If you’ve got a flight coming up, I’ll help show you how to pack a carry on bag that will make sure you have the most comfortable flight ever!
This site contains affiliate links, view the disclosure for more information.
Stressed out about how to pack a carry on bag? Maybe you just want to elevate your flying experience?
Taking flights can be stressful if you don’t do it that often – but having a well packed carry on bag with everything you need to make your experience more comfortable and entertaining is a game changer!
I’m going to share with you all the things I make sure to pack in my smaller carry on every time I fly. Having certain items right by my feet that I can easily access helps flying be so much more enjoyable.
Adding the things on this list to your travel checklist will be such a travel game changer. Once you fly with these essential items you’ll wish you’d been doing it all along!
This post is all about how to pack a carry on to help you have the best flight experience ever!
How to Pack a Carry On Bag!
Before you start packing your carry on bag, let’s prep!
The bag I use to be my carry on that slides under the seat in front of me is a backpack that I take EVERYWHERE with me.
Here’s a pretty similar one to the one I have:
I love it because it’s the perfect size and I can fit a ton into it. Since I use it for day-to-day stuff though – I always start by making sure I clean it completely out before I start packing for my trip. My backpack has tons of pockets… which makes organizing so easy, but it also makes it easy to forget you left something not flight-approved in it! I may or may not have done that once or twice lol.
Make sure you follow TSA guidelines!
Everything on my list will follow all TSA guidelines, but in case you want to pack some extra things check out the TSA guidelines here to make sure you can take it safely with you!
Now the fun stuff! Pack all the best travel essentials!
1.) Headphones
One of the most important things – headphones! So many things on this list are things that either make your flight time go by quicker or just make you more comfortable – and headphones can do both!
Whether you want to listen to some music, watch a video on one of your devices, or watch a movie from the screen the airline provides – headphones are a must!
I feel like one of the things that can make or break your flight experience is the sound around you. There will always be some unwanted noise – whether it’s people talking too loud to each other or a precious little crying baby – either way it keeps you from being able to sleep, focus on the book you’re reading, or just have some relaxing time to yourself. Headphones at the very least allow you to drown some of the sound out with your audio of choice.
I’m sure you already have headphones you love using, but if you’re looking to upgrade your flight experience I have some suggestions and things to look for.
A.) Noise Cancelling Headphones
Noise-cancelling headphones are a GAME CHANGER. As I mentioned, there’s always a couple talking too loud or a baby crying. Having something to block the noise out really helps. And that way, even if you don’t really want to listen to anything you still have the ability to get pretty close to silence if you are trying to nap or relax. These are the headphones I have and they are absolutely incredible! I HIGHLY recommend them!
These headphones have a SUPER long charge life, but I also have a case that charges them as well just in case I forget to charge. They come with a great case, but if you want one that charges as well this is the one I have:
2.) Bluetooth or adapters!
I would highly suggest Bluetooth if you can – it’s just so much easier when you can travel without cords. If you opt for non Bluetooth headphones though make sure you have what adapters you need for different devices. These days it seems like every different device has a different kind of port for plugging your headphones in so make sure you have what you need for the devices you will be using in flight.
3.) Headphone Splitter
If you are traveling with someone having a headphone splitter is fun because you both can watch the same show or movie together!
Definitely make sure having headphones is one of your top priorities when figuring out how to pack a carry on bag!
2.) Neck Pillow
I boycotted bringing a neck pillow on a plane for a long time – but now I’ll never travel without it. I love nothing more than to nap on a plane. I will pass out the moment the flight takes off. My only problem is nodding off. I will literally wake myself up from nodding off and my head falling over. Having a good neck pillow that is not only comfortable but also helps you keep your head from falling forward or side to side seriously makes sure you have the best sleep ever – even when you’re 30,000 feet in the air.
3.) Phone Holder
One of the best past times on a plane is watching a movie. A lot of airlines offer certain movies or TV shows available through their Wifi. A lot of streaming services also allow you to download videos so that you are able to watch them on a plane even without any Wifi access.
This phone holder allows you to prop up your phone so that you can watch whatever you would like without having to hold your phone yourself. So much more comfortable!
4.) Wallet / Purse – All Quick Grab Items
To make sure I abide by the airline’s rules for how many carry ons I can have to slide under the seat in front of me, I usually take a small purse and stick it inside my backpack so I can take it out to use once I arrive at my destination. Either way – Make sure you have your ID, passport, phone, credit cards, or cash so you can get to them easily without having to rummage through your bag every time you need something.
Of course, ID, passport, and cards will be mostly used before you board the plane – but in case you want to buy some in-flight refreshments, make sure you can easily grab your card to pay!
5.) Chargers and Power Bank
Make sure you bring any chargers you may need on your flight with you (phone, iPad, laptop, etc.). Although lots of airlines have a USB port now that you can use certain chargers in, I like to bring my own portable power bank to use just in case they don’t have one or if the charger I am using can’t go into a USB port.
6.) Ipad and/or Laptop
I always love to bring both my laptop and iPad. I mostly use my laptop if I’m trying to get more work done, but I also bring my iPad for more fun things like playing games or maybe watching a movie.
7.) Eyemask
If you’re a plane napper this is another one for you! Having an eye mask just adds a little extra help blocking out any light and helping you get a better sleep before you arrive to your destination.
8.) Collapsable Water Bottle
Obviously you can’t bring a full water bottle through security – and once you are through security that water can be pretty expensive. I drink A TON of water and I always want to make sure I have some while waiting for my flight, as well as the whole time I’m on my flight. Sometimes on shorter flights if there isn’t enough time or there is too much turbulence you may not be able to get service, so I make sure I at least bring my own water so I have something to sip on.
The easiest and cheapest way is with a collapsable water bottle! They take up barely any space, and then when you get through security you can fill it up at a restaurant or a water bottle refill station (most airports have these!). I highly recommend keeping on in your carry on bag!
9.) Book
I go through phases of reading, sometimes I read pretty consistently and sometimes I’ll go quite awhile without starting a new book. I always bring a book to read on vacation though! I love to read on a plane to help waste time, so I always make sure I through one into my carry on bag!
10.) Sweatshirt
I love a baggy sweatshirt no matter what – but especially on the plane! It’s good to have one just in case you get cold – but it also makes me feel more comfortable if I do end up taking a nap.
11.) Pill Organizer
Of course, if there’s any medication you will need to take on the flight you should make sure you have a pill organizer of some sort. I also recommend bringing some kind of pain killer such as Tylenol, indigestion medicine, or anything you think may help you feel more comfortable if you start not feeling well during your flight.
12.) Glasses or Contacts
I don’t wear glasses or contacts – so this one doesn’t pertain to me – but, if you do make sure you have them on hand and anything you may need on a long flight to take care of them. I personally like to keep some sunglasses with me just so they are easy to grab after the flight!
13.) Misc Items – Chapstick, Pen, Ponytail holder, Snacks, Hand Sanitizer
There are a couple of other small things I like to throw in my bag just in case as well. I’m a chapstick addict so I have to have some on hand no matter where I go – especially on a long flight.
I always make sure to keep a pen on hand. When I read I like to underline things so I especially like it for that, but just in case I need to make any other kind of note – it’s nice to have one on hand.
I usually come with my hair up already, but bringing a ponytail holder is always nice just in case you need to throw your hair up out of your way.
It’s always good to have snacks on hand in case you get a little hungry, especially if it’s a flight where service is delayed because of turbulence!
I like to keep hand sanitizer with me just in case I need it throughout the flight!
Hopefully this list helped you to pack your bag perfectly to make your flight more comfortable and enjoyable!
This post was all about how to pack a carry on bag to elevate your flight experience!
Other posts you may like:
The Ultimate Packing List for Vacation
11 Must Have Amazon Travel Finds That Will Make Your Life So Much Easier!
8 of the Best Things to do in Boston, Massachusetts
