What to take with you into the airplane cabin

The most complete and detailed (we checked!) list of things you can and should take with you into the airplane cabin. Everything that will make your time on board pleasant: your feet won't freeze, neighbors won't disturb your sleep during a long flight, and you'll have something to fill out the immigration form with.

Important things

First, let's figure out what you definitely need to keep with you:

Bag. The very one that will carry the supply of things so necessary for the flight. Ideally, it should be small but roomy. Soft fabric bags are better than rigid ones, as they easily fit even in confined spaces. Internal compartments will prevent the contents from mixing chaotically.

Documents, money, cards, jewelry. Keep all of this with you and do not check it into luggage. There is always a risk that the suitcase will be lost or damaged during transportation, and no one will look after your valuables, let alone handle them carefully.

Ballpoint pen. At the airport, you'll need to fill out an immigration form. Often, at this moment, the same story begins where you have to look for which passenger has a pen, and then wait for your turn to use it. Take care of this in advance and put a regular ballpoint pen in your bag.

SIM card ejector tool. Sometimes it's easier to buy a local SIM card than to rely on hotel Wi-Fi. But first, you need to remove your permanent SIM card from your phone (and don't lose it!), and that's where the slot key comes in handy. Or a simple paperclip. Attach it to your keys and you're good to go.

First Aid Kit

Basic minimum set: painkiller (literally one or two pills), plaster (in case your usual shoes suddenly start rubbing), allergy medicine, iodine in a marker.

Motion sickness pills. Not everyone can handle takeoff, landing, and turbulence without nausea. Noticed this about yourself? Get some motion sickness medication.

Moisturizing nasal spray: the air on airplanes is always very dry.

Your regular medications. Taking something on a regular basis? Be sure to take it with you into the airplane cabin. If you know exactly how many pills you'll need to take during the flight, break off the required amount from a full blister pack right away.

Hygiene

Wet wipes. Preferably alcohol-free – they don't dry out the skin. You can wipe down the tray table before your meal.

Hand sanitizer gel. Usually sold in miniature packaging, so it won't take up much space, and in hot countries, it will also come in handy throughout your vacation.

Toothpaste and toothbrush. To freshen up after an overnight flight. But remember that airlines consider toothpaste a liquid, so no more than 100 ml.

Self-care

Moisturizer: face cream, hand cream, sheet mask, eye patches. Here, it's up to personal preference. For example, a sheet mask is convenient because it comes in a separate flat package. The humidity on board an airplane is always low, so skincare products will definitely come in handy.

Lip balm. If you're flying to the sea, it's best to take one with SPF right away.

Eye drops. Your eyes can also feel dry, so moisturizing drops are a great idea. It's better to switch from contact lenses to glasses for the duration of the flight.

Makeup remover wipes. Generally, it's better to fly without any makeup: mascara can flake, foundation can smudge, and everything will end up looking messy. But if there's no other option, take makeup remover in wipe format into the cabin.

Comb, hair tie, hair clips. An airplane is a cramped place, so long loose hair is a red flag. If you want to look good upon arrival, put a comb in your hand luggage, but tie your hair back for the flight.

Comfort

Warm sweater, hoodie. How to dress for a flight? Wear comfortable clothes, and send shirts, trousers, and jeans (!) to checked luggage. The best option is a tracksuit with a soft, wide elastic band. And to avoid getting cold, you can throw a sweatshirt or sweater over your shoulders. Not every airline provides blankets to passengers, and if they do, it's primarily for children.

Comfortable shoes, warm socks, slippers. Save heels and tight shoes for another occasion. On board an airplane, comfort is key, not style. Choose shoes that are easy to take off and put on, so you can move quickly around the cabin.

Compression socks, stockings, or tights. Pressure changes put a strain on blood vessels. As a result, legs swell and muscles cramp. Compression stockings are designed to deal with this problem.

Foot pillow, orthopedic coccyx pillow. Anything that helps you sit more comfortably in a rigid seat. An inflatable travel pillow is placed between the seats: it allows you to raise your legs higher. An orthopedic lumbar pillow will relieve back pain.

Everything for Sleep

Blanket, pashmina. Used to covering yourself with a blanket at night and now can't fall asleep without that feeling? A small blanket will save you. Or a wide scarf-pashmina.

Neck pillow. It will support your head in a stable position and ensure a more comfortable flight. These are widely sold at airports. Inside them are polystyrene beads. But an inflatable one will also do the job (it will also take up almost no space in your bag). With it, you won't have to create a makeshift pillow from clothes, and your neck won't start to hurt.

Sleep mask. Good for comfortable daytime flights and long overnight ones. It will provide complete darkness and give you a couple of extra hours of sleep. And if you choose a model with a gel insert, facial puffiness will also be reduced.

Earplugs. Perhaps the most essential accessory from the list of "what to take with you into the airplane cabin." Sleep on board is generally a fragile concept, and the noise of chatty neighbors and children who don't want to sleep will make it almost impossible. Earplugs or active noise-canceling headphones will come to the rescue.

Entertainment

Power bank. It's nice when the phone charging port is built right into the seat armrest, but that's not always the case. Don't want your phone to die before the plane lands? Take a portable charger with you. In this article, we answer the question of which power bank you can take on a plane.

Charging cable. In fact, only with it will the "phone + power bank" combination work; otherwise, it's all in vain.

Headphones. Music, movies, podcasts – anything that helps pass the time on board will do.

E-reader. If you truly love to read, feel free to take it with you into the cabin. However, a paper version will also cope with boredom and won't run out of battery. The main thing is to choose a compact version with a soft cover.

Food

Energy bars, nuts, sandwiches, candies. You can take hermetically sealed and not strongly smelling food on board. If you're flying internationally, check if your snack falls under import or export restrictions. 

Water bottle. Empty. Water at the airport always costs exorbitant money, but unfortunately, thirst doesn't decrease from contemplating ridiculous prices. However, in the departure area, you can sometimes find drinking fountains where you can fill up your pre-prepared bottle. Once in the cabin, ask the flight attendants for a similar service, and they will surely accommodate you. 

Well, and if you have your own talisman for a successful journey, take it with you too! We hope that with this list, you won't forget anything, including sharing the link with your friends ;)