Here are the first 5 things I do in my airplane seat.
These travel tips are what I have learned while flying in all types of seats over 23 years as a pilot’s wife. When I board the airplane, I want to have as few things in my hands.
Tip Number 1: Consolidate
I trace my seat assignment with my finger – something visual so I will not forget where I am sitting so that I can put away my phone as I board.
Before your trip, have a designated pocket for your phone that is easy to get to, easy to zip so you can toss it and be hands free when paying for coffee or when walking down the aisle of the airplane.
If I carry a backpack, I make sure it will not whack passengers if I need to turn to grab my suitcase. My Level8 carry-on suitcase is narrow enough to go down almost every airplane so I keep my personal item bag on it until I get to my row.
Tip Number 2: Clean 3 Things
Add more if you want to. Clean the seat belt buckle, the tray table and arm rests.
My favorites are from Travel Wipes and are big and juicy, but do not count as liquids.
Tip Number 3: Essentials Pouch
Before my travel day I have packed an inflight pouch of essentials. This tip is where most passengers pack too much.
Go through what you will be doing for the flight. Are you a movie watcher? You only need your glasses, phone prop and airpods. Do not miss my video on how to download Netflix shows or movies to watch with no wifi.
Are you a reader? Do you need a reading light?
Are you a journaler? Do you want to sleep? Pack a neck pillow and consider wearing a scarf instead of packing a bulky blanket. I recommend 2 only. The TRTL is great, but a little expensive. The Cabeau S3 Evolution is my favorite, but is for long necks. Its strong velcro straps attach to the headrest pieces that pull forward for long flights. Your head will not fall forward or sideways if sleeping.
Tip Number 4: Organize Myself
The fourth thing I do when I get to my airplane seat is organize my essentials in the seat back pocket. This may sound like number 3 but hear me out.
You will be less stressed because you stressed less by organizing yourself at the beginning of the flight.
I have my inflight pouch. I put my crossbody bag beside my personal item under the seat or on top of it.
One of my most frequently asked questions is how do I bring a crossbody bag purse into the plane. I leave room at the top of my personal item bag and as soon as I get to my seat, I can take it out.
One thing you can do is wear a fanny pack for your credit card or something valuable for the flight or a band like this one (tip you cannot wear it in airport security). It can fit 2 passports in one of the pockets. The size medium is very snug on me as a size 10 but can be very helpful.
A recent travel hack that I realized, but after 23 years of flying, is to use your crossbody bag as an inflight pouch.
I drape my airpods pearl cord over the seat back pocket, I put my glasses case down in there, my wipe, and my tin of Gold Bond for Diabetics thick lotion.
You may also want a refresh pack. I have packed some BK Beauty makeup brush travel case with eyeshadows and an eyeliner in there.
This is my newest case-it holds my jewelry for the end of the flight, and it also has an individually wrapped floss stick as well as my eye drop vial.
Another travel hack especially for seats with hardly any room to lean down to get your bag is this tray table cover organizer. It is the new one that does not hang down low which is allowed. 4 pockets that you can pack and have inside your personal item bag. Pull it out ready for the flight.
But if I have a long flight, I will pack this lip medic tiny container (my tip is to use it just for number 1 a long dry air flight or number 2 dry vacation spots like Phoenix or Colorado.
Sometimes I use my laptop, and I have that under my personal item bag if I know I’ll use it.
Another essential item for a long flight is a portable power bank charger for your phone.
The updated travel rule is that some Asian countries are banning any use of power banks during the flight.
But you can STILL BRING it for when you land.
Southwest Airlines allows you to use a power bank but “in plain site” which means on the tray table or in your hand.
My travel tip is to use Anker, a very high quality and trusted brand. If there is a recall, they WILL find you.
Tip Number 5: Relax
Number five is the most essential thing, and that is to simply relax. Here’s how.
Start now to unwind. If that means you need to just close your eyes for 5 minutes with no interference for your brain to process, be it from music to reading to looking at screens, this step will help you get into vacation mode quickly!
Traffic or rude security officers do not pay for your flight or your vacation rental so don’t give that any space in your vacation bag.
And have fun.