If you’re someone who looks forward to your trip but absolutely dreads packing your bags and enduring the actual flight to your destination, we have some tips that’ll change everything.
Everyone can benefit from some hacks from the pros themselves — in this case, flight attendants who travel for a living and know a thing or two about how to do it well.
HuffPost spoke to four flight attendants about their top travel tips, plus their beauty hacks and must-haves when traveling.
You need to use packing cubes.
Packing cubes and compression bags aren’t just a TikTok trend. They are, in fact, very useful, and flight attendants themselves recommend them.
“Compression bags will allow you to pack more and take up less space. They allowed me to fit three weeks of clothes for Europe in a carry-on!” said Liz, a flight attendant and TikTok creator known as @ Wanderlizst .
“I always use packing cubes,” said flight attendant Serena Chew . “I bought a pack of six from Amazon. They help keep things organized and that allows me to pack more!” Chew also recommends rolling your clothes, to prevent wrinkles and maximize your space.
Check out our favorite packing cubes.
Get waterproof toiletry bags to avoid major leakage.
Imagine reaching your destination, ready to relax and explore, and opening your suitcase only to find a mysterious liquid all over your clothes.
Asimina Plessia , a VIP flight attendant and content creator, recommends a waterproof toiletry bag to avoid spillage.
Similarly, Liz uses zipper-seal bags for approved liquids, which will keep your belongings clean in case the difference in altitude causes them to leak.
Pack your valuables in your carry-on.
If you’ve ever had any issues with your suitcase being lost during a flight, you know how frustrating it can be.
Plessia and Chew both advise that you always keep your valuables in your carry-on. This may include any expensive bags, jewelry and of course money and personal documents. You may also want to pack a change of clothes, just in case your luggage is delayed.
Always pack an extra jacket in your carry-on.
To protect yourself from the cold air on airplanes, packing a very light, but warm, jacket will come in handy, said Plessia. Plus, you can use it at your destination, depending on the weather. Ultra-light down jackets are great, as they can be packed away in their little pouch and work well for layering.
Wear compression socks on the flight.
If you tend to experience swelling on your legs and feet after a flight, Liz suggested getting a pair of compression socks or tights . Apart from reducing swelling, they also help reduce the risk of blood clots during the flight.
This is particularly helpful on flights longer than five hours, where you are likely not moving around that much and the blood flow to your legs is reduced.
Note that, for certain conditions, simple compression socks won’t do — you will need prescription medical ones.
Chew recommends an ais le seat so you can get up and move during the flight and, once you reach your destination, “rest your legs up on a wall to help move around the lymphatic fluid for about 20-30 minutes.”
Pack your shoes separately.
People on TikTok often pack their dirty shoes with their clothes, which will easily make their items dirty and spread germs.
“Put your shoes in a dust bag, or just a plastic bag, to prevent them from dirtying your other things,” Liz said.
Pack an eye mask and earplugs.
Depending where you are flying to — and the time difference from your departing city — you may want to sleep. Plessia said she never travels without an eye mask and earplugs, and Liz highly recommends noise-canceling headphones to block out any noise.
Wear sunscreen on the plane.
UVA rays are way harsher while flying, so applying sunscreen before boarding the plane is vital . Keep your window shade closed, said Chew, and apply a strong sunscreen. If you are traveling at night, there is no need for sunscreen.
“My non-negotiable when it comes to skin care is a great sunscreen,” said flight attendant Benji Patterson . Liz agrees and recommends a good moisturizer with a high SPF to make up for the lack of humidity and protect your skin from the ultraviolet rays.
A final reminder that being kind goes a long way.
“Flight attendants aren’t paid during the boarding process, so kindness goes a long way — we know flying can get super frustrating but we are there to help when the airlines have caused any inconvenience,” Chew said.
Check out 25 more things that flight attendants say make travel more comfortable. See below!
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