Laura the explora: the blog

Long flights can be a time to read and relax, catch up on movies you may have missed in the theatre, and get some extra Z’s before your next adventure. I’ve always been the kind of person who is prepared for any and every situation. Here’s a quick list of things I will always have in my carry on to help make those flights just a little bit better and to deal with emergencies before they even occur.

Passport & Money

• You should always, always, ALWAYS keep these items on your person at all times. And keep a photocopy of your passport just in case something happens (it doesn’t hurt to add an additional copy in your checked bags either).

Toiletries/Medication

• To save myself from any inconvenient situations, I always keep these with me. Whether you want to brush your teeth after your in-flight meal or pop a painkiller to attack the migraine that came out of nowhere, it’s nice to have it within arms’ reach. They don’t usually take up much space anyways!

A Good Book

• One can only marathon watch so many movies and TV shows. It’s refreshing to be able to entertain yourself the old-fashioned way. Bonus points if you actually take the book out of your bag and read it.

Snacks And/Or A Meal

• My go-to snacks are peanut M&Ms and gummy bears. For longer flights, sometimes I’ll pick up a sandwich from a shop in the terminal. Because of my allergies, it never hurts  to bring some food along.

Empty Bag

• An empty plastic bag may come in handy when gathering up the trash in your seat after the flight, to carry the snacks you just bought onto the plane, or even to save the day as a barf bag if your seat is missing one.

Pen and paper

• Ah, yes, the classic writing kit. You may just want to doodle a bit, or journal perhaps, but it can also be more useful in the event you’d like to note something worth coming back to later, like a recommendation from a local or a list to tackle after you land.

Electronics/Chargers

• Although there may not be WiFi access on all flights, my laptop and cell phone are always right by my side. If I am lucky enough to have access to a USB port or an outlet, I’ll charge everything.

Pre-Downloaded Entertainment

• Since most flights don’t currently offer complimentary Wifi (but they really should at this point), it’s always nice to have some of your favorite music or a few episodes of your favorite podcast already downloaded to your device so you have something you want to listen to in a pinch.

Headphones

• Most flights will offer you a pair of complimentary headphones compatible with the aircraft, but they will not likely work with your personal devices. Sometimes you just wanna listen to your own playlist!

Jacket

• Airplane temperatures can be inconsistent, and as someone who gets cold easily, I like to have my biggest coat with me even if I don’t end up using it. An additional upside is that it gives you more space in your checked luggage for other stuff!

Honorable Mention: Spare Change of Clothes

• Since I typically only travel with a carry on, I would already have everything I need with me. However, this can be one of the best things to have in your carry on if you checked your primary bag in an emergency (including but not limited to misplaced luggage, getting cold during your flight, or spilling something everywhere during some turbulence). You never know.

Honorable Mention: Earplugs and Sleep Mask

• I gotta be honest, I practically never actually end up using these, but they can be a life-saver when trying to get some shut eye. When a baby is crying a few rows in front of you or someone wants to leave their window open, you’re going to be super glad you decided to bring these along.

I hope this helps you prepare for your next flight. What do you always like to keep with you when you fly?

Happy travels! 🙂

(this post was last edited and updated on January 29, 2024)