Let’s talk about what’s actually useful to have on the plane — in your cabin bag. This is the stuff I always keep close, whether it’s a short or long flight.
And no, you don’t need your entire bathroom with you. Just the essentials that make the journey feel a little more human.
🎒 First things first — the bag
Make sure your cabin bag is the right size. I know, it sounds obvious, but I’ve seen so many people bringing waay more bags than needed and its a mess if you want something from the bottom of one bag or even better you don´t remember where you packed the thing you are looking for. Keep it compact, travel-size, and easy to slide under the seat. No drama, no stress.
💆♀️ Face comes first
Before even heading to the airport, I always prep my skin with a long lasting moisturizer. Cabin air is so dry, and if you’re flying often (or even just once), it’s a must. It helps lock in moisture and keeps your skin from feeling tight and dull mid-flight. I love a good hydrating cream as a base — nothing fancy, just something that works.
✋ Then hands
Dry hands are the worst. I always keep a travel sized hand cream in my bag — and reapply mid-flight. The air onboard seriously sucks the life out of your skin. Rossmann in Germany has such good options in travel sizes (and super affordable), but anywhere you can find a small one that fits in your bag — grab it.
🪥 Fresh is a feeling
You know that post-nap, dry mouth feeling on a plane? Yeah… not cute. Bring your dental kit, toothbrush and mini toothpaste — especially on longer flights. Nothing crazy, just something to freshen up before landing or after a meal. It makes a huge difference, trust me.
💦 Water, water, water
Hydration is everything in the air. Bring your own bottle and fill it after security. I stick to plain water — all day, every day. Some crew I know add sweetener to make it tastier and help them drink more, Im not into sweeteners, but if it keeps you sipping, why not? Electolytes are also something I bring on long flights and I do feel it has been helping me. Flying is dehydrating even if you don’t feel it right away.
Little extras I always keep nearby:
- Lip balm (non-negotiable)
- A bigger hoodie or scarf— planes get cold!
- Eye drops if your eyes dry out easily
- Headphones (because… obviously)
- A snack — protein bar, don´t wake up grumpy blaming the crew for not waking you up for breakfast
- A pen — always good to have, especially for customs forms
That’s it! Keep it simple, keep it smart, and make your cabin bag work for you.
safe travels 💛
