Don't forget dry-eye relief, hydration staples, and SPF protection
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/peo-flight-attendant-travel-essentials-tout-7a718f90e04d43eb9d03fd475ad81efa.jpg "A flight attendant with luggage in a hotel lobby composite image with a closeup of a shoe on a blue background")
The right travel essentials can mean the difference in arriving at your destination refreshed or completely drained. Between dry cabin air, long layovers, and cramped seats, seasoned travelers know that packing strategically matters.
That’s why we tapped veteran flight attendant Karen Young to share her perfected packing list: She’s worked the skies since 1979, with nearly five decades of long-haul flights and more than 100 annual trips under her belt. “I never looked back and have loved every minute,” she says.
Young flies to Japan three to four times a month and estimates she’s spent more than 47,600 hours in the air over the course of her career — so these flight attendant-approved travel essentials are airtight. Shop her picks from $7.
Flight Attendant-Approved Travel Essentials
- Comfy Loafers She Wears on Long Shifts: Clarks Cora Giny Loafers, $60 (orig. $85)
- Walking Sandal for Layovers and Sightseeing: Merrell Harbor Backstrap Sandal, $85
- Post-Flight Refresh: Estée Lauder Beautiful Magnolia Eau de Parfum Spray, $32
- Built-in SPF: Athleisure Wear Sun Protective Long-Sleeve Mock Neck Top, $92
- For Souvenir Shopping: Longchamp Le Pliage Large Shoulder Tote Bag, $260
- To Stay Hydrated: Hydro Flask Water Bottle, $41 (orig. $50)
- Stretchy Travel Pants for Between-Flight Comfort: High Waisted Yoga Pants, $25
- Eye Drops She Always Brings: Refresh Relieva Lubricant Eye Drops, $14 (orig. $15)
- Long Charger for Airport Outlets: Fast Charging USB A/USB C Cable, $8 (orig. $10)
- To Block Out Excess Noise: Loop Quiet 2 Ear Plugs, $25
Related: Amazon Has the Most Comfortable Travel Clothes for Long Airport Days and Road Trips — Shop Pieces from $8
Clarks Cora Giny Loafers
$85 $60 at Amazon
Young spends most of her days on her feet so supportive shoes are nonnegotiable. After years of testing different pairs, she says she always comes back to Clarks because they’re “super comfy and durable.”
Merrell Harbor Backstrap Sandal
$85 at Amazon
When she’s off-duty, Young changes into comfy Merrell sandals like these, which she can “dress up or down” and “walk miles in” on layovers.
Estée Lauder Beautiful Magnolia Eau de Parfum Spray
$32 at Amazon
Even short flights can leave you feeling less than refreshed by the time you land, which is why Young always packs a travel-friendly fragrance. A quick spritz upon landing instantly helps her feel more put-together after hours spent in the air. Her favorites come from Estée Lauder and Chanel, but she says any familiar perfume can make a post-flight freshening feel more luxe.
Athleisure Wear Sun Protective Long-Sleeve Mock Neck Top
$92 at Amazon
For sunny destinations, Young prefers lightweight SPF clothing over constantly reapplying sunscreen (though she packs a Banana Boat SPF Face Stick, too). She loves these long-sleeve tops because “they are pretty, breathable, and protective,” making them ideal for warm-weather vacations, outdoor sightseeing, and beach days alike.
Longchamp Le Pliage Large Shoulder Tote Bag
$260 at Amazon
Young proudly calls herself a “Longchamp bag lady,” and for good reason. The lightweight tote folds easily into luggage yet expands to hold everything from in-flight essentials to unexpected souvenir purchases.
Hydro Flask Water Bottle
$50 $41 at Amazon
Staying hydrated is Young’s no.1 flying tip. Cabin air can be incredibly dehydrating, so a reusable water bottle is something she never travels without. Oh, and don’t “over-consume alcohol,” she cautions. “It’s so dehydrating and affects people much more with the altitude.”
Related: I Relied on the New Béis Luggage Collection for a 2-Week, 8-City European Trip — Here's How It Performed
And that’s just the beginning of Young’s proven packing list. From rejuvenating eye drops she never leaves at home to a fragrant candle that makes hotel layovers a little more luxurious, Young’s essentials are all about staying comfortable, refreshed, and grounded while on the go. She’s even been loyal to the same Maybelline mascara for more than 50 years — proof that some travel staples truly stand the test of time.
Ahead, shop more flight attendant-approved products.
High Waisted Yoga Pants 7/8 Length with Pockets $25 at Amazon | Capri Blue Volcano Printed Travel Tin Jar Candle $23 at Amazon |
Refresh Relieva for Contacts Lubricant Eye Drops For Dry Eyes
| Fast Charging USB A to USB C Cable 10FT 2Pack for iPhone
|
Maybelline Great Lash Washable Mascara Makeup
| Loop Quiet 2 Ear Plugs $25 at Amazon |
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