Everything I Pack in My Personal Item for a Long Flight

I always choose a backpack as my personal item because it fits easily under the seat in front of me and can double as a day bag during my trip if needed. My go-to is Carl Friedrick’s 72-Hour Backpack , which perfectly balances function and style. Its sleek design and premium nubuck fabric give it a polished, professional look. So, unlike more rugged or student-style backpacks, it works whether I’m on a business trip or just exploring a stylish city.

The backpack has an integrated luggage holder strap (the number one feature I look for in a personal item), which lets me slide it over the handle of my carry-on and roll everything together. It also features eight compartments, including a hidden valuables pocket and a padded laptop sleeve. I like to use the different pockets to keep my gear sorted—one for entertainment, one for comfort items, one for essentials—so everything has its place, and I can grab what I need without digging.

Entertainment is a must on long-haul flights, and I’ve learned the hard way not to depend on airlines for it, having been burned by broken seatback screens that can’t be fixed, leaving me with nothing to watch for hours. I’m definitely not the type who can stare at the route map for hours without losing my mind—I need solid entertainment to pass the time.

I used to always travel with a Kindle, but I recently upgraded to the multitasking TCL Tab 10 NXTPAPER 5G tablet , which can stream videos and serve as an e-reader. Before every trip,I download plenty of movies, shows, and books, so I’m covered even if the in-flight system fails. The tablet’s 10” display is the perfect size for travel—large enough that it’s great for streaming, but small enough to be portable. Its nano-etched screen automatically adjusts brightness and color tone based on ambient lighting, making it just as comfortable in a dim airplane cabin as on a sunny beach. It also reduces blue light by up to 61 percent, which helps my eyes feel better, even with the dry plane air. And with a powerful 6000 mAh battery, it lasts all day—no matter how many episodes I binge midair.

I prefer to travel light, so I opt for Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds instead of bulkier, over-the-ear headphones. The Pixel buds still offer a good amount of noise cancellation that can drown out screaming babies and engine noise, but they’re easier to pack, and I can use them for workouts or runs at my destination.

I also pack a pair of wired headphones that I can use with the in-flight entertainment system.

Since most planes now offer in-seat charging, I always keep my phone and tablet charger within easy reach so I can disembark with a full battery.

I also pack a power bank to charge my devices in case there isn’t an outlet at my seat.

I struggle with sleeping on planes, but there are a few things I pack that do help.

The Sia Silk Sleep Mask has extra-deep eye cups that effectively block out airplane light and allow my eyes to move freely during REM sleep. Made from mulberry silk, it feels incredibly luxurious—even in coach—and doesn’t leave awkward marks on my face. Once I land, it’s also perfect to use in the hotel.

I keep a pair of Loop Earplugs in my personal item to help block out plane noise. I like them over regular earplugs because they come with their own case, which isgreat for travel.

A travel pillow is a must for long flights when you’re trying to sleep. I like this inflatable one from Flowzoom , which actually prevents head-bobbing.

In-flight food is never guaranteed (or promised to be edible), so I always pack a snack in my personal item to tide me over until I reach my destination.


My go-to travel snack is The Only Bean—dry-roasted edamame beans seasoned in a variety of flavors (buffalo is my personal favorite). Each serving packs 13 grams of protein and is a smart choice for flights: they're low in sugar, high in fiber, low on the glycemic index, and largely allergen-friendly—perfect if you're avoiding nuts or trying to prevent the dreaded ‘jet bloat.’

I always get cold on long flights, so I pack a travel shawl in my personal item. I use it as a blanket on the plane and as an extra layer once I arrive at my destination.

In an effort to stay healthy and comfortable while flying, I also pack these items:

• Tissues
• Hand sanitizer
• Water bottle (refill post-TSA but before getting on the plane)
• Mask
• Medicine (prescription and over-the-counter)
• Lip balm
• Lotion

If losing something would ruin your trip, keep it in your personal item where it's least likely to get lost or stolen. I recommend keeping these must-have essentials close: