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The best flight crew-approved travel essentials are on sale — shoes, luggage, pillows and more

From comfy shoes and travel bags to an outlet adapter and phone mount, professional globe-trotters recommend these 12 must-haves.

The best flight crew-approved travel essentials are on sale — shoes, luggage, pillows and more

Summer travel plans on the horizon? Let's go through the checklist to make sure you're not forgetting anything — Have your passport? What about your toiletries? Is your checked luggage good to go? Now that the basics are covered, there may be a few travel essentials you haven't thought of — but that seasoned travelers swear by (we're not just talking about your jet-setting friend, we're talking flight crews). From a comfortable travel pillow to a pilot-approved carry-on suitcase, these are expert picks that have us saying, "Why didn't I think of that?"

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To make sure you're not spending your hard-earned money on fluff, we've made sure that all of these products are flight-crew-approved and, better yet, are all on sale.

After all, who better to take travel product advice from than the professionals of the friendly skies? If you're looking for the best pair of travel flats, flight attendants swear by these Allbirds best sellers for standing on their feet all day. If you're worried that there won't be any in-flight entertainment, play it safe and invest in this $9 holder that places your phone at eye level and attaches to your stowed tray table — and that's just scratching the surface.

Check out the 12 best flight crew-approved travel essentials below, so you're covered on all fronts during your next trip.

It's no secret that Travelpro is flight crew members' favorite luggage brand, and, when in doubt, listen to the pros, right? From its lightweight build to its durable construction, this carry-on is one that pilots, in particular, have loved for years.

"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."

$144 at Amazon
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Sleeping on a plane is often even more uncomfortable than it sounds. Investing in a travel pillow that makes falling (and staying) asleep a bit easier is a hack that flight crew members swear by.

One flight attendant said he uses this pillow when heading home after working exhausting international red eyes. He says it makes relaxing in the friendly skies so much easier. "This allows me to sleep and not wake up with a total neck ache," the crew member gushed.

$46 at Amazon

Traveling with a bunch of tech is normal — from your laptop and phone to your portable charger and tablet — but that means there are a lot of cables to store and keep organized. Flight attendants and frequent flyers say this double-layer electronic accessories organizer has room for everything and even has 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. It keeps me organized!"

$19 at Amazon

Traveling is stressful enough, so when you get on a plane and there's no in-flight entertainment, it's definitely a bummer. This phone holder lets you prop your device up so you can watch your favorite shows or movies, hands-free, at eye level on a flight. It easily attaches to your luggage handle, so it's a no-brainer, space-saving add-on. Flight crew members like it so much, they use it for travel and then keep using it once they're back home — who are we to judge if you find this gizmo so useful you use it daily?

"As a commuting flight attendant, [this] comes in very handy!" one reviewer said. "At home, I like it propped up on the counter."

$12 at Amazon

This hanging toiletry bag strikes the balance of being roomy yet compact and it has loads of convenience 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 also happens to be TSA-approved — making a trip through the security line so much more convenient. 

Several flight attendants praise this well-designed bag for simplifying traveling with toiletries. "I am a flight attendant, and it holds everything!!!" the 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."

$25 at Amazon

Travel experts and frequent flyers say that a packing cube set is one of the easiest ways to stay organized during travel. If you tend to overpack or always seem to forget something when traveling, they can keep everything tidy and easy to find. In addition to an array of bags in various sizes, this eight-piece set includes a toiletry bag, a shoe bag and a sock bag — and the pros are obsessed.

"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."

$17 at Amazon

Unless you plan to fully unplug for your entire trip overseas (this also includes your flat iron), you're going to need an outlet adapter. This option is super compact and easily converts those Euro plugs to allow you to use and charge your tech devices. It even has two USB ports to keep your gadgets and gizmos juiced up, giving you more bang for your buck.

One flight attendant who travels to Brazil often shared that, since buying this outlet adapter, she hasn't had "any problems with [using her] flat iron, blow dryer or charger."

$14 at Amazon

When hundreds of flight attendants talk, we listen. That's the case with this viral $38 jumpsuit. Tons of flight crew members say this is their go-to travel 'fit since it's stretchy, forgiving and, best of all, comfortable!

"Myself and fellow flight attendants were featured in a travel magazine, all wearing this jumpsuit," one five-star reviewer wrote. "It is a favorite among our flight attendant group when we are traveling. We call ourselves the sisterhood of the traveling jumpsuit!"

The reviewer added that she specifically loves it because "it's comfortable, inexpensive [and an] easy one-piece" that's a breeze to "dress up or dress down."

$30 at Amazon

Dagne Dover is a sleeper travel accessory brand that those in the know swear by. This neoprene fanny pack is durable, intelligently designed with stealth-travel-friendly pockets, it repels stains and 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.

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," the five-star shopper wrote. "I'm also a flight attendant and it's great for going out and exploring or getting coffee in the gate area."

$79 at Dagne Dover

Flight attendants are on their feet for hours, so — when it comes to comfortable shoes — we trust their opinions. Allbirds is already known for having comfy and foot-molding styles, so it's no surprise that the brand's Tree Breezers flats are popular among flight crew members.

"I'm a flight attendant and love to have a non-heel option for when I'm working long flights," one five-star reviewer wrote. "It is great to slip on real quick to give my feet a break. They are breathable and so lightweight. It's like wearing slipper socks."

$90 at Allbirds

The two following products aren't on sale anymore, but they're so good that flight attendants are willing to buy them at full price which, luckily, isn't over $20.

Speaking of grabbing coffee at your gate, there's nothing worse than buying an overpriced drink at the airport and not having anywhere to set it down. This removable caddy attaches to your carry-on luggage handle and has slots for up to two cups — and yes, the flight attendants of the world use it religiously.

"I'm a flight attendant and I love this one!" 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!"

$14 at Amazon

When flying the friendly skies, cabin pressure causes lots of travelers' feet to swell. It's smart to invest in compression socks to enhance blood circulation and prevent swelling. 

"As a flight attendant, I'm on my feet a lot and I was beginning to have my feet swell up after an extremely long day," one five-star reviewer explained. "Thanks to [these] compression socks, I haven't noticed any swelling in my feet or legs."

Another flight attendant was so impressed that he made a bold request to his wife after using these. "This product is the most amazing thing ever," he wrote. "I am a flight attendant and [am] always flying. I told my wife to throw away all my socks and replace them with these. One of the best investments you could ever [make]."

$20 at Amazon

If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $25 or more.)

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.