Growing up, traveling for me was all about the journey. Cozying up in an airplane seat and digging into the cute little meals with individual portions was my 5-year-old self’s dream. I purposely tried to stay awake so that I could enjoy it all. These days, though, I’m all about getting to my destination fast. I’ve had one too many less than ideal flying situations to say with a straight face that I love flying. But of course I still love to travel, so I bring what I can to achieve peak comfort when I’m en route.
Comfortable clothes: This one’s a no-brainer. If you want to be comfortable, dress comfortably. Airplanes are not for tight jeans or skirts—they are for yoga pants, a t-shirt, and layers to allow for any flux in cabin temp (you never know). If I need to be somewhere right when I land, I pack a change of clothes in my carry-on.
Socks and shoes without laces: Shoes get taken off and put back on a lot in the flying process: going through security, sitting down in your seat, and getting up to go to the bathroom, to name a few. Make it easy on yourself and wear slip-ons and socks to keep your feet warm. Yes, I’m hinting at socks with Birkenstocks. The Olsen Twins wore them, so you can, too.
Headphones: No carry-on is complete without them—especially ones with a baby crying non-stop.
Eye mask: It barely takes up any room in your carry-on and helps you sleep on your flight. Plus when you get to where you’re going, who knows what kind of bright neon sign will be right outside of your hotel window?
A packet of instant coffee: Instant coffee may not be the best pick-me-up in the world, but misjudging a time-change or sleeping through the beverage service and then getting a headache from missing your morning coffee is far worse.
Small snacks: The best travel snacks fill you up, don’t take up too much room in your bag, and aren’t so salty that they’ll leave you bloated and/or drinking a ton of water (thus making you have to use that tiny airplane bathroom a million times). Bring along treats like nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate.