As exciting as flying to a new destination can be, the tone of your flight is often set before you leave home. When you pack your in-flight bag, you are determining the comfort and pleasantness of your flight before you even board. In addition to your packed belongings, checking into your flight within 24 hours beforehand can help prepare you for any unforeseen changes and expedite the check-in process. Included here are a few must-haves for your carry-on, whether you fly for business or pleasure.
Noise-Canceling Headphones
Any great exciting flight can be ruined by an obnoxious neighbor or crying baby. The best way to keep your mood content and improve the airline experience is by wearing noise-canceling headphones. By plugging into your media player and drowning out the noise of passengers around you, you can tune into what is important to you and let the flight pass more quickly.
Entertainment Options
One of the worst mistakes you can make is to depend on your airline for entertainment while you are on your flight. Failing to plan ahead with plenty of entertainment can leave you twiddling your thumbs and feeling uncomfortable. Before boarding, be sure to download all of the entertainment options you need and bring your charger.
If electronic entertainment is not for you, there are plenty of other ways you can keep happy while on board the flight. Pack paperback books, knitting, a deck of cards, or even coloring books. Some people choose to just sleep at much as possible while on the plane, so you may need only the most minimal entertainment options. Often, your cell phone may have more than enough games to keep you occupied.
Sleep Supplies
For those who are using their red eye flight to catch up on some zzz’s, it may be wise to prepare for optimal napping comfort. For many, this can be obtained by simply closing their eyes, but the average sleeper will need a little more preparation. To cancel out the bright light of the cabin, bring a nice sleep mask for your eyes. To avoid a painful neck ache upon landing, utilize a small, travel-ready neck pillow. Your noise-canceling headphones will likely come in handy again at this point.
Snacks
As any experienced traveler knows, the munchies can strike at the most inopportune moments, and with the high cost of in-flight refreshments, you may find yourself jonesing for a snack. Your best bet is to pack a few travel-friendly snacks before you head through, keeping in mind the security requirements. Avoid liquids, dips, and spreads and keep your food choices simple.
Dried fruit and veggies are healthy snacks that can keep your tummy and digestive tract happy, even miles away from home. Beef jerky and cheese pack the protein you need; and crackers are always a TSA friendly snack that does not take up too much space, or weight, in your bag.