The 14 Most Valuable Frequent Flyer Essentials

Monday, November 1, 2021

The items you bring with you on a flight can significantly influence your comfort and convenience. By bringing the right items, stressful trips can become fun and exciting. 

But since the market is bombarded with countless products, choosing which to bring can be challenging—and knowing that you can only pack several items on your carry-on bag doesn't help either. Should you bring a pillow? How can you stay hydrated on a flight? What items should you bring for entertainment? You'll likely have tons of questions aside from these. 

If you’re a frequent flyer, it's best to invest in the following traveling essentials:

1. Buckwheat Travel Pillow

One of the best things to do when you're on a long flight is to doze off. But because you're seated the whole time, it's crucial to bring items that can bring comfort as you sleep while minimizing any neck and body pains. A buckwheat travel pillow can help with all of these. 

A buckwheat travel pillow can offer you comfort because it naturally moves around to support the shape of your neck and head. With this, you can have the right posture as you sleep during the flight and wake up without a stiff neck or an aching shoulder. 

Because it's made from buckwheat hulls, an all-natural and organic material, a buckwheat travel pillow is also hypoallergenic and mite-resistant. This means that you can continue using the pillow for long periods without worrying about any allergy symptoms. 

If you’re interested to know more about buckwheat pillows and buying some for you or your kids, check this video: 

2. Lightweight Carry-On Luggage

Gone were the days when people would choose backpacks and handbags for their carry-on luggage. Today, more and more frequent travelers are choosing to bring wheeled suitcases—and for good reasons, too. Carry-on luggage offers more space and using one will save you time from waiting at the carousel. 

To maximize the benefits of lightweight carry-on luggage, invest in the right type. For starters, you should buy carry-on luggage that meets airlines' allowable dimensions (in the U.S., it's usually 22 x 14 x 9 inches). You should also check the weight of luggage to ensure that it meets the airlines' restrictions (in the U.S., you can bring carry-ons weighing up to 40 pounds or 18 kilos).

Most importantly, you should check the number of pockets of the luggage and ensure that these meet your preferences. For example, if you always travel with a laptop, look for a carry-on suitcase with a laptop compartment and pockets for chargers and wires. 

3. Compressible Water Bottle

Since security protocols at airports forbid you to bring large liquid containers, you need to look for ideas to be able to drink clean water. Buying bottled water at the airport isn't always the best option since the prices are way too high.

Airport security will allow you to bring an empty bottle and then fill it once you pass inspection, which is why bringing compressible water bottles is a great solution. You can roll or fold one in your bag and fill it with water once you pass the inspection. 

Unlike plastic bottles, a compressible water bottle is eco-friendly because it can be reused. Plus, with the number of designs to choose from, you won't have any problems finding a compressible water bottle that perfectly matches your bags or personal style!

4. Portable Charger Or Power Bank

Bringing your mobile phone when traveling is always a must, but you won't be able to use it when you run out of battery. How can you take pictures without your phone? Or post updates on your social media to show details about your trip?

As a frequent flyer, always bring a portable charger or power bank. With this device, you can charge your phone on the plane and have peace of mind knowing that you can still enjoy the features of your device the moment you land. You can even buy portable chargers that can charge two devices at the same time!

5. Comfort Kits

Traveling on an airplane can get cold sometimes, especially when traveling at night. And when you're not properly equipped for the cold, you'll likely spend the entire trip feeling uncomfortable, curling to one side of your seat.

Experience comfort whenever you're on a plane by bringing your comfort kit. This kit includes everything you need to stay warm and cozy throughout your flight: a comfortable sleep mask, travel-size wool blanket, and neck pillow. 

If you want to stay in style during your slumber in-flight, look for items that match. For instance, you can buy a sleeping mask, pillow, and blanket in the same color or pattern. 

6. Noise-Canceling Headphones

Even if you bring the fluffiest blankets and pillows, sleeping on the plane can still become a challenge because of the background noise. Children crying in their seats and adults talking throughout the entire flight can prevent you from dozing off. 

Fortunately, noise-canceling headphones can help. The advanced membrane technology in noise-canceling headphones reduces background noise while allowing flight announcements to be heard more clearly. With this device, you can finally catch some Z’s without worrying about missing any announcements made by the crew or pilot. 

If this is your first time buying noise-canceling headphones, narrow down your options by looking into the size, battery life, comfort, and portability. Most importantly, you should choose a noise-canceling headphone that fits your budget—how else can you afford to travel if you spent all of your money on this device?

7. Portable Wi-Fi

Although the internet has become a commodity, not every country offers stable access. For countries that do, you might need to pay a hefty sum of money before using it.

One of the most essential travel accessories you need in 2021 is portable Wi-Fi. This device allows you to connect to the World Wide Web regardless of the location or time of day. With a stable internet connection, you can research more about your destination and find addresses once you arrive. Your trip will be less stressful when you have portable Wi-Fi with you!

When buying a portable Wi-Fi, choose one that offers massive battery life and easy set-up. If you're going to bring more than one device on your trips, look for a portable Wi-Fi that can support at least two devices. 

8. Anti-Theft Daypack

You won't be able to enjoy your trip if you're always looking over your shoulder. Instead of enjoying various attractions and activities in a new city or country, you'll likely spend most of your time worrying about the security of your valuables. 

One of the most useful items every frequent flyer should have is an anti-theft daypack. Unlike traditional backpacks or handbags, an anti-theft daypack comes with many security features, namely strong locks and zippers and RFID blocking materials. Most anti-theft daypacks are made from anti-slash materials that can enhance your safety and security when traveling. 

Aside from making sure that the anti-theft daypack you'll buy offers several security features, buy a water-resistant one. This will keep your valuables safe and dry regardless of the weather.

9. Compression Socks Or Tights

Sitting in an airplane seat for more than four hours can adversely affect your health. Blood clots can form in the deep veins of your legs that can eventually cause severe pain, redness, and swelling. The longer you sit in a confined space, the greater your risk of developing blood clots.

Don't put your health at risk whenever you're traveling by investing in high-quality compression socks or tights. These may help boost blood circulation in your legs, support veins, and prevent blood from pooling in your legs. Other long-term benefits of wearing compression socks or tights may include preventing venous ulcers and diminishing leg swelling. 

Since compression socks or tights come in different options, pick the best one by paying attention to the level of compression. For example, compression socks or tights with 15-20 mmHg compression are ideal for daily wear, while 20-30 mmHg is suitable for sports recovery and managing mild symptoms. 

10. In-Flight Entertainment

Not everyone can sleep for long hours when traveling on a plane. This is one of the reasons why many frequent flyers will look for other things to pass the time. If you're one of them, you should bring in-flight entertainment on your next trip. 

In-flight entertainment comes in many forms, and you need to bring one that suits your interests. If you love reading, you can bring a couple of books or download an eBook on your device. Listening to your iPod or other music players can also keep the boredom away during long flights. 

You can also bring several puzzle books to tease your brain during long flights. If you want to play, consider bringing a Lego kit. With these items, you'll never be bored regardless of how long your flight will take!

11. Disinfecting Wipes

Studies show that public restrooms are a breeding ground for different germs and bacteria, such as E. coli. Coming to contact with surfaces with the presence of E. coli can cause stomach cramping, nausea, and vomiting. 

Being sick when traveling can ruin all of your plans, so don't forget to pack a sufficient amount of disinfecting wipes. This can help you clean your hands, disinfect surfaces, wash glassware, and even clean bathrooms before and after use. 

When selecting disinfecting wipes, pay attention to the label and refrain from buying items that contain quaternary ammonium compounds or ‘quats,’ such as benzethonium chloride and didecyldimethylammonium chloride. These compounds may cause skin dermatitis and even inflammation.

12. Sunscreen

Regardless of where you're going and how long you're going to stay at your destination, you should always bring a bottle of sunscreen. In fact, you should apply sunscreen in-flight (if you don't apply at home), especially if you're in the window seat. 

Sitting in bright light puts you at higher risk of skin cancer and other sun-induced damage. Moreover, the altitude can also expose you to harmful UVA rays, which can cause sunburn, premature aging, and wrinkles.

The sunscreen you'll use should offer 'broad-spectrum' protection. This means that the product can protect from both UVB and UVA rays. It's also important to choose a sunscreen with at least 30 SPF as it can filter about 97% of UVB and UVA rays. 

13. Travel Wallet

Aside from money, you'll have to bring a lot of items in your wallet when traveling. Often, you'll have to carry cash in different currencies, hotel key cards, and your passport. Your everyday wallet can't support all of these, so make sure to invest in a high-quality travel wallet. 

A travel wallet is a godsend for frequent flyers because it gives you access to documents, offers a safe place to store your credit cards and hotel keys, and keeps you organized when you travel. Placing your travel essentials in a travel wallet is always a better option than dumping everything in your shoulder bag.

Avoid stress when buying a travel wallet by looking for one that is made from high-quality materials and has a proper locking mechanism. Don't forget to check the dimensions to ensure that the travel wallet you'll buy can accommodate all of your important documents. 

14. Foldable Bag

Buying souvenirs for your friends and family can be fun but finding a place to stash these items can be challenging. Your luggage will likely be used to store all of your travel essentials, which means that you won't have any space to store your souvenirs.

Bringing a foldable bag is an excellent solution if you're fond of buying souvenirs when traveling. You can simply fold this bag when not in use and then spread it on your flight back home. You can also use a foldable bag to store your laundry or as a shopping bag when traveling.

Foldable bags are very common today, so you can easily find one appropriate to your needs. Regardless if you only buy souvenirs for your family or provide one each to all of your colleagues at work, you won't have any problems finding a foldable bag that fits the bill!  

Prioritize Quality At All Times 

Now that you know which items you should invest in, you can start browsing through different stores. Since you'll be using these items often, remember to choose quality over price. Prioritizing quality will surely provide value to your money as these products will continue to serve their purpose years after buying them!