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1. A digital luggage scale so you aren't nervously sweating when you show up to the counter to see if your bag is overweight. No more surprises for you!
You can easily switch between kilograms and pounds!
Promising review: "This scale works and was accurate on four flights. First flight was a test at 46 pounds and Delta scales said it was 46 pounds. The next two flights were at 49 pounds and both United and Delta found it to be 49 pounds. The bag on the 4th flight weighed 49 but the United scale found it to be 48 pounds. Four different airports and scales proved that this scale is a good, low cost must have item for air travel." —Robert
Promising review: "Love it! Lightweight and easy to read! It even gives you the climate temperature (not that I need it but a neat feature). It reads in both kg and lbs. Definitely recommend if you're a frequent traveler and have weight requirements on luggage." —Patricia Velasquez
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in four colors and a two-pack).
2. An Airfly wireless transmitter that will let you connect your wireless Bluetooth headphones, like AirPods, to the airplane TV. Now, you won't have to pack a separate set of wired airplane headphones (which don't have nearly half as good sound quality as your Bluetooth ones anyways), or in my case, forget to pack that second pair and experience for yourself what it's like to watch a silent movie.
Just plug it into the headphone jack to hear Meg Ryan say, "That caviar is a garnish!" the way it was meant to be heard. You can also connect up to two pairs of earbuds at a time, and it has 16+ hours of battery life for suuuper long flights.
Promising review: "Ever since I purchased my wireless Bose earbuds, I always hated having to use another set when I was on an airplane with the seat-back entertainment system. I tried many different models to connect the system to my Bluetooth headsets until I came across this one, and it is amazing! It seamlessly connects to my headset, very clear and reliable audio, and it takes the stress away from having to carry multiple headsets! Thank you!!!" —Ryan Malloy
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in three styles).
3. A rather genius iPhone-charging passport holder to keep your important documents handy and save you from a very looooooong plane ride should your battery be just about dead before you've even boarded.
LovieStyle is a small biz based in San Diego making travel-friendly, two-in-one charging accessories.
Promising review: "Love love love this passport holder! Loved it when I got my hands on it. But I absolutely FELL IN LOVE with it when I took it on my first trip and completely forgot my phone charger. I was shocked and happy to discover the battery these come with has an adapter connected to it! Love love love. If I could give more than 5 stars I would." —Megan Rineheart
Get it from LovieStyle on Etsy for $39.99+ (available in 10 styles).
4. A pair of compression socks if your feet tend to puff up over the course of a long flight (and is even worse if you're wearing sandals). Just slip these on to minimize swelling and reduce sweat!
Promising review: "With three weeks of international travel coming up, I purchased these to combat swelling in my feet during the flights. I had noticed swelling after three-hour domestic flights, so I was worried about what almost 30k miles would do! I wore these on every leg of the trip and never noticed any swelling — even after the 10–15 hour flights. They are very comfortable, too!" —J. Beaty
Get them from Amazon for $18.57+ (available in sizes S–XXL and 13 colors).
And check out our full review of the Physix Gear compression socks here.
5. A collapsible stroller since it folds up nice and neat to fit in most overhead compartments, meaning you won't have to wait at the gate for them to bring it out to you. Better yet, it's super lightweight (under 10 pounds), so you won't have to struggle to lift it into the overhead bin either!
It's designed to hold kids who weigh up to 55 pounds.
Promising review: "Best stroller ever! WE LOVE THIS STROLLER! My husband originally purchased it because I was afraid to take our big stroller on the plane to gate check. I was traveling alone, so ease of use and portability was really important. I was amazed at how convenient it was to collapse and slide under my seat on the plane and it maneuvered well through the airport and throughout our trip. I received multiple compliments and a few moms even asked me where to buy one. Since then, we have been on a few more flights and many excursions and are still in love with this purchase!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $223.96+ (also available in three other styles and in black or blue).
6. A hands-free (rotating!) phone mount that will let you turn any ole backseat into your own private airplane TV — one that's showing your favorite movies and TV shows, of course! Reviewers have also used this to clip their phone to all sorts of other surfaces too, like desks, armchair handles, luggage handles, and more.
Promising review: "I bought this nifty gadget about six months ago for a multi-leg, ultra-long-haul trip and it more than held up the entire duration. I was able to finagle it to fit the tray tables on different planes, and like others, I find the height just nice when clamped onto a stowed tray table. It also works on my roller carry-on handle during layovers. However, I find myself using it a lot outside of travel too! Work-wise, I've clamped it onto my office desk shelving to hold my phone at eye level beside my computer. At home, I simply clamped it to a deck of cards and it turns into a versatile stand that I can place on any flat surface. Heck, I've been using it to hold my phone comfortably at eye level while watching videos in bed. It's extremely well-built, and I find myself fidgeting with it all the time. Thus far it still feels solid and I don't anticipate breaking it any time soon. Even if it does break, I'll be happy to buy another one or two of it!" —Earendil
Get it from Amazon for $12.97 (available in two colors and in a set of two).
7. A Trtl neck pillow featuring a design that's scientifically-proven to keep your head and neck in an ideal and ergonomic position as you sleep. In other words, you'll never again find yourself saying, "Yeah, I just can't sleep on airplanes."
Promising review: "I can't stop recommending this pillow to all of my friends! It has let me comfortably sleep on flights that take place on the most uncomfortable airplane seats. On long flights, I always need to prop up my hand and I rest my head on it. But this method always ends with my arm falling asleep and I end up waking up every 30 minutes. Now this pillow provides that exact same support without needing my arms to prop me up! It's small enough to fit in your bag and doesn't take up much space." —Simona Krifman
Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in four colors).
8. A clever hoodie with a built-in eye mask because how has nobody thought of this before? I mean seriously, what could be more ideal for red eyes than a super soft and snuggly sweatshirt that also covers your eyes? Nothing, that's what.
Pond Los Angeles is an Asian woman-owned small biz making luxurious travel products that'll make you feel like you're in first class, even if you're flying coach.
Promising review: "I fly a lot and am constantly trying to find a hoodie with a big hood to cover my eyes so I can catch up on some beauty sleep on flights. I saw this product on Instagram and knew it would be a game changer. I was able to use it recently for the first time on an early-morning flight, and let me tell you, it is EVERYTHING I was looking for and more. It’s comfy, cozy, oversized, and the eye covers make you feel like you’re in a whole other world and not packed like a sardine on a plane. My over ear headphone fit perfectly under it and I got the best sleep I’ve had on a plane — EVER! Like other reviews have said, it is big, so size down if you want something a little more snug. I have been wearing it every day at home and can’t wait to get the black and blush ones!" —Heather G.
Get it from Pond Los Angeles for $102.40+ (originally $128; available in women's sizes XS-XL and three colors).
9. A small pet carrier with WHEELS (!) so you can save your poor arms and roll your fur baby around the terminal instead...and then tuck them under your seat once you're on the plane.
It's designed for dogs and cats weighing up to 22 pounds.
Promising review: "Traveling with a pet is stressful. I've done it with a carrier that didn't have wheels and it was difficult carrying my dog through big airports, so I bought this one with wheels and it was totally awesome! I can't say enough good things about how much easier it was to get through the airport rolling my dog next to me! She sat there with her head out of the carrier and enjoyed the ride. It was a tight fit under the plane seat in front of me, but it did fit and she sat through the whole flight (one 4 hours and another 6 hours) just fine looking up at me or sleeping (most of the flight)." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $78.69.
10. A couple pairs of in-flight earplugs to block out crying babies, yapping seatmates, and any other annoying noise that might disrupt your in-flight experience. Wearing these can also help reduce air pressure problems, i.e. your ears unexpectedly and painfully popping.
Promising review: "Never fly without these! Before I found these, I endured excruciating pain in my ears upon descent and landing. Felt like a hot poker being driven into each ear. My ears would also be plugged up, and it would often take two to three days for them to resume their normal state of being. I insert them about an hour before landing, as the plane is making its slow descent. I'm comfortable, and the most discomfort I experience is a slight adjustment of pressure feeling in my sinus. NO PAIN. NO TEARS." —K. Tombrella
Get a pack with three pairs from Amazon for $18.49 (also available in 5- and 10-packs).
11. An all-encompassing foldable travel blanket for folks who are somehow always cold on flights, no matter what time of year or where you're heading. Not only is this insulated blanket super duper cozy, but it also has snuggly hand and foot pockets.
PS: It's also got a neck strap to keep it from slipping off of you during naps, and if you fold it inside out, it turns into a travel pillow! Is there anything they haven't thought of?!
Promising review: "Used this on my recent air flight and LOVED IT!!! I could use it as a pillow, and then when I got cold, opened it, stuck my feet in, and snapped the snap...stuck my head though and slept for the first time EVER on a plane!! Then, when landing, easily stuffed it back into a pillow and snapped to onto my under seat bag, and off on my adventure I went!!!" —Stacy S.
Get it from Gravel for $99 (originally $129).
12. Or, a fuzzy combination travel blanket/pillow/poncho to cover all your bases and cut down on the number of things you have to pack. We love a good space saving three-in-one product!
PS: It's also machine washable!
Promising review: "I purchased this for my 13-hour flight and would highly recommend it. The blankets provided by airlines are usually reused and made of itchy fabric. They also tend to slide off while I'm sleeping and fall to the floor several times, making them unsanitary to use. This Travelrest blanket has a slit that you put your head through. It rests on your back shoulders and stays on until you take it off. There's a front pouch that you can put your valuables in... this was very useful. Without this, I used to put my passport, wallet, phone, etc in the seat pocket in front of me...which is risky since the stuff can fall out of those pockets (very easy to lose/forget things). Also very lightweight and soft." —sartra
Get it from Amazon for $29.95 (available in two sizes and in gray or navy).
13. A soothing self-care stone to pull out when those flying jitters start to creep up. Give it a few gentle strokes with your thumb, and you'll be feeling more relaxed in no time!
Soul Sister Gifts is a small biz based in Ventura, California specializing in all sorts of giftable trinkets, like succulents, aromatherapy items, and gemstone jewelry.
Promising review: "I use these all the time to center myself — they are so smooth and calming." —Isadora Armentrout
Get it from Soul Sister Gifts on Etsy for $6.95.
14. A Kindle Paperwhite for anyone who prefers to pass the time in airports and planes reading, but doesn't want to lug around a bunch of heavy books. With this, you'll have as many books as your heart desires right at your fingertips, and the display even looks remarkably page-like too! Oh, and did I mention? It's waterproof!
Promising review: "I LOVE my Kindle Paperwhite! I recently upgraded from an old Kindle that didn't have a backlight, and what a difference. I really love being able to read in bed at night without needing to have a light on. The battery life is fantastic. The Kindle is great for travel, so you don't have to dedicate luggage space to multiple books, but also great for just keeping with you or having around the house. It's so lightweight and thin. I recommend for any avid reader!" —Marissa T
Read BuzzFeed's closer look at the Kindle Paperwhite for more info! (Review is of the 2018 version).
Get it from Amazon for $99.99+ (available in two storage capacities, three colors, and with or without ads).
15. An in-flight memory foam foot hammock here to make sitting in a cramped airplane seat feel like lounging in a recliner instead. Truly! With this, you can literally stretch out your legs, kick up your feet, and relax! As a bonus, your feet might not feel so puffy and/or tingly by the end of the flight either.
Promising review: "This is an amazing product. It's so simple but works incredibly to prevent swelling and pressure on legs while flying. I just flew the first leg of an international flight and used it, and I am on a layover now and had to pause to write this review. I LOVE THIS PRODUCT!! It easily attached to the tray table, and I adjusted to my desired height. It is like a hammock for your feet. You just prop them up inside the thing/swing/hammock — which is very cushiony — and your feet are hoisted up comfortably. I'm a big girl and weight is no issue. DEFINITELY MUST HAVE ON ALL MY FLIGHTS NOW. This thing is great!!" —Queen
Get it from Amazon for $21.99 (available in three colors).
16. A weekender bag that's equal parts stylish and spacious. It even has a handle pass-through so you can securely place it on top of your roller bag, thus freeing up that arm for an iced coffee.
It's even got a dedicated laptop pocket *and* two water bottle holders, and as if that were't enough, it's also made of 100% recycled polyester!
Promising review: "How did I ever travel without this weekender? I brought this as my carry-on piece on a 17-day trip to London, and it is CLUTCH. I'm telling you, buy it yesterday!! I got the lightest color, and it's incredibly durable, so many pockets inside and out, super spacious inside, many straps to choose from to carry, and looks sleek. I was concerned about the price at first, but it's worth every single penny. I love how the passthrough on the outside that holds this bag onto the handle of your luggage can be zipped closed to use as another pocket. My favorite travel purchase of 2021!" —LAinFlight
Get it from Everlane for $95 (available in five colors).
17. A pack of biodegradable hypoallergenic wipes to wipe off all the ick of airports and airplanes. I'm pretty sure everyone feels a bit grungy after a flight, right? Well, these are a quick and easy way to ~freshen up~ before you even get to the hotel.
These are made with natural tea tree oil, peppermint, ginseng, and oil and come individually wrapped, so they're easy to fit in your carry-on.
Promising review: "I purchased this product for a recent trip to China so that I could freshen up between flights and also so that I could clean up as needed. I predominantly used these to wipe my body between my long-haul flight and my connecting flight to a local destination. This was a nice alternative to a shower when one simply wasn't available. It just made me feel cool, refreshed, and slightly descuzzed. I'd recommend them for this purpose. As they are perfumed, I wouldn't recommend using them as a toilet wipe for fear of throwing off a critical pH balance for women, but as an overall body cleaner, they are great. :)" —Magdalene Sikora
Get a pack of 10 from Amazon for $10.95 (also available in a 20-pack).
18. A super cute travel games set so curious little minds (or adult minds!) have fun activities to keep 'em busy. With six different dry-erase game boards, including Tic-Tac-Toe and Hangman, they'll have no reason to ever utter the words, "I'm bored, are we there yet?"
Based in Myrtle Beach, SC, Jonley Gifts is a small biz you should check out for home decor, personalized items, and cheeky t-shirts.
Promising review: "So adorable! Out of several similar travel game options, my kids liked this one best. The quality is amazing for the price." —Samantha Grace
Get it from Jonley Gifts on Etsy for $27.
19. A collapsible water bottle since it'll save space in your bag before security and can then be refilled *for free* after security. I'll pass on the $3 bottled water, thanks!
Plus, it's lead-, latex-, and BPA-free, is dishwasher safe, and can be used for hot or cold drinks.
Promising review: "Well this is the coolest thing ever! I travel quite a bit, and I usually don't take a bottle with me because they are big and bulky and I usually lose them! This collapsible water bottle is a perfect traveling accessory. It stays collapsed until after security, and then I fill it up for the trip. It's a good size and fits in my side compartment in my travel backpack, and the cap screws in securely so I don't have to worry about it opening accidentally and spilling all over the place. I follow the instructions on how to clean it and it works just fine." —M. Lyons
Get it from Amazon for $34.95 (available in eight colors).
20. A container of fruity melatonin sleep gummies if you have a reallllllyyyy have a hard time falling asleep on planes, especially red-eyes. These yummy little treats will help your natural sleep hormone take over, hopefully lulling you into a relaxing slumber.
FYI, some Amazon reviewers said their gummies arrived melted, so if you live somewhere hot, consider finding these at a local store instead.
Promising review: "These are the best Melatonin I have ever used. I think it's the combination of the ingredients that sends me into a peaceful sleep. Two of these on an airplane and you can actually get some rest on long haul flights!" —J.D. Hammer
Get a jar of 50 gummies from Amazon for $11.99 (also available in other sizes).
Learn more about the link between melatonin and sleep at the National Sleep Foundation.
21. Or, a pack of homeopathic jet lag pills to help with the grogginess and tiredness you feel *after* the flight when your body suddenly has no idea what time of day it is.
The instructions say to take one at take off, every two hours during the flight, and then again after you arrive. One box is good for 50 hours of flying!
Promising review: "I swear by this stuff — it works if you take the doses exactly as indicated. I set my timer on long flights to make sure I wake up on time for my next dose. And drink plenty of water, which sucks on long flights having to use bathroom all the time, but it's worth not getting jet leg. I was a flight attendant for six years and always used this when I worked long flights!" —Jvelez
Get a pack of 32 pills from Amazon for $14.40 (also available in a 64-pack).
22. A luggage cup holder so you can navigate through the airport *without* spilling your coffee for once! Also super handy for water bottles and maybe even a croissant or other yummy pastry.
Promising review: "This cup holder is perfect! It helps me a lot! Last time I took a plane with a suitcase and a cup of coffee, I dropped and spilled my drink everywhere when it was my turn to check my passport and ticket. It was a nightmare! This time, I bought this cup holder to 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
Get it from Amazon for $10.99 (available in 33 colors/patterns).
23. A JetKids carry-on suitcase that just might make you willing to travel with your little munchkins again. Kids can ride this around the airport — yes, literally ride it! — and then use it as a footrest on the plane. Talk about a lifesaver!
It's recommended for kids ages 3-7 and fits most standard economy seats. Plus, it has an adjustable strap so you can carry it over your shoulder, a top handle, and a mattress inside that can be removed and used while in the air. Parents have even used this product while waiting for their flight to keep kids comfy and content.
Promising review: "I dragged my feet on this purchase because of the price tag, but I have zero regrets after traveling solo with my 2-year-old and 5-year-old. This thing was so easy to maneuver through the airport and through the plane aisles that my 2-year-old pulled it herself for most of the trip. It was slightly too big for her to ride on, but my 4-year-old loved riding on it. The bed feature was super easy to set up and we used it to and from our destination. I was able to pack clothes for a five-day trip, the bed, a blanket and stuffie. I will definitely be dumping more money into this company for our next trip. Happy customer!" —Casie Wilds
Get it from Amazon for $229.
24. A passport and vaccination card holder because if there are two documents you don't want to travel without, it's your passport and vax proof. This keeps 'em handy and easily accessed.
It's made by Henney's Boutique, a small biz based in LA specializing in handy leather goods.
Promising review: "I love this! I bought one for myself, then one for my husband, then I've been sending the link to everyone who asks me where I got it... They're the best for keeping both your passport and your vaccine card safe for travel." —Paige Devlin
Get it from Henney's Boutique on Etsy for $8 (originally $16; available in 16 colors).
25. A pair of super supportive Dr. Scholl's kicks since they're not only comfy and cushy, but also easy to slide on and off, aka a godsend for going through security.
FYI: These are made from recycled bottles!
Promising review: "I bought these shoes to wear on vacation to the Grand Canyon. I did a lot of walking on that trip, and my feet never hurt and I still looked cute. Then a few months later, we went to Durango, Colorado and did a ton of walking and again, my feet never hurt. I washed them and let them air dry several times over the next year and they came out great every time. They soon became my daily shoes to wear around the house. I have already bought a second pair to replace them so I can still look cute and be comfortable and wear the first pair when I water the garden. I would definitely recommend these shoes!" —J. Perkins
Get it from Amazon for $37.58+ (available in women's sizes 5–13, including select wide sizes, and in 29 designs — not all designs available in all sizes).
26. Or, a classic pair of slip-on sneaks if you want breathable, stretchy shoes that will go with just about everything in your suitcase. Comfort meets convenience meets versatility.
Many reviewers say these are less expensive versions of Vans.
Promising review: "I bought these to take on a trip, they arrived and I packed them without breaking them in — no worries, they are so comfortable, I wore them the whole trip. Love, love these shoes! This is my second pair, first have lasted a year and I wear the old ones still. They wash up nicely, too! Highly recommend!!!" —Lori M.
Get it from Amazon for $20+ (available in women's sizes 5.5–12, including select wide sizes, and in 22 designs).
27. A mini contact lens kit because it's never a good idea to sleep with your contacts in (talk about a recipe for a literal red-eye!) and with this, you can quickly slip them out right from your seat. No need to venture to the very sketch airplane bathroom just to have a mirror and see what you're doing!
It comes with a solution bottle, tweezers, stick connection, lens holder, and mirror.
Promising review: "When I travel, I worry about misplacing my contacts, so this will hep me keep them in a safe place, easy to find."—Tamara G.
Promising review: "Great product for the price!! Super cute!! Small and perfect for traveling, in your car, purse, or pocket!! The tongs have a super soft silicone type grip on the ends so they won't hurt your lenses. I am very impressed!! I would recommend to everyone!! Great product, great price!! Will purchase again!!" —Loni H. Rhymes
Get it from Amazon for $4.99 (available in four colors).
28. And last but not least, a strap that quite cleverly clips onto any piece of luggage and can then be used to attach another bag or various accessories, like your neck pillow or water bottle, because let's face it, you usually have a million things to carry but only two hands. Alas.
Promising review: "I love this little gadget. I used it to attach my jacket and computer bag to my luggage on an extended business trip. It made my airport walks so much easier. Now that I'm back home, I've been using it daily to attach my jacket or cardigan to my work bag or purse." —Michele
Get it from Amazon for $8.49+ (available in two colors).
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.