Flight Attendants Love These 16 Travel Products

Trying to hunt down the perfect gift for the traveler in your life? Then, it’s time to head straight to the source of all traveler-related knowledge: Flight attendants and airline crew members. 

The people who help us get from point A to point B as safely and comfortably as possible are perhaps the most knowledgeable travelers around. They know exactly what to pack to stay cozy even in a tiny seat plane, stay entertained on long-hauls, and how to maximize a stay at any hotel. And that’s why we asked several flight attendants what’s on their holiday wish list so you can pull inspiration too. From the best bags to the perfect headphones, and a few surprise goodies in between, here’s what you can buy to satisfy the wanderlusters in your life. 

Packing Cubes 

Keeping your clothing organized and wrinkle-free is the name of the game when traveling. And, according to flight attendant Abby Liddell, it all comes down to having the right packing cubes. “Especially when you’re traveling to both hot and cold destinations, I love being able to separate my clothes into winter and summer and/or clean and dirty.” Amazon Basics has a spectacular option with its four-piece set of packing cubes that will get the job done for many trips to come. 

Personal Safety Alarm

“I think personal safety is a really important one when traveling, especially as a female flight attendant, which often includes a lot of solo travel,” Lani Cooper, flight attendant and founder of Mobot says. She suggests travelers always carry a personal alarm that omits a loud sound if they’re in any type of distress. The Original Personal Safety Alarm by She’s Birdie does the trick, and clips onto any bag or key chain, so you can always have it handy.

Travel Backpack 

As Cooper says, travelers “always need a great travel backpack,” so why not get one that does double-duty? Go for a backpack that can also carry a yoga mat, so you can be ready to stretch upon landing, or in the middle of the airport during an extra-long layover. The Aurorae Yoga Multi Purpose Backpack makes for a traveler’s best friend as it has a roomie interior for all your things, dual outer pockets, and a special pack pocket to carry a mat. Or, snag one that has a special compartment for your laptop so you can protect your computer on the go.

Portable Charger

Never feel the sting of 1 percent phone battery again. “Keep devices charged on the go with a reliable portable charger,” Antonella D’Angelo, a part-time private flight attendant and travel agent in the Dominican Republic and The Amalfi Coast, said. “ It’s essential for long layovers or when outlets are scarce.” Get one like the Loveledi portable charger, which comes with a USB-C port support for ultra-fast charging.

Travel Wallet

One more goodie that D’Angelo says would make for the perfect gift for adventurers is a travel wallet. “A compact and organized travel wallet helps keep essential documents like passports, boarding passes, and credit cards in one secure place,” D’Angelo explains. The Zoppen wallet is ideal as it doubles as a passport holder and wallet, so you can keep your credit cards and travel documents safe on the road. It’s RFID-blocking, meaning your information is safe from theft.

Travel Pillow 

Gabrielle Yap, an ex-flight attendant, says she never flew personally or professionally without a trusty travel pillow, specifically one with a memory foam core and a soft fleece cover. “It’s very comfortable and supportive, and it helps me sleep better on long flights or bus rides,” Yap says. “It also has a snap button that allows me to attach it to my luggage or seat belt, so it doesn’t slip or fall off. Plus, it’s machine washable and comes with a travel pouch.” The Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow is a great option as it provides 360-degree comfort so you can sleep in any position. Or if you’re looking on a budget, snag the highly rated Tall Go Travel Pillow while it’s just $13.

Noise Canceling Headphones 

“As a flight attendant, I can attest that not all headphones are created equal,” Cooper said. “Travelers often need to use time on the plane to get rest or focus. Having a really high quality and comfortable — especially for long flights — headset that is Bluetooth compatible is so key.” Sony’s wireless noise-canceling headphones will not only drown out all the sounds around you but look incredibly stylish at the same time, too.

Translator

“A meaningful cultural exchange should also be a top priority when traveling,” Justin Crabbe, a commercial pilot and founder of Jettly.com, says. That’s why he suggests purchasing a portable translator device, so you can speak confidently to anyone no matter where you go. “Examples of such exchanges include learning a few basic phrases in the local tongue, attending a cooking lesson, or spending time getting to know the locals to gain insight into their way of life. Most travelers’ favorite part of a vacation is usually connecting with and learning from locals.” Try the Hasled Language Translator Device, which provides instant two-way communication in 137 languages. 

Compression Socks

“Long hours on flights can lead to discomfort and swelling,” D’Angelo says, noting she always packs a pair of compression socks to relieve a little bit of that pain. Just pop them on when your flight takes off, and feel lighter on your feet upon arrival. The Physix Gear Compression Socks for Men and Women are beloved by more than 83,000 happy customers on Amazon, who rave about their graduated pressure that feels like a little massage in-flight. 

A Great Camera 

“Another thing high on many travelers’ wish lists is capturing stunning views of iconic landmarks, especially at sunrise or sunset when the light is incredible,” Crabbe explained. “So I’d recommend researching prime vantage points and planning your visit accordingly. Don’t forget to pack your camera!” As for what camera will work great for beginners, go for a point-and-shoot, which takes a lot of the guesswork out of photography. The Schmidt Spiele vlogging camera comes with all the bells and whistles you’d need, including 4K resolution, auto photos, and anti-shake built in. 

Sunglasses

For Hanna Einemo, a first officer at JSX, sunnies are the way to go for gift-giving this year. “Comfortable and non-polarized sunglasses are a must for a pilot,” Einemo says. Of course, you can never go wrong with a classic pair of aviators like this pair from Ray-Ban, which will make you look like you belong in the cockpit too. 

Sunrise Clock

Kyle, a commercial pilot and founder of Dial a Pilot, would love something special under the tree that he thinks all travelers will adore. “A sunrise alarm clock because we are in so many different time zones, allowing the natural circadian rhythm to be activated with light would be huge,” he says. The Hatch Restore will do the trick. The sleek clock doubles as decor, and will both lull you to sleep with the sounds of the ocean and calmly wake you in the morning by mimicking the sun’s rays, rather than just jolting you awake with a loud beep.

Portable Oven 

Sabrina Childress, a recently retired flight attendant with Spirit Airlines, has the perfect suggestion for travelers looking to either save money or make their own meals on the go with the HotLogic Mini Personal Portable Oven. “It saves so much money on expensive airport food and provides a hot meal while on the plane or in your hotel room,” Childress says. “It’s compact to fit easily in a backpack or carry-on. I have the one with the plug and the car charger because, on a few occasions, I’ve had to heat food while driving to the airport, and once signed into the crew room, I can have something hot to eat before boarding my flight.”  

Clear Toiletry Bags

Nothing is more frustrating than having to take out all your liquids halfway through security at certain airports. That’s why Liddell says a clear toiletry bag belongs on every traveler’s wish list as it provides “a quick and efficient way to get through security with ease.” Packism offers a set of adorable and TSA-approved bags, which includes a quart-size bag, a travel makeup bag, and a carry-on-compliant bag. 

Sunscreen 

Talk about a useful stocking stuffer. Sunscreen is a critical item to pack, no matter the weather, whether you’re on the ground or in the air. “You can still get sunburnt up in the air,” Liddell says, adding, “Depending on where you travel, sunscreen might not be readily available or may be costly in my experience.” That’s why it’s great to always have a travel-sized Sunscreen handy, like the Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen. The 1.7 oz bottle is TSA-friendly, and the sunscreen itself goes on sheer, so no one will ever notice if you slather it on mid-flight. 

Mobot Foam Roller Water Bottle

Cooper herself created what can only be described as the coolest two-for-one travel product on the market with the Mobot, a water bottle meets foam roller that will absolutely save your tired muscles while on the go. “As a former flight attendant, I was frustrated at the lack of eco-travel options to support well-being and the environment on the go,” she says. “The nice thing about the water bottle is that in addition to being eco-friendly, it doubles as a foam roller, providing travelers the chance for a quick stretch during travels.” You can get Cooper’s creation in a range of colors and it even comes with a built-in straw. 

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