Having go-to cozy flight essentials are hands down one of the biggest game changers of travel.
I’d be lying if I said flying was my favorite thing. Actually, I kind of hate flying.
I hate the feeling of being ‘trapped’, I hate how cramped most flights are, and I get physically ill every single time because of my motion sickness.
Despite (or maybe because of) this, I have learned some tips and tricks along the way that help me be more comfortable and have a less miserable experience. After all, travel is supposed to be fun and enjoyable!
If you’re like me and you’re in need of a little extra comfort when flying, check out these tips & cozy flight essentials below.
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1. Dress Appropriately.
Have you ever seen anything on Pinterest that’s labeled as ‘travel outfit’ or ‘plane outfit’ and it’s someone super dressed up and they look super uncomfortable?
Yeah, well this is me reminding you that you don’t have to look ‘cute’ on a flight. Prioritizing comfort over style is CRUCIAL for in-flight comfort.
On one of my most recent flights, I was wearing this new pair of jeans that I loved, a kind of dressier shirt and sandals. I looked cute, but I can not even begin to tell you how much I regretted that outfit.
I was already uncomfortable from running through the airport to get to the terminal on time. But once I sat down in the plane seat and felt my ‘cute’ jeans cutting into my stomach, I was dreaming of sweatpants.
If you want to be comfortable, it’s important that you dress comfortably.
And some good news? You can still look cute AND be comfortable.
My suggestions: leggings or sweatpants, sneakers (that you can easily slip off for TSA) and a loose fitting shirt. Layers are also important.
Some planes are hot (I swear my last flight was 85° and the air vents did not work) and some planes are cold, so it’s important to have layers you can add or remove as needed. Pack a cozy oversized hoodie or a jacket that you can easily take on & off.
Here are a few of my go-to airport outfits.
ADD LTKS HERE
2. Get rid of motion sickness- before it starts.
At this point, I don’t think I could stand a flight without some sort of motion sickness medicine.
Taking medicine before my flight is the difference between a flight where I am actually physically sick for hours or where I am comfortable and able to focus on something else besides my stomach aching.
Most people may not relate to this problem, but if you do, make sure you have some medicine on hand for your next trip, and take it about 30 minutes- 1 hour before your flight takes off.
I have tried it all, so here are my recommendations:
Before the flight: Dramamine
Out of all of the types of Dramamine, this one is by FAR the most effective in my experience.
During Flight: Ginger Drops
These are great to have in your bag for during the flight to help settle your tummy on any bumps.
Another thing I always do is ask for some ginger ale when the drink cart comes around. This is really helpful to ease any tummy ache I may be having.
3. Bring pillows and blankets
Most airlines allow you to bring a ‘personal item/bag’ in addition to your carry-on. This is the perfect way to bring a pillow and blanket along. If you have the bag space, roll up a small blanket and a travel pillow in your bag. That way once you’re on the plane, you can get all cozy and feel relaxed. I do this every flight and it brings me so much comfort.
My go-to travel pillow? This one is so comfy (I have actually slept on it), and is small enough to fit in a backpack.
And for a blanket, this Vera Bradley one folds up super small but keeps you cozy.
4. Pick entertainment that will comfort you.
And by this, I mean plan out your entertainment so that you have something comforting and relaxing to do during the flight.
I can’t tell you how many times I have boarded a flight with no idea what I was going to do the whole time.
When that happens, I usually end up bored long before the flight is over and just counting down the minutes until I can get off of the plane. That’s not very cozy.
Now I go into every flight with a plan. Usually for me, that means downloading some episodes of my favorite TV shows (The Office, Parks & Rec, Modern Family) for offline access, that way I’m able to watch them even once I’ve left the ground.
I try to find activities/shows/music that I know will relax me. I’ve done away with trying to use my flight time as ‘productivity’ time.
I encourage you to think about what makes you feel cozy and peaceful- and fill your flight time with those activities.
Read that book you’ve been wanting to read, watch some episodes of your favorite show, draw, play your Nintendo Switch, do whatever it is that comforts you.
5. Keep yourself cool
If you are hot-natured, flights can be a nightmare.
A/C is not a guarantee and being packed into your seat like a sardine can make it hard to keep cool.
After my previously mentioned super hot flight, I plan to get this little fan for all of my future flights. It can be powered by batteries, which makes it perfect for trips. It’s small size means it won’t take up much luggage space, but can still make a big difference when it comes to comfort.
In-flight temperature is another reason it’s important to dress comfortably. Wearing loose-fitting clothing can make all the difference here.
6. Keep all the essentials with you.
And by essentials, I mean all the little things may need to keep cool, calm and collected.
Planes can be dry and uncomfortable, so it’s super helpful to have little things like chapstick, lotion, hair ties, tissues, bottled water, etc.
These are such small items you can carry on but will make a huge difference one you start to feel your skin drying out or your nose feeling runny.
Below are a few of the cozy flight essentials I always keep with me in my personal bag (travel sized, of course):
I put everything in a small pouch like this one to keep it all organized
Chapstick: Lanolips (Kailey’s pick) or Burt’s Bees (Will’s pick)
Hand sanitizer: A good smelling spray sanitizer like this one
Hair ties: I love these Kitsch ones
Tissues: (a must have for any travel) we like these travel packs
Moisturizer: A travel size quality lotion like this CeraVe
Reusable cutlery: It’s so nice having this set on-hand for travel days
Any meds needed: a small pill organizer like this one (and some labels) keeps us always prepared
Eye drops: long travel days usually result in dry eyes. we use these for contacts, and these ones for days without contacts
For some of us, flying feels more like an hours-long anxiety fest than a comforting mode of travel. But by keeping these tips in mind, you can hopefully have a more enjoyable experience on your next flight.
If you’re ready to really level up your flying experience, you can check out our full list of flight essentials here. We also update this regularly, so you know you’re getting the most up ==
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