Know what to pack for your flight
Flying is the fastest way to travel, but that does not mean it's always the easiest. Knowing how and what to pack for a 90-minute jaunt or a half-day trip overseas is crucial to ensuring that you will be comfortable and content during your time in the sky.
Use these travel tips to know how to pack carry-on luggage.
- How long is your flight? For shorter trips -- two hours or fewer -- you won't need much in your carry-on bag. Bring a bottle of water, a small snack, and something to read. If you like music, bring along your CD or MP3 player, too; sitting for just an hour can get tedious pretty quickly. Dress in layers so that you can adjust to the cabin temperature, which tends to vary.
- Cross-continent or overseas travelers will want a little more with them. Some airlines, like British Airways, provide their passengers with complimentary travel kits, but airlines are cutting back on all sorts of formerly complimentary items, so be smart and pack your own just in case. This might include the following:
- A travel-size toothbrush and toothpaste
- Some lotion to counteract the extremely dry cabin air
- A pair of socks to wear around the cabin (extended time in a plane can make your feet swell)
- An eye mask so you can sleep regardless of the sun
- A portable pillow
- Contact lens case and solution, some eye drops, and your glasses (dry, itchy eyes do not make for an enjoyable flight)
- Some over-the-counter painkillers
- Antibacterial hand cleanser
All this is at your discretion; take into consideration what you might require to feel comfortable during an extended flight and include that in your carry-on bag. - How much do you want to carry with you during airplane travel? If you are not checking any luggage, you might want to keep your flight bag small, and simply remove the items you want from your main bag once you're in the air. Dragging a suitcase and a giant bag of snacks and magazines all over the airport is inconvenient, not to mention a fast path to a grumpy mood.
- Remember, travelers with laptop computers must keep the computer in their carry-on bag, so pack to accommodate your laptop.
- Be mindful of items that are no longer allowed on flights. Before you throw in that nail file or your favorite lighter for a pre-flight cigarette, make sure to check the Transportation Security Administration's lists of allowed and prohibited items aboard an aircraft. A five-minute read can save valuable minutes at the security checkpoint.
Useful Links:
- Transportation Security Administration
Packing for airplane travel: Travel tips for carry-on luggage
Know what to pack for your flight
Flying is the fastest way to travel, but that does not mean it's always the easiest. Knowing how and what to pack for a 90-minute jaunt or a half-day trip overseas is crucial to ensuring that you will be comfortable and content during your time in the sky.
Use these travel tips to know how to pack carry-on luggage.
- How long is your flight? For shorter trips -- two hours or fewer -- you won't need much in your carry-on bag. Bring a bottle of water, a small snack, and something to read. If you like music, bring along your CD or MP3 player, too; sitting for just an hour can get tedious pretty quickly. Dress in layers so that you can adjust to the cabin temperature, which tends to vary.
- Cross-continent or overseas travelers will want a little more with them. Some airlines, like British Airways, provide their passengers with complimentary travel kits, but airlines are cutting back on all sorts of formerly complimentary items, so be smart and pack your own just in case. This might include the following:
- A travel-size toothbrush and toothpaste
- Some lotion to counteract the extremely dry cabin air
- A pair of socks to wear around the cabin (extended time in a plane can make your feet swell)
- An eye mask so you can sleep regardless of the sun
- A portable pillow
- Contact lens case and solution, some eye drops, and your glasses (dry, itchy eyes do not make for an enjoyable flight)
- Some over-the-counter painkillers
- Antibacterial hand cleanser
All this is at your discretion; take into consideration what you might require to feel comfortable during an extended flight and include that in your carry-on bag. - How much do you want to carry with you during airplane travel? If you are not checking any luggage, you might want to keep your flight bag small, and simply remove the items you want from your main bag once you're in the air. Dragging a suitcase and a giant bag of snacks and magazines all over the airport is inconvenient, not to mention a fast path to a grumpy mood.
- Remember, travelers with laptop computers must keep the computer in their carry-on bag, so pack to accommodate your laptop.
- Be mindful of items that are no longer allowed on flights. Before you throw in that nail file or your favorite lighter for a pre-flight cigarette, make sure to check the Transportation Security Administration's lists of allowed and prohibited items aboard an aircraft. A five-minute read can save valuable minutes at the security checkpoint.
Useful Links:
- Transportation Security Administration
Packing for airplane travel: Travel tips for carry-on luggage
By Howtodotips
Know what to pack for your flight