel Power Strip With USB Ports
This power strip offers tons of convenience with four outlets, three USB ports, and a 4-foot extension cord — and it only weighs 8 ounces. Khadija brings it with her everywhere, which is easy because it wraps up compactly and is held together with a strap. It’s powerful enough to charge all of your devices, from laptops to tablets.
Towode Portable Door Lock & Door Stop Alarm
Personal safety shouldn’t be neglected when on the road; that’s why Khadija travels with this dual protection security door kit that’s both a stainless steel lock and door stop. “It fits any and every door,” she shares, adding that it is battery powered so be sure to pack some extra 9-volt batteries, just in case.
Be Smart Get Prepared 85-piece First Aid Kit
On the note of personal safety, flight attendant Amanda Jones says she always makes room for this 85-piece first aid kit, packed in a durable plastic case. “I always find myself needing a BandAid at least once on every trip,” says Jones. “If you’re particular about germs on airplanes or in airports, it’s a great place to stow antiseptic and antibacterial wipes.”
Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds
“Airports can be pretty bustling and crowded; as can trains, public parks, and hotel gyms,” advises Jones. “It’s much easier to relax when I can’t hear the action going on around me.” Jones uses these Apple AirPods when she wants a pair of noise-cancelling headphones she can pack compactly, but she also enjoys Bose QuietComfort headphones which are an over-the-ear style for a little extra peace and quiet.
Trendy Queen Zip-up Hoodie
“No matter what time of year, I always travel with a hoodie,” advises Jones, who as a flight attendant knows all too well how the temperature can differ on planes. “Nine times out of 10, I find myself on the verge of freezing in the middle of the flight,” she says, mentioning that in addition to keeping you warm, a sweatshirt can double as an eye mask when you tie the strings to the hoodie.
Primasole Folding Yoga Travel Pilates Mat
Frequent travelers know that hotels, especially traditional or historical ones in Europe, aren’t always equipped with a gym. Even if they do have a gym, it can be time consuming to take what little time you have on a trip to fit in your routine. But, you can make anywhere a gym if you pack a yoga mat, Jones recommends. “This mat fits right into my carry-on so that I can exercise in my room,” says Jones. At just 2 pounds, it also won’t add much weight to your carry-on or checked bag.
Steripod Clip-on Toothbrush Protector
If you want to keep your toothbrush sterile while traveling, flight attendant Sydnee suggests this clip-on protector. These particular toothbrush protectors are BPA-free and include tablets with orange and peppermint essential oils to keep brushes fresh for up to three months.
Puliv Large Supplement Organizer
Sydnee also points to this vitamin caddy to organize all her essential vitamins when she’s on the road or in the air. The Puliv organizer can hold up to a month’s worth of pills and includes a 20-piece label set so you can keep your supplements straight. The XL size can hold large pills, like daily vitamin tablets, fish oil pills, and more.
Bagail Compression Packing Cubes
“These compression packing cubes are a game changer for me,” says Lilia, a flight attendant who used this Bagail set (available in four or six pieces) on a trip to Vietnam with her husband. “I only had a carry-on… and I still fit eight days of clothes, plus shoes,” she says. “I even use them while I work and my coworkers are always so impressed with how light I pack.” The compression feature is easy to use, too: simply fill the bag with your items, zip it shut, then use the middle zipper to compress.
Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.