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Are you anxious when you fly, like I am? My husband can get on a flight and go straight to sleep. Me, on the other hand, am anxious hours before the flight even boards. I have traveled on airplanes ever since I was a preteen, however, sometime in my early forties I started becoming scared to fly. I love to get to the destination I just hate the ride there. So to make the ride easier and reduce my anxiety, I have 7 things I bring on the plane with me.
Add these items to your packing checklist. All of these items are easy to fit on your under the seat carry on.
1. Bring or wear socks
I don’t know about you, but the last thing I want to do is have my bare feet touch the floor of other bare feet and what others walked on. In the summertime, I like to wear sandals, and even though I have TSA pre-check, there are still times I am required to take off my sandals at TSA Security. Throw a pair of socks in your carry on that is easy to get to while waiting in line at TSA security.
2. Put your headphones / earbuds in a place within easy reach
You may need to keep yourself occupied, zone and tune out other chatter, screaming children, and random airplane noise to keep myself distracted from the fears of flying. With headphones I can listen to music or watch videos through on flight entertainment, or Netflix.
3. Download 4-6 hours of videos, movies, or tv shows
My choice is Netflix. Nothing takes my mind off everything, than a great movie or show. My go to show was Grace and Frankie. This comedy was perfect for all my flights.
4. Pack a hooded sweatshirt
I don’t like to lay my head where other people have, so when I am ready to get comfortable I like to put my hoodie on to protect my head. Also, sometimes the plane can get very chilly and this will keep your warm.
5. Purchase a great neck pillow and loop it around the handle of your carry on
I got a neck pillow – (and it’s not my husband’s shoulder!) I love my MLVOC Travel Pillow . I can easily adjust the pillow for how I want to lay my neck.
6. Keep hand sanitizer and disinfect wipes in your carry on
After touching the seat belt, tray, and arm rest, you probably want to wipe your hands before eating some snacks. You also can use the antibacterial wipes or other disinfect wipes to wipe down those areas.
7. Grab some snacks
I love to have my comfort foods with me and it guarantees if I don’t like what is being served or don’t want to pay airport prices, I will have something to eat. I take some of my favorite snacks from home and put them in either snack sized ziplocs, or to reduce plastic waste, in reusable small containers.
These are the items I keep in my purse / backpack that I carry on the plane. Having these items keeps me calm, entertained, and comfortable on any flight and I hope it helps you too!
Ashna
The tips you have suggested here are really relatable and helpful as well! I sometimes like to bring a hoodie or a sweatshirt that I can put on because sometimes it can get pretty cold in an airport or on the plane! I had a pretty bad experience one time because I was stuck in an airport in the middle of July, and the AC was BLASTING and I forgot to pack warm clothes. Thanks for a great read!
Melody Smith
Thank you for the kind words! I am always cold and a hoodie is so easy to layer with.
Dana
These are great, simple tips. Having a hooded sweater is something I will try! (I also liked your visual features-the photos and the way you aligned them. ) Thank-you!
Susan Whitehead
I struggle with finding a good travel pillow. I didn’t realize Travelon made one. I also love the tip about the wipes. The tray tables always gross me out because they always feel a little sticky and I wish I had something to wipe them off.
Melody Smith
Not to gross you out anymore… but…. I heard on the radio about the grossiest things on planes and someone mentioned they have seen people put soiled diapers on the tray!! Definitely wipe it down and then wipe it down again.
And I love the travelon pillow because it is so flexible and I can adjust it to how I feel like laying…propping my neck up a little more when needed.
Jonsie Ivey
Up until recently, I had to travel a lot for work. Netflix and snacks were a must! I also bought some slip-on tennis shoes which made going through airport security so much easier. No more struggling to tie my shoes quickly to get out of the way of others coming through the line or looking for a place to sit down so I could put them on. I like the idea of a hoodie, I hadn’t thought about that one. These are great tips! Thanks for sharing!
Melody Smith
Thank you! Yes, I am also that girl that holds up the TSA line. LOL!! Slip ons are great!
Jessica
I have horrible flight anxiety! Headphones are definitely a must, but I had no idea you could download Netflix things to watch. I will definitely be trying that next time. I’m sure a great show is more distracting/calming than music.
Melody Smith
Yes and there are so many great shows to download. On one of our trips we experienced an all city black out. I had just charged my laptop so I had full power that lasted for at least 4 hours. My husband and I watched our downloaded movies until we fell asleep!
Taci- Life Beyond Zebra
Great list! I use several of these tips every time I fly. MY neck pillow can fold up to be a unicorn, lol. I actually find I use it under my feet more than my neck though. I am not tall so my feet can’t touch the ground flat and it hurts my knees on long flights.
Lisa Manderino
Great Tips! I love making sure I am prepared for a flight!