Travel smart with these flight-crew-vetted trip essentials, on sale from $10

Congrats! After standing in line for an unreasonable amount of time, you finally got your overpriced airport coffee. Feels like a win ... until you realize you've run out of hands to hold it. This problem-solving caddy attaches to your carry-on luggage handle and has slots for two cups — so naturally, the flight attendants of the world use it religiously. 

"As a flight attendant, I purchased this for myself and as a gift for someone else," one wrote. "We both have received many compliments walking through airports. They hold bottles small and fairly large, [and you can] place your phone in the other compartment. You can't beat it."

Spending hours on a long flight without in-flight entertainment can feel like torture. On top of that, the entertainment that is available may feel like torture too. The perfect backup: Watching the shows and movies you love right from your phone, and this holder lets you prop up your device hands-free and at eye level. It easily attaches to your tray table or luggage handle and even functions as a phone stand.

"As a commuting flight attendant, [this] comes in very handy!" one crew member wrote. "At home, I like it propped up on the counter."

Travel experts and frequent fliers say packing cubes are one of the easiest ways to stay organized when you're bopping between locations. If you tend to overpack or always seem to forget something, they can keep everything tidy and easy to find. In addition to an array of cubes in various sizes, this eight-piece set includes a toiletry bag, shoe bag and sock bag.

"I’m a flight attendant so these are always with me," wrote one prepped pro. Another shared, "I'm getting ready for flight attendant training and wanted to buy these to help me organize the many things I need to bring. What surprised me is that both pairs of high heels fit in the shoe bag."

Read more: The best compression packing cubes of 2025, tested and reviewed

Cabin pressure often causes feet, ankles and legs to swell. It's smart to invest in compression socks to enhance blood circulation, and these top-sellers come with over 60,000 five-star reviews. The brand's 40-plus eight-packs come in a variety of colors and prints.

"Flight-attendant-approved!" said a five-star reviewer. "Compression tights or socks are a must in the aviation industry. ... They are perfect for long-haul flights. [They're] comfortable and help circulation."

This power bank juices up your phone multiple times on a single charge and makes travel so much easier — it comes with three attached cables. It's also super slim, so you can just slide it into your pocket or bag.

"As a flight attendant, I have to carry a backup charger. This one is great because it is so durable," one five-star reviewer wrote. "I get three full phone charges from this when it is fully charged. It has an electronic display to tell you how much charge it has left."

Even when we want to kick back, few of us can travel without our tech — think laptops, phones, portable chargers and tablets. That also means bringing along an array of cables and cords. Airline staffers and frequent fliers say this double-layer electronic accessories organizer has room for everything.

"As a flight attendant, this is perfect for me. All my chargers in one place. I love it!" one professional wrote.

One of my secrets to staying calm when traveling is to stay as organized as possible — and this compact, palm-size passport wallet has just enough compartments to keep important documents within reach. It has slots for a passport, credit cards, a boarding pass and even a pen. Best of all, there's RFID protection built in to shield sensitive personal data. 

This passport wallet also comes with two recovery tags from ReturnMe, the world's largest lost-and-found company.

One pilot gave it a glowing review. "Got this to hold my important things I need to fly — certificate, medical [card] and passport," the pro flier wrote. "They also offer you a lost-and-found reward, so if you lose it, it can be easily returned to you and the company provides you a reward."

Unless you plan to fully unplug for your overseas trip (this also includes your flat iron), you're going to need an outlet adapter. This one's super compact and easily converts those Euro plugs to allow you to use and charge your devices. It covers more than 150 countries and regions including the U.S., Australia and Europe. It even has five USB ports (four USB-A and one USB-C) to keep your gadgets and gizmos juiced up, giving you more bang for your buck.

"As a flight attendant, this is one of my travel must-haves," one globe-trotting pro wrote. "Having one adapter work virtually worldwide is so convenient as is being able to charge all your devices in one place."

This organizer strikes just the right balance between roomy and compact, and it has loads of convenient features that seasoned travelers love. In addition to the six built-in pockets and multiple slots, it comes with a detachable, transparent cosmetic bag that's TSA-approved, making a trip through security speedier. And it's available in 10 colors.

Several flight attendants praise this well-designed bag for simplifying traveling with toiletries. "I have had many hanging toiletry bags in my 22 years as a flight attendant and this is, by far, my favorite," this five-star reviewer wrote. "It fits everything I use for a three- or four-day trip and closes easily. [It's] perfect to hang from my hotel bathroom hooks, easy to access each component."

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Keeping your devices fully juiced up when you're away from home is a must, and this multi-device wireless charger makes you feel like you haven't left your nightstand. It can charge your phone, AirPods and Apple Watch all at once and folds up super small and flat when you're finished.

"This is awesome," one flight attendant wrote. "I can charge all my items at one time without bringing several chargers. [It] fast charges as well!"

If you're always chilly, this one's for you. Don't spend extra on an airplane blanket that may or may not be clean. This travel must-have, which also doubles as a pillow, is super soft (and cute) and keeps you warm without taking up too much space so that you won't bother your row-mates. It even folds up into the included carrying bag, which you can clip onto your luggage handle.

"I'm a former flight attendant (30 years) and highly recommend the EverSnug," one professional traveler wrote. "It's soft and pliable [and] so easy to pack in a carry-on bag. The blanket is large and when used as a pillow, it's comfortable and really helped as a lumbar support [pillow]."

This hands-free hold-all has room for your passport, credit cards, cash, phone, boarding passes and other valuables. RFID-blocking technology keeps your personal info secure too.

One retired flight attendant who still travels often swears by it. "I am still a traveler looking for products to be lighter for me," the former crew member wrote. "This one does just that. It has room to fit my passport, a credit card or two, and money."

What if your packing cube expanded into a full-blown set of shelves? That's exactly what this travel essential does. It makes unpacking a breeze. All you have to do is lift the cube out of your suitcase, hang it up, unbuckle the strap and let it expand. 

Flight attendants say it's made living out of a suitcase more tolerable. "I am an international flight attendant and packing for each trip with my travel shelf bag has made it so much easier to stay organized," one crew member wrote. "I can pack my outfit and uniform with ease knowing it is protected from everything that goes into my bag."

Dagne Dover is a sleeper travel accessory brand that those in the know swear by. This bag is durable and intelligently designed with stealth travel-friendly pockets — plus, it fits an astonishing amount of stuff. When worn crossbody or around the waist, it gives convenient, hands-free access to your passport, wallet, keys and any essentials you want at your fingertips. All four colors are on sale.

One airline professional admitted they're "obsessed" with this well-designed essential. "I wanted a fanny pack that I could wear as a crossbody and I love it," gushed the five-star fan. "I'm also a flight attendant, and it's great for going out and exploring or getting coffee in the gate area."

If you've ever tried to settle in for an in-flight snooze, you know it's a challenge. Flight crew members, who are experts at catch-as-catch-can cat naps (say that 10 times fast!), treasure a travel pillow that makes falling and staying asleep a bit easier.

One flight attendant who uses this after clocking out from international red-eyes shared, "This allows me to sleep and not wake up with a total neck ache."

Travelpro is among flight crew members' favorite luggage brands. From its lightweight build to its durable construction, this carry-on is one that pilots and other travel crew members, use and praise.

"I was referred by other flight attendants on [its] price, size and quality," one five-star reviewer on Amazon said. "I am very happy [with] this purchase. [It's] sturdy, great looking and worth the price. I was informed by an instructor that it has lasted her 19 years and is still going strong."

One pilot shared: "I like the two wheel pull version that I have used for years as an airline pilot. My wife wanted this version with the 4 wheels. It worked very well over various surfaces, and she is very happy with the purchase."