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 2024, tested and reviewed

Cabin pressure often causes feet to swell. It's smart to invest in compression socks to enhance blood circulation, and these No. 1 bestsellers come with over 59,000 five-star reviews. Right now, the black versions are up to 44% off.

"Fight-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."

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."

One of my secrets to staying calm when traveling is to stay as organized as possible — and this compact, palm-sized passport wallet has just enough compartments to keep important documents within reach. It has slots for a passport, credit cards, a boarding pass and even a pen. Best of all, there's RFID blocking built in to protect sensitive personal data. 

This passport wallet also comes with two recovery tags from ReturnMe, the world's largest lost and found company.

One pilot gave it a glowing review. "Got this to hold my important things I need to fly — certificate, medical [card] and passport," the travel pro wrote. "They also offer you a lost and found reward so if you lose it, it can be easily returned to you and the company provides you a reward."

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 hanging toiletry bag 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."

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 and stows into the included carrying bag that you can clip onto your luggage handle.

"I am a flight attendant and I got this pillow [blanket] as a gift and it's the best!" one professional traveler wrote. "The material is very durable. It's so soft and fluffy when I wash and dry it, yet I can still fold it into a small pillow."

If you prefer traveling hands-free, this is right up your alley. This multi-functional travel pouch is a passport holder and a wallet. It also has room for credit cards, cash, your 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."

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 professional crew member wrote. "I can charge all my items at one time without bringing several chargers. [It] fast charges as well!"

What if your packing cube expanded into a full-blown set of shelves? That's exactly what this travel essential does. It also makes unpacking a breeze. All you have to do is take the cube out of your suitcase, unbuckle the strap and let it expand. It's so genius that flight attendants say it's made living out of a suitcase so much easier.

"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."

Dagne Dover is a sleeper travel accessory brand that those in the know swear by. This air mesh fanny pack is durable and intelligently designed with stealth travel-friendly pockets — plus, it fits an astonishing amount of stuff. When worn cross-body or around the waist, it gives convenient, hands-free access to your passport, wallet, keys and any essentials you want at your fingertips. Many of the 15 colors and styles are on sale.

One airline professional even said she's "obsessed" with this well-designed travel 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. 

One flight attendant said he uses this No. 1 bestselling pillow when heading home after exhausting international red-eyes. "This allows me to sleep and not wake up with a total neck ache," the crew member gushed.

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."