I’m a Flight Attendant, and Here Are 15 Items You Should Never Bring on Flights—and What to Pack Instead

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 travel accessories 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.  

Whether it’s an insulated mug that ensures my coffee is always hot, compression sleeves that prevent my legs from aching at touchdown, or a lip mask that keeps 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.

Don’t: Buy Coffee at the Airport

Bring Instead: 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 shoppers rave about its easy-to-clean, spill-proof design.

Don’t: Travel With Food in a Paper Bag

Bring Instead: 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. 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.

Don’t: Use Bulky Packing Cubes

Bring Instead: Bagsmart Compression Packing Cubes

Organization when traveling is key, and this set of six packing cubes makes it simple 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.

Don’t: Wear Heavy Boots

Dr. Scholl’s Women’s Nova Slip-ons, $32 with coupon

If you’ve ever wondered whether the shoes flight attendants wear are comfortable, here’s the truth: not always. That’s why I always pack a pair of slip-on loafers—the second I’m off the plane, I want something supportive yet easy to slip on and off. They’re lightweight, flexible, and cushioned, perfect for long days walking through airports. One happy shopper said, “I got these for airport travel and they might be my favorite pair of shoes… 18 hour days flying and walking through 3 airports and my flat feet didn’t hurt a bit. They are also easy to slip on and off going through security.”

Don’t: Wear Regular Lip Gloss

Bring Instead: 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.

Don’t: Wear Regular Socks

Bring Instead: 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.

Don’t: Bring Endless Wires

Bring Instead: 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 $19 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 make sure I always have the right adapter for each country, and it helps me forget fewer things in my hotel, as everything is plugged into one neat and tidy place.

Don’t: Pack Several Heavy Books

Bring Instead: 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 16 GB of storage—aka plenty—and it also has plenty of battery life, so even if I’m on a long-haul flight, 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.

Don’t: Wear Tight, Heavy Clothes

Bring Instead: Rumia Relaxed Matching Set, $29 with coupon

Comfort is non-negotiable when I’m traveling, which is why I love this ribbed two-piece lounge set. Made from buttery-soft, cozy material, it feels like a dream against your skin, and the relaxed V-neck top with dropped shoulders pairs perfectly with the pants, which even have handy side pockets. An Amazon reviewer shared, “This outfit is comfortable and attractive to wear on an airplane flight. I liked it very much.” And right now, you can clip an on-site coupon, which brings this set down to just $30.

Don’t: Bring a Duffel Bag

Bring Instead: Baggallini Modern Everywhere Laptop Backpack, $87 with coupon

To keep my Kindle, lip mask, chargers, and work tools 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. Bonus: an on-site coupon takes 10 percent off this bag right now.

Don’t: Use a Basic iPad Case

Bring Instead: 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.

Don’t: Bring Sunglasses That Don’t Fold

Bring Instead: 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.

Don’t: Wear a Shoulder Bag

Bring Instead: 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. Stock is limited, though, so you’ll want to act fast!

Don’t: Use Wired Headphones

Bring Instead: 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.

Don’t: Wear a Regular Watch

Wear Instead: 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 smartwatches is the unbelievable battery life; I can easily go a week in between charging, and the watch is back to full battery in a little over an hour—talk about excellent efficiency for a life on the go.

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