Vacation season is officially upon us, but unfortunately, it won’t all be paradise: TSA is expecting this summer to be its busiest ever for air travel. In other words, if traveling is on your bucket list this summer, you should be preparing for crowded planes and airports just as much as you are for your final destination.
If you hate flying, you’re not alone — from cramped seating to noise to the cold stale air, there’s no shortage of reasons to hate airplanes. That said, don’t resign yourself to misery on every flight this summer. With a bit of smart shopping and some reviewer recommendations, you can make your next flight so much easier and more comfortable.
Whether you’re hoping to catch forty winks or keep yourself entertained until landing, these are the travel gems you won’t regret adding to your cart.
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Antibacterial hand wipes that reviewers love to keep in their purses
In the age of COVID consciousness, it's never a bad idea to have hand sanitizer nearby. These Wet Ones wipes are a must-have for any traveler — especially those with messy kids, as plenty of reviews point out — to stay germ-free after touching all the high-contact points on a plane, from your seatbelt to your tray table. The small packets of wipes are also much easier to get through TSA than a bottle of liquid sanitizer, too, since you can just chuck one (or two, or three) in your bag without having to think about the 3-1-1 rule at security.
Promising review: "We have been using since we started traveling in 1989. Great to keep in your purse while traveling to wipe down airline trays, arm rests and to keep your hands clean and sanitized. When Covid first came out, we were out of the country and were so happy we had quite a few packages of these in our suitcase. Then for a while, they became very hard to find …everyone was purchasing for protection during Covid …. but I hunted and hunted until I found them. I keep a package always in my purse, glove compartment in my car and my work area. These are so handy to keep with you at all times. The smell is nice and nice to keep with you at all times." — BB
A nausea remedy that I swear by
As someone who frequently gets airsick (and carsick and seasick), I swear by Dramamine for motion sickness. Turbulence is to be expected, especially on longer international flights, so don't let it catch you by surprise — having these tablets that prevent nausea, dizziness, and vomiting will make sure you don't end up reaching for the barf bag. (Consult a doctor before adding this to your rotation.)
Promising review: "I get easily nauseous when flying, so I always make sure to take some Dramamine before I get on the plane. I love this travel size because it fits perfectly in my carry-on, and I can just quickly pop it open when I need it. The only downside is that they do taste pretty nasty, so just make sure you swallow them quickly. Highly recommend for anyone who gets nauseous on flights, car rides, or rollercoasters!" — JustReviewin'
A seat cushion that can be a game changer for back pain
Plane seats never did anybody favors for back pain, so if you're worried about being stuck in an uncomfortable seat for hours on end, bringing your own cushion may be the way to go. This memory foam cushion is made with a non-slip bottom and has a portable handle, making it easy to carry off the plane. The large size (which measures about 18 inches wide) will fit many plane seats — just make sure to check beforehand, especially if you're sitting in economy.
Promising review: "I bought this and took it with me to Europe. This helped me tremendously on my 11 hour plane ride. My tush wasn’t tired! I also have used it for long car rides. Great thing about it is that it doesn’t go flat once you sit on it! I would recommend!!!!!" — Rosa P.
An airplane foot hammock to make the most of your legroom
No legroom? No problem. This footrest, which you can wrap around the tray table in front of you, allows for three different positions to put your feet in and get a little extra comfort. The footrest especially comes in handy for travelers who have shorter legs, including children, thanks to the adjustable strap.
Promising review: "I fly 24+ hour international flights twice a year. I typically put my carry-on backpack under the seat in front of me and rest my feet on it but on my most recent flight, purchased this hammock to try. It made a huge difference to have my feet suspended, even if it was an inch or two above my backpack (on one leg of the flight, I stowed my backpack elsewhere and had nothing under the seat in front of me apart from the hammock, and that was even better). It stays mostly out of view in use, and for storage rolls tight in its own (compact) bag. Highly recommend this!" — LiEr
A sleeping mask with Bluetooth headphones
While you may not be able to do much about your limited legroom or ability to recline during a flight, especially if you're sitting in coach, blocking out the noise and lights of the plane can make a huge difference in getting some shuteye. This mask blocks out the light while doubling as wireless Bluetooth headphones so you can listen to music or a podcast uninterrupted, and is made of a stretchy, breathable material that can fit to your face.
Promising review: "I work on a ship and so a lot of the time I share a room, but I need noise to fall asleep. I used to try and sleep with ear buds in, but they’re always so uncomfortable. I LOVE these headphones; the sound is great and I can fall asleep comfortably while listening to a podcast. They’re also great for staying comfy on planes while watching a movie or listening to music. I recommend them to everyone!" — Amazon Customer
A toilet spray for the dreaded airplane bathroom
Look, airplane bathrooms are horrible enough before you factor in the potential unpleasant smells. Not only will this TSA-friendly travel-size bottle of the popular Poo-Pourri toilet spray make those bathroom trips a little less smelly for you and your fellow passengers, but a good toilet spray can be useful in any public restroom during your travels and beyond. (The size of the bottle may seem small, but trust me: This stuff packs a punch, and a little goes a long, long way.)
Promising review: "Wow, this stuff really works. I purchased this travel size for a recent cruise. Even with the proximity of the bathroom to the rest of the room, there were no unpleasant odors throughout our trip. Just a squirt in the bowl beforehand did the trick. Nice lemon scent without being overpowering." — Amazon Customer
Silicone bottle covers to keep your toiletries from leaking
After my facial cleanser spilled all over the inside of my suitcase on one flight gone wrong, I've been looking for a way to prevent leaking or spilling during travel, and these bottle covers do the trick. Able to fit most travel-size toiletries thanks to their flexible silicone design, you can rest easy during your flight knowing none of your liquids will be making a mess. They come in packs of four, eight, 16, 24, and 32.
Promising review: "These work great for sealing your items before you travel. They stretch over a large tub of lotion or over the top of shampoo. Can use over and over. I used to duct tape my items closed before flying. These are so convenient and work great!!" — tjmen
A compact and adjustable phone holder mount
No more hunching over your tray table to watch that Netflix show you've downloaded on your phone — this phone holder mount can be attached to the seatback in front of you for adjustable, hands-free entertainment. When it's not in use, its compact design also makes it easy to store in your carry-on.
Promising review: "I bought this for traveling by airplane and it worked great. It stays clipped to the tray and phone and moves in different positions for adjusting. My only problem was not ordering more since family members traveling with you steal it when you fall asleep!" — Amazon Customer
A memory foam neck pillow with an ergonomic design
A good neck pillow is worth investing in before you're stuck with the options at the airport bookstore. This memory foam option will keep your neck supported on all sides while still providing soft comfort, and can be compressed down to fit inside a space-saving travel bag when you're not using it.
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Promising review: "This is THE best neck pillow. I’ve been on multiple 10+ hour flights and can always fall asleep. You will have to shake me to wake up for that mid-flight meal with this bad boy on.
It’s super supportive from all angles. I’ve tried the regular donut looking ones and the tiktok one that looks like a neck brace and this is definitely superior as the pillow is much taller. I would just make sure to wash and travel with it in its cloth pouch so it maintains its shape and will last longer. Mine lasted over two years and only broke because I didn’t handle with care. Will be repurchasing!" — Lidia