What to Always Pack in your Carry-on and Why

Posted on 04/17/2019

Everybody’s carry-on varies from person to person, but there are some key items that everyone should consider packing! Below is our list of essential carry-on items and why every traveller should have them in their carry-on.

1. Reusable Water Bottle

Although you aren’t allowed to pass security with any water inside your water bottle, many airports have water fountains where you can fill up your reusable water bottle for free! Water bottles are extremely overpriced at airports, so this helps be eco-friendly and also saves you the money!

2. Portable Charger

Not all airplanes have plugs, so it’s important to bring your own portable charger, especially if you’re on a long flight! Your phone or laptop might die, and then what would you do for entertainment? Better to be safe than sorry!

3. Extra Pair of Clothing

You never know when your luggage will decide to get lost, so it’s always key to pack a change of clothing just in case you don’t get your luggage when you land. At least you’ll have a spare change of clothing for the next day!

4. Compression Socks

Compression socks are socks that are designed to apply pressure to your lower legs which helps maintain blood flow. This reduces swelling and discomfort which is VERY useful to many people, especially during long-haul flights. They’re definitely worth the investment!

5. Travel Toothbrush

A travel toothbrush is nice to have, especially if you’re on a long flight. Before landing, you can brush your teeth quickly so that your teeth will be squeaky clean, and your breath will be fresh as new once you land at your destination.

6. Facial Pads

Facial pads are so nice to have in your carry-on when your skin starts to feel dried up. Just apply a facial pad to your face, and you’ll feel refreshed and new!

7. Lotion

Your skin can get quite dry in the air, so it’s nice to have some lotion to keep yourself moisturized. Again, short flights are tolerable, but the longer the flight the dryer your skin gets… Be sure that the bottle of lotion obeys the TSA rules (3.4 ounces or less per container).

8. Disinfecting Wipes

Disinfecting wipes are so versatile… they can be used for so many different things! If your seat is dirty, if you spilled your drink on your pull-out tray, or even if you just need to clean to stain around your mouth from snacking on too much chocolate!

9. Blanket

Blankets are often overlooked because of their size, and people don’t think it’s worth packing… But as we all know, it can get super cold when in the air, especially for long flights, so it’s always nice to have a blanket to stay warm. They have many portable blankets now for sale that are easy to pack. Get yourself a neck pillow, and you’ve got first class treatment!

10. Sweater

A sweater is another important item to have in your carry-on. Again, it gets cold when in the air, but it’s also nice to layer your clothing as much as possible so that you can take off items if you’re warm, or add items if you’re cold. Plus, everyone needs to pack at least one sweater when going away, so it’s a necessity.

11. Pain Medication

You never know when a headache or stomach ache is going to present itself… unfortunately even on your flight. It’s important to pack some pain medication just in case you’ll need. The only thing worse than flying with a crying baby in the aisle in front of you and a guy kicking your chair in the seat behind you is when that happens when you have a pulsing headache.

12. Gum

And last, but certainly not least, gum! It’s always nice to have a pack of gum in your carry on because the chewing actually helps with the changes in air pressure. When taking off and landing, the air pressure changes the most drastically, and so a good little trick is to chew gum and yawn often so that your ears don’t pop!