23 Things Flight Attendants Swear By For Traveling

Aug 18, 2023

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

Flight attendants literally travel for a living, so their recs are basically gold.

BuzzFeed Staff

Check out a TikTok of the foldable 3-in-1 charger in action.

Promising review: "I’m a flight attendant, so I’m constantly on the look out for items that will make my travel days easier, but most importantly, LIGHTER. This by far has been the best investment. My phone, watch, and earbuds are all Apple and all work seamlessly with this product. The magnets are a slower charge then a normal charger, but being able to carry ONE item to charge three pieces of technology at once, is PRICELESS. It's super easy to throw in my bag when I'm packing up and mindlessly easy to set up when I get to my layover. I would come back and buy this 10 times over again if I could!" —Lissette Nunez

Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in nine colors).

Promising review: "Flight attendant–approved! These pill containers are simply amazing! The latch and seal on them is very secure due to its rubber gasket around the inside. I put my daily medications in each of the six smaller compartments on one side and then use the larger two containers for vitamins and supplements. I keep this in my tote bag for work and I am not concerned at all about it opening. I can’t tell you how many times some of the other pill boxes I used have opened up, tossing prescription medications into the smallest corners of my bag. Well-designed and well-executed!" —Christina S.

Get it from Amazon for $6.97 (available in three colors).

It also easily attaches to backpacks and luggage handles (see the photo on the right), weighs less than half a pound, and is machine-washable!

Promising review: "This is the best travel pillow ever. As a flight attendant, I travel all the time. This makes getting stuck in a middle seat palatable. I’ve used this in cars, planes, trains, etc; it's great. In fact my sister was so jealous on our last trip to Italy that she kept trying to steal it off me. Ordered her one for Christmas." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in four colors).

Reviewers say it's ideal for a suitcase that can roll on four wheels! If you have a suitcase that has to tilt while it rolls, just be careful if the drinks are open at the top.

Promising reviews: "This cup holder is perfect! It helps me a lot! Last time I took a plane with a suitcase and a cup of coffee, when it’s my turn to check my passport and ticket, the coffee cup fell to the ground and coffee sprinkled. It was a nightmare! This time I bought this cup holder, and it did do me a favor! I don't have to worry about where my cup and phone are! I can free my hands to do other things. I love it so much! Hope you love it too." —Philip

"Great tool to keep your hands free. I’m a flight attendant and I love this, especially the [hook and loop fastened] 'quick detachment.' It’s the best! I had one before that just stretched over the handle and it was a PAIN! This one is great. There’s room for two large drinks and a slim pocket for phone or wallet. Many people see it and ask where I got my clever little caddy!" —Debra G

Get it from Amazon for $10.99 (available in 29 colors and other styles).

The set includes a zippered bag, four soft silicone bottles with leakproof caps, three compact jars, and two toothbrush caps.

BuzzFeed Shopping editor Elizabeth Lilly owns and loves this set. She writes: "I've used this set on more than five trips and and for trips when I don't require body wash or shampoo (like to visit my parents) I use the extra room in the bag to shove in all my beauty products and daily contacts. Plus! It comes with labels that stay on the containers really well despite my thoroughly washing these containers between trips. I bought this set in spring 2019 and have, admittedly, lost a container or two. But the ones that I've held onto over dozens of trips have all held up well!"

Promising review: "If it wasn’t for me forgetting them in the hotels, I wouldn’t have to buy more. This is my third set and I love these things! I’m a flight attendant and these are easy to fill, use, and pack!" —Raena Hill

Get it from Amazon for $11.83+ (available in 14 variations).

This highly rated slim option holds about 2.25 charges for iPhone 12, 1.6 charges for Galaxy S20, and 1.2 charges for iPad Mini 5 and comes with a Micro USB cable (to charge the charger) and a travel pouch.

Promising review: "Very handy! I’m a flight attendant and travel a lot. This has come in handy on the airplane and in the airport. Perfect size and lightweight." —Rae

Get it from Amazon for $21.98+ (available in two colors).

Promising review: "Definitely what I needed for my luggage as a flight attendant. Very heavy duty and perfect for me. Works great with my extra luggage and lunch bag to hang on my suitcase. Thank you so much. Will definitely buy again." —Mary

Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in six colors and in packs of two).

It comes with one handle and one blade refill!

Promising reviews: "I am a flight attendant, and space is limited in my bag. This is a great product for your travel bag." —Caitlin Hemphill

"I got this for a vacation and it was great! The little carrying container is awesome, and keeps you from having a weird, loose razor floating around in your suitcase. Plus, the heads are the same as a regular-sized razor, so you can keep using it when that one is worn out!" —Tegan H

Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

When an item's misplaced, the app will make the attached AirTag beep until it's found. You can also attach it to your wallet, keys, pets, and more.

Promising review: "These are definitely worth the money. I put one in my flight attendant bag when ever I have to check it. I put one on my dog and the other on my keys. I was very impressed and surprised by how easy they were to set up. I would definitely invest in these if you have a child. There are keychains you can put them in and put them on their backpacks. 10/10 from me for these!" —Micky D

Get a pack of four from Amazon for $88.99.

Prime members: You can try before you buy!

Promising reviews: "It is a favorite among our flight attendant group when we are traveling. We call ourselves the sisterhood of the traveling jumpsuit! I absolutely love it, it’s comfortable, inexpensive, easy one piece, dress up or dress down. I add a belt and it’s perfect! I am planning to purchase more colors!" —Floridagirl0611

Get it from Amazon for $37.99 (available in sizes S–3X and 35 colors/patterns).

Promising review: "My best guy friend bought this for me and I love it. I’m a flight attendant and am in hotels 4–5 nights a week. Sometimes the 'locks' just don’t feel sturdy enough. This device gives me an extra layer of security and allows me to sleep at night. I keep it in my flight bag." —Emilia Duren

Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (also available in packs of two and four).

Promising review: "I am a flight attendant and I LOVE this organizer! I keep my iPad, passport, cords, paperwork, and hand sanitizer in here. It keeps me organized! Definitely recommend to anyone who travels and needs to keep organized." —amazonislife

Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in four colors and two sizes).

Promising review: "As a flight attendant I always need wipes. These small packs are great for putting in your purse and having on the go. The bundle pack is a great value." —SJ1326

Get 20 packs of 10 wipes each from Amazon for $19.70.

Promising review: "I am a flight attendant and have a wild work schedule. I frequently have to sleep during the day. These are SO comfortable and cool as well. I have ordered and tried out at least 10 eye masks from Amazon and have found these to be the best. They are SO comfortable and do not have velcro on the straps, for which I am thankful, because I usually sleep on my back and am sensitive to the thickness of eye masks which have the Velcro straps." —SW

Get one from Amazon for $14.99.

This mini steamer heats up in about 90 seconds and steams about five garments before needing to be refilled.

Promising review: "This steamer is very compact, easy to use, and well-made. I am a flight attendant so this has helped my life tremendously. I never even pick up an iron anymore. It works extremely well on my uniform and also just to get wrinkles out of my clothes while on layovers. The best part is that it doesn't take up too much space in my bag. I hate ironing with a passion, so I am so glad that I found this product!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $24.97.

For more on this mini steamer, read a BuzzFeed editor's PurSteam mini steamer review.

It also comes with a heat-resistant pouch for easy carrying!

Promising review: "This fits perfectly in my toiletries travel bag that I take with me as a flight attendant. Anything that comes in a small size and still works well is perfect for me." —Kathy S

Get it from Amazon for $15.97+ (available in three colors).

Promising review: "I am a flight attendant and am away from home for long periods at a time. This is perfect for traveling! It fits so many things, bracelets, necklaces, SO many earrings, rings, etc. that you will not have to worry about leaving behind your favorite pieces of jewelry because they don't fit. I looked at many other travel jewelry holders before and this one is the best because it packs so much yet isn't bulky. Honestly this is like my 5th bag from Bagsmart and I just love everything they have." —Hope Ayala

Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in two sizes and nine colors).

It lets you use Nespresso pods and is totally hand-operated, with no battery or electricity needed.

Promising review: "I'm a flight attendant so I travel a lot and spent a lot of money on coffee when I wasn’t home with my Nespresso machine. This has been a GAME CHANGER. Very easy to use and clean. Very travel-friendly!" —Rikki

Get it from Amazon for $54.90 (and here are some Nespresso pods to go with it).

It's also microwave-safe! Note that the 12-ounce size does not include a straw, but both the 16-ounce and 24-ounce sizes do.

BuzzFeed Shopping editor Danielle Healy has this and loves it. She writes: "This is of the first zero-waste swaps I made and I've never looked back. If you buy to-go coffee – whether you're jet-setting or just grabbing a mid-day pick-me-up — this cup is a must-have. So long as you remember to bring it, it's all the convenience of to-go coffee with none of the waste. It's leakproof and, when you're all done, it collapses down teeny tiny and can be tossed back in your bag. Oh! And it comes with a straw, so all you iced coffee lovers can get in on the action, too."

Promising review: "I love this cup — I am very glad I decided to get one as being a flight attendant I don't always find paper cups in the hotel rooms and ewwww, don't always want to have to clean a mug in the room. Having this is great! I like that it comes with a holder much like the cardboard ring that coffee shops provide — I always use it and it helps the cup be extra sturdy!" —AuthorEP

Stojo is a small biz founded by three New York dads who wanted a better way to get their convenient coffee fix without all the waste. Now they make stylish collapsible essentials in a variety of sizes and colors, including bottles and food storage containers.

Get it from Amazon for $19.95+ (available in four sizes and in 23 colors).

I recently bought a Kindle and it has, no exaggeration, revolutionized my life. I love mine for so many reasons — it's truly helped me incorporate my love of reading into my often hectic life, and all my titles literally live inside of this half-pound wonder gadget, so I can switch between books super easily. For traveling, this is a literal dream. I don't have to pick between titles and then regret the entire trip that I didn't bring the one I left at home — and, as any book lover knows, traveling with books is heavy as hell, and the Kindle literally completely eliminates that weight. Traveling will never be the same for me. BTW, I am also obsessed with the Libby app, which allows you to check out e-books from your local library on your Kindle!! My inner child is *screaming* with joy.

BTW, the newer Kindle Paperwhite has a slightly larger display and an adjustable warm light.

Promising review: "Love it so far ! I am a flight attendant and I love to read so it’s so much easier to have a Kindle instead of carrying around multiple heavy books. The charge lasts what seems like an eternity. And I love that it’s waterproof because I leave to read while on the beach or by the pool." —Tiffany

Get it from Amazon for $129.99 (available in 8GB and 32GB and in four colors).

To use, put them on *both* wrists. They help with nausea related to motion sickness, morning sickness, migraines, cramps, and more.

Promising reviews: "FLIGHT ATTENDANT–APPROVED! They work. In my experience, 100% of the time." —Jessica

"I was skeptical about these but I was quickly all about them when I put them on. I get really motion sick when flying but this weekend I did not get motion sick at all during a four hour flight! I was even able to read my book for a while on the plane without sickness! I have never been able to do that before. I love these and they are now a must-have whenever I travel again. 10/10." —Rosse

Get a pair from Amazon for $8.53 (also available in a pack of two and in children's sizes).

Promising review: "This is the best little fan ever! Three speeds of pure bliss! I’m a flight attendant and it gets very hot on the aircraft. This little dynamo works great. You can hold it in your hand or set it to stand hands free. It folds up to easily fit in your hand bag. Recharges quickly. Perfect for hot flashes also. Worth every penny!!!" —Mary C. Jones

Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in five colors).

Promising reviews: "This thing is great! If you have issues with the puller disconnecting, head to the directions, because you probably aren't hooking it up correctly (I know this from experience). Zipuller saves my life on a weekly basis." —MoniqueRamsey

"I am a flight attendant. Our uniform dresses are so hard to zip up in a hotel room when you are by yourself. This is the best. It works wonderfully and is great quality. I would recommend this to anyone who isn't a contortionist. Excellent product!!!!!" —L. ward

Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in three colors/patterns).

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.