Have you noticed in 2025 that the pockets on the back of airplane seats have gotten smaller?

We need those seat pockets so we can easily access our inflight essentials. But like my other video, some airlines have made that pocket much smaller.

I will teach you 5 genius airplane seat travel hacks you never knew you needed for that little pocket.

Tip #1

The number one travel hack for the airplane seat back pocket is to pack your essentials in a hanging toiletry kit. I hang a toiletry kit from the seat back pocket after the flight departs.

It folds like a pouch in your personal item bag. When you sit, you only pull out that kit for the flight. This way, you are not constantly reaching for one more item that you need.

One pocket is for my inflight travel essentials.

Here is what I do in the airport. Right before boarding, I put those last minute items in there.

I pack my eye drops and a shallow contact lens type container of thick lotion for the flight. After washing hands even once, hands are prickly dry.

Another small travel essential would have any medicine needed during a long flight was my thinking. Sometimes you need to take a pill at night and a couple in the morning when you land after a long-haul flight.

Tip #2

You could also use a tech organizer that flaps over the seat pocket.

Tip #3

Instead of a tech organizer case, a travel hack would be to create a DIY pouch. Use a grocery store bag tied around your tray table bar. It could be for trash, but it could have 5 airplane seat essentials in it: a physical book, magazine, snacks, the prop for a phone or kindle, and have space for your reading glasses case.

Things to Consider

There are 2 problems that could arise.

  1. You got a new personal item bag. Give yourself grace if you are getting used to a new bag. It is the same feeling you get if you decide to run into a different grocery store. Every single thing is in a different location.
  2. Another potential problem mid-flight is that you have forgotten to put an essential in that seat pocket case.

My tips are:

  1. planes are darker now, so use your phone’s flash light to find your lost item.
  2. You create an amenities kit for mid-flight.
  3. One tiny essential you may need for a long flight is an individually wrapped floss stick to use in the lavatory.

One travel tip is know your seat personality before you go. What type of passenger are you? Organized? Need different things to do during the flight? 

The freebie below will help you eliminate what you do not need to have access to.

Tip #4

In small airplane seat pockets, you may not have room for a water bottle. Another travel hack is to pack a small carabiner for your collapsible type or Stanley type bottle of water.

Tip #5

This tray table cover is the supreme travel essential for seat pocket organization.

See how to use it in the airplane here.

Tip: put it on after take off so aisle stays clear.

Tip from a viewer named Jen: fill the pockets while in the boarding area or at home so that when you sit, you just pull it out and slide it over the table.

What To Do

When you get into your seat, take out your pouch and do 3 things:

  1. wait for the other passengers to get in place.
  2. pull out the pouch and hold it in your lap
  3. clean the tray table and seat belt buckle

So the final tip is to put an antibacterial wipe in your airplane seat bag.

Quick Tip for Your Personal Item Bag:

Learn how I organize my personal item bag be it a tote or backpack.

Those tips will help you save time and pack efficiently for the flight.

Don’t forget your freebie!