Let’s talk about my in-flight must haves. After spending so much time on planes, I’ve learned what’s actually worth keeping close in my cabin bag, whether it’s a short flight or a long one.
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 good moisturizer. Cabin air is so dry, and I hate that tight feeling halfway through a flight. Nothing fancy, just a hydrating cream that does its job.
And SPF, of course! Something I never skip nowadays, especially when my day involves going from an airport straight out exploring somewhere sunny.
One thing worth knowing: stronger UV at altitude doesn’t automatically mean more exposure inside the cabin. Aircraft windows offer protection, and the cockpit research you might have seen online doesn’t tell the whole story for passengers. But more about SPF and flying in another post.
✋ 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 💛
