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24 Travel Products That Will Make You Feel (Dare We Say) Excited For That Long Plane Ride This Fall
You know what they say… it’s about the journey, not the destination — and these things will make your journey go a whole lot smoother.
1. A practical tray table cover with so many pockets you’ll be able to store your $7 water bottle, your phone, and that yummy pumpkin loaf from the Starbucks outside your gate all in one secure spot. It’ll let your seatmates know you’re basically an expert traveler and help prevent you from always getting up and grabbing your stuff from the overhead bin.
Promising review: “I love this thing! I always hated putting things in the seat pocket on planes. It was easy for things to get lost in there or sometimes the pockets were pretty tight. This thing was amazing. I was able to get everything out of my bag that I might need during the flight and had easy access to it all. It was so much better than having to pull my bag out constantly to get stuff I needed. It also folds up nicely so it doesn’t take up much space in your bag.” —Corey
Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
2. A mini belt bag that surprisingly holds a ton of stuff and can be worn crossbody or fanny pack style. It’s great if you want to keep your valuables close to you on the plane, and it’s perfect if you know you’re gonna be going places where you won’t want to be lugging around a heavy purse. Plus, it looks just like the Lululemon belt bag!
Promising reviews: “I bought this as a purse for traveling to populated European cities as there are heaps of pickpockets. It worked perfectly! It is the perfect size to fit everything I need and was super comfortable. Highly recommend.” —Jessie Anela
“I bought this fanny pack to take on our trip to San Francisco and it worked out better than I thought it would! We hiked through Muir Woods and I loved that my hands were free from holding a purse! Then we walked across the Golden Gate Bridge, went to Chinatown, the wharf, etc. and again it was great not having to hold anything. This is by far the best bag I’ve ever traveled with. It is almost the same exact size a (name brand) bag but a lot less. Best purchase for the vacation :)” —Pat
Get it from Amazon for $11.98+ (available in 37 colors).
3. A Trtl neck pillow if you drew the short stick and got stuck in the middle seat with no good place to lean your head against for a good 5+ hours. The internal support system keeps you upright, while the super soft fleece helps you get in those well-deserved Zzzzzs before landing and navigating the Holiday madness at the airport.
Unlike the regular U-shaped pillows, Trtl Pillows are machine-washable and fast-drying.
Check it out on TikTok.
Promising review: “Used it for a 14-hour flight to Japan last week, and it helped tremendously. This was the first time I was able to sleep on the plane so this helped tremendously. Definitely a must-have for travel. It is very light so I was able to easily pack it in my under-the-seat wheeled trolley. I want to emphasize how much the light warmth of the fleece (and I don’t like being hot) was just right to help me nod off to sleep. Since this is primarily for sitting upright in the seat or someone in the middle or the aisle seat, this was ideal for me. I just got back yesterday. Again I used it — this time for a 12-hour flight.” —Ambience
Get it from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in five colors).
4. Or an adjustable infinity pillow — it’s basically like if your favorite fall infinity scarf was made for traveling and provided enough comfort to keep you comfy from take off to landing. This has 360-degree support and is even machine washable!
The pillow is made with a breathable, super soft bamboo fabric, and fully machine washable.
Promising review: “We got a few different types of travel pillows for a red-eye to Europe and this was overall our favorite due to its versatility. The loop actually allows you to have various self supporting positions, and this will contort all sorts of ways to be a pillow, neck rest, arm rest… anything. It’s actually just good for any type of travel in general and got a lot of use on the whole trip. The material is soft and comfortable.” —Tom Shaw
Get it from Amazon for $54.50 (available in 10 colors).
5. A set of splurge-worthy Bose noise-canceling headphones — they truly live up to their name because they’re actually noise canceling, have spatial audio, and comfortably hug your ears with super plush ear covers, so you won’t want to take them off all flight!
Promising review: “These headphones are a game-changer. As an avid music enthusiast, frequent traveler, and love of movies in a loud and busy household, these headphones have improved my audio experiences in ways I never knew were possible. First and foremost, the noise cancellation is unparalleled. The moment you put these on, the outside world fades away. However, it still offers the ability to be aware of your surroundings when needed without stoping your audio. If you are traveling you don’t need to worry about the headphones going out on you, because the battery life is incredible. As with all Bose products the craftmanship and quality is top-notch. I have been hesitant to purchase Bose headphones in the past because I just didn’t think that I would be able to tell enough of a difference. I was wrong. I am beyond excited to have these headphones, and it has added so much to my entertainment enjoyment.” —P.O.
Get them from Amazon for $429 (available in six colors).
6. Or this comfy pair of kids’ headphones for the times you’re traveling long distances with a little one. They have soft, padded ear cushions, an adjustable headband, and they pack up compactly when not used. You might not always want your kid to be an iPad kid, but for any flight I’m on, please give them the iPad and these comfy headphones…
Promising review: “These headphones are great! They have a nice shape and comfort and sound isolation that serves my kid well on a 10-hour flight with other screaming kids. These headphones have great sound isolation that make it still possible for my kid to listen during plane rides despite volume limitation, and also able to ignore four other screaming, tantruming toddlers in our cabin. I was just about to dig deeper in my pockets to buy much more expensive headphones for my kids, but these worker great with a nice budget! They fold compactly, so they were easy to pack. The cord had a nice fabric soft feel. Highly recommend for travel.” —Elizabert
Get them from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in five colors).
7. A pair of breathable high-waisted leggings because you wanna look cute, but most importantly, be comfy while you’re traveling. These are made from moisture-wicking fabric and even have pockets. Plus, the inner fleece lining will keep you cozy in the main cabin of the plane that always gets so chilly (for what reason??).
Promising review: “I bought this pair of leggings initially so I could have something warm and comfortable to wear while working at home that wasn’t just a pair of sweatpants — they ended up becoming a staple of my workout wardrobe too! I ended up getting two more pairs in the no-pocket style so I can cycle through them during the week for my outdoor walks/runs. Fit-wise, if you’re not looking for something super-snug, I’d suggest going a size up. The legs are a little long on me, but I’m short (5’1″) and I’m used to things being a little long on me. My only gripe about these is that the side pocket isn’t anywhere near big enough to hold my phone, but I’ve got a huge phone, so I’m used to it not fitting in pockets easily. Long story short: I love these, and if you’re looking for warm leggings, either for working out or for lounging around the house, you should get a pair of these.” —Beth Lynn Nolen
Get it from Amazon for $33.99+ (available in women’s sizes XS–3XL, in 20 colors, and in three different pocket options).
8. And a super cozy oversized pullover sweatshirt that’ll be your go-to piece for traveling since it gives you just the right amount of warmth, especially as the temps start to drop. It’s great for layering and will be oh-so-comfy as you 🤞🏼hopefully🤞🏼 get some rest on the long flight.
Gabriela: I recently bought this for a trip to Seattle and let me tell you, it was sooo comfy. I wore it on the plane, and it was warm enough to keep me from shivering (the way I always do on planes, because they insist on being super cold) but breathable enough so that it wouldn’t feel too stuffy. I have it in both the cream and dark green colors — both are so cute and perfect to pair with leggings for a comfy airport outfit.
Promising review: “I was in need of a jacket that was light enough to pack for a trip but warm enough for the environment that I was traveling to. This pullover delivered! I was able to roll it down in my carry-on without being overweight. The quality is top-tier. It’s very soft on the outside and warm on the inside. I did size up for that oversized fit so I got an XL. Very good decision. I want to get them in every color.” —The Glamologist
Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in women’s sizes S–XXL and in 23 colors).
9. A travel-friendly blanket-slash-pillow for those who wish they could personally ask the pilot to turn the AC down so they don’t have to pull out their fall coat. This is a BIG step above the thin fabric that the airlines call a blanket since it’s made from super soft microfleece, AND it even has a trolley pass-through pocket so you can slide it over your carry-on!
Amazon
Check it out on TikTok.
Promising review: “I ordered two of these and my daughter and I both use them numerous times while flying recently. They compact nicely, have a loop that can go through the handle of a carry-on, and are the perfect size for snuggling up and sleeping on the airplane. It is lightweight and I will not fly again without it!” —SweetMama
Get it from Amazon for $29.95 (available in seven colors).
10. A cooling, memory foam contoured sleep mask that will help block out light while making sure there isn’t too much pressure on your eyes while you sleep during the long flight — or if you are just trying to get some shut-eye in 23A and the person in 23B just HAS to read their novel at 1:58 a.m. 😭
Check it out in this TikTok.
Promising reviews: “The BEST BEST BEST and most comfortable sleep mask I’ve found. Night shifter for years, and have tried everything. Many other sleep masks have some qualities but not all. This one is AMAZINGLY SOFT, VERY THICK, plush, high quality material, quality stitching that won’t come apart like so many others that are cheaply made, and it’s EXTREMELY COMFORTABLE even though it’s a good price. Very impressed and pleasantly surprised.” — .
“I loved it so much, I bought a second for my boyfriend! We both travel so much that sometimes you end up in a hotel room where the blinds still let in light, and this blocks it out without compressing your eyelids where it feels like you’re being forced to keep them shut. I love that the compression contours around your eye so that you can open your eyes without feeling like you’re restricted. I love it so much I sleep with it at home now and I never travel without it!” —Jordann
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in eight colors).
11. Or this brilliant travel hoodie — truly a “hoodie that hoodies” because not only is it super plush and comfy, but it’s got a built-in eye mask (say whhaaaaa?!) that will show your seatmates that you’ve got this whole travel thing on LOCK.
Pond Los Angeles
Pond Los Angeles is an Asian-American, woman-owned small biz based in California. They create super chic minimalist clothing and accessories that just so happen to be ULTRA functional. Plus, the brand creates its goods in partnership with a woman-led manufacturer!
Reviewers say it’s oversized, so size down if you want a snugger fit.
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 flight. 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 headphones fit perfectly under it and I got the best sleep I’ve had on a plane — EVER!” —Heather G.
Get it from Pond Los Angeles for $145 (available in women’s sizes XS–XL; available in four colors).
12. A pack of super-comfy wax earplugs, a must-have if the baby two rows ahead of you didn’t get the memo that you planned to sleep for the entire flight. These mold to the shape of your ear and can be reused throughout your trip if your travel buddy is also a serial snorer.
Emma Lord/BuzzFeed
Check them out on TikTok.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Emma Lord swears by these and raves: “The moldable silicone of Mack’s Earplugs contours easily to the shape of your ear to block out noise much more effectively than other foam or plastic varieties, and the noise reduction is so good that if I pair them with a white noise machine (or just like a white noise loop on Spotify) I genuinely don’t hear noises from outside my room. Not only that, but once they’re in place, they stay locked there until you decide to pull them out.
Granted, I can still hear my alarm, and like, if the fire alarm went off or something, I’d definitely wake right up. But noises that are distant and loud are pretty easily canceled out by these.
I’ve also *loved* these for traveling — if you put these babies in on a plane not only does it help reduce some of the YIKES factor when the plane takes off (it’s loud!!), but it cancels out the murmuring noises of passengers on the flight and makes it easier to get some shuteye.”
Get 12 pairs from Amazon for $12.99.
13. A bottle of 100% drug-free, fast-dissolving melatonin pills so you can actually have a chance of dozing off on the plane even after drinking a PSL before takeoff. It’s got over 77,000 5-star ratings, and many reviewers say this doesn’t make them feel super drowsy.
For more info on melatonin, visit The Mayo Clinic.
Gabriela: As someone who has a hard time napping at home (much less on a plane), I have been using these tablets for years now. I can’t say enough about how well they work at giving you a soft, sleepy feeling without making you feel heavy or drowsy. They also seem to last FOREVER. Personally, I’ll take even half the tablet and I’m off to Dreamland. The yummy berry taste is also a bonus, and I wake up feeling rested and refreshed!
Promising review: “I travel internationally frequently and constantly struggle with jet lag. I’ve tried many different melatonin sleep aid pills. And while many of them do help somewhat, the these melatonin tablets have consistently worked the best. They work fast and give me a full nights sleep. I highly recommend them.” —Joseph S.
Get a pack of 180 tablets from Amazon for $8.29 (available in two sizes).
14. A hands-free (rotating!) phone mount that’ll really come in handy when the plane doesn’t have TV screens for all your entertainment needs. Thankfully, you can easily attach this to a tray table, an armchair, your luggage, or pretty much any other flat surface. No matter how short or how painstakingly long your flight is, you’ll be so glad you packed this.
Amazon
See it in action on TikTok.
Promising review: “I bought this nifty gadget about six months ago for a multileg, 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 $13.97+ (available in seven colors and in packs of two).
15. An in-flight foot hammock, since you are dying to kick your feet up like the people in business and first class, but your budget screams economy seat 43C 😫. You just hook this onto the tray table, and you’re as comfy as one can be with the amount of legroom these planes have.
Promising review: “I will never fly again without this. I’ve recommended it to everyone. East coast USA to South East Asia, 24 hours in long haul flights each way with serious low back pain condition to start. But being able to hang my legs, even in a sideways position, saved me from hours of pain that I have endured previously flying with economy leg room. So easy to loop over tray table brackets in both the stowed and open position. This is a must have for any flight.” —DL Flin
Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (also available in multipacks).
16. Or an inflatable footrest that shows you mean business when it comes to comfort, even if you aren’t actually in business class (😓). You can easily inflate this to three different heights (no pump required), and it comes with a drawstring bag for compact traveling.
Promising review: “I didn’t buy this for the longest time thinking inflation would be annoying or it’d be too bulky — I finally ordered it and love it. It’s very easy to inflate since it has the two inflation methods. Folds up smaller than our travel pillows. It’s great for travel in car and planes, and our kid likes sitting on it at home too. Recommended.” —D
Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in four colors and in packs of two).
17. A freezable snack box so you can keep your favorite snacks or baby’s breastmilk fresh as you go from point A to point B. Just pop it in the freezer before your flight, and the “EcoFreeze” technology keeps it cool all day long. Plus, it’s great for when you’re going on all-day adventures and need a quick nibble.
Promising review: “This will carry four frozen breastmilk bags and keep them frozen six to eight hours, which is perfect for domestic airport travel or small outings. I like to bring a few extra bags with me on trips for a night out or if it will be hard to nurse somewhere. Awesome product and less bulky that other cooler bags.” —Joshua
Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (available in 18 colors and prints).
18. An airplane window organization station, because you’ve only got so much space in between you and the seat in front of you, and you wanna cherish every inch you can. This is great for things like your drinks, your phone, and your glasses, so you’ll be able to stow the tray away and give yourself some room!
This shelf only works if you have access to a full window.
Promising review: “This little gadget made window seat life so much more roomie! I’m a plus-size girlie, and I normally book economy, so anything that will give me extra legroom on a flight I’m a sucker for! It works just like the directions say and is so light that I almost forget it’s in my bag. It’s also stronger and more stable than it looks; it held my phone, earbuds, and two cups easily. The glasses holder was so convenient when I was ready to take a nap and didn’t have to worry about forgetting anything in the seat pocket.” —ashley-britt
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
19. A set of Earplanes to help relieve your ears of that annoying pressure you feel during takeoffs and landings. No more constant gum chewing, ear tugging, or yawning to get rid of that “popping” feeling. AND, they’ll even work for road trips with high altitude changes!
Gabriela: Before I started using these a couple of years ago, my ears would *always* start to hurt when the plane started to descend. I’d have to press my fingers on my ears and be chewing on gum just to try to dissuade some of the discomfort. Now, as soon as the captain announces they are starting the descent, I put these in my ears (BTW, they’re surprisingly comfortable!), put my headphones on over them, and can actually enjoy the last half hour of my flight.
Promising review: “I am very sensitive to the change in pressure on airplanes, to the point where I am in tears on takeoff and landing. I finally had to do something about it or I would fear flying again. I wish I had known about these years ago. They alleviated ALL sensitivity to the pressure change and made for a very comfortable and anxiety-free flight. I can’t recommend them enough.” —Nancy Cardella
Get a pair from Amazon for $7.89 (also available in multipacks and in kids’ sizes).
20. A set of Sea Bands for anyone who deals with motion sickness or nausea while traveling. This puts pressure on an acupuncture point to help you out during the “please fasten your seatbelts” type of turbulence on the plane ride.
Reviewers swear by these nonmedicated bands for nausea relief: they’ve used them while traveling on airplanes, boats, and cars and for morning sickness during pregnancies. Read more about acupressure and nausea at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Promising review: “I bought these for an upcoming cruise, but thought I would try them out when flying (as I tend to get motion sickness even after taking Dramamine). I was very surprised that I had no motion sickness after wearing these on two different work trips. I also took these on a cruise and only had to use them once. Once I felt the motion sickness coming on, I put on the bands and the sickness was gone in about 15 minutes. They came in a nice plastic case and are reusable.” —Jessica
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $7.95 (available in six colors).
21. A super convenient handheld mini fan because sometimes the overhead fan is just not cutting it on your super-packed and super-stuffy flight. You can prop it up on your tray table or hold it up close to you. PLUS, it’s a flashlight AND a portable charger, so basically an elite travel product if you ask me.
Gabriela: You know how everyone has those little items that are permanently in their carry-on bag? This is one of them for me. Being able to get some nice airflow wherever I go has been so amazing; I can never go back. And not even just for travel! I also take it to amusement parks, on hikes, and even use it throughout my makeup routine to help set products in place. Plus, the battery life is *top tier.*
Promising review: “This thing was a godsend while I was in Florida in the summertime. Love that it has a flashlight and you can use it as a backup power bank in a pinch. For me this fit all my needs, it kept me cool in Florida, fit perfectly in my purse/backpack and on my wrist. I pretty much took this wherever I went and even used it on the plane during boarding when it was super hot in there. I’m giving this 5 stars, it worked perfect for me.” —Erica
Get it from Amazon for $12.74+ (available in eight colors).
22. An AirFly Pro wireless transmitter, since most wireless earbuds and headphones don’t come with a headphone jack anymore. There’s nothing worse than wanting to watch your favorite fall movies on that 10-hour plane ride and not being able to connect your earbuds. This small plug-in lets you actually enjoy your long plane ride AND actually enjoy the sound quality from those wireless headphones you dropped a pretty penny on.
It also comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and a manual. Traveling with a family member or friend? They can also sync their earbuds to this gadget!
See one reviewer using it with their AirPod Pros in this TikTok.
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 more than one headset! Thank you!!!” —Ryan Malloy
Get it from Amazon for $54.99+ (available in three styles and three colors).
23. A pair of compression socks for those who experience leg and foot swelling on longer flights. They’ve got over 61,000 5-star reviews, and many people say the fabric is high-quality and they are super supportive.
Promising review: “Prevents your feet and ankles from swelling on long flights. Also gave me an overall more comfortable feel on a 12-hour flight. I didn’t feel the need to stretch or wiggle my feet quite as much. Sizing guide was pretty spot on. They look like regular socks and I didn’t have any issues with impressions on my feet. They also they were not super tight in the toe area which I liked. Time will tell if they stay in shape after several uses and wash cycles, but for that price it was a great deal.” —Tar
Get it from Amazon for$9.19+ (available in 14 colors and sizes S–XXL).
24. Weleda’s Skin Food lotion, because the cabin air always seems to leave your skin feeling dry as a bone. This chamomile, nourishing sunflower seed oil, and restorative calendula formula will give you some much-needed moisture on those long flights without being too greasy.
You can use it on your face and all over your body!
Promising review: “I am a flight attendant and this is my go-to hand cream! It is a little greasy when you first start rubbing it in, but it absorbs quickly and that along with the smell (a bit medicinal) dissipates before you know it. It doesn’t take much of this at all. I purchased this for the first time at a local health food store and paid over $20! This is a GREAT deal! So excited to find such a great price here on Amazon! I haven’t tried the other scents yet because I am happy with this one. You can’t go wrong with this hand cream. I rub a little on my tired feet at the end of the day as well, and trust me I have tired feet after being on them for 14+ hours. This stuff works great for this as well. Win Win Weleda!” —Lauren
Get it from Amazon for $15.50 (also available in a multipack).
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.