Keep instant oatmeal in a bag for an easy breakfast.
Grace Antipala, who has been a flight attendant with Hawaiian Airlines since 2011, recommends keeping instant oatmeal in a Ziploc bag along with your preferred toppings (dried fruit, nuts, brown sugar). During meal service, ask your flight attendant for hot water and prepare your healthy meal in a coffee cup.
Try peppermint essential oil.
Antipala also carries a small bottle of peppermint essential oil with her on flights. She told T+L the oil is “great for nausea during a flight, freshen[s] your breath, and helps with odors from the flight.” Antipala will also dab a few drops onto a napkin and take a sniff to clear her sinuses. We love the travel-friendly Peppermint Halo Wand by Saje ($27).
Stay organized with collapsing laundry bags.
Taking a collapsible laundry bag can help you keep dirty clothes organized during your trip—and separated from other items on the way back. You can also opt for a waterproof version, which is perfect for stowing a damp bathing suit after a last minute run to the beach on your way to the airport.
Carry a hydrating face spray.
Another product Antipala regularly takes on flights is the AmorePacific face spray ($35), which comes in a TSA-approved 2.7 ounce bottle.
“The first ingredient in it isn’t water, but bamboo sap, so there are more essential oils to keep you hydrated and moisturized throughout your flight,” said Antipala.
Ship your packages beforehand.
To avoid having a longer wait time at airport security and using precious storage space for gifts, ship your luggage out before flying.
Invest in a multi-purpose jacket.
Antipala also recommends packing a light jacket, like the Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Parka ($80).
This thin-yet-cozy, water-resistant coat squishes easily into an included pouch. “I use it as a pillow,” said Antipala, “and always pack in no matter where I go since there can be cold snaps.”