Take off in comfort with these flight-crew-approved trip essentials, all on sale

Congrats! After standing in line for an unreasonable amount of time, you finally got your overpriced airport coffee. Feels like a win ... until you realize you've run out of hands to hold it. This problem-solving caddy attaches to your carry-on luggage handle and has slots for two cups — so naturally, the flight attendants of the world use it religiously. 

"I'm a flight attendant and I love this!" one wrote on Amazon. "I love the Velcro 'quick detachment.' It's the best! I had one before without the Velcro opening that just stretched over the handle and it was a pain. This one is great."

Having to endure a long flight with no in-flight entertainment is a bummer. (Of course, sometimes the entertainment that is available is also a bummer.) Here's your plan B: This phone holder lets you prop up your device to watch your favorite shows or movies, hands-free and at eye level. It easily attaches to your tray table or luggage handle, so it's a no-brainer, space-saving add-on. 

"I'm a flight attendant and I commute by plane from Utah to New York and watch TV on my phone the whole time," one crew member wrote. "My hand was always hurting from holding my phone that whole time, and now I have this, and it's just the absolute perfect solution. Anyone who travels, especially by plane, should have one."

Travel experts and frequent fliers say packing cubes are one of the easiest ways to stay organized when you're bopping between locations. If you tend to overpack or always seem to forget something, they can keep everything tidy and easy to find. In addition to an array of cubes in various sizes, this eight-piece set includes a toiletry bag, shoe bag and sock bag.

"I'm getting ready for flight attendant training and wanted to buy these to help me organize the many things I need to bring," wrote one reviewer. "What surprised me is that both pairs of high heels fit in the shoe bag."

Read more: The best compression packing cubes of 2025, tested and reviewed

Cabin pressure often causes feet, ankles and legs to swell. It's smart to invest in compression socks to enhance blood circulation, and these top-sellers come with over 60,000 five-star reviews. The brand's 40-plus eight-packs come in a variety of colors and prints.

"Flight-attendant-approved!" said a five-star reviewer. "I ... suffer from swollen everything when I fly two, three or sometimes four flights per day. These socks are comparable to the ones that I've previously paid $30 a pair for! They wash well! Comfortable, and really keep my feet from getting tired and swollen throughout the day."

Another flight attendant started wearing these at a coworker's recommendation. "[A] senior crew member suggested I start wearing socks for longer flights/duty days and I'm glad I listened! My feet feel better and I recover faster! The nice designs are an added bonus that get compliments regularly."

This power bank juices up your phone multiple times on a single charge and makes travel so much easier since it comes with three charging cables attached to the device itself. It's also super slim, so you can just slide it into your pocket or bag.

"As a flight attendant, I have to carry a backup charger. This one is great because it is so durable," one five-star reviewer wrote. "I get three full phone charges from this when it is fully charged. It has an electronic display to tell you how much charge it has left."

Even when we want to kick back, few of us can travel without our tech — think laptops, phones, portable chargers and tablets. That also means bringing along an array of cables and chargers. Flight attendants and frequent fliers say this double-layer electronic accessories organizer has room for everything, including a designated slot for an iPad.

"I am a flight attendant and I love this organizer!" one professional wrote. "I keep my iPad, passport, cords, paperwork and hand sanitizer in here."

Unless you plan to fully unplug for your overseas trip (this also includes your flat iron), you're going to need an outlet adapter. This one's super compact and easily converts those Euro plugs to allow you to use and charge your devices. It covers more than 150 countries and regions including the U.S., Australia and Europe. It even has five USB ports (four USB-A and one USB-C) to keep your gadgets and gizmos juiced up, giving you more bang for your buck.

"As a flight attendant, this is one of my travel must-haves," one reviewer wrote. "Having one adapter work virtually worldwide is so convenient as is being able to charge all your devices in one place."

This organizer strikes just the right balance between roomy and compact, and it has loads of convenient features that seasoned travelers love. In addition to the six built-in pockets and multiple slots, it comes with a detachable, transparent cosmetic bag that's TSA-approved, making a trip through security speedier. 

Several flight attendants praise this well-designed bag for simplifying traveling with toiletries. "I am a flight attendant, and it holds everything!" this five-star reviewer wrote. "I absolutely love it! The zippers zip with ease and it is well thought out to meet all of your needs. I can't say enough about it."

Keeping your devices fully juiced up when you're away from home is a must, and this multi-device wireless charger makes you feel like you haven't left your nightstand. It charges your phone, AirPods and Apple Watch all at once and folds up super small and flat when you're all done.

"I am a flight attendant and this is awesome," one pro wrote. "I can charge all my items at one time without bringing several chargers. [It] fast charges as well!"

If you prefer traveling hands-free, this is right up your alley. This multifunctional travel pouch has room for your passport, credit cards, cash, phone, boarding passes and other valuables. RFID-blocking technology keeps your personal info secure too.

One retired flight attendant who still travels often swears by it. "I am still a traveler looking for products to be lighter for me," the former crew member wrote. "This one does just that. It has room to fit my passport, a credit card or two, and money."

If you're always chilly, this one's for you. Don't spend extra on an airplane blanket that may or may not be clean. This travel must-have, which also doubles as a pillow, is super soft (and cute) and keeps you warm without taking up too much space so that you won't bother your row-mates. It even folds up into the included carrying bag that you can clip onto your luggage handle.

"I'm a former flight attendant (30 years) and highly recommend the EverSnug," one professional traveler wrote. "It's soft and pliable [and] so easy to pack in a carry-on bag. The blanket is large and when used as a pillow, it's comfortable and really helped as a lumbar support [pillow]."

What if your packing cube expanded into a full-blown set of shelves? That's exactly what this travel essential does. It makes unpacking a breeze. All you have to do is take the cube out of your suitcase, hang it up, unbuckle the strap and let it expand. 

Flight attendants say it's made living out of a suitcase more tolerable. "I am an international flight attendant and packing for each trip with my travel shelf bag has made it so much easier to stay organized," one crew member wrote. "I can pack my outfit and uniform with ease knowing it is protected from everything that goes into my bag."

Your dental hygiene shouldn't take a back seat when you're traveling, especially during those long-haul flights. If you snack during travel, this mini, cordless water flosser is just what you need. It's smaller than an iPhone, waterproof and has three modes. 

One flight crew member even said it's a personal fave. "I'm a flight attendant and I wanted a more portable Waterpik," the five-star reviewer wrote. "This is perfect for size and function. I also like the fact that I can charge it with USB."

Dagne Dover is a sleeper travel accessory brand that those in the know swear by. This bag is durable and intelligently designed with stealth travel-friendly pockets — plus, it fits an astonishing amount of stuff. When worn crossbody or around the waist, it gives convenient, hands-free access to your passport, wallet, keys and any essentials you want at your fingertips. All four colors are on sale.

One airline professional admitted they're "obsessed" with this well-designed essential. "I wanted a fanny pack that I could wear as a crossbody and I love it," gushed the five-star fan. "I'm also a flight attendant, and it's great for going out and exploring or getting coffee in the gate area."

If you've ever tried to settle in for an in-flight snooze, you know it's a challenge. Flight crew members, who are experts at catch-as-catch-can cat naps (say that 10 times fast!), treasure a travel pillow that makes falling and staying asleep a bit easier. This one is a No. 1 bestseller.

One flight attendant who uses this after clocking out from international red-eyes shared, "This allows me to sleep and not wake up with a total neck ache."

Travelpro is among flight crew members' favorite luggage brands. From its lightweight build to its durable construction, this carry-on is one that pilots, in particular, use and praise.

"I like the two-wheel pull version that I have used for years as an airline pilot," one five-star reviewer on Amazon said. "My wife wanted this version with the four wheels. It worked very well over various surfaces."