What gadgets will be useful during a flight

A flight is a portal to a new life, but sometimes this portal smells of heated airplane food and sounds like the hum of a giant vacuum cleaner. And the difference between 'arriving exhausted' and 'ready to conquer the world' often comes down to just a couple of devices that need to be packed in advance into a personal item bag. Let's figure out which gadgets are the essential minimum for a comfortable flight, and what you might want to buy for your trip.

Power Banks

Let's start with the basics. If your phone dies in the middle of checking your hotel's QR code, your stress level will go through the roof. But there are nuances with external batteries dictated by aviation security rules.

According to international standards, batteries with a capacity of up to 100 Wh can be taken into the cabin. This value is indicated on the body of most modern power banks, but if you only see mAh, then aim for 27,000 mAh – this is your legal limit. Anything more powerful formally requires airline approval, and airport security services may simply confiscate a giant device.

China has a separate story. Starting June 28, 2025, strict rules have come into effect on domestic flights in the country: external batteries without a 3C (China Compulsory Certification) certificate and/or with an unclear 3C logo, as well as recalled models, are not allowed in hand luggage. New devices require clear, undamaged marking of nominal energy (up to 100 Wh), and older models may not be allowed, even if other rules are met. Therefore, choose modern models: security personnel vigilantly monitor compliance and thoroughly check external batteries. Using devices on board is prohibited, and if your power bank has a button, it must be turned off. 

Important: never check your power bank into luggage. Lithium batteries have a tendency to self-ignite during sudden pressure changes, and extinguishing them in the baggage compartment is much more difficult than under a seat. If you plan to buy tickets from Moscow to Lisbon, such a gadget will become your main ally in an eight-hour series marathon.

Noise-Cancelling Headphones

An airplane is an extremely noisy place. The sound level in the cabin reaches 80-85 decibels, comparable to a lawnmower operating right next to your ear. It is this monotonous hum that makes us feel drained after landing.

Noise-cancelling headphones (ANC) work on the principle of anti-sound: they 'listen' to external noise and generate a mirrored sound wave that cancels it out. In the quiet of everyday life, this trick (without music playing) can create a feeling of pressure on the ears, but on a plane, the situation is completely different. This is no longer just a way to better hear the words in your chosen track; it's protection for your nervous system. Even if you're not a music lover, just put them on to sleep. If you've booked tickets for the Saint Petersburg – Vladivostok route, the difference in how you feel after 8 hours of silence will be enormous.

Ultrasonic Humidifiers

The air on a plane is drier than in the Sahara Desert: humidity drops to 10-15%. Hence the feeling of tight skin, 'sand' in the eyes, and increased vulnerability to viruses.

Portable ultrasonic humidifiers powered by USB are currently trending. They create a nice little cloud of mist around your face. However, let's be honest: in the powerful ventilation system of an airplane, such a gadget operates 'at minimum capacity.' For it to truly help, you need to hold it 20 centimeters from your nose.

An alternative to gadgets here are good old eye drops ('artificial tears') and the habit of drinking a glass of water every hour. Face masks in individual packages will also help: open, put on, and sit with a satisfied look, catching puzzled (or envious) glances from your row neighbors. But if you're a tech enthusiast, a small humidifier is a great way to create a personal microclimate while flying a long route, for example, if you decide to buy tickets from Moscow to Tokyo.

Additional Small Items

Not by gadgets alone. There are a couple of devices that seem like overkill until you need them.

Bluetooth adapter for the airplane. If you have cool wireless headphones, you won't be able to connect them to the built-in screen on the seatback without a cable. A small transmitter plugs into the headphone jack and transmits sound to your AirPods or Sony. An indispensable item for movie lovers.

Smart trackers (like AirTag). Just drop one 'tag' into your suitcase. Even if your luggage flies in another direction, you'll know exactly where it is while airport staff shrug their shoulders. This is especially relevant if you're flying with layovers, having bought tickets for the Saint Petersburg – Bangkok route.

E-reader. Smartphones and tablets emit blue light, which suppresses melatonin – as a result, it will be harder to fall asleep in the hotel after the flight. An e-ink screen doesn't strain your eyes and holds a charge for weeks, which is ideal for long layovers.

Remember: comfort during your journey is not an indulgence, but an investment in your first day of vacation. It's better to spend space in your backpack on a couple of useful devices than to spend your first evening in a new country with a headache and a dead phone.